*WARNING- foul language and bullying, nothing major though.*

Finals started before Ethan even had time to live his new relationship a little. Before long, the loving conversations between Ethan and Joshua turned into discussions of physics formulas and famous poets. 

"This is just impossible to solve." Ethan said, one fateful day, sitting on his bed, pulling his hair out of his head in frustration.

Joshua looked over his shoulder to see the question and said, "The answer is -4" 

"How can you even solve this monstrosity by just looking at it." Ethan asked, groaning in frustration.

"I just did some similar questions, it's easy if you know all the quantities, and units." Joshua said, going back to his book.

"Can you take my exam for me?" Ethan asked, pouting cutely to sway Joshua.

"You know that's not possible, I can help you study." Joshua said, still not looking up his book.

"Say what, you take my exam and I'll give you whatever you like." Ethan said, trying to bribe.

"Let's say I agree, how do you plan to pull it off? Everyone knows I am not than." Joshua said, just to entertain Ethan.

"Why do I have to tell everything? You are the big brain between both of us, you are supposed to make some amazing plan." Ethan whined.

"And I did, I'll help you study and you're gonna score good." Joshua coaxed Ethan, finally looking up.

"You are of no use." Ethan grumbled, going back to his books.

Joshua just pulled Ethan's chin with his hands and placed a light kiss on his lips, making Ethan red as a tomato.

"How about now, still think I am useless?" He teased.

But a knock on the door made both of them jump. Just as Joshua stood up, to jump out of the window, Alice's voice came through the other side.

"it's just me, idiot. Now open the door."

Ethan did so, holding the door open for seconds before locking it again.

"What do you want now?" Ethan asked, uninterested.

"Respect your sister a little, will you?" she complained. "What are guys doing for prom by the way?"

"Ethan scoffed at her question. "Us? Prom? Do you even know the concept of secret?" 

"I do, but still. You guys aren't going with some random girls are you?" She asked, horrified.

"We are not, I am not even going to prom. I'll just take some extra job from the place I work." Joshua said, uninterested.

"And I'll just go alone. I have enough charm and personality, I don't need a date." Ethan said, flicking imaginary hair.

"God, you ruined my mood. You both can't just go separately and then spend your prom together as friends." Alice suggested.

"Not worth it, with the rumors circulating around me, I don't want to drag than into it." Joshua explained, reaching out for Ethan's hand. "I am happy just being with him, I don't want to create unnecessary trouble."

They continued studying, hand in hand unknown to what trouble was making its way towards them.

---------------------------------

"Finally the exams are over!!!" David cheered.

"Yeah, but I am pretty sure, my last question is wrong." Ha Yoon said, not even bothering to check the question paper again.

"The last question was pretty easy though." Joshua remarked, nose still in the question paper. 

"For you, yes but for me, no." Ha Yoon said, laughing.

They all walked down the exit of their school, laughing and joking. After all, exams are over.

"You all got a date to prom?" Oliver asked, catching up to them.

"I don't know, there are these two girls who have asked me, they both are great. I don't know who to take." David said, sad at the prospect of rejecting someone.

"Damn, nobody asked me though. And whoever I ask is already taken." Oliver groaned.

"I am all set, I am going with my girlfriend." Ha Yoon said, happily.

"You guys are back together, didn't you break up a week ago?" Ethan asked, he surely remembered Alice telling him about the breakup.

"Nah, we just took a break." Ha Yoon clarified.

"What about you Ethan?" Oliver asked.

"Alone, most probably." Ethan answered.

"Why? Didn't Amelia and Lily ask you?" David asked, shocked.

"Yeah, but I don't like them. Amelia has this weird ex-boyfriend who picks a fight with everyone close to her and Lily has this weird obsession with clicking pictures. I am better off alone." Ethan said, trying to close the topic.

"Yeah, but still. Can't you ask someone else?" David asked. "Just ask one of the girls who asked me, this way, I won't even have to reject her.

"No thanx, I'd like to see you suffer." Ethan joked. Between all this banter, Joshua suddenly stopped walking.

Everyone turned to ask him but Joshua looked completely horrified. They followed his gaze to look outside, where some gangster-looking kids were standing with bats and pipes in their hands.

"What is happening? Who are they?" David asked, watching Ethan turn pale too.

"Hey Cruz, better come out on your own, or we'll have to hurt your friends too." The biggest among them shouted.

Joshua regained his composure and started walking towards them, Ethan caught his arm, stopping him from going out but Joshua shrugged it away, going out towards the bullies.

"Why didn't you bring your new bitch with you? Come on, don't be shy." One of them mocked, waving at Ethan to come forward.

"What do you want?" Joshua asked, calmly.

"Just wanted to see how our old friend was doing. You know my cousin, Andy, he said you are spreading your mental disease here." The biggest one of them answered, his yellow teeth, spread in a wide grin.

"Yeah, we thought why not break you a little more, so you can't get up your whole life. You know, so others don't have to see you ever again." Another bully added.

"Let's take it somewhere else." Joshua ordered. This upset the bullies, confidence and calmness are not something they appreciate in their target's voice.

One of them came forward and punched Joshua hard. Ethan couldn't stay back and watch it happen so he ran forward to shield Ethan. Looking at him, David and others, who were shell-shocked moments ago, ran forward too.

"What the heck are you talking about?" David asked.

"Hasn't your little friend told you?" One of them mocked. "He is a retard, who loves guys. And this beside him is his new target." 

David looked conflicted, he looked back at Ethan, shocked and confused. Ethan couldn't help but cry.

"So what?" David said finally.

"Huh? Haven't you heard? He is a fag." The bully said, trying to clarify.

"And? What is wrong with that?" David asked again, making the bully's smile drop.

"So you are also one of them huh?" The big bully said, angrily.

He came forward, charging at David but Ha Yoon and Oliver pushed the bully away together.

"Gay or not, you can't beat him up." Ha Yoon said, angrily.

Suddenly all of the baseball team started coming up, standing behind Ha Yoon, like a loyal gang. Hunter, Dan, Damian, Henry, Harry, Charlie, Jake, and Mike looked confused but determined to fight if Ha Yoon was attacked.

"You are making a mistake, you all will become outcasts too if you take that fag's side." The bully warned.

"No, we won't." Ha Yoon said, confidently.

"And even if we did, we won't mind much." David added, cockily. 

The bullies had to return, facing so many people, they found it wise to retreat.

"How can someone be such a jerk? Coming all the way here just to attack someone." Ha Yoon, said angrily.

"Are you alright Joshua?" David asked, looking at Joshua, who was still stuck to Ethan, but nodded.

"You could have told me earlier, Ethan." David said to his friend, making a disappointed face.

"I am sorry." Ethan answered, wiping his tears.

"OH, That's why you both weren't going to the prom." Oliver said, finally realizing.

Ha Yoon just facepalmed at his friend's stupidity.

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Hello Lovely Readers!!

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