Robbie was caught off guard at the sight of Harry at his door. He certainly didn't want Harry to see him like this. He tried to smooth down the disaster area he called his hair. The clothes he wore came from the Salvation Army. He couldn't do anything about the holes in the knees of his worn jeans. They were the style anyway.

Harry was thrown at the sight of Robbie. Up close he looked terrible. His skin was as pale as a vampire, there were dark circles under his eyes. He didn't look like his old self. In fact Robbie looked so pitiful that Harry wanted to forget all the bad stuff and just hold him in his arms.

Robbie lowered his eyes. "What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be in class now?"

"I'm not going anywhere until I get some answers," Harry said. "You owe me that much."

Robbie knew Harry wasn't budging. He was so stubborn. "Fine, come on in, it's your time." He led Harry to the sofa and they sat side by side. "So what's up?"

Harry turned to face him. "You dumped me so I could keep my job."

Robbie rolled his eyes. "Geez, right to the point, huh?"

"You did that so I could keep my job and stay in school, right?" Harry watched his profile. "Isn't that why you called your father?"

"Hello, my allowance."

"Yeah I thought that too," Harry nodded. "That would be a good reason for breaking it off."

"It is."

"But where's your money, Robbie?" Harry said. "Where are those designer clothes you love so much? Why the rags?"

Robbie looked to where Harry was pointing, a large hole on the sleeve of his shirt just under his arm. He quickly covered it with his other hand.

"I saw you taking the bus this morning," Harry went on. "You swore you would never take public transportation."

Robbie shrugged. "So what? Busses aren't that bad. At least they're cheaper than cabs."

Harry kept watching him. "What were you doing at my school?"

"That's really none of your business," Robbie bristled. He looked uncomfortable, squirming and picking at his clothes. So far he hadn't looked Harry in the eye.

"You paid my tuition, didn't you?"

Robbie was quiet.

"Didn't you?"

More silence as Robbie kept looking away.

"I think I have it figured out," Harry said. "First you told your father you dumped me so he wouldn't cut you off. Then after you dumped me, your daddy gives you your allowance and you use it all to pay my tuition. Am I right?"

Robbie shrugged again. He tried to play it cool but gave in. "Okay, okay. Maybe I did," he admitted. "but you left out the part where I sold most of my things. That was a huge tuition bill you had. I thought I would have to sell my kidneys too."

Harry took his hand. "Why did you do it?"

"Seriously?" Robbie scoffed. "Cause you never shut up about that education of yours. You and your schooling, it was so important to you. That's all I ever hear about."

"Come on, Robbie, there's more to that and you know it."

"Hey I did you a favor taking on that huge bill," Robbie went on. "By the way, you're welcome."

"Thanks," Harry felt a little touched by his generous gift. "I don't know if I can pay you back."

"Wow, can't take a simple gift, can you?" Robbie nudged him playfully.

"I believe in charity now and then, for a good cause."

Harry wasn't letting him off that easily. "Was that the only reason you did it, because I'm a charity case?"

Again Robbie shrugged, avoiding eye contact. "What other reason is there?"

Harry shook his head. "Why don't you stop playing Mr. Casual and just be honest with me." he said. "Drop the act and just be real with me."

Robbie turned and faced him back. "What are you asking?"

Harry held Robbie's hands between his own. "I think you know," he said. "Do you love me?"

Robbie was speechless.

"It's a simple question," Harry went on. "You wouldn't have given up everything you had to help me with my school. You wouldn't have done that for any other reason. Do you love me?"

Robbie opened his mouth a few times but nothing came out.

"Are you going to be honest with me," Harry persisted. "Or are you going to keep up the cool and casual act?"

It wasn't long before Robbie took a deep breath and started talking. "Okay, fine, I still love you. Satisfied?"

Harry was determined to get this guy to show his true colors. "So why were you so cruel to me?"

"Because I had to do it," Robbie said. "It was part of my plan. I didn't want to see you ruined too like Paul."

"Don't you think you should have let me in on what you were doing?" Harry said.

"I knew you wouldn't have gone along with it," Robbie said. "I know you don't like deception."

"Then you need to trust me," Harry was looking him in his eyes. "Trust is very important to me."

"I'm sorry," Robbie repeated. "I didn't mean any of those horrible things. I never played you, ever. I was telling the truth about Paul abusing me. I really did mean it when I told you I loved you. I still do. It really hurt me saying those things to you."

"Don't you think it hurt me more hearing them?" Harry said quietly.

"I know and I'm so sorry." Robbie held Harry's face between his hands. "I really, really love you, Harry. I know I said some very crappy things to you, I didn't mean it."

"Robbie."

Robbie silenced him with a kiss on the lips, followed by more kisses all over his face. He was no longer being casual. "I didn't have anyone at my place that night, I lied about that too. I don't want to be with anyone else but you. I just wanted you to keep your dream."

Harry tried to speak but Robbie kept on talking while holding him close.

"I know what my father is capable of doing. I didn't want to see you ruined like Paul. You don't deserve that. I thought this was the only way. Please forgive me."

Harry allowed Robbie to hug and kiss him for a while before he pulled himself away. "I don't know."

Robbie stopped. "What? What's the matter? I'll do anything you want. Anything."

Harry sighed. "I need to think about this for a while," He felt drained. "I just need some time."

"But I said I was sorry."

"Robbie, you ripped out my heart and tore it into a million pieces just so you can lie to your dad. It's not that simple."

"But--"

"My heart can only handle so much. I don't even know if I can forgive you, let alone trust you."

Robbie was afraid of where this was going. "Come on, baby, please, I didn't mean it." He begged. "We make a great team, you know that. I have never been as sorry as I am right now. I really am sorry."

"I know you are," Harry said. "But I need to rethink this relationship. I have been on so many twists and turns. Ever since I met you it's been like one huge, crazy roller coaster ride. I just need to take a moment to pause. This is too much."

As Harry rose from the sofa Robbie grabbed his arm. "Wait," he begged. "You will forgive me, won't you? My intentions were good. It was all for you."

Harry pulled away and headed to the door. "I need some time, Robbie."

"Okay," Robbie backed down. "Sure, whatever you need. I'll be waiting for you."

Harry left, closing the door after him.

Robbie sat there for a while, feeling hurt. Oh, so this was what Harry felt. His own pain was bad enough but poor Harry's had to have been worse. He wondered if he had blown it, possibly for good. He hoped not. Harry was his life and his world. Without him, Robbie didn't know what he was going to do.

A/N Hey guys, let me know if you are interested in a sequel to this book. Feel free to drop a few suggestions. I'm already playing around with some ideas. Thanx for your support and have a great day :)