"So," I ask, "are we like, a thing now?"

"Are we?" Wilson asks, "I'm not sure. I mean, if we are you do know that doesn't mean I'll let you help right?"

"Why won't you let me help you?" I demand, annoyed, which I just know shows on my face as I cross my arm, "you deserve to be happy Wilson."

"All I deserve is a bullet in my head," Wilson retorts, "cause I'm failing millions. Today. Right now. I'm failing to protect them. I have to make a third friend."

"Why not just go into the cafeteria and talk to some kid?" I ask, "or Shelby? Both will work."

"Honestly I'm gonna hangout with Henry when I get better," Wilson shrugs, "he's a cool dude if you wanna tag along."

Wilson paces to the window and glares. Deep in thought, maybe some painful memory, judging by how his expression sours as he presses the hand to the glass.

"Have you ever lost?" He asks, "just, everything? In one go? One moment. One moment that ruins your life that was all your fault and you know it was?"

"No," I reply.

"If I had protected," Wilson clenches his fist, "it wouldn't have happened. If I had just protected..."

Wilson takes a deep breath, calming himself, and smiles as he turns to face me.

"Halloween is right after the full moon right?" Wilson asks.

"Why do you ask?" I inquire.

"I may have a bone to pick with Emmret," Wilson smirks, "full moon is... Sunday night? Are we ready for an A+ class demon?"

"Sure with Mr. Wensday," I reply.

Wilson smiles and opens his window, letting in the cold night air. He takes pleasure in the cold, as if it soothes him, calms him. He seems at peace.

He sheds his jacket and begins to speak, "I hate heat. Heat makes me think of that day, but before the holidays start, or after they end, whichever, when it's cold, I feel safe. I feel secure. I feel those I love are safe."

Wilson turns to face me and asks, "do you have a favorite season?"

"I love Summer," I reply, "the freedom of the long days, the sun, the warmth, the trees being so green and full of life."

"I get where you're coming from," Wilson explains, "but... when things are moving, there is danger. When the world slumbers, they're safe. Do you understand what's it like? Always, and I mean ALWAYS scared they'll get hurt? I have to save them from... well every threat and if I don't the guilt will kill me."

"Wilson..." I reply, unsure what to do, but a deep concern within me as I try to say anything. Anything to ease his mind.

"I don't think we should date," Wilson sighs, "first of all it's kinda rushing into things."

"Counterpoint," I force a smile, "if we rush in and it doesn't work out we can rush out of it too."

"Counterpoint if it does work out," Wilson shrugs, "you'll be heartbroken cause I expect to be dead any day now. I mean, I hardly eat, or sleep, and I keep pushing and pushing. I honestly don't think I have much longer. I don't wanna die and hurt my friends. That's one of the major reasons I've been trying to not make any. I do have feelings for you but-"

I just, hug him. I dunno what else to do.

"Sure rush into things," a hallucination taunts, but I brush it off.

"Wilson," I plead, "let me help you."

"Never," Wilson retorts, "you don't get it do you?"

Wilson puts up some resistance, so I let go as he sighs. "I am..." he sighs, "I'm... I don't even know anymore. I grew up in that redneck Hell. I am tainted by it. I'm not a person. I'm a weapon to fight threats. I'm a guardian. Being "happy" isn't something I get to do. I'm 17 and haven't had my first kiss yet cause I was busy protecting. I don't do this cause I want to. I do it cause no one else will. I do, again, have feelings for you but I don't want my recklessness to hurt you. Do you understand?"

OK I'm fucking sick of this! All this bullshit about being a weapon! Fuck this!

I slap some sense into him and then kiss him.

"Well that's your first kiss," I explain, "and enough bullshit! OK? No more bullshit! Listen to me! You are Wilson Oakwood! You will live a long and happy life! You're not a fucking weapon! Do you understand?"

Wilson sighs and shrugs with a grin, "well, I suppose for you I can try."

"Good," I reply walking towards the door out his room, but stop and ask, "how do you feel?"

"I feel..." Wilson thinks, "I... I love you? I think? It's probably way to soon say that and all but I did. I... I dunno what to do. Back In my town, no one challenged me. No one wanted to help me. Now people do and I don't understand it. I'm still gonna protect everyone and not accept help, but why? Why are things different here? Why do people even care about 'Mr. Nothing'? I've been here for a few days and so much has gone on. Cathrine, are you safe? Are you really safe?"

"I already told you-" I begin to explain.

He opens the locket and demands, "from this Cathrine? You? Henry? Shelby?"

I stare the image in shock that that's what it is? To some of seems like a minor thing. Yet I know better. I've been lucky to he safe from that, or, no, the norm is that someone is safe from that, but as tears well up in his eyes, I remember, that's the norm overall, but in his town, and some other places, they break the norm.

"I don't..." he cries, "not to that. Don't get hurt by that. Did it already happen? Did it?"

"No no!" I exclaim, "no it's OK. Shelby, Henry, me, dude, the majority of people are safe. I'm sorry you grew up in that town. Look at me. Look me in the eye."

He complies, now shaking from fear.

"I swear everyone you care about at this school is safe."

He hugs me, still crying. I hug him back and hush him, "it's OK. It's OK. You need to eat. I'm sure they're back by now, and..."

I take a deep breath and smile, "I love you too Wilson..."