"You're fucking kidding!" John said, dying laughing as Alex recounted the afternoon. "Lafayette just came into your classroom and asked if we've banged?" It's not that John was surprised, it wasn't out of character for Laf to do those types of things. It's the sheer fact that he asked right after they actually did. John eventually calmed down from laughing and thought for a second. "Hey, what did Laf call you that ticked you off so much?" John asked thinking back to the conversation.

Alex mumbled something under his breath. John gave him an unamused looked. Alex rolled his eyes and exaggerated a sigh. "He called me little kitten, because he knows how much I hate it," Alex said with a sort of grumpy tone. John's eyes widened. Alex rolled his eyes again.

"Oh my God, Alex," John started. "That is the best thing I have ever heard." Alex glared at him.

"If you ever even think of calling me that you will regret it greatly," Alex warned. John just crossed his arms and pouted.

"But I don't have any pet names for you, and I want to have pet names for you," John was still pouting, but Alex just rolled his eyes and batted at John's arm.

"So you want your pet name for me to be something that Lafayette calls me to?" Alex questioned. John thought about it for a second.

"Fair point, I'll just come up with something on my own," John decided. 

"Or maybe I don't need a pet name?" Alex suggested. John shook his head looking disgusted at the mere thought.

"No, you definitely need a pet name," John said, shaking his head as though trying to shake away the idea. Alex just rolled his eyes, not having the energy or even really feeling the need to argue on this. "Hey do you wanna grab something to eat?" John asked.

"Um, no thanks, I have too many papers to correct tonight," he said. John raised his eyebrows.

"Are you sure? Do you have food at home? Do you want me to bring something? I can bring something. I can be over there while you cor-" Alex cut him off.

"Hun, I'll be fine. I'll get something to eat at my place. It's probably best if you don't come over because we'd get... distracted, if you know what I mean," Alex winked at him. John laughed and nodded.

"Fair point, once again," John chuckled. Just make sure you get something to eat." Alex nodded.

"I promise, I will," Alex assured him. John seemed happy with the response, so he kissed Alex's cheek and left the room. Alex sighed, feeling a little bad about lying. But he didn't want John to worry, like Alex knew he would. If John was worried, if John found out, he would try to fix it, and Alexander couldn't handle that. Something snapped in him and he had to change in the most efficient way he could. Even if he probably shouldn't be doing it.

He got into his car feeling guilty. He drove away feeling guilty. He went into his apartment feeling guilty. He couldn't stop feeling guilty. But it was better than how he felt before. Disgusting. Fat. This was definitely better.

Yo, this chapter was short, so sorry about that. Also, this next chapter might get a lil angsty, but not too bad. Also, can we take a moment and appreciate Anthony Ramos's Freedom EP? Like, it's so good, it's crazy.