The next day when Thomas woke up, he smelled one of the best aromas ever, chocolate chip pancakes. Licking his lips, he rushed downstairs and nearly collided into his dad, who had just recently arrived back from his business trip.

 "Hey Thomas, how's school going for you? Your mother told me that you didn't skip school yesterday, even though you had the chance. What's up with that, and what did you do with Thomas?" his father asked, playfully.

 The brunette shrugged and replied, "Well I just decided that my education is more important than video games and television." Thomas hated lying to his dad, but he didn't want to tell him that one of the only reasons he wanted to go to school was because of a certain blonde boy.

 "Alright then, keep your secrets," mocked Thomas's father. "I'll knock the truth out of you at some point." His father chuckled and Thomas, who rather doubted that he would spill the beans, weakly smiled.

 A few moments later, Thomas followed the scent of the pancakes into the kitchen where his mom was humming happily and making the delicious hotcakes.

 "Smells great, Mom." Thomas said as he breathed in the delightful aroma of freshly made pancakes.

 "Tomkin! You're finally up! I was about to send your father upstairs to retrieve you." The brunette winced at the embarrassing nickname that his mom often called him when she was excited, but gave her a hug anyway.

 His mother continued speaking, "I was thinking of dropping you off at school today, is that ok with you? You told me you missed the bus again yesterday, and since I don't have to be at work until later, I was thinking that I could take you. How does that sound?"

 "Um...yeah, ok. I guess that'll be fine." the teen mumbled.

 "Are you ok, Thomas? You seem really out of it lately," his mom inquired, concerned.

 "Yeah, I'm fine. Just really tired." Thomas yawned for the full effect.

 However, his mom wasn't fooled by his response and she said, "Who is the lucky girl or boy?"

 Thomas gaped. "What? How...how did you know?" He often wondered how his mom seemed to know everything and sense when he was lying, but this was just impressive.

 She smirked. "Well it's not very difficult to see, to be honest. Ever since Tuesday night you started acting a little suspicious and you have had this intriguing look in your eyes, that I can't really put into words. I am also pretty sure that's why you wanted to go to school yesterday, is it not? I know that I did similar things when I was your age."

 Thomas's ears burned bright scarlet and he tried not to look into his mother's inquiring eyes as he spoke. "Um...well there's this guy that is tutoring me in math class twice a week...and, um...I guess you can figure out the rest."

 "Awe, sweetie that's so adorable! You should totally invite him over sometime! I'd love to get to meet him. It's so kind of him to tutor you, he seems like just the type of guy for you!"

 "Mom! Please stop, you're just as bad as Minho and Brenda, which is saying something." Thomas couldn't believe his mom and he seriously doubted that Newt chose to tutor Thomas on purpose. Newt was probably asked by a teacher to tutor Thomas, probably because he was one of the smartest students in twelfth grade.

 "I insist you invite him over Tomkin! It would be very nice to have someone else other than Minho over for once, since he usually steals all the snacks whenever he comes over. So do you think you could invite this special friend of yours over tomorrow evening at 6:30? I can make you guys dinner and I'll let you boys watch movies, or whatever teenagers do these days."

 "Um, Mom, I don't think that's necessary. I doubt Newt likes me in that way, even though Minho thinks so. I mean, I just met him..."

 "Well, I think that if you like him you should give it a shot. Believe me, I speak from my own experience. Even if he doesn't return your feelings, it's better to handle the rejection sooner, rather than later."

 The brunette considered this for a moment. He didn't exactly want to invite Newt over because he didn't want his parents to make it too awkward for Newt or himself but another part of him wanted to see his crush more and maybe even get to know him a little better. Besides, even if he refused the offer, his mom would still force him to invite Newt over anyway. Sighing, he finally spoke up, "Ok, I'll do it. As long as you don't embarrass either of us, alright? Also, can you please give me some pancakes, I'm starving."

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 After he had gotten ready and his mom had drove him to school, Thomas was relieved to see that he was early for once. Minho and Brenda were nowhere to be seen and there were only a few students around the entrance doors. One of the students was off to the side, sitting cross-legged under a tree, and seemed to be drawing something in a sketchbook. With a jolt, Thomas realized that it was Newt but before he could step forward to say hello a mean, spiteful looking guy came up from behind the blonde and snatched away his sketchbook.

 Newt gasped and the mean boy spoke in a gravelly voice, "What's this Isaac?! Are you drawing your boyfriend or something?!" The bully skimmed through the notebook and sniggered as he did so, lifting the book higher whenever the smaller teen tried to grasp back his treasured possession.

 "Gally, please give it back! My-my drawings are bloody private, ok?" Newt stammered, his eyes watering slightly.

 "Not until you tell me who this loser is that you seem to admire so much," Gally muttered darkly.

 Thomas had had enough of this jerk interrogating his innocent friend and he hurriedly stomped towards the mothershucker. "What do you think you're doing, slinthead? Picking on someone just because they're more sensitive than you are, huh?" Thomas spat. He couldn't believe that anyone would ever pick on Newt, and he wondered whether or not this 'Gally' picked on Newt daily, but he hoped otherwise.

 Gally whipped around at Thomas's brave words and chuckled humorlessly. "Oh it's you, is it? I don't know why you're wasting your time with this faggot."

 Suddenly, Thomas felt a wave of hatred crash over him and he lunged at Gally, who was not prepared for his unexpected attack and he shouted, "Get your filthy hands off me!" But before Gally could do  anything else, Thomas snatched Newt's sketchpad from his thick, sweaty hands and tossed it to the blonde, who caught it, looking very relieved.

 Gally looked so agitated that Thomas wouldn't have been surprised if his ears blew out steam. Glaring at Thomas, he hurried away into the entrance of the school but not before saying, "This isn't over, you moron."

 Thomas scowled after him and once he was out of sight he turned back to Newt who was sitting in the grass, tightly holding on to his book.

 "Newt are you ok?"

 Newt looked like he was on the verge of tears, but he gave Thomas a small smile and said, "Yeah, thanks to you. You didn't have to stand up for me, I mean no one else really does, other than my friend Alby, but he's sick at the moment."

 "Oh, Newt I'm so sorry, I didn't know," said Thomas. Thomas wondered why Brenda didn't tell him that Newt was bullied, but perhaps she thought that it would have upset him, (which it obviously did.) Before he thought about what he was doing, he found himself kneeling down to hug Newt and gently rubbing his slender back. They seemed to be lying there together on the grass for quite a long time but once the bell rang, their embrace didn't seem to last long enough.

 As they got up, Newt finally spoke with a slight pinkish tinge on his cheeks, "Bye Tommy, I really appreciate what you said to Gally back there...and, uh yeah..."

 Thomas grinned. "Anything for a friend, right? Wait, do you consider us friends? I mean I do...but uh that reminds me...do you want to come over to my house for dinner at 6:30 tomorrow evening? We could do stuff with each other too if you want...wait, but not in that way! I mean like movies and stuff..." Thomas's ears burned red once again and he quickly shut his mouth before he rambled any more or embarrassed himself any further.

 Newt burst out laughing and turned an even brighter shade of red than he had earlier. "Bloody hell, Tommy. You really are flattering sometimes. Of course we're friends, and I'd love to go to your house tomorrow. Movies would be brilliant too, I'm a fan of most things science fiction, fantasy, and action."

 "Ooh, me too! I have plenty of those kinds of movies at home, they're also my parents' favorite genres."

 "Sounds nice Tommy, I'm going to go to class. I'll see you later today though."

 "Bye, Newt."

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 Thomas couldn't wait until math class, which was definitely a new thing for him. Unfortunately he was only 1/4 of the way through lunch, and he still had to wait two more classes until he would see Newt again. He had just told his friends about what happened between Newt and Gally and asked Brenda why she had not told him about the bully before.

 "I'm so sorry, I knew I should've told you about him earlier, but I just didn't want to upset you. I knew it would be a matter of time before you found out," said Brenda.

 "It's ok. Gally really is a slinthead though, isn't he?"

 "Sure sounds like one," said Minho, in between bites of food.

 "Yes, he's often rather horrible," added Brenda. "I could try to help Newt though. Him and Gally are in most of my classes, anyway."

 "That would be very nice, thanks."

 "No problem, Thomas."

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 A couple hours later, Thomas entered the library and saw Newt already waiting for him at a table in the very back. He appeared to be drawing in his sketchbook again and Thomas didn't want to interrupt him. The blonde looked quite content, plus he was very nice to look at. But the brunette knew that staring wouldn't get him anywhere so he crept towards the table.

 He set down his materials on the table and then plopped into the seat next to his friend. Newt jumped and quickly shut his book, before Thomas could see what he was drawing.

 "Bloody hell, Tommy! What's with all the sneaking up behind me?" Newt demanded.

 "I don't know, I'm sorry...I didn't mean to."

 "No, it's fine. You just startled me, is all." Newt smiled. "So are you ready to do shuckin' math, Tommy?"

 Thomas giggled. He didn't expect Newt to use his slang words, but he thought it was quite adorable. "Yes, it's more fun with you."

 "Really?" asked Newt.

 "Of course. It's way more fun to have a friend teach you rather than a grumpy old teacher."

 Newt chuckled. "Just don't tell Ms. Paige what you said Tommy, she wouldn't appreciate it."

 "Still, it's true though. Wasn't she your math teacher last year?"

 "Yes she was, and yeah I guess you're right," said Newt.

 The two boys burst out laughing and then finally got to work, feeling joyful and excited. They couldn't wait until Friday evening.