Mitch returned to school the following week. He arrives with Kirstie and Jeremy who walk him to class. Even though they're early he hears the people talking around him.

"Little fairy doesn't have a bodyguard anymore."
"Faggot lost fuck buddy."

And countless other remarks that cut him like a knife. Of course Jeremy doesn't stand for it and gets in the commenters faces, threatening bodily harm if they don't back off. It reminds Mitch of Scott and makes him smile just a bit.

He spends lunch in the choir room now accompanied by his two friends. They have decided to cut makeout time from their school schedule for Mitch. However, he knows they more than make up for it at home. Kirstin doesn't spare the juicy details of their relationship when gossiping with Mitch.

Choir drags around. Mitch has been practicing his solo in private a bit. He had planned on rehearsing every day with Scott but that clearly hadn't been happening. They haven't done much in class with the songs so it's a bit of a surprise when Mr. Ward announces their practicing today.

"Okay everyone listen up. I know we haven't been practicing a lot lately other than working on background parts. And we haven't went over any of the solos. I'm sorry, I've been a bit distracted lately. However, I wanted to remind you that our performance is in six weeks. That doesn't give us a lot of time but I believe in you all. I'm also cutting one song from the line up. So we will still have Kirstin singing "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" and Mitchell singing "Can't Help Falling in Love." I've made the executive decision to cut "Hallelujah." If there aren't any questions I want you to get with your sections and rehearse while I work with the two soloists. And yes Jackson."
"Why don't you just give the solo to someone else? It's not our fault the queer got arrested."
"First of all you know this is a zero tolerance zone. Don't use that language here. Second, don't speak of people who aren't here to defend themselves. And third, executive decision, meaning my choir, my rules, my song choices. If you have a problem with any of that I'll give you a pass to see Mrs. Jones, I'm sure she can help change your schedule."

Mitch was amazed at what Mr. Ward said, he stood slack jawed looking at Jackson who was gaping his mouth open and shut in an attempt to respond.

"Now I'll see Mitch and Kirstie in my office. Section leaders you know what to do. Mr. Lewis, you are responsible for keeping everything organized, if you have issues with anyone," Mr. Ward made eye contact with Jackson, "please come and get me immediately. If you have questions ask Jeremy and he will direct you to the right answer or come and get me. Off to it!"

The group scattered to various corners of the room to work. The two soloists followed their teacher into the small office in the corner of the room. Mr. Ward opened the window so he could see the class while he worked with Kirstie and Mitch.

"Mr. Ward, that was awesome!"
"What was awesome Mitch?"
"The way you put Jackson in his place like that and stood up for Scotty. It was amazing."
"Okay so as a teacher I'm not allowed to play favorites but I'll let you in on a little secret. I like some of my students more than others. Jackson is at the bottom of that totem pole. Scott's legally my kid now, he's up at the top, so are you two for the record. Plus I don't like jealous people and Jackson's always hated the fact that Scott's more talented that he is."
"Yea, but why did you cut the song? Jackson's right you could have given the solo to someone else."
"I could have but it didn't feel right to do that. I pick songs with particular voices in mind, that's not to say I know who has the solos before auditions because surprises always happen. But with that song, the only person I hear singing it is Scott. And when he's back next semester, the song will be here for him."

Mitch wanted to cry. He couldn't wait to tell Scott about what Kyle had done for him. He hoped that it would prove to Scott that he was worthy of being loved, that he wasn't just some delinquent, that people actually cared.

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

Scott was hating his life. He had yet to accept the fact that he would living in a six by six cell for the next five months. He didn't want to believe it. It had been over three weeks since he got arrested, over a week since he was convicted, and it wasn't getting easier.

Mitch visited as often as possible. Always coming up on Saturdays for group visitations and throughout the week when Nel let him. But it was hard for Scott. He had to watch him walk in every time, see his eyes light up, then when he left, he would watch him cry. It killed Scott to know he was the cause of Mitch's pain.

Thankfully Scott had Kevin and Avi to rant and vent to. Otherwise he surely would have driven himself crazy. He found himself relying more on the other two boys for comfort as time progressed.

"Guy, I don't know what to do."
"What to do about what?" Avi asked.
"Mitch."
Kevin jumped in, "what about him? Did you two fight or something?"
"No nothing like that. I just hate seeing him so upset."
"That's not your fault."
"It is though. If he wasn't with me he wouldn't be going through this."
"You want to break up with him? You want him to break up with you?"
"No Avi. Fuck no! I love him, I couldn't take it if we broke up. I just don't know what to do about him being so heartbroken every time he visits."
"There's nothing you can do. He misses you Scott. He can't help it and neither can you. It's just how love works. I'm sure I'll be doing the same thing when I visit Avi in a few weeks."
"Really? You'll cry every time you have to leave me?"
"Maybe not cry but I'll be sad about it. And probably a little guilty too, knowing I have to leave you and go live my life outside."
"You think Mitchie feels guilty? Why?"
"Well, from what you've told us about the fight, you were protecting Mitch. Maybe he feels if he were different, stronger maybe, you wouldn't have felt the need to protect him."
"That's stupid. It doesn't matter how strong he is, I'd still feel the need to protect him. He's my boyfriend, it's what I'm supposed to do."
"I didn't say it was rational."
"I just want him happy. He gets anxious and depressed and I'm not there to help him. It worries me. I know what happens when he gets bad, and I just... I can't... I don't even want to think about what he could do if it gets bad enough."
"Just keep an eye on any changes you see when he visits. Check in when you write. Ask your guardians to watch out for him. Just remind him you love him."
"Thanks Kev, you too Avi, you guys always know what I need to hear."
"You're welcome bro. After all, when Kevy's out, I'm sure you'll need to repeat all this shit to me. Cause we all know I'm going to be a mess."
"My very beautiful mess," Kevin commented and Avi blushed.

The days ticked by for all three boys. Two dreading the countdown and one ecstatic to see a day gone by.