March 7th 1998

9:15 am

     Thomas didn't sleep that night. He lay awake staring at the ceiling and turning his conversation with Teresa over and over in his head. He almost completely forgot about her, his first kiss, his first relationship and the girl who betrayed them the most.

     Thomas knew why he was there, he had a mission, but he didn't think he'd see her again. She was alive and well and she looked happy when in just a few short years she'd cause one of the most catosptrohic events in the school's history.

     In the morning Thomas slugged to the kitchen to find something to eat. Seeing Teresa made him feel so many things he didn't want to feel.

     Thomas reached for a box of cereal, standing on his toes to reach it.

     "Hey."

     Thomas jumped, letting out a very manly scream and watching the cereal drop to the ground and explode all over the floor.

     Thomas frowned at the ground, letting out a defeated sigh before looking back up and seeing Newt.

     "Uh hi." Now Thomas was blushing.

     "Why did you try and follow me last night?" Newt asked. Today he had on obscenely ripped jeans and another too big shirt on him. It was as if he was too small for everything he wore which was unfairly cute.

     "What?"

     "I saw you leave the room."

     Of course he did. Welp no point in lying.

     "I was worried about you."

     "Why?"

     "You seemed upset."

     Newt rolled his eyes. "No like, why do you care?"

     "Cause we're friends."

     "No we're not."

     Thomas sighed. "Cause I know you then?"

     "It's not your job."

     "I know."

     "You don't know anything about me."

     I beg to differ you sweet moody boy.

     "Then tell me."

     Newt paused, clearly taken aback by Thomas' response. He wasn't expecting that.

     "I-I..."

     Thomas just stared at him, Newt's cheeks were flushing red.

     "Did you mean what you said?" Newt blurted out suddenly.

     "What?"

     "In Minho's room," Newt said, refusing to meet Thomas' gaze. "Did you mean what you said in Minho's room?"

     Thomas thought back to the conversation the night before, he was honestly drawing a blank. "That I feed off people's fears?"

     "No!" Newt frowned, he was starting to get frustrated. "The other thing! Did you mean it or not Tommy?"

     Tommy, there it was.

     "Tommy huh?" Thomas smirked, his expression turning into a smile when Newt scowled in a feeble attempt to hide his growing blush.

     "Never mind." Newt frowned and turned to walk away.

Then it hit Thomas.

     "Yes I meant it Newt," he said as the blonde boy approached the door. "I think you're very cute."

     Newt disappeared from sight then which made Thomas laugh. He always did that when he was embarrassed, it was kinda adorable.

     Thomas wasn't even upset that he had to clean up all the cereal on the floor, in fact, he was smiling while he was sweeping the loops from the floor. Newt was kinda into him, he wouldn't show it but he was into him.

8:45 pm

     "Thomas!" Someone shouted from down the hall, making Thomas jump and let go of the door knob of his room.

     "Oh hey Minho," Thomas said as he turned to face the buff boy who reached him and stopped in front of him. "What's up?"

     "If your busy tonight, cancel your plans."

     "What plans would I have? I have no frie-"

     "Shush! I didn't ask for a detailed explication, I just wanted to tell you that you're coming out with us tonight."

     Oh no.

     "Uh where?" Thomas asked, trying to ignore the sinking feeling in his gut.

     "It's this little place downtown, it's Newt's favorite."

     "Like a pub?" Thomas asked, biting his lip.

     "Yeah!" Minho smiled. "Exactly like a pub. We're leaving in like a half hour, I think Kis and El are in my room if you wanna go hang with them.

     Thomas nodded, before looking down at what he was wearing. "Is this fine?"

     Minho nodded. "Yes Thomas, it's fine, we're not meeting the queen of England."

     "Okay." Thomas huffed out a laugh. "I'll go find the girls."

     Minho nodded before continuing down the hallway.

     Thomas left his room to head to Minho's. When he got there the girls were sitting on the floor, Kis was laying down like usual and El was sitting against the bed, throwing some weird looking ball at the wall.

     "Hey guys," Thomas said as he pushed the door closed behind him.

     Both girls' heads snapped to look at him before both growing matching smirks.

     "Thomas!" El said happily. "Just the man we wanted to see."

     "That's terrifying."

     Kis patted the floor in between them. "Come sit friend."

     Thomas hesitantly took his spot on the floor. "Not gonna lie, you guys are kinda scaring me."

     "Kis scares everyone...anyways." El smiled at him which made him very uneasy. "You like Newt huh?"

     Oh my god. Thomas wanted to laugh. All this because of that stupid comment he made yesterday.

     "He's cute," Thomas said honestly. He was, even when he was bitchy and moody and dressed like a rejected skater boy, he was damn cute.

     There were those damn smirks again.

     "Are you gonna like...get with him?" El asked, her interest clearly peaked.

     When are you gonna get with Kis El? I should be asking you that.

     Thomas actually did laugh this time. "Guys, he hates me."

     Kis rolled her eyes. "Please. He doesn't hate you."

     "He's kinda mean to me if you haven't noticed."

     That got him another eye roll. "Oh boo hoo, you poor baby, Newtie said a mean word to you."

     "Hey!"

     "Don't be a baby Thomas. That's just how Newt is with new people."

     "You still didn't answer my question!" El piped up. "Are you gonna try and get with him."

     I already have.

    "I don't know how." Thomas admitted. There was no point in lying to them.

     "You're going out with them tonight right?" Kis asked.

     Thomas nodded.

     "That's a perfect time!" El clasped her hands together.

     "If I kissed him tonight he'd bust my lip open."

     Kis and El exchanged a look. "Newt pretends to be all mean and moody, and he is don't get me wrong, but he's actually a sweetheart."

     "You don't have to sell him to me." Thomas laughed. I already love him.

     "What we're trying to say is that we want you together." El piped up as she sat up straighter.

     "Yeah?"

     "You seem to deal with him well." Kis pointed out.

     Yeah from past experience. I dealt with angsty Newt once, I can do it again.

     Thomas shrugged. "I got a thing for him."

     "You should talk to him a lot tonight," El said as she stood up. "And you're not wearing that."

     "What? Why no-"

     "Because you look like you just rolled out of bed."

     Thomas frowned as El took his hand and pulled him to his feet, looking a little too excited.

     "Come on Kis, we have an gay disaster to fix."

9:36 pm

     Thomas finally got away from the girls, being rescued by Minho. He learned that they never went to the pub because they had a "girl night" instead where they read comics under giant blankets.

     Yeah, Thomas thought, you two totally aren't in love.

     Thomas had on a pair of black jeans that honestly were probably Kis' and a dark green crew neck that El promised made him look good.

     The girls spiked his hair a bit and forced him to tuck his pants into his boots which apparently looked "good". They were happy though, it was nice to see Kis actually smiling. El really was the only person who could make her do that.

     "Thomas!" Minho slapped him hard on the shoulder. "You look hot, like bro I'd fuck you."

     "It was the girl's doing," Thomas said as his face flushed.

     Minho smirked. "Dress like that for anyone special?"

     "No!"

     "Sure."

     "Hey guys."

     Oh my god please no.

     "Hey T." Minho smiled as he greeted the girl.

     "Oh hi Thomas." She smiled brightly at him. Thomas hated how close she stood to him.

     "We ready to go?" He asked as he shifted over a bit.

     "Just waiting for blondie."

     "I'm here." Newt appeared making everyone jump.

     Thomas choked when he saw him. He had on a too tight shirt and those stupid ripped pants again. He actually brushed his hair so it looked fluffy and soft and Thomas would have died on the spot if Newt let him run his fingers through it. He looked good, oddly and weirdly good.

     Minho tapped Thomas' chin and smirked. "Pick the jaw up off the floor buddy."

     Newt had already started walking toward the door, it took every ounce of his willpower not to stare at him creepily, cursing his overly horny teenage body.

     Minho tugged Thomas along, getting them all piled into the car.

     Thomas stared out the window, trying to focus on the road and not Teresa who was next to him and clearly trying to get his attention. He had to avoid her, he wasn't making that mistake like last time.

     When they got there, Thomas was the first one out of the car. He wasn't kissing Teresa that night, he would do anything to prevent that.

     Newt lead them all into the pub. Thomas got serious flashbacks when he walked in the door. He instantly saw Alby behind the bar, he felt the jealousy bubble up in his chest immediately. He totally forgot about Alby, the man who played with his boyfriend like he was some little toy. Thomas then felt the anger bubble up in his chest. No way in hell was he letting Alby get with Newt.

     "Awe Newtie your celebrity crush is here," Teresa teased as she pointed to the dark buff boy behind the counter.

     "Shut up," Newt hissed as he kicked her.

     "He thinks you're attractive," Teresa said to Newt before looking at Thomas.

     That bitch.

     "He said that?" Newt asked.

     "Alright!" Minho clasped his hand on Newt's shoulder. "Lets get everyone buzzed up."

     Thomas could feel the anger bubbling in his stomach. Fucking Alby and fucking Teresa.

     Thomas excused himself, hurrying to the bathroom where he splashed water on his face.

     Get it together Thomas. Newt goes home with you at the end of the night in the future. Newt doesn't hold Alby and kiss his forehead and hold his hand. He does that with you.

     Thomas sighed and wiped his face clean with his shirt. He took one last look in the mirror.

     Go and get your fucking man.

     Thomas left the bathroom, his chest tightening when he saw Newt sitting at the bar by himself, talking to Alby. He was smiling and tucking his hair behind his ear.

     Thomas went in, sitting right next to Newt.

    "I'll take another round," Thomas said to Alby. "One for me and one for him."

     Alby's expression darkened before he nodded and walked away.

     "What the hell Tommy?!" Newt snapped as he watched Alby walk away. "I was talking to him."

     "Now you're talking to me."

     Newt scowled as he stared down into his empty drink.

     "Come on I'm not that bad," Thomas said as he nudged Newt. "I bought you a drink."

     "Teresa's into you," Newt said as he finished whatever he was drinking.

     Thomas was just now realizing how lowkey the pub was. They never carded them even though all of them were clearly underage.

     "Cool," Thomas said with a small shrug.

     "Just cool? That's it?"

     "What do you want me to say?"

     "I thought you'd be more excited."

     "Not my type."

    Newt was quiet for a moment. He was looking at the hardwood surface of the bar.

     "What is then?"

     "What's my type?"

     Newt hummed in response.

     Thomas looked at Newt who refused to make eye contact with him.

    "I'm into blondes."

     Alby appeared then, placing two glasses on the table and sliding them over to the boys.

     "Anything else?" Alby asked, keeping his eyes fixated on Newt.

     "We're okay," Thomas replies quickly.

     Newt licked his lips and looked up at the bar tender.

     Alby smiled at him and lightly squeezed Newt's hand that was resting on the bar.

     "Let me know if you need anything else."

     Newt smirked at him.

     "Thank you."

      Alby looked him up and down, smirking before going back to serving drinks.

     Thomas huffed, looking down at his drink.

     "What?" Newt snapped.

     "I didn't say a word."

     "You were thinking it."

     "I did no such thing."

     "Just say it!" Newt was frowning hard.

     "I just think you can do better." Thomas took a slow sip of his drink. "I think you're worth more than a drunken hookup in the back of a shitty pub."

     "And what's that supposed to mean?" Newt was downright glaring at him now.

     "It means I think you can find a better guy than the bartender who mostly pays attention to you because it's late and he's horny."

     Newt rolled his eyes. "What like you? Like you're not here giving me attention only because you're bored and horny?"

     Oh Newt, if only you knew.

     "If I was bored and horny I'd go hook up with Teresa in the bathroom, not sit here at a bar with a boy who wants to break a bottle over my head."

     "Listen." Newt shoved his chair back, standing up quickly and getting in Thomas' face. "I don't know what fucking game you're playing here but I'm not your toy, I'm not here for your enjoyment and I don't like you. You can't just come here, cockblock me and fake flirt with me. I don't know who you are, you don't know me so leave me the fuck alone!"

     "Newt," Thomas said softly. "My goal here isn't to have sex with you."

     Newt's expression faltered, confusion flashing over his face before being replaced with anger. He shoved his chair over before storming off to the bathroom.

     Thomas took a deep breath and shook his head. God why was it so hard to get to Newt. It was like he wanted to hate him.

     "Newt okay?" A voice asked as a person sat next to him.

     Thomas wanted to roll his eyes.

     "He's fine, didn't take to my advances to well," Thomas admitted as he turned and looked at Teresa.

     "He's really into Alby, I think you kinda wrecked it for him."

     I'm saving you from heartbreak Newt.

     Thomas shrugged.

     "I don't think you should get involved with him," Teresa said as she took the drink that Newt abandoned on the table.

     "Why's that?" Thomas asked as he turned to face her. He was ready to fight the girl with full force.

     "He's not going to give you what you want."

     "Yeah? And what do I want?"

     "Someone who will love you."

     "You don't think Newt will love me?"

     "Newts afraid of love. He doesn't let himself get close to people and he doesn't let himself care too much."

     Cue the montage of every time Newt's told me he loves me in the future.

     "Huh," Thomas said as he sipped his drink.

     "What?"

     "Oh I just thought it's funny that I'm still into him after you said that."

      Anger flashed across Teresa's face. "You're not listening to me. Newts not going to ever be anything more than a friend. He might let you kiss him, but he's not going to date you."

     Of course you'd say that Teresa.

     "If Newt doesn't want me, he'll tell me himself."

     Teresa scoffed and rolled her eyes. "Why did I ever think you were cute?"

     Thomas shrugged. "Maybe cause I am?"

     Yeah Teresa, I'm not a shy insecure little boy this time, I'm not falling for it.

     Teresa threw the rest of the drink back, wiping her mouth with her sleeve. "You're gonna get yourself into trouble with him Thomas."

     "I'll take my chances."

     Teresa shook her head and laughed. "Well go get the boy you're so obsessed with then."

     Teresa pointed over to the other side of the bar where Alby has Newt against the surface. They weren't kissing but Alby had his hands on his waist and he was whispering something to him that made Newt laugh.

     Okay that hurts.

     Newt had his hands on Alby's arms, running them up and down his biceps. Alby leaned down and pressed a soft kiss under Newt's ear before lifting him up so he was sitting on the bar.

     Thomas had to look away. Teresa was gone. He didn't care where she went.

     "I'm sorry." Minho suddenly appeared behind him.

     "Not your fault," Thomas said curtly as he downed the rest of his drink. If he had to watch Newt get handsy with Alby the asshole, he had to at least be drunk.

     "This has been going on for awhile," Minho said as he sat next to Thomas. "Newts been playing around with him for a couple weeks."

     "He's an asshole," Thomas said as he frowned harder. "Newt can do so much better."

     "You wanna go home?" Minho asked. "It's getting late, I can convince everyone to leave."

     Thomas shook his head. "I'm fine."

     Thomas risked another glance Newt's way. Newt had his hands on Alby's waist, smiling softly up at him. They were just talking, that almost hurt more than watching them make out.

     "You're a good guy Thomas...lemme get you another drink."

     Thomas agreed, letting Minho hand him a full glass.

     Three drinks later Thomas was wasted. They decided to leave a few hours later, Thomas was hanging off Minho's shoulder, slurring his words.

     "You really went hard didn't you Tommy?" Newt asked as he looked at the drunken boy he was sitting next to in the backseat.

     Teresa sat shotgun, Thomas knew she was pretty pissed at him.

     Thomas nodded. "Wasn't having fun."

     Newt frowned.

     "'m tired," Thomas mumbled as his head hit the window.

     "Hey be careful, come here, don't let your head hit the glass," Newt said softly as he lightly pulled on Thomas' arm.

     Thomas let his head fall onto Newt's shoulder. He was warm and smelled just like Thomas remembered.

     Thomas felt himself smiling as he wrapped his hands around Newt's arms.

     "You're being nice to me, this is a shock," Thomas mumbled as he let his eyes flutter closed.

     Newt let out a soft laugh as he stared out the window. He didn't say anything more but Thomas couldn't have been happier as he fell asleep on him. Being that close to Newt again made him feel like everything was okay again.