Justin stood next to Brian as the brunet searched for a book. They were both moving together down the library’s aisle, but they weren’t talking. Brian looked at the blond and wondered why Justin was so quiet. He usually had to fight with Justin so the blond would shut up. “You could help, you know.” Brian shook his head and kept on walking. “What?” Justin looked at Brian not sure what the brunet had said. He was lost with a million thoughts in his head. Brian stopped walking and stared at the blond. He knew then that there was something really wrong with Justin, the blond wasn’t even there. “What are you thinking about?” “It's nothing. I'm alright.” Justin said quickly. He had been thinking of what to say to Brian about what Hayden had planned. He just didn’t know if it was such a good idea. He knew that slowly he was putting himself in the middle of everything and if things went wrong he could be left standing with no friends and no Brian. “What’s with you?” Brian asked. “I said I was alright. Did you not hear me?” Justin crossed his arms and kept walking. “Right.” Brian drawled not at all convinced that the blond was okay. He started walking again trying not to care about what was going on with the blond. They kept silent as they walked in search of the book they needed or more like Brian did while Justin stared into space. “Brian.” Justin said suddenly. He had to tell Brian something before he went out of his mind. “What?” Brian asked. “Are you going to the party at Tim’s house?” Justin asked. Brian nodded. “Don’t go.” Justin told him. “What? Why?” Brian asked frowning. Justin kept quiet. Brian turned around and looked at the blond who was biting his lower lip and staring at the floor. Right away Brian knew that something was going to happen and that it was all because of Hayden. “Is Hayden going to do something?” Brian asked. Justin looked up at Brian’s eyes. He just stared not saying a thing. Brian crossed his arms over his chest and sighed. “Wouldn’t you get in trouble if I don’t show up with the guys?” Brian couldn’t believe that Justin would go so far just to…to help him out. Justin shrugged not really caring as long as Brian was safe. “You can always make something up.” Justin said. “I don’t know.” “What is he going to do?” Brian asked. Justin kept quiet. Brian shook his head and went back to looking for the book. He tried to think of what to do. What was he supposed to tell Chris to convince him not to go to the party? He shook his head and stopped to look at the numbers on the book and then the one in the papers that the girl at the front desk had given him. They matched. “There is the book.” Brian said pointing up. “Shit, I’m not that tall.” “I can climb.” Justin told him. “Just make sure I don’t fall down.” Brian nodded. Justin started to climb the shelf and Brian put his hand on Justin’s back. Justin took a deep breath and climbed a little higher. He grabbed the book and smiled. “I have it.” Justin said. “How the hell do I climb down now? I only have one hand free.” “Throw it on the floor.” Brian told him. Justin shook his head. “This thing is old. It would break to pieces.” Justin told him. “Okay, give it to me.” Brian said. “But don’t let go of me.” Justin told him. “I have two hands you know.” Brian pointed out. Justin handed him the book. Brian took it and let go of Justin a little bit, making the blond slip back. Brian let go of the book and grabbed Justin. He was able to catch Justin and put him on the floor. “Wow. I think I shitted my pants.” Justin said taking a deep breath. Brian smirked. “You let go of me.” Justin accused still trying to calm his breathing. “Uh, sorry. Are you okay?” Brian asked him. Justin punched Brian in the arm before he grabbed the book and looked at it. “It’s okay.” Justin said referring to the book. “Forget the book.” Brian told him. “Are you okay?” Justin smiled and nodded. He turned around and left making sure to rub his butt against Brian. He saw the opportunity and he took it just like Emmett had told him. He heard the gasp coming from Brian, but he didn’t stop to look at the brunet. He was too scared to face Brian. He just held the book in his arms and walked faster back to their table. Brian watched him and just ignored Justin’s come on. He had more gay friends that had tried to get with him at one point or another. He was sure that Justin would grow tired of it. He knew nothing was going to come out of it. *** “So you talked to this guy, right?” Emmett asked as he sat next to Justin in the Gym’s bleachers. “Yeah.” Justin tried to ignore Emmett’s interrogation. He focused his attention on his drawing. “What is he like?” Emmett asked. “What do you like about him? Is he hot?” Justin smiled as he thought of Brian. “He’s hot. I don’t know. I like everything about him. But sometimes he’s just so…frustrating. You get use to him.” Justin said smiling. “Sometimes I even wish that I could turn back time so I can stop myself from meeting him.” “Why?” Emmett was now very intrigued. “Because if I could choose who to fall in love with…he wouldn’t be my choice.” Justin looked down at the floor knowing that if he and Brian had never crossed paths, his life would be less complicated. “Things would be so much easier.” Emmett’s eyes narrowed. “It’s someone I know, isn’t it?” Emmett asked sure that he was right. He was determined to find out who it was. “Emm.” Justin said in a voice that told Emmett to leave it alone. “Come on. You have to tell me.” Emmett insisted. He wasn’t going to tell anyone. “I do not.” Justin laughed and shook his head. “That’s no fair. I’ve been helping you.” Emmett pointed out. “And I am thankful for that.” Justin smiled at his friend. “It’s better this way. I don’t want to give you a heart attack.” “Don’t worry baby. I would only have one if you were after a girl.” Emmett looked at Justin and arched a brow. “You're not after a girl, are you?” “Jesus, Emmett!” Justin shook his head frowning not even wanting to imagine it. “That’s a sick thing to say.” “I know. Sorry.” Emmett sighed losing his patience. He wanted to know who Justin liked. “Is it Harry Thompson?” Emmett asked making a terrified face. “No. Kill me if ever tell you that I like that guy. Jesus, Emm. Just shut the fuck up. You’re going to make me hurl if you keep mentioning all these people.” Justin shook his head. He went back to his drawing hoping that Emmett would leave him alone. He felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand up. He looked up and saw Brian coming his way. “Hey, Taylor.” Brian said passing by. “Wasting your time doing pathetic drawings? If figures!” “Up yours, Kinney.” Justin told him, the corners of his mouth were twitching. He was trying really hard not to break out into a smile. Emmett watched Brian leave and he turned to look at Justin. He saw the little smile playing on Justin’s lips and his eyes went wide. It couldn’t be. There was no way that Justin could be falling for Brian. “Oh my god.” Emmett said. “What?” Justin asked looking up. “It’s him.” Emmett accused. “You like Brian.” “Shut the fuck up.” Justin’s hand gripped his sketchbook. He swallowed hard and looked away from the taller boy. “You don’t know what the fuck you’re talking about!” “Oh my god.” Emmett muttered. “I’m right.” “Emmett.” Justin whispered. “Don’t…don’t…don’t say anything.” “Oh my god.” Emmett said again. “I can’t believe this. I’m actually right!” “Emmett.” Justin said putting his sketchbook away and standing up. “It’s just…I don’t know…just…” Emmett didn’t know what to say. He started babbling like a crazy man. “Are you going to tell anyone?” Justin asked afraid. Emmett looked at the blond and smiled. He shook his head and hugged Justin. He started jumping up and down. “I’m so happy. I’m so happy.” Emmett told him. “I know.” “Just keep it to yourself.” Justin said pulling back. They sat down again and started talking about what Emmett thought about the situation. A while after Brian passed by again and made another comment to Justin which the blond responded to. Emmett was pretty sure that Justin wasn’t the only one falling in love. *** Justin was coming out of History class with William and Adam when he saw Brian, Chris and some girl with them. He looked at William who was muttering something he couldn’t make out as he too looked at them. He looked at Adam who just shrugged. “What?” Justin looked at William not knowing what he had said. “I like her.” William told him again. “Oh.” Justin looked at the girl and shrugged. “Her name is Jenny.” William said. “But fuck. She’s not interested in me.” “No?” Justin asked wondering why. William was a cute guy and any girl would be happy to be with him. “No. I’m her friend.” William said sarcastically. “She likes Brian.” “What?” Justin swallowed not sure what he was feeling. But he didn’t like hearing that Jenny was after Brian. “I fucked her.” Adam said smirking. “She’s easy. Don’t treat her good, Billy. She likes bad boys.” “No fucking way.” William hissed. “Don’t talk about her like that!” “Oh love.” Adam shook his head and walked away from them. Justin rolled his eyes. He knew that Adam was telling the truth. He wouldn’t lie about something like that. “Relax. It’s just a girl. There are tons of them.” Justin smiled at Billy. “Look, I have to go. I have detention.” “Okay. I’ll see you tomorrow.” William told him. Justin nodded and left. For the first time ever, he got to the room before Brian and that pissed him off. He didn’t want Brian to be with anyone else. He was sure that he was still talking to Jenny. “Mr. Kinney. You’re late.” Mr. Kern told Brian when he got to the room. Brian nodded and sat down next to Justin. “Why are you late?” Justin asked. “Oh, I was with Jenny. I lost track of time.” Brian told him. Justin nodded and hid away his jealousy. “Hey, do you want to work on our project today. After detention?” Brian asked. “I don’t have time. There are a few things I have to do before I see this guy.” Justin lied because he really didn’t want to be with Brian at that moment or after. He was pissed at the brunet for talking to Jenny. He sighed knowing he had no right to be. “Oh.” Brian said a slight frown on his face that Justin didn’t notice. “Who are you seeing?” “Well, it’s actually a friend. I haven’t seen him in years.” Justin said staring at the desk. “What’s his name?” Brian didn’t like what he was hearing, but he wasn’t sure why. “Steve.” Justin said making it up. He couldn’t believe he was lying to Brian. It just kept coming out of his mouth so easily. “Is it the two of you alone?” Brian asked as he turned his body towards Justin. He didn’t want Justin to be alone with this Steve guy. Mr. Kern looked up and saw that Brian and Justin were talking so he smiled and went back to his work. He knew he could make the two students stop fighting and be civil to each other. “I think he’s bringing someone. Do you think I should take someone too?” Justin asked. “Yeah.” Brian told him. “I could go with you if you want.” “Oh no.” Justin said. “That’s okay. Don’t worry about it.” Brian frowned not sure why he didn’t like the idea of Justin meeting with his old friend. “So? Is he coming with his girlfriend then?” Brian asked cracking his knuckle. Justin looked at Brian and wondered why Brian kept asking questions. Then it occurred to him that Brian might be jealous like he was just moments ago. Well, like he still was at the moment. “No. He’s gay.” Brian’s lips formed a thin line. He was furious with the information he received. “I think he’s bringing his boyfriend.” Justin told him. “That’s why I think you shouldn’t go.” Brian nodded, a little more relieved. “I’ll take someone I can have a double date with.” Justin added with a smile. Brian’s lip formed that thin line again and Justin saw it. For the rest of detention he couldn’t stop fidgeting in his chair and he didn’t talk to Justin at all. Justin just smiled, happy with himself, moments like that made him surer that Brian was definitely gay and that he liked him. *** Justin got out of the car and walked up to the house. He knocked on the door and Emmett opened it. They smiled at each other and Justin went in. “Guess what?” Emmett asked. “What?” Justin asked. “Brian is here.” Emmett told him. Justin opened his eyes and shook his head. “Then I have to go.” Justin told him. “I told him I was meeting with Steve.” “Who is Steve?” Emmett asked. “The guy I made up to make him jealous.” Justin whispered. “Well, it didn’t start that way. I told him that Steve was coming with his boyfriend to see me. And that I would probably go with someone else as a double date.” “Oh.” Emmett said smirking. “You're bad.” Justin laughed but ended up frowning. “What now?” Justin asked worried. “Hey.” Alex said walking to them with Brian behind. “What are you doing here?” Brian asked. “Relax. You know that no one fights in here.” Alex reminded him. Brian nodded as he looked at Justin. Emmett grabbed Justin and hugged him tightly. Justin opened his eyes wide not knowing what Emmett was doing. “Its okay, Justin.” Emmett told him practically yelling as he rubbed Justin’s back. Alex arched a brow not sure what was going on. Brian frowned not liking the way Emmett was touching Justin. “He’s an idiot.” Emmett said. “Who is?” Alex asked. “Steve.” Emmett yelled and let go of Justin. “He and Justin were going to see each other and Steve…he tried to…” “What?” Brian asked angry. Alex looked at Brian and then at Justin and Emmett. He didn’t know what the fuck was going on. Everyone was acting so fucking strange. Emmett looked at Justin with a little smile knowing Alex and Brian couldn’t see him because he had his back to them. “He tried to take advantage of Justin.” Emmett said. “The asshole!” Justin was sure that Emmett was nuts but he didn’t care since he was saving his butt. “Uh, yeah. He…he tried to kiss me.” Justin said. “I…we're just friends. He had a boyfriend and…well, it doesn’t matter. Really.” “That’s why I told him to come here.” Emmett said. “You guys don’t mind do you? My friend needs me. Seeing how he was deceived.” Alex shrugged not really caring. “Let’s go to the pool.” Alex said looking at Brian. Brian nodded and followed Alex, giving Justin one last look. He was so pissed. If he got his hands on Steve, he was going to kill him. “You’re nuts.” Justin whispered to Emmett as they started walking to the pool too. “I mean really you’re fucking crazy. I can’t believe you. Don’t scare me like that ever again.” “It worked.” Emmett pointed out. “Whatever.” Justin smirked knowing that it would do as an excuse as to why he was here. Emmett smirked and nodded. He put his arm around Justin’s shoulder and whispered. “I can get Alex away and you and Brian would be left all alone.” Justin smirked. “You don’t say.” The blond murmured. Emmett laughed and nodded. They walked out to the pool where Brian and Alex were already inside. True to his word, Emmett managed to get Alex into the pool house in less than twenty minutes. Brian and Justin stayed at the pool just doing laps and talking. After a while they got tired and got out. They took some towels and went inside the house. Justin got them some sodas and sandwiches that were left in the kitchen for them. “So, are you okay?” Brian asked as they sat on the sofa. “Did he do anything else to you?” “What? Oh, yeah. I’m fine.” Justin told him. “I was just…startled. I don’t like him that way.” Justin couldn’t believe how deep the hole went and he just kept lying and lying. Brian was going to kill him if he ever did find out. Brian nodded and kept on eating. “Did you go alone?” Brian asked. Justin nodded. “You shouldn’t have.” Brian told him. “I could have gone with you.” Justin smiled. “Maybe some other time that I have to meet with an old crazy friend.” Brian just nodded as he ate his sandwich. “Are you a virgin?” Justin asked out of nowhere. Brian choked on the piece of food he had been trying to swallow. “It was just a question.” Justin tried really hard not to burst out laughing. “No. I'm not.” Brian told him. “Whatever.” Justin told him. “What was her name?” “None of your business.” Brian said. Justin rolled his eyes. “I’m still a virgin.” Justin told him. “What do I care?” Brian asked. Justin shrugged. “I was just saying.” “Well, it’s not my problem.” Brian told him. Brian looked at Justin and smiled. He was happy that Justin was still untouched. Then he frowned and shook his head. He didn’t know where those thoughts were coming from. He started thinking about something else when Justin spoke again. “I think I am going to Liberty Avenue and find someone to fuck me. What do you think?” Justin asked. Brian choked again and without food or soda. *** “Fucking shit.” Hayden hissed. Justin looked at him and wondered what was going on. “What’s wrong?” William asked. “They didn’t come.” Hayden said. “Tim said that Brian and the others had some other place to go. Fuck!” “What now?” Tom asked. “We could look for them.” Adam suggested. Hayden took a deep breath. “We’ll just save this for another time then.” Hayden said. William shrugged. “I’m hungry.” Anna told her boyfriend. She smiled sweetly and hoped for Hayden to want to go grab something to eat. “Let’s go to the diner.” Tom told them. Justin was glad that Brian had listened to him. “I could eat.” Justin and Anna went with Hayden while William went in Tom’s car and Adam and Shawn went in their own separate cars. When they arrived at the diner, they sat in one of the booths and waited for service. Minutes later Michael, Chris and Brian came inside. “Look who it is.” Hayden said getting up. “Hello, asshole.” Brian glared at him. Chris rolled his eyes. “So, I hear you cried like a girl when you got your car back.” Brian smirked as he squared his shoulders ready for anything. For a minute he thought that he had been tricked and that Justin had lied to him just to get him someplace else. Then he saw Justin’s face and knew that wasn’t the case. The blond looked worried and Brian breathed easier. Hayden glared at the brunet and took a step towards Brian when Michael got in the middle. “Hey, hey.” Michael said stopping Hayden. “Stop it. Not here.” Brian rolled his eyes and moved away. He said goodbye to Chris and gave Justin a look before he left the place. “Just relax.” Michael told Hayden. Shawn gave Justin a questioning look. He saw the way that Brian had looked at the blond. Justin ignored his friend and moved next to Michael. “Whatever.” Hayden said. “Let’s go. I don’t feel like eating here anymore.” Anna nodded and got up to leave. William and Tom were leaving as well as Shawn and Adam, but Justin stayed next to Michael. “Come on, Justin.” Hayden said. “I am going to stay with Michael, okay?” Justin asked. Hayden looked at Michael and then at Chris. “Sure, whatever.” Hayden told him and looked at Chris. “You touch him and I will kill you.” Chris just smirked and ignored him. “I’m here.” Michael told Hayden. “Nothing is going to happen.” Justin watched them go and then turned towards Michael. “What’s up?” Michael asked once they were gone. Justin walked with Michael to the entrance of the diner away from Chris. He looked at Chris and frowned. He just didn’t like the guy. He looked back at Michael and smiled. “Look, I am going home. I’m just tired of fighting. I just want to rest and forget about this mess for a while.” Justin told him. “Do you want a ride?” Michael asked. “No.” Justin said. “I want to walk for a while. I’ll take a cab if I get tired.” Michael nodded and watched him go. He went to Chris and sat in a booth glad that no one had fought. When Justin walked outside, he scanned the place. Tom, Adam, Shawn and Hayden’s cars were gone but Brian’s car was still there at the end of the street. He walked over to him and got inside after Brian opened the door. He didn’t know what was going on. Was he going to end up joining Brian and going against Hayden or was he just going to be like Michael and choose not to fight. He had so many questions and no one to answer him. “What did he say when he didn’t find us at the party?” Brian asked. “He was mad.” Justin rubbed his hands together. Brian nodded as he started the car. “Do you want me to take you home?” Brian asked. “Please.” Justin told him. Brian moved forward very close to Justin. For a moment the blond thought that Brian was going to kiss him and then Brian reached for the seatbelt and buckled him. Justin smiled widely and Brian moved back on his seat and did his own seatbelt. They drove in silence, each having their mind clouded with their own thoughts. “Here you are.” Brian told him. Justin nodded and opened the door but didn’t get out. “Thank you.” Justin said. “No. I should be the one thanking you.” Brian smiled not sure what the fuck was happening to him. Justin had made him change so much in just a few days. He was thinking about things he didn’t want to. Justin nodded and looked at Brian. He smiled seeing Brian under the little light that the street lamp was providing. There was no doubt in his mind that he had fallen for the brunet. He didn’t want Brian to get in any trouble. He didn’t want to see him get hurt. He didn’t know what he was going to do if it turned out in the end that Brian didn’t feel the same way for him. “What is it?” Brian arched a brow wondering what the hell Justin was looking at. He was staring to feel uncomfortable. He did each time the blond looked at him like that. Those piercing, blue eyes scared him. He felt like Justin could see through him. Justin undid the seatbelt and leaned forth. He kissed the brunet on the cheek. He smiled at Brian and then left the car. Brian watched him go a little bit stunned. He shook his head and pulled away from the curve. When Justin’s lips had touched his cheek he felt himself falling. There was something definitely wrong with his stomach and it was Justin’s fault. By the time he got to his house, his cheek still felt warm where Justin had kissed him and he was starting not to mind at all when Justin did things like that. *** Shawn sat on his car looking at Justin’s house. He didn’t know what was going on with the blond and Brian. He had seen Justin lean forward but he wasn’t sure if the blond had kissed Brian or not. He had to talk to Justin soon and find out what was going on. He didn’t like it one bit. He was afraid that if Hayden found out, Justin was going to be the one who was going to get hurt. He started his car again and drove home. He knew how Hayden could get, especially if it involved Justin and even more so, Brian. He was just going to keep quiet and not say anything to his older brother knowing that things would just get ugly.