Brushing my hair never seemed this time consuming before. And to be honest, before I wouldn't have even cared. Especially during my Grunge stage a few years back, where I thought it would be cool to have untamed hair like Kurt Cobaine. Thus not brushing it for weeks.

But now I have to keep my appearance up (I don't want Lee thinking I'm a complete mess), my face has turned completely red, and angry tears are forming in my eyes as I attempt to rid my hair from tangles once and for all. I wish Lee knew all the stuff I did for him.

It's strange to think how little my life was before he moved here, what with me finally discovering that I'm gay.. I was so depressed during that time that it still hurts to think about. I put the brush down for a second and smile at my reflection.

My smile looks so awkward and fake to me, and I guess it's because I'm out of practice. Deciding I've spent enough time attempting to perfect myself, I rush out of the bathroom and grab my schoolbag. I'll see him today..

--

"Hey Chris", David drawls, and I can see he's heavily hung over from a night of drinking. I know because he was sending me drunken text messages all night long.

"Hey..", I flop down beside him on the bench outside the cafeteria, feeling completely exhausted already from my English lesson.

David and I don't have many classes together, so I didn't really have anyone to talk to all first period. It bothers me.. Yet at the same time it doesn't, as I had more time to think about Lee. There's pros and cons in everything, I guess.

"You looked tired even more tired than me", David grins, scratching the lid of his lunchbox in his usual habit. I look down at my own lunchbox, sighing as I realize I have cheese and pickle sandwiches. Again. I'm seventeen, I know I should be packing my own lunchbox, but still.. I just can't seem to find the time (Which is quite ironic seeing as I do nothing in a day)"That's a lie, and you know it", I reply quickly, but run my hands through my hair a few times to make sure I haven't magically gained tangled hair since I left the door. David laughs softly, at what I assume is my insecurity.

"What's with the..", David gestures towards my eyes, and I feel a slight pink tinge rise up on my cheeks, knowing he's referring to the eyeliner.

"I just felt like wearing eyeliner today..", I say defensively, fully aware that it's in contrast to my usual efforts to toughen myself up. Lee wears eyeliner, so I can only assume he finds it attractive. David nods while smiling, looking down at his sandwich once again. When he looks back up, his features fall slightly.

"Your Lee guy is over there", David points over at a bench not too far from ours with his sandwich, causing me to gasp."Don't point at him!", I hiss, not wanting to give Lee the idea I'm talking about him. God knows I don't want to seem even more stalker-like than I already do. Nonetheless, I swivel around in my seat, staring with slightly widened eyes at him.

He's sitting by himself as usual, attention engulfed by the magazine laid beside his lunchbox on the table. I've tried to find the magazine he reads in the stores, but he must have got it from out of town. The closest thing to an alternative magazine they have here is 'Guitar Player'.

David scoffs, "You tell me not to point, and then you turn around and stare at him"

"I'm going over there..", I whisper, remembering how rude he'd been in the bookstore on Saturday. He's all alone on the bench - he never sits with anyone else. In fact I haven't seen him with anyone else ever since he transferred here. Maybe he's lonely, I gasp mentally in compassion, wanting to comfort him. Slowly and unsteadily, I get to my feet.

"Don't do it, Chris", David says with a sigh. I glare at him before beginning to walk over to Lee."Hello?", Lee raises an eyebrow as I stop beside him. I must have cast a shadow over his magazine, as he looks slightly annoyed.

"Hey. Uh.. I wanted to know if you're okay, you know.. After Saturday", I struggle to get the words out, and wonder if I should have rehearsed what I was going to say beforehand. He looks even more questioning after I've spoken.

"Why wouldn't I be?", Lee half laughs, half furrows his eyebrows even more. A slight frown forms at my mouth. I was sure this would be the point in which he'd apologize.

"You seemed a little.. upset", I try.

"No more than usual. Maybe you're a little sensitive", Lee shrugs and crosses his arms.

"You were rude to me. Aren't you gonna say sorry?", I say softly, trying to spur him on to an apology. He pulls a packet of cigarettes out of his jacket pocket, roughly pressing one in between his lips and flicking a lighter on over it. He inhales deeply, before exhaling and taking the cigarette out of his mouth. I resist the urge to lick my lips - he almost makes lung cancer look sexy.

"No. Not really. Guess what, Chris? I'm not in school for small talk either", he sighs and takes another inhalation, pointing over at the table I had sat at beforehand. I widen my eyes slightly, but take the hint and make my way back to the table where David sat.

My teeth clench slightly as I try to reason why he would be rude to me once again. I sit down beside David, crossing my arms immediately and doing my best to emit the 'Don't even try to talk to me' aura. David nods silently, taking another bite of his sandwich.

Something must really be hurting Lee for him to be rude to me again.. There must be problems at home. It's a cry for help, I decide. Abusive father.. Alcoholic mother. All the scenarios play in my head, before I mentally agree with myself: He needs my help.

He doesn't live too far away from the school, I've seen him on his way home. If I just follow him when he leaves school today, I can see what the problem is and offer my help..

--
Author's note: Thank you so much to those that have reviewed so far :) It really encourages me to write. Review and you get a virtual cookie :D