After we left the bathroom, Billy led me to an empty classroom. Something told me I was going to be missing yet another period, and that wouldn't look good on my report card. I was still shaken by how Billy had acted back there.

"Hey, I'm sorry for how I acted back there, okay? I didn't mean to snap at you. I was just... furious. I... I wouldn't have done that if Tom wasn't bothering you. I'm sorry, I really am."

Well, this wasn't the first time Billy had made a mistake, and I doubted it would be the last. "How can I be mad at you when you're pleading for my forgiveness like that?" I replied with a tiny smile.

"I... I still shouldn't have done that. I shouldn't have gotten physical with him either. At least not in front of you."

"You know violence can't solve anything, right?" I asked.

"I..." Billy was at a loss for words. It was obvious that he disagreed with my statement, but I guessed he just didn't want to show it.

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"Why are you mad at him anyway? I know you said your friends are not good, but it seems that there's more to Tom and you than meets the eye," I ventured, hoping I didn't overstep.

"He... he told my ex that I cheated on her. And she believed him."

Wow, I was shocked. I did believe him when he said he had some problems with his now, I assume, former friends, but I didn't expect him, especially Tom, to stab him in the back like that.

"Why would he do that?" I asked cautiously. This was a sensitive topic for him.

"I dunno. I think he was jealous. What's weird is that he never had the balls to ask her out, though."

"Huh. What if he wasn't jealous of you, but he was jealous of her?"

"What do you mean?" he asked, perplexed, until it hit him, making his eyes widen. "Ohhh. No, I doubt that," he laughed. "I have no idea if you're serious, but no, I don't think that's the case."

At least I had brightened his mood. I was only half-joking, though.

"Tom, he... he's not gay," he said, his laughter subsiding but still evident.

"Maybe I am," said an unwelcome familiar voice.

Autor's Note: Hey everyone, I have some news to share. I've created a Patreon page where you can get early access to unpublished chapters. Right now, there's only one subscription plan available, which costs $1.99 per month. I don't have a set schedule for uploads yet, but I'll keep you updated when I do. Currently, there are nine chapters available on Patreon, but I'm bound to add more very soon!