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Trent took his time, scuffing his feet along the path that had been cleared of snow and gritted. A blanket of sparkling white snow had covered Dalton like icing on a Christmas cake two days before and looking up into the sky, a few wandering snowflakes meandered down to perch on the Warbler's nose, cheeks and hair.

It was unusually quiet outside tonight, like the snow had muffled all noise like everything was wrapped in cotton wool. Trent liked the peace and quiet out here compared to the bustling insides of the school. It meant he could actually hear himself think.

His last class of the day had been at the end of the wing nearest the car park, so he had made an excuse to Jeff about needing to fetch something from his car in order to escape for a few moments alone before tonight's Warbler Christmas Extravaganza. Extravaganza. Trent scoffed to himself, rolling his eyes. Just a fancy spin on the usual Christmas party.

Trent breathed in the cool night air and exhaled, watching his breath make pretty patterns in the air. He was in no rush to get back, even though he had neglected to bring his coat. He simply had his uniform on and his Dalton scarf wrapped around his neck, since he had had that in his bag for his last lesson.

It's not like anyone is going to miss me. He thought dejectedly. Niff will be making out on one of the sofas in the Warbler's common room, Klaine will be making googly eyes at each other and Wevid will be horsing around bromantically. All of the above will provide enough distraction to not notice me missing for a little while. Thad and Flint will probably still be discussing whatever football game it was they were raving about.

He wasn't entirely sure what had got him into such a melancholy mood that night. It was 21st December and it was his senior year. And he was still single.

My only wish last Christmas was that by the same time this year I would have had some kind of romantic experience other than an unrequited crush. Any kind of reciprocation would count, a kiss, a date, a boyfriend. Trent shook his head ruefully. Well, I've struck out on all of those, then.

As he neared the doors leading directly into the Warbler's common room, he looked through the windows to see who was there. He could see that most of his predictions were right, apart from Thad and Flint seemed to be hanging some festive decorations around the room and across the large fireplace.

His eyes lingered on Thad as his friend climbed on a chair near the doorway. He had been crushing on Thad probably since they had met, but more notably since the last drunken Warbler party a month ago where he had admitted to being bi during truth or dare.

Not that it matters though. He still has a really hot girlfriend. Stephanie? Stella? Why can't I ever get her name right? Trent knew full well that it was jealousy that made him neglect to remember anything about her. Thad had started dating her just after the last party which some Crawford girls had attended. She had even made the first move to ask Thad out, by his account.

Trent knew he was being unreasonable. Just because it was now theoretically possible for Thad to like him back, it didn't mean he would, or that he shouldn't date whoever he pleased. There was just one thing that made knowing Thad was bi really awkward now.

They were roommates.

I might be able to get over this crush if I could spend some time away from him. Trent thought. I sit with him in our shared classes, we all sit together at the "Warbler" table for meals and then when I go back to my room he is always there too.

His traitorous mind wasn't helping much, either, for when he fell asleep Thad was in his dreams too, and not in a platonic way. He just couldn't get away from the gorgeous boy. Thad mentally slapped himself. Boy. Just boy.Not gorgeous boy.

For this reason Trent had started studying more in the library recently, rather than their room. Also, he had started trying to eat either early or late, avoiding whatever time Thad would be in the cafeteria. He was also contemplating another, more drastic, action. He had decided to apply to change rooms.

I need to think of a plausible reason to tell Thad though. I don't want him to misunderstand and think that I don't like him. But I don't want him to know that I like him either! Trent snorted and kicked a pile of snow in frustration.

I just feel like I'm being forced to out my feelings. I either have to tell him why I want to change rooms, or I end up slipping up and embarrassing myself like I nearly did this morning. I'm pretty sure he heard me whimper when he came out of the bathroom in just a towel. I mean seriously, who forgets their uniform when they go for a shower? Every day is the same here, he should have remembered.

Trent realised that he was beginning to lose the feeling in his toes, so he resigned himself to going inside and plastering on a smile, even though he was anything but smiling on the inside. In all of his 17 years he hadn't felt this lonely.

He took one last look at his peaceful, tranquil surroundings before he reached for the handle of the door, ready to step into the warmth and hubub of the common room.

What he didn't expect though was for all eyes in the room to snap to him as he entered, the raucous sound of clapping and laughter ringing out as they pointed above his head. With a sinking feeling, he looked up to see a sprig of mistletoe hanging over his head. Yeah right. And they say this isn't a gay school. He thought, before bringing his gaze back down to see which poor boy would have the no doubt reluctant honour of kissing him.

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