The next few weeks at Devon were no easy task for Gene. Although Phineas had threatened the witnesses from the Butt Room not to tell anyone he still felt uncomfortable in a regular school environment. Phineas always reassured Gene that no one else would find out, however coming from Phineas' mouth that was a very hard thing to believe. Gene became less carefree about expressing his passion for Phineas. He forbade Phineas from sleeping in his bed, no matter what the reason. He no longer kissed him. This agitated Phineas.
One day after classes had ended Gene was at his desk writing a paper for his English class. Phineas stormed in, arms flailing and tie askew. "What is wrong with you?" he shouted.
Gene flinched at the sudden piercing sound of Phineas' voice in the air. He dropped his pencil on the desk and threw his arm over the back of the chair and looked up at Gene. "What are you talking about, Finny?" he sighed.
"Don't call me Finny," he scowled. "Only my friends can call me that."
"Finny, don't be silly. I am your friend," Gene said with a hint of confusion in his voice.
Phineas put his face close to Gene's. He grit his teeth. "Then why don't you love me anymore…"
Gene couldn't help but laugh. However, he did still try to avoid the subject. "What, you're friends with Leper but he doesn't make love to you every night, but you're still friends with him, aren't you?"
"That's not what I mean…" Phineas whined as he dropped to the floor and threw his arms around Gene's neck. "When we're alone, why don't you kiss me anymore…?"
Gene sighed. "I… I don't know. It's not right. Us being together. And five other people already know, pretty soon the whole school will know, including the Headmaster, and then we'll get kicked out. I don't want-"
Gene was interrupted by the force of Phineas' lips pressing against his. No matter how much Gene tried to pull away, Phineas wouldn't let him. Pretty soon Gene found himself with his tie undone sitting on top of his desk with Phineas straddling him. Phineas finally let Gene pull away. Gene's expression was one of disgust and regret. Phineas felt like falling into an endless manhole. Disappointment was painted on his face. He got up and left the room with out as much as a word to Gene.
Later that night both boys were present at the Super Suicide Society meeting. Neither spoke to the other, but awkward glances were shot back and forth between the two. When the time came for the two of them to make their jump, Phineas stopped short on the limb. He turned to look at Gene, then at the crowd below. None of the members of the Butt Room witnesses were present. He whispered something under his breath and turned to Gene. Without any warning Phineas kissed Gene on the lips while they were at the top of the tree. Without thinking Gene had done something no one expected. He pushed Phineas away from his lips and into the lake below.
Within seconds everyone had jumped into the water to pull out a paralyzed Phineas. He had smashed his leg on a rock and was unable to move his leg. Gene's mind raced and pain raced through Phineas' leg. Everyone shot hateful and disapproving glares at Phineas, who remained on the top limb of the tree. His stomach was in knots and his throat was clogged up. He looked at the agonizing expression on Phineas' face and couldn't take anymore. He vomited into the lake, climbed down the tree, and returned to his dorm before the paramedics showed up.
Gene was sitting in a puddle of his own tears a good hour before the rest of the Society members came knocking on his door. They all spat hateful comments at him. "Why'd ya do that, Gene?" "He was only joking around!" "Don't take it so seriously!" "His leg's broken because of you!" The comments were like spears into Gene's heart and their fists like rocks to his bones. When the gang dispersed Gene was left sitting on the floor with bruises and a bloody nose. Tears welled up in Gene's eyes. He had to go see Phineas.
After much interrogating Gene finally found Phineas' room in the infirmary. He stopped in the middle of the room and stared at the immobilized Phineas. Tears once again streamed down his face. Phineas shot him a glance then looked away.
"I'm sorry," Gene suddenly spat. He rushed to Phineas' bedside. Phineas remained silent. Gene felt like the scum of the earth. There was no way Finny would ever forgive him. He began to sob uncontrollably.
Phineas rolled his eyes, "Gene, don't…"
"Shut up, Finny! Look what I did to you! How could I do such a thing to my fr…?" Gene paused to wipe his eyes with his sleeve. "No," he began again, "not my friend. My love."
"Uh, Gene…" Phineas stuttered.
"No, Finny! I was wrong to treat you differently. My feelings for you aren't any different. I love you and only you and it shouldn't matter if I do! I love you and I'm sorry."
Phineas began to say something but he was cut short by Gene forcing a kiss on him. When Gene pulled away a silence had filled the room. Phineas cleared his throat and smirked lustfully at Gene, "It's good that you don't care who knows, Gene, because now they all do."
Gene turned away and was met with the sight of the doctor and nurses and the entire Super Suicide Society staring in awe at what they just witnessed. Leper began to clap slowly. Eventually all but the doctor were clapping. All Phineas and Gene did was smile at each other. Gene helped Phineas onto his crutches and escorted him back to the dorm with his head held high. That night he let Phineas sleep in his bed and kissed him on the forehead before drifting off to sleep with Phineas in his arms.