A loud racket caused him to snap out of dream world and sit up, trying to identify where the sound was coming from. His IPhone which was once face-down on his floor was now sitting on the night table beside him screaming an annoying tune. He grabbed it and paused, taking a moment to look around the entire room. He moved aside his bed sheet to see whether his companion was still in bed with him, but there was no other existence in his room aside from himself. His current situation baffled him and he could not help but wonder whether last night was a dream. He felt ashamed to admit it, but it wouldn't be the first time.

He slid the latch from one side to the next successfully turning off his alarm which always rang at the same time, 7:30. He would have changed the tune by now, but the last time he had One Direction ringing in the background he slept right through his first class. It was actually Miles who had helped him through it(with his arms slyly around Maya's shoulders), assuring him that the best way to deal with his problem would be by fixing the alarm with the worst song imaginable which would force him to make an effort to turn it off.

He silently inspected the newly attained scratch over the glass with his thumb, blinking. That wasn't there the day before. He should know, after all, since he found himself staring at the damn contraption nearly the entire day. He blinked, flushed, and dropped his head to stare into his lap, hugging his legs momentarily as the memories flashed at him.

That was no dream. Miles was in his house cooking for him, confessing to him, comforting him because.. why exactly? He felt his mood dampen as he remembered, but he no longer felt a longing pain that attacked him. Instead, his mind was filled with something else, a specific scene that played over in his mind, which overtook the most painful one.

He couldn't do this now, he had to get ready. He didn't really want to get out of bed, more so going to school after that entire ordeal, but he knew he could not afford to skip another day of school. At least it would give them an opportunity to talk it out - he thought - and groaned as he felt a light jab in his chest like missing a step on a staircase. He pushed the thought away as he forced himself up, stumbling over towards the mirror. He cringed at what he saw - great timing too - and rushed to take a shower.

After brushing his teeth, taking a nice(quick) warm shower and changing into a set of clothes he found in a pile on his floor, he dashed downstairs for a quick retreat. Rushing towards the front door and glancing into his reflection for a two second tidy-up, he attempted to fix his hair with the ridges of his fingers. He had no time for this, he seriously needed to catch the bus.

"Hey bro, wait up."

MILES

He honestly did not want to leave him, but he knew he had too. It was around six in the morning when he heard Tristan's parents downstairs scrambling back and forth, practically yelling at each other every moment they got, and eventually leaving for what he had assumed was work(in two separate cars.) He left right at that moment in his own car parked four houses down at the side of the road. And when he got home - boy, did he get an earful from his own parents - especially his father - although he dozed off mid complaining. After all, he was plenty tired. It was a surprise he could even drive home in his condition! He took the remaining two hours to catch up on sleep before getting up, driving to school, and now here he was on the stairs in front of the school, just waiting.

Every so often a person he supposedly knew would pass by and wave at him, some stopping for a small chat, some smiling at him shyly and he too returning the favor.

He was forced out of the way as a mountain of people arrived to school and began rushing for the entrance.

He checked his watch and frowned realizing that it was almost time for class to start. He looked through the crowd wondering whether he could identify a mop of light platinum hair, but sadly there was no sight of it.

'Who am I kidding? He's probably still upset...' He swallowed, 'Or maybe he's thinking about yesterday.' He wanted to hit himself for the way things turned out. It was almost like one of his perfect dreams: soaking into each other's embrace, pressing lips to enjoy each other's tastes, exchanging "I love yous" in the comfort of their own home where only they could hear them and no one else. Only this time it was a bitter reality - with no hugs, no kisses, and only one I love you which went against him. What was he even thinking?

'Tristan was vulnerable.. Maybe he thinks I was taking advantage of him. Oh god, what if he thought I pitied him?'

He stopped and turned his back towards the entrance doors. He slowly descended down the stairs in order to leave, 'Maybe I should go see him' He told himself and paused mid-step as he took note of a familiar sienna parked up right in front of the school. It was dark blue and had tinted windows at the sides. He just couldn't put his finger on it... The door opened and to his surprise, Tristan wandered out of shotgun and shut the door behind him before Miles could see who was driving. He waved to the person in the car and turned with a half-grin, stopped as he saw Miles. A moment passed between them before he strolled towards him, Miles following every step in order to close the distance between them quicker, "Hey Miles.. Sorry, were you waiting for me or something?"

His eyes did not leave the car as he tried to identify whose it was. Frustration hit him quickly and he grabbed Tristan's arm, "Who's that?"

Confused, Tristan looked up at him as the two suddenly heard a door open. A tall, tan, and muscular male came out of hiding, shutting the door behind him as he plopped his arms momentarily over the roof of the car staring them down. Miles fingers twitched as he immediately let go of Tristan's arm, watching as the man rounded his car and came closer.

"You know you didn't have to come out." Tristan whined as he took a few steps away to stand beside his brother, "Miles, this is my older brother Owen. Owen, this is my.. friend, Miles." Tristan sent him a shy look which made Miles feel a pang of guilt soon over washed with nervousness. He accepted the handshake as it was given to him.

"You can go now." Tristan teased his brother, though the truth of the matter was he was feeling mighty embarrassed.

"Just making sure everything's okay here."

"Everything's fine, right Miles?"

Miles simply nodded, having nothing else to say. Owen's glare was uncomforting to say the least - almost like he was staring into his very soul, and judging him for it.

"Then I'm heading home. See ya later bro."

Tristan waved him off and turned to move passed his companion into the building knowing that Miles was right on his heels, "Sorry, he's just protective (though it's never been this bad)."

Miles silently watched the car speed off from the parking lot, before he turned and joined Tristan, a small smile creeping over his lips, "I know..."


Nothing like a protective sibling. :) Warning for a ton of updates.