Colin woke up half an hour an early and lay awake up to the moment his alarm clock blared to life. He dressed, peeked his head into his mother's room and sighed, not looking forward to making his own breakfast. He rummaged through the cupboards and made instant oatmeal with a handful of blueberries thrown in. As he ate, he thought about the weekend, barely able to discern whether or not it had truly happened. He need not have worried for his answer came soon enough.

"Morning," Gwen chirped as Colin neared, her eyes sparkling.

He gave her a pointed look, made nervous by her trembling smile, as though she were holding back a laugh.

"So," she hummed, rocking back onto her heel and forward again, smile never faltering.

Colin shook his head. "I have no idea what you're implying." He peered down the street and then back to her.

"You and Bradley seemed to hit it off. You know, the jerk you didn't like?"

Grinning, Colin popped his brow. "I thought you might have been a little too busy with Santiago to notice what I was up too."

Blushing, Gwen stared at him open-mouthed. With a smile, she nodded. "Guess we both had fun then."

He winked at her and bumped her shoulder playfully.

Gwen considered Colin for a moment before shaking her head. "I knew you liked him," she said, nodding along to her own words. "I'm surprised he likes you."

"Thanks," Colin replied, voice flat but a small smile on his face.

Her eyes widened. "Oh! No, no! I don't mean it like that. I just meant that I wasn't expecting you guys to - "

Colin grinned crookedly and shushed her before she rambled on. "Yeah. Well, you wouldn't be the only one."

When the bus pulled up and they walked down the aisle, eyes followed them, or rather, Colin, with interest. A profound sense of déja vu hit him. He recalled Gwen's words, explaining how little went unknown at Pendragon and he looked around him with growing unease. To distract himself, he leaned into Gwen, dropping his voice. "Has Bradley ever dated anyone?"

Gwen seemed to think for a moment. "Not from the school, no, but he's fooled around with some people," she said with a shrug. Then, patting his leg amiably, said "you'd be the first from school. And a guy no less."

Colin nodded thoughtfully and tried to straighten up, ensure that everyone knew he had nothing to hide. In an odd way he was fairly proud, knowing that there were more than a few broken-hearted people out there. The bus stopped with a hiss and Colin looked up.

Vivian stepped up and locked eyes with him, slipping her circular sunglasses to the tip of her nose and holding his eyes for a moment before tipping her head up and heading to her seat.

Colin looked on innocently, trying not to feel victorious, reminding himself that he had never been in competition with anyone in the first place. Yet, when Vivian sat down and whispered to her friend, who then look over her shoulder at him, Colin felt as though he a claim to stake.

Gwen giggled and Colin leaned back with an amused smile. "What about you and Lancelot?" He asked this partially because he was genuinely interested and partially because it was only fair. Gwen told him so much that Colin couldn't understand whether or not the bus ride had been the usual fifteen minutes or an hour, either way he smiled weakly in support.

Bradley was standing with Katie when they walked up to the stone steps, and Colin wondered on how to greet him – should he hug him? Kiss him? - undecided, he waved awkwardly and took his place next to him. Katie arched a delicate brow, looking at him as if he were dumb. Gwen stifled a laugh and had to look away. Colin frowned and shrugged, standing by his decision. Quite suddenly, his head was pulled back and warm lips covered his own, briefly but just enough to linger and leave their taste behind.

"Morning," Bradley whispered, staring down at Colin's widened eyes with a smile.

Katie burst out laughing. "Colin, you've gone pink. Really, how old are you?"

"Yeah, yeah, shut up," he chuckled and waved her away, gravitating toward Bradley until they were touching. His phone vibrated in his pocket and he took it out, curious at the unknown number.

See you after school!

Confused, Colin checked the number again but could not place a name to it.

"What is it?" Bradley asked.

"Wrong number, I think," he said, shrugging his shoulders.

By the time he had biology, Colin had entirely forgotten about the text message. They were reviewing the respiratory system and Colin zoned in and out, having already learned the material thoroughly. Twice he had caught Bradley looking at him and they smiled at each other. He had thought they were being fairly secretive until Gwen poked him and rolled his eyes.

Halfway through the class Gaius called him down and told him to go to the gym office. He took the room number down and slipped out of the class. The secretary waved at him as he passed and he smiled at her. Once at the door, he knocked twice and stood back.

"Come in."

The voice was soft and pleasant, though muffled by the door and Colin stepped in, his eyes widening. The man sitting at the desk before him had scruffy dark blond hair which splayed outwards near his ears and fell down in thick strands just over his eyebrows; he had dark blue eyes and a squared jaw, aged between 36-45, it was hard to tell. What made Colin still was the right side of his face, the skin there looked melted, as if someone had held his cheek over an open flame or had poured acid on him. The disfigurement ran down to his neck, like melted wax.

Colin was silent for a long time and then blinked furiously, realizing how rude he was being. "Uh," he cleared his throat "I'm Colin Morgan. I was told to come here."

The man gazed at him blankly and then stood up with a small smile. "Edwin Rhind," he said and extended his hand "you may call me Edwin."

Colin shook his hand, feeling awfully rude for staring. He tried to focus on Edwin's eyes and not let his wander down the side of the man's face.

"Don't worry about that," Edwin said, waving his hand in the air. "It can only be expected. Please, have a seat."

Colin sat down in the chair across from him and glanced at the room. It was dimly lit, with no windows, cavern like in all respects. The walls were lined with tall shelves full of books, minimizing the space and suffocating it. The far wall was literature and probably personal books that Mr. Rhind read, while the opposite wall was full of books on physical education, the body and muscular therapy. There was a couch of a dark olive green sitting near a table topped with a lamp, the only source of light in the room. The desk that Edwin sat at was mahogany and covered with papers. There was a wilted plant standing in a dark corner of room. Colin shifted uncomfortably in his seat.

"We were checking your files and noticed that you don't have a physical education credit," Edwin commented, looking up from the files in hand. He waited for Colin's confirmation.

"Yes, it wasn't an obligatory class in my school," Colin answered, wondering who "we" was.

"It is in this school." Edwin, put down the pages and looked at Colin pointedly. "You're going to have to get the credit. Now, your classes have already been chosen this year and we can't put you in another one, but this is not such an important credit so I'll tell you what we'll do." Edwin laid his hands flat on the table and sighed. "We have many sports teams here at Pendragon and unfortunately they are more or less full, but we have a student leaving soon and his spot on the football team will be available."

Colin gulped. Football? Had this man even seriously looked at him? Coordination was one thing, but the shoving and pushing was another, he'd surely snap in two. Not to mention Bradley was Captain of the team, which seemed to him like an awkward situation.

Edwin looked him over and seemed to read his mind. "We've got two players on the bench so we'll put one of them on the field, you can be an extra as well and a sort of unofficial water boy."

"Water boy?" Colin echoed.

"Yeah, since you're going to be the new player, consider it your initiation and trust me when I say you'll be getting off easy."

Colin believed him. "So, I don't actually have to play?"

Edwin nodded. "Unless one of our players has an injury or is sick, anything along those lines, you won't have to step in. Even then, as I've said, we've got another on the bench. "

Relieved, Colin managed a smile. "I'll get a credit for being the water boy?"

"Essentially yes. You're to attend all team meetings and receive a team uniform. You will run drills in practice and learn the plays. You'll get a credit after one season."

Colin considered this. He was not at all excited but, he was thankful that he didn't actually have to play in the games and was basically getting a credit without having to take a class. "Alright, sounds reasonable."

"Good. Pick up your uniform here at lunch tomorrow; we practice after school, you'll get the schedule along with the uniform." He stood, signalling the end of their conversation.

Colin stood, thanked him by shaking his hand and left.

As he was walking back to class he decided to circle around in the other direction and explore a little. The halls were quiet during classtime. Colin touched the wallpaper and traced the golden patterns. His steps echoed against the wood but when he turned a corner, he met plush carpet. At the end of the hall he read the golden plaque by the door and swallowed nervously. Dean's Office. He hadn't seen Bradley's father yet and wondered if the man knew about him. He heard a muffled voice from the other side of the door and backed away, hastening down the hall and back to class, absently wondering if the two Pendragon's looked alike.

After class, Bradley walked him to his locker and enquired about his absence. "I'm on the football team," Colin sighed as he stuffed his bag with folders and his biology textbooks.

Bradley stared at him and smiled, nudging him playfully. "You? On the football team?"

"For all you know I could be a very good player." Colin closed his locker and leaned on it, eyeing Bradley defensively.

"You're serious?" Bradley questioned, just barely able to contain his shock.

Colin nodded. "What's with the look?"

"You're not exactly football material, okay? And no offence but you'll be more of liability on the field than an asset."

Colin internally agreed with Bradley, but he couldn't help himself and scoffed. "Appreciate the support."

"I said no offence," Bradley repeated, tone placating.

"Oh, none taken."

"Well, it doesn't look that way."

"Sorry is this better?" Colin feigned a wide grin before turning sullenly to his locker. At the moment he was more annoyed with himself than Bradley, cursing his childish response.

Bradley heaved an exasperated sigh. "Look, I'm sorry, but I just can't imagine you playing football and I don't see why you were put on the team."

"I'm not even going to play, alright? Happy?" Colin bit his tongue too late and shook his head, wanting to apologize but not trusting himself to actually do so.

"Hey," Bradley whispered, putting a hand on his shoulder, he smiled crookedly at him, clearly tryin to lighten the tone but not knowing how to do so.

The concern in Bradley's face was a slap to his. "Shit," Colin said, sighing. "Sorry, alright?"

Bradley nodded and squeezed his shoulder. He leaned against the locker beside Colin's and smiled, cocking an eyebrow. "Didn't know you were so sensitive."

Colin rolled his eyes. "Let's go."

Neither of them could find Katie or Gwen so they walked toward Bradley's car, he'd promised to drive Colin home. His phone vibrated in his pocket and he pulled it out, frowning at the unknown number, the same he'd seen that morning. Perplexed, he checked the message.

I see you. Be there in a sec.

Colin stopped. He glanced around him, then looked aroun the campus.. Nobody seemed to be paying him any specific attention, in fact, no more than the usual looks he received when with Bradley.

"What's up?" Bradley asked, confused.

"I'm not sure," he answered. He waited a few moments but no one came near them so he shrugged and walked on. As they walked to Bradley's car, a familiar voice called out to him and he froze, flushing.

"You could have at least called me, Morgan."

Colin whipped around, grinning. The young man standing before him had his arms out, smirking and Colin shook his head. "Will!"

The young men met each other in two large steps and embraced, squeezing one another tightly. When they broke apart they kept close, just within arms reach, both grinning.

Will had been his best friend ever since they were kids, inseperable since the second grade. And now here he was, looking just as he did since their fourth year, with his long pointed nose, bright, shining eyes, his straight light brown hair, that was actually softer than it looked and those faint dimples, the ones that could barely be seen, but were nevertheless there whenever he would smile. Just the same as when he'd left, smiling and wishing him the best, the touch of his his had reassuring. And Colin hadn't called him since he'd left!

"I didn't forget you," he quickened to say, squeezing his arm apologetically. "It's been busy here." Will ruffled his hair, an action that used to annoy him but had become customary, enjoyable. Colin leaned into him and smiled, nostalgic.

"Yeah, don't worry about it."

Bradley cleared his throat.

"Oh!" Colin took a step towards the blond, apologetically smiling and introduced them. "Bradley this is Will."

Will smiled easily and they shook hands. "Ah, so you've managed to make friends."

Bradley wore a tight lipped smile and stepped close to Colin. "Yeah, of sorts."

They studied each other warily, completely ignoring Colin, who was watching them uneasily.

"Uh," Colin cleared his throat, stepping a pace away from Bradley's looming presence. "What are you doing here?"

Will flashed him an amused look. "Well, my best friend moves and doesn't call or text me even once, so I thought I'd drop by and make sure he was still alive. Common, I'll drive you home."

Colin frowned. "Oh, ehm, actually I..." He turned to Bradley and smiled helplessly, the question hovering at his lips, unspoken but plain in his eyes.

"Don't worry about it," Bradley said. "See you tomorrow."

Colin nodded, briefly touching his arm to thank him.

Bradley threw a quick glance at Will before leaning forward to kiss Colin.

Colin stilled and shyly responded, breaking contact quickly. He stared down at the ground and chucked nervously. "Yeah, see you."

Bradley licked his lips. "Nice meeting you, Will."

Colin could barely discern Will's answer for the pounding in his ears and he winced when Bradley began to whistle. The blond was quite obviously pleased with himself and if not for Will's presence, Colin would have ran over and punched him.

"So, that would be your," Will began but paused, searching Colin's face as the words hung in the air.

"Boyfriend," Colin finished, though all his instincts had told him to say "friend".

Will scrutinized him, chewing on the inside of his cheek. "I see."

They walked over to his car in an awkward silence. Colin fiddled passively with his fingers. He glanced at Will several times, expecting him to say something, wanting him to fill the silence that was weighing in the car. Colin thought to either corner him and have it out, so to speak, or completely ignore the subject. He did neither and counted the trees outside as they blurred past, wondering, in the defeaning silence, how a ten minute drive could drag on for so long.