Miles had managed to skip school successfully for two days before his dad found out. He had cherished every single second he'd been graced with that allowed him to avoid facing Tris for as long as he could. It wasn't that he didn't want to see him, he just had absolutely no idea what he was going to say. The longer he left it, the worse it got. In a way he wished that he'd just gone back to school as normal because now when he returned he wouldn't be able to laugh things off and act normal. He hadn't responded to any of Tris's texts since he'd dropped him home after the dinner and when Tris had threatened to turn up at his house if he didn't reply, he got in his car and drove as fast and as far away as he could. He could estimate that he'd spent at least eighty percent of his time bunking high. A joint was the only way he could find any solace from his overworked brain at the moment and it wasn't until he'd smoked his whole stash that he realised how indulgent he'd been.

Eventually though, the inevitable happened. When he had sneaked back in on Thursday night he'd had tried his utmost to slink upstairs unnoticed. It literally took less than five seconds for his father to appear at the bottom of the staircase and question him relentlessly about why he had received a phone call from his form tutor informing him that his spoilt brat of a son had been absent for the last two days without reason. Miles hadn't really given him any answers, he'd listened to the normal speech about how his father didn't need this sort of insolence from him right before the election and then he'd been ordered to attend school tomorrow, no excuses.

That was how Miles now found himself stationary in the parking lot outside of school. He kept looking up at the school building, wondering how on earth he was going to find the courage to go inside and face his teachers, face the questions and most importantly, face Tristan. Miles didn't really like mornings all that much, he needed to adjust to the day before he was able to deal with the concept of getting through another six hours of school. To avoid the sunlight, he had his favourite shades on which made him feel more invisible. He flicked through his phone and as usual ended up back at Tristan's thread of texts that he'd received in the last few days, each one making him feel even guiltier.

'Thanks for trusting me enough to have me around tonight. I had a great time, see you tomorrow x'

'How come you're not in class? x'

'Are you coming to school today?'

'Miles, is everything okay?'

'Why are you ignoring me?'

'If you don't reply to me by the end of the day I'm coming round.'

'Have I done something wrong?'

'Please Miles, I'm worried. Just let me know your okay.'

Miles threw his phone into the passenger seat of his car and ran his fingers down his temples in frustration. He just needed to do it, he knew that. He just needed to walk in there and tackle this head on. As usual, he was the one who'd made a big deal out of something that was probably nothing, now he needed to accept the consequences. Maybe his dad was right, maybe he was a coward. Suddenly a loud knock on the window jolted him out of his thoughts.

'Miles!' Maya called, muffled through the glass.

Miles rolled down the window despite his concerns. Maya didn't know about him and Tris yet and he'd done his very best to stop her from finding out. Not because he cared about her opinion that much, but because he knew how she was going to react. She was going to think Tristan was a rebound, she would tell Tris to stay away from him. The last thing he needed right now was another reason for Tristan to run for the hills, he'd given him enough of them himself.

'Hey Maya.' He replied glumly.

'Where the hell have you been lately? Feel like I haven't seen you in ages. Is everything okay? Has something happened at home?' She gabbled.

'Woah Maya, no need for twenty questions.' He retorted. There were only one person's questions he needed to answer and he didn't even have prepared responses for him, let alone his ex.

'Sorry, sorry. I've been worried about you that's all.' She replied, calming slightly.

'No need, I'm fine. Been off sick for a few days that's all.'

'Don't lie to me Miles. I heard Tris telling Zoe you were fine when he last saw you.' She cocked an eyebrow, trying to size him up.

'How is Tristan?' Miles asked eagerly, partly wanting to change the subject and partly needing to know what he was about to face when he walked into school.

'Not himself lately. Maybe he's just being weird because he's still pissed at me but something just doesn't feel right.' Maya pondered.

Miles felt his heart drop. That was every bit of inspiration he needed. He might not be in his good books right now, but he needed to make sure Tristan was okay.

'Are you heading in?' He asked Maya.

'Yeah, coming with?'

'Yeah, give me a sec.' Miles answered. He rolled up window, grabbed his backpack and his cell and got out of the car.

When he walked into English Miles realised that he'd probably made one of his biggest mistakes yet. The second Tristan noticed him his eyes widened and there was a faint smile on his face, one that screamed relief. Then his eyes flickered to Maya who was still beside him and immediately everything changed. His eyes frosted over, his expression changed to a sneer that Miles never wanted to see again and he turned back to the whiteboard apparently ready to learn something. The connection between them turned cold before Miles even had a chance to process what was happening and then when he did realise, he couldn't remember ever being a bigger idiot. He was so wrapped up in Tristan these days that sometimes he forgot that he and Maya had ever been a thing.

Tristan was dressed in black jeans and the striped red and white shirt he'd worn in Paris. With his dark hair the outfit looked even better than it had the first time. There was something wrong though. Miles couldn't quite put his finger on what it was because nothing had drastically changed but his eyes lacked their usual sparkle and he looked slightly… weaker. Heading over to him Miles knelt down at his desk ready to begin his grovelling before the lesson had even begun.

'Hey, I'm sorry –'

'I don't want to talk to you.' Tris cut him off, not looking at him.

'Tristan, let me explain.'

'Why don't you go and explain to Maya?' he shot back fiercely, meeting his eyes with such an icy glare Miles did contemplate retreating back to safe territory.

'Don't jump to conclusions okay. We need to talk.' Miles placed a hand on his shoulder, trying to be comforting.

'Are you deaf?' Tristan questioned sarcastically as he shirked his shoulder away.

'Don't be like that Tris.' Miles whispered. He was well aware that their classmates were beginning to pay attention to their tiff and he didn't particularly want people overhearing him pleading for his boyfriend's forgiveness.

'Get your hands off me.' Tris spat, wrenching the wrist Miles had taken out of his grasp.

'If you'd just let me talk!' he retorted, getting annoyed. He knew that he deserved the silent treatment, but his selfish streak was flaring and he just wanted to apologise and sort things out between them.

'Talk all you want. I'm out of here.' Came Tris's response. Miles watched dumbfounded as he got his stuff together and stormed out of the classroom, slamming the door behind him. He ignored their English teacher's orders to sit back down and just left. Everyone was watching with interest, and suddenly all eyes were on Miles.

'Sorry Miss, I'll be back in a second.' He spoke, finally unfreezing from his spot on the floor.

'Mr Hollingsworth stay where you are!' she yelled, not willing to lose another of her students.

It was too late. Miles bolted out of the classroom as quick as he could. Halting outside he saw Tristan take a sharp left at the end of corridor and he swiftly headed after him in pursuit, his long legs catching up fast. Tristan had stopped at his locker and he was hurling things inside it as well as retrieving others. Miles jogged up to him, not ready to give up that easily.

'Leave me alone.' Tristan demanded, angrily taking his frustration out on the personal possessions inside his locker.

'Look I know you're angry and I understand that, but please Tristan, just talk to me. I'm begging you.' Miles pled.

'Talk to you? Talk to you! I've been trying to talk to you. I've texted, I've called. Nothing! I have been so worried for days and you've ignored me. You've not even bothered to send me a text. So don't you dare act as if I'm being unreasonable!' Tristan fumed, facing him. His eyes blazed with rage and Miles didn't think he'd ever seen him so angry. It was kind of hot but Miles knew this wasn't the time to mention that.

Miles's mouth opened and closed like a fish. He didn't know what to say. What could he say that would actually excuse his behaviour? Tris was right, he'd been a jerk.

'I'm sorry.' Miles mumbled, looking down in shame.

'Do you know how sick I am of your apologies? You wanted to explain, explain then. Tell me why you've been AWOL for days.' Tristan continued, his verbal assault not calming.

'I panicked.' Miles admitted.

'Panicked? Why?'

'Cause of what you said.' Miles confessed. He didn't want to actually say the words, he knew how pathetic it would sound.

He watched as Tristan thought back and worked out what he meant. When it finally clicked into place, it was his turn to look stunned.

'Because I said I loved you?' he queried. At least he wasn't shouting now. Miles felt heat rush to his cheeks, that word held far too much promise. Too much for him to handle. He nodded, keeping his eyes low.

'Are you joking me? You've been blanking me because of a slip of the tongue?' Tristan retorted.

Miles's eyes shot up then, and he met Tristan's astounded ones ferociously.

'So you didn't mean it then?'

'What does it matter anyway? You've made it clear it's irrelevant to you how I feel.' Tristan replied avoiding the question.

'You know that's not true. Why say it if you didn't mean it?'

'Because it felt right at the time okay? We'd got through dinner with your family, we'd had a good evening. It felt like we were together properly together for the first time, like it was us against them and we won. I thought you trusted me and I wanted to tell you how I felt. I didn't realise it would make you run a mile. Besides I wouldn't worry, I certainly don't feel like that now.' Tris knew that last comment was spiteful, but he couldn't help himself.

'Harsh.' Miles mumbled but he knew he deserved that one.

'Well what do you expect me to say Miles? Do you want me to tell you that it's all okay? Pretend like I'm not upset? Because I am, and that's because of you. I don't care if you freak out, you know that's not why I'm angry. You can't just suddenly push me to the side like I'm nothing. Why could you not just tell me the truth?'

I can't wait around to pick up the pieces every time you freak out.

Maya's words had never rung more true. Not again, he wasn't going to let this happen again.

'You mean everything.' He uttered, because if Tris wanted the truth, then that was it.

'Prove it.'

Before Tristan even had a chance to coherently put two and two together Miles had him smashed up against the lockers and was kissing his apologies into him. He'd forgotten how Tris tasted. He felt like an addict getting his fix and he'd gone without him for too long now. Tristan didn't give in like he usually did though, he fought him back hard. Kissing him back forcefully he moulding their mouths together, relishing the electricity that buzzed through him as he framed Miles's face with his hands keeping him where he wanted him. Miles dipped his tongue inside and he couldn't help the moan that slipped out of him when Tris pushed his back against him.

Miles ran his hands down Tristan's sides, pulling his hips into him. They couldn't get any closer but Miles wanted more. He realised what was different now, Tristan felt slimmer than usual, his hip bones were jutting into him and it was making him rut against him as Tris bit hard at his neck. One of Miles's hands clasped at his hair, pushing him harder into his neck. If his punishment was going to be bruises, he'd happily accept that as a let off.

'Mark me.' Miles breathed, clinging tighter on to Tris as he let his head fall back to give him better access to his skin that felt searing hot. He sort of felt like he was dying when Tris started sucking on the sensitive flesh at his neck but at the same time he was burning alive. When Tristan released his neck from his teeth and licked his lips before going back to kiss his swollen mouth Miles wasn't sure whether his legs would keep him upright anymore. That was why he was so glad when Tris swung him round and held him back against the lockers instead, at least he had some support now. Miles could have stayed there forever and let Tristan have his way with him, but all too soon their rendezvous came to an abrupt end.

'Miles?'

Both of the lovers whipped round, jumping apart from each other to be confronted by a horrified looking Maya.