Yes! A chapter today! I know the update dates changed to every other Thursday, but like I mentioned sometime when I announced the ever other Thursday thing, I will update when I get the chance!

To be honest, I feel an update this week would work anyways :)

By the way, you read the chapter name right! Days in the Sun, from the live-action, Beauty and the Beast! I felt it fit this chapter and you'll see why later.

Jay sat, slouched in his seat, as the teacher wrote down a couple equations on the board. It was getting hard to focus after what went down last night.

Immediately after Cole managed to get Nya to leave, guilt washed over him and he stayed, sitting on the bed with his head buried into his knees.

He just couldn't believe he actually forgot his 'date' with Nya and scheduled a paintball fight instead… and what bothered him most of all, was the fact that he lied to her. Right in her face. To be honest, lying was how Jay got away with most things when he was younger. However, after he told the lie, he would instantly regret it and tell the truth in return. Now, things were different… telling small lies were easy, but something like 'hey I went to play paintball instead of helping you with some Club stuff'… He couldn't bring himself to tell Nya the truth - how would she react? What would happen between the two of them?

He suddenly remembered the last time something like this had happened. It was during the time he and Cole were grabbing a smoothie. Now that he had realized that this wasn't the first time he had lied to her, it made him feel even worse.

Cole had said not to worry about how others would react, but how could he ignore that when he was constantly afraid of losing those around him?

Jay didn't want to think about the possibilities and rested his chin in the palm of his hand. He finally came to tell decision that he would wait a bit before telling Nya what actually happened.

Just then, he noticed everyone else around him turning to a page in their math textbooks. Jay fidgeted in his seat and leaned to the right to sneak a look at the page number. Opening his book to the same page, he started the work that needed to be done, but couldn't shake the guilt off him.

During lunchtime, Jay slipped into the restrooms closest to the cafeteria and locked himself in a stall, pulling out his phone.

u think u could meet me in the bathroom? the one by the cafeteria :/

Jay had texted Cole, leaning against the stall.

sure

Seconds later Cole was in the restrooms, searching for Jay.

Jay opened the stall door slightly and poked his head out, meeting Cole's gaze. The raven-haired groaned and walked to him.

"Why did you need me to come in here?" He asked Jay.

"I don't feel like going out there." Jay stated flatly.

"Annnd why is that? You love eating outside under the trees."

"You can go, but I'm not."

"If you didn't want to come out you could've just texted me. You didn't need to have me come in here."

"Well, I decided not to eat there for the next few days… or maybe the rest of the week? Then it'll be spring break and yeah…"

Cole blinked. "What? Why?"

"Cauusee…" Jay answered, holding out the a and the s.

"Is this about last night? Are you actually feeling sick, or what?"

"Like you'd care if I was sick or not."

Cole stared at him with disbelief. "Of course I'd care! Why wouldn't I?"

The younger one bit his lip and closed the stall door for a brief moment, then opened it again. "You gonna go eat? Or… are you waiting for someone to escort you out of the bathroom…"

"... So you're not sick?"

Jay faked a cough quietly and then looked up at Cole. "Do I look sick?"

"Is it cause you lied to Nya? For the second time? In her face?" Jay glared at Cole.

"Would you - grrr… Just stop it. You're making it worse."

"I thought we went over this already. Honesty is the best policy," Cole said with a shrug.

"Yeah well, it's hard not to think of the consequences when the only thing you can think of is losing another friend…"

Cole breathed out and tilted his head to the side, shaking it slowly. "Man, you're such a softie."

Cole opened his arms and stepped closer to Jay, pulling him into a hug.

As a result of their height differences, Jay's chin sat directly on top of Cole's shoulder while his eyes stared blankly ahead. Out of all the times Jay had hugged Cole, he had never hugged Jay back. And now that he was getting one for the first time since they met, Jay couldn't fight the urge to hug back. That's how great it was.

"I used to hate it when you hugged me," Cole began, patting Jay's backpack, "but, eh, what was there to ever complain about? You're always in a good mood, and I hate to say it, but it's no fun to see you feeling down."

Jay chuckled softly. He hiccuped and leaned his head against Cole's, causing Jay to grow tired. Just as he shut his eyes, Cole scowled.

"Don't you dare fall asleep in here," he said. Jay tilted his head the other direction and stared at Cole.

"Heh…"

Cole raised a brow and pushed Jay back so that they could see each other face to face. "You're coming outside, and you are going to eat your lunch. But if you see Nya, you tell her the truth." Jay opened his mouth to speak but Cole cut him off. "Ah-buh-bup! Let's go, I'm starving."

They sat down under the usual tree which was already turning green.

It was warm outside.

Unbelievably warm and Jay felt his neck growing itchy. As he scratched the back of his neck, he noticed, from the corner of his eyes, Cole unwrapping a sandwich and taking a large bite out of it. He gazed down at his lunch and frowned at what foods he had picked out.

All he had bought was a granola bar and a bag of chips. At that time, Jay hadn't felt like eating and only grabbed a small snack to eat; but now, he knew just how hungry he was and he regretted everything he bought.

Turning his head, he saw Cole had bought end a full on meal. Sandwich, apple, granola bar, water bottle, and a bag of pretzels.

He looked back at his "lunch" and deeply sighed.

Cole heard this and looked to Jay. The ginger gave a lopsided smile and laughed nervously.

"You think I could… Um… Have that apple?" He asked.

Cole handed it to him with no hesitation.

"Thanks."

"No prob."

Soon enough, Nya passed by.

Jay's eyes widened and he hoped Cole hadn't noticed her.

Nya caught sight of Jay and waved at him with a bright smile on her face. She wore a book bag slung over her shoulder and loose, almost faded red, t-shirt and black, tight, pants.

She was about to head over to them until Kai had called from afar and she hurried away.

Jay breathed out a breath of relief.

Cole, who had been busy on his phone, looked up and stood up from the bench, standing in front of Jay. He lifted his phone and aimed the camera for the tree, walking from side to side for the perfect lighting.

"Uh, whatcha doing?" Jay asked as Cole continued to angle himself.

"Gonna take a pic. What else?" He stuck his tongue out to the side and closed an eye. "Besides, it's too pretty not to take a picture of," Cole added before snapping a couple photos.

As he sat back down, Jay leaned closer and watched as Cole thumbed through the photos he had taken.

Jay thought back to when Cole gave him that hug. He really liked it. No one else who had ever hugged him could beat the one Cole gave him and he wanted another.

Suddenly, an idea struck him and he leaned forward in his seat.

"You know, your hoodie is actually really comfortable," Jay told him, taking a bite out of the apple.

Cole shook his head. "Mhmm, that's nice."

"Where'd ya get it?" He questioned, as he bounced in his seat, his eyes brighter than before.

"Uh, not sure? Don't remember… you could always buy a different hoodie. Doesn't have to be the same one." He shrugged.

Jay harrumphed and slouched forward. "Yeaaaaaaah, but I really like yours."

"You want it? Then take it."

"Really?!"

"Pfh, of course not. Like I'd ever give my stuff to you."

Jay's eyes narrowed.

"I guess since you won't tell me where you got your hoodie from… maybe I could get another hug?"

Cole laughed, turning off his phone.

"No thanks."

"Rude."

"Ain't being rude, just politely declining."

Jay pursed his lips and thought. Finally he spoke.

"You just don't wanna."

Cole eyed him suspiciously.

"Huh?"

"It's very open here, ay? People passing by from every direction. You probs just don't wanna hug it out out here." Jay told him with a smug grin.

Cole's brows drew in.

"Uh-huh… I still wouldn't give you another one even if we were in the dorm."

"I hug people all the time, everywhere! Nothing so bad about it… so, c'mon, partner!"

"Don't try to be all cowboy like or anything."

"Eh, not trying to, but I could if you wanted me to." He cleared his throat before playfully elbowing Cole in the arm. "Y'all gonna regret it soon. So c'mon n' hug the poor soul."

Cole laughed and turned around so that he wouldn't have to see Jay. "Hah, no."

"C'mon!"

"No."

"You know you wanna."

Cole spun back around and saw the other sitting there with a big smile on his face and arms outstretched.

"No."

That didn't cause Jay's arms to fall back down.

"No."

Jay still kept his arms up.

"No."

The ginger smiled wider.

"Are you ever gonna put them down?"

Jay shook his head.

Cole sighed and scooted closer, wrapping his arms around him. Jay did the same in return.

"Like you mean it," he whispered, shutting his eyes and relaxing into the embrace.

Cole hissed but couldn't say no to that.

He could see now why Jay loved hugs so much.

He felt rather calm and like all his worries had washed away, leaving him to focus only on this moment.

It felt… nice.

It… reminded him of when he was younger… and his Mom.

"Just one last bedtime story?" The young boy asked, jumping up and down on the mattress with large eyes.

His mom laughed softly and cupped her hand under Cole's chin, smiling warmly. She leaned forward as Cole slowed his bouncing, and she planted a kiss on the little one's forehead.

"One more and then it's bedtime for you, young man," she said to him and brought the chair closer to the bed. Sitting up straight, she pulled a book from the stack of books on the side table and opened it on her lap.

The next story she read was about a boy who befriended an alien robot. It was one of Cole's favorites, and still remained his favorite childhood story ever since his mom passed away.

In the end, Cole had grown even more tired and he yawned as his mother put the books away. She came back into the room and bent forward, wrapping her arms around Cole's neck, embracing him in a warm hug.

It was then he felt safe, secure, and loved.

His mother always gave him the best hugs in the world. Every single day, she made sure to end his day with a hug and kiss, before closing the door and turning off the light to his room.

Certain days, she would sing with his Dad in the living room, while Cole sat on the couch, clapping with excitement. Other days, she would sing to Cole, herself, before bed; and Cole would sing along softly, their hands intertwined.

However, ever since she passed away, Cole started to feel more empty and lonely. There were no more stories, no more singing, no more of the two of them laughing together, and no more feelings of comfort.

He had his Dad, yes, but he was slightly different from his mother. Even when she passed away, Cole could tell that a part of him died as well. Though, the music business still continued, he would struggle to take care of both things at once.

Cole had wished for his Mom to come back.

Oh, what he'd give to relive just one day with her again.

Looking back into the past, he felt a sudden tightness in his chest.

He squeezed his eyes shut and clutched the fabric of Jay's shirt tightly.

Jay felt this and opened his eyes.

"Hey, you alright?"

"Y-Yeah, I'm all good…" he let out a steady breath, but didn't let go of the fabric. Jay could feel him shaking against him, and he glanced at what he could see of Cole, which was the back of Cole's head.

"You sure?"

Cole bit his lip and blinked, causing his vision to blur from the tears in his eyes. C'mon, Cole, you're in public. Suck it up.

But he couldn't.

He just couldn't.

He had been glad to finally talk to someone about his Mom during winter break, and since that day, Jay knew how sensitive Cole was to that topic as he tried to avoid bringing it up.

Though now, it was all he could think about.

"Yo, Cole," he pulled apart and saw Cole's head bowing down, his hair covering his face. "Cole?"

The older one lifted his chin and hastily took in a deep breath.

"Woah - dude, are you okay?"

Cole put a hand to his face and picked at his eyes, wiping away the tears.

"Y-Yeah, I-I'm fine - just, r-remembered s-something from l-long ago."

Jay's expression fell. He knew what it was, alright. "Was it your Mom?"

Cole shook his head slowly as more tears began to build up in his eyes. By the way his chest slowly rose and fell, Jay could tell the pain he was feeling was nothing more than hurt from the past.

Without saying a word, he embraced Cole tightly once again.

He suddenly realized, that losing friends wasn't what he was most worried about. He had finally faced the truth of his worries… and that was seeing his friends feeling miserable. Nothing hurt more than to see the ones you cared about and the ones who truly cared about you, with hurt in their eyes.

People lose friends all the time, but if there was ever a time where just one friend had felt down, it hurt more to just stand back and watch without doing anything.

After all, what was the point in losing friends if the ones who truly stayed by you also broke your hearts when unhappy?

And it was then he decided, tomorrow, he would tell Nya the truth. If she felt hurt, he would make sure to make it up to her, if it meant that she would cheer up afterwards.

But as of now, Jay focused on Cole and Cole only.

His eyes widened when he heard the sobbing.

Not saying a word, he sat there in silence as Cole continued to sob.

At certain times, it was better just to talk less and rather listen.

All ze hugz - is cute is it not? XD I live for hugs.

The reason I chose Days in the Sun? Cole was looking back at his childhood and the happy moments when his mother was around. In the movie, this song was used to do the same thing, and, just wow, it was beautiful.

I totally suggest you listen to the song or in fact the full album, and go watch the movie too! ^^

Before I leave, quick note that there will be a chapter next week!