Author's Note: Sorry it took a few days to get this part up. I got stuck with a double shift and lots of schoolwork to finish. This story is very nearly at its end. There are four or five chapters left. Thank you all for reading this!

Chapter Thirty-Six

In his elegant looping style, Gord penned down every word from the textbook page. He happily hummed as he worked, wiggling his feet back and forth like a child. Bif had been afraid of this.

"You can't take notes like that. There isn't a point in doing it if you just copy it word for word."

"Well I can't very well use the book during the test now can I? My notes are the next best thing."

"Ms. Hunt doesn't allow notes."

"Really? She's never said anything to me."

The ginger haired boxer rolled his eyes. How could it be that even with special treatment Gord was only pulling a C in the class? Since he already knew why the former prep was so joyous, Bif did not feel the need to ask about it. He just stayed looming as Vendrome studied at the desk. His room was quite dreary. Bif had grown accustomed to staying at Harrington House and did not want to think about what it would be like to live in such a musty room. Admittedly, his family was not rich, but his bedroom at home at least had a window. It was too bad that he feared Derby finding out about their friendship. It would be nice to hang around anywhere else.

"Bif?" Gord asked inquisitively. Tremblay knew that he was not going to like whatever came out of his mouth next. "Are you ever going to tell Derby?"

"Tell him what?"

"How you feel about him. Being in love is such a marvelous thing."

"I… I don't know what you are talking about."

"Oh come now, you can feign ignorance all you want, but I've always noticed that way you stare at him. Most people have their inklings as well."

Bif allowed his mouth to straighten into a tight line, unable to decide what route to take for a response. Following his custom, he could always deny the accusation. Or he could finally grow up and admit to being the person he was. What would Gord care anyway? Vendrome was one of the most flamboyant boys in the states.

"It wouldn't go well," Bif eventually mumbled out.

"You don't know if you never try. It took ages for James to finally let me into his life, and he is just as much a hard head as Derby."

"He's not like that. Pinky and he are engaged, and he is always looking at other wealthy girls."

"It could all be a rouse. There are more of us than most realize."

Taking nearly another ninety minutes for Gord to be through with his schoolwork, Bif was very near bouncing off the walls. He had to get out of that room! It was humid and chilly and cramped, but far too open. Being so vulnerable felt horrid. He no longer wished to share air with the boy he was helping Derby deceive. The boy that had shown more compassion and understanding than the young Harrington ever had.

"Have you heard that James and I our rekindling our relationship? It really is such good news." Gord spoke as he packed his notes into a rosy plaid courier bag. It was a wonder that he kept in the topic for so long. Must have been tugging on his mind the entire time. "I am surprised that he decided to take me back. James really does love me, but, of course, I always have had a lot of admirers."

I should really tell him.

"I supposed we aren't technically together yet. We decided upon talking about our options when the snow melts. Isn't that just so romantic? It was his idea too! Do you think it is symbolic of his heart thawing out after my mistake froze it?"

He'll hate me if I do. So will Derby.

"We might as well be a couple again though. Talking options is basically a yes. I think I will wear that adorable blue—"

"Gord!" Bif hadn't meant to shout that. It seemed quite odd to do in the little room, just the two of them. Hopefully nobody else had heard him.

Gord looked flustered and a bit offended at the interruption. "Heavens Bif, what?"

"I need to tell you something. It's fine if you're mad at me afterwards; I recognize my fault. Nobody else seems to be willing to relay the truth to you and I think you deserve to see all sides of your situation."

"What are you talking about?"

A huge breath in, as much of a pause he could afford. "Jimmy has been seeing Northwick. It started before you two broke up, about the time you and Vance…" Bif swallowed hard. "Derby had it planned. He wanted to use the affair to hurt both of you. I helped him." Gord didn't say anything. "I suppose it was much like the greasers' scheme. We are more alike than we admit." Bif chuckled awkwardly at the thought, which was not the best thing to do.

"I do not believe you."

"But it's true."

Gord curled up his nose in disgust. "There is no way I will allow you to speak so poorly of James. He would never let me suffer after he committed the same acts. He's a much better person than me."

"No…"

"You are just a jealous ogre! Trent is gone and Jimmy never thinks about him! He loves me and would never betray my trust. Even after what I put him through, he could not do it. He wouldn't."

For a while Gord looked down at his uncharacteristically dirty floor. Bif understood. The smaller boy had known. Perhaps he did not know the entire situation, but he must have had his suspicions. He wasn't speaking to Bif; he was desperately trying to shut himself out.

"I am sorry for what I have done to aid this situation."

"I think you should leave," Gord very nearly seethed.

Bif nodded and complied.

As he walked back to his own dorm, the appallingly luxurious one, Bif thought about Gord's face. The kid hadn't cried, as he assumed he would. There had been pain. There had been anger. Had he seen just a spark of relief? Vendrome needed someone to hate, and Bif had been prepared to take that place. He rather have Gord try to find happiness with Hopkins than keep their hidden friendship. He had not been prepared to see an almost adult man blatantly lie to himself. Bif curled his fists. That had most definitely not been a situation he would want to repeat. He silently cursed Derby.

Derby. Now what was Bif to do about him? Bif really did like his blonde friend, just not all the parts of him. No longer would he be able to serve as faithfully as he had over the years. Perhaps he could stretch it out until the end of the school year though. He would just have to keep his eyes shut towards all the injustices Harrington caused.