may or may not have been a biiiiiiiiit too hungover to post yesterday. I drank a lot on vacation.

can u believe that there's like 10 more chapters i can't.

i feel like I have nOTHING to say. This chapter was one of two that got cut in half because of length and pacing issues.

The Five Fabulous Suspects
The Big Reveal

"Hey, Lu…"

Lukas chuckled darkly as he glanced up at Mathilde, tossing the match into the nearby dumpster as she frowned. "Oh, well, look who it is." He snickered and flicked the cigarette in his left hand and brought it up, letting it rest between his lips.

"Didn't know you smoke."

Lukas shrugged. "Stress." Mathilde sighed as he rolled his eyes. "Listen, I get it. You're here to talk to me, and well…"

"Yeah, I'm here to say…" she tried to explain.

"I'm not interested." Lukas shook his head, waving his hand at her. "Whatever you have to say, save it. You know, I opened up to you because you seemed nice. You seemed like you wouldn't judge me at all and on one hand, I trusted you. And then you go and say shit like that…"

"But you still can trust me!" Mathilde shouted. "Lukas, I do care! I was out of line and that was really low of me. I don't wanna lose your friendship." Lukas snorted, giving her a weak smile that looked like it hurt just to force it onto his face.

"Save it, Mathilde," Lukas hissed. "I don't want to."

Mathilde's heart stopped as he reached up, flicking the cigarette as he narrowed his eyes. She opened her mouth, but he shook his head and tossed the cigarette near her foot, standing up. "Look, remember when we always talked about what would happen after detention?"

"Yeah, and I made it very clear…" she tried to speak, but Lukas shot her an icy look.

"And I'm telling you whatever we talked about, whatever hopes or dreams our group had… it's not happening." Lukas frowned. "We can't be friends."

"I think that you're…"

Lukas shot her another glare that silenced her. "We're not good together." Mathilde blinked and Lukas smirked. "And quite frankly, it was a stupid little dream we both had that we could even be friends."

"You're not making any sense…" Mathilde said, shaking slightly. "Lukas, how are we not good together?" Lukas inhaled, because he knew this was a dumb reason. This was his attempt to shut her out, keep her at bay. He was mad, but he also had to remember why he was doing this. It wasn't fair to her. Lukas had fallen hard, but hearing her say what she said to him last night made him realize he was less angry and more so scared that he would hurt her. He didn't deal with his issues properly. He had a temper, and he was terrified and she was too good and perfect and…

She's not good enough for you.

"It's a coincidence the more time we spend together the more inclined I am to…"

"You're blaming me for your relapse?" Mathilde spat. "Lukas, if I didn't know any better…"

"We just… we're not friends anymore. We're not good for each other… and quite frankly, I don't think I could date a stupid, spoiled, entitled brat who likes to act like being poor, white trash is so cool!"

Mathilde blinked and Lukas' eyes widened. The words he said hit him. That wasn't something he even believed was true – and he knew why Mathilde acted the way she did. Lukas inhaled sharply.

He wasn't good enough. He never had been, and he couldn't wait on Mathilde to get over Jan.

"You mean it?"

"Mathilde… I…"

Mathilde turned and stormed off as Lukas' blood began to boil. He didn't know who to be mad at – himself, Mathilde, his old friends – but he was pissed at the world. He sat back down on the back step, his hands shaking as he grabbed a carton and a set of matches from the front pocket of his bag, bringing a cigarette to his lips with his shaky hands.

x x x

"Mathilde!"

Svea slammed the door to the bathroom stall open after checking to make sure the whole bathroom was empty. Svea glared as Mathilde looked up, her eyes swollen and red from crying. "You left in the middle of class, Thilde. What's wrong?" Mathilde shook her head as Svea frowned, kneeling down in front of her.

"Nothing, just leave me alone. Besides, it's not like you'll even talk to me after–!" Her breathing picked up and she began to gasp, tears streaming down your face. Svea was shocked, because she had never known Mathilde to be one to cry. She may pick a fight out of frustration, but crying?

"What the hell happened?" Svea demanded.

"Lukas, he…"

Mathilde began to sputter and stumble over her words. "I t-t-told him that… I mean I t-talked to his old friends… and he got mad and then I went to s-say ss-sorry and…" She reached over to grab toiler paper, bringing it to her running nose as she let out a sob. Svea's heart was absolutely breaking.

"I know, it sucks."

Placing a gentle hand on her knee, Svea sighed loudly as Mathilde tried to steady herself. "Mathilde, I need to tell you something… and you promise you won't get mad?"

Mathilde nodded. "I know how you feel. Timo… he found out that since well before we became friends, so to speak, I… well, I had been sleeping with Alfred… and Francis… and Sadik… and Antonio… and just a ton of people, more or less." Svea looked away, afraid to see how Mathilde would react. "It hurts because I cared about him…"

"Why are you still sleeping with Alfred?" Mathilde asked. "That's way more problematic than what I'm going through." Svea doubted that it was less problematic, especially if she had to leave class.

"I'm not… I just…" Svea stumbled over her words. "Mathilde, I… my dad and I, it's been just us. We've never had much but my dad wanted me to be happy. He wanted to spoil me, make sure I was happy…"

She made a face and Mathilde wiped her nose again. "I hate it. Sure, I wasn't a super popular child and wanted friends, but like… I knew that people had expectations and my clothes were hand-me-downs or from thrift stores growing up and one time I told my dad I wanted this really expensive dress for a middle school dance and…"

Svea inhaled. "Well, it was super expensive and he initially said no. So, as a bratty thirteen year old kid, I threw a fit. I said all I wanted was to fit in and… well, I told him I was embarrassed of him, especially after my mom died…"

Svea frowned, continuing on. "And ever since… he just… and we barely have money so I have a job and he has at least three and we work when we can but he wants me to focus on school and so Alfred…"

She closed her eyes. "We were dating and he wanted sex. I said no. He knew about my financial situation. He said he'd pay… and he would pay a lot…"

"You didn't!" Mathilde shouted.

"I sold my virginity for two hundred and fifty bucks," Svea mumbled. "And then when we broke up he went and blabbed about that and so in order to shut him up I just kept being like his own whore and sometimes I'd go with other boys but…"

"Svea, how… I just…" Mathilde huffed. "That's terrible you felt that he still owned your body… and now he's using it against you because you have Timo…"

"Had," Svea corrected. "It is what it is…"

Mathilde's eyes narrowed. "How can you say that?"

"I mean, it was stupid on my part," Svea explained, shrugging. "We're just…"

"Un-fucking-believeable!" Mathilde interjected. "The sexual tension is ridiculous between you two and you're still holding onto this notion that you two can't be togeyher because of stupid high school stereotypes!"

"I mean, who would really want to be with someone who whores themself out?"

"You're not…"

"I have sex for cash." Svea deadpanned. Mathilde shrugged as she relaxed and Svea shrugged in return. "I don't think he would've cared even if he knew why…"

"I think if he knew, he would be expelled for killing some stupid little privileged fuck boy." Mathilde offered a smile and Svea shrugged. "Come on… we should get back to class…" Mathilde stood up and Svea frowned. Mathilde wiped her eyes before tossing the toilet paper behind her, reaching over to embrace Svea.

"Thanks," Mathilde whispered. "Sorry I called you a lot of names before. And like, fifty seconds ago."

"You were right to do so…" Svea replied and they broke their embrace. The two exited the stall and walked over to the door. Mathilde pushed it open and Svea froze, coming toe-to-toe with Feliciano, who looked embarrassed.

"Uh, er… you both look like you need a hug?"

Mathilde sneered pushing him back away from Svea. "Save it. You're a little shit. Come to tell us you're going to write nasty messages about Willie in the girls' room and then blame it on us?"

"I've come to make amends!" Feliciano explained. "You see… I thought a lot… and well…" He bit his lip and Svea looked over at Mathilde, who crossed her arms. She looked like hell, but Svea could tell that there was a fire in her eyes, ready to kill if he so dared to cross her.

"And well?" Svea echoed. "You're going to have to speed this up. We do have classes to get to…"

"And after talking to Lovi I've decided that I'm going to Willie to tell him about Alfred paying Leon and I and blackmailing us to vandalize the gym." Feliciano lowered his gaze and Svea gaped. "And I'll tell him that Raya Hristova was the one hacking into the school's security system and…"

Feli looked back up as Mathilde's expression softened. "It's not fair. Alfred is being a dick. And it's not fair. He's hurting a lot of people, but I won't let him anymore. I'm gonna right my wrongs."

Mathilde grinned, reaching out to pat Feliciano's shoulder. "Feli, thanks. That's great. You're going to tell him today?"

"Yes, during my lunch break."

"What about Leon?"

Feliciano frowned. "I, uh, can't speak for him. I was going to talk to him after… but I think he'll realize how terrible this is and how poorly he treated Erikur, and he'll come around…"

x x x

"Leon, we need to talk."

Leon hissed as Erikur shoved him against the locker in the hall. Half the school was in lunch and those who weren't were in their classes. Leon and Erikur locked eyes as Erikur clenched his fists. "I know about the gym."

Leon's eyes widened. "How?"

"Your brother told us it wasn't his car. We know it's not Manny. We already investigated him. That leaves you." Erikur's eyes narrowed. "What the fuck were you thinking? What the hell? How could you do that to me, Leon? We're supposed to be best fucking friends?"

"We are! Or, at least, were." Leon pushed Erikur away. "I don't know. You hide shit from us all the time. How am I suppose to feel when I find out you couldn't trust me enough to come out to me? Afraid I'd out you to your parents? You know better."

"Do not make this about me!" Erikur snapped. "And if you were really my best friend, you'd put your stupid little grudge and bias against Kiet aside and try to be happy for me! But no, not only am I being punished for what you're doing, but I also am being shut out by you because you didn't like…"

"Oh, come off it," Leon grumbled, rolling his eyes.

"Why'd you do it?"

Leon's eyes narrowed. "Because I fucking felt like it."

"Why'd you let the blame fall on me?"

Leon chuckled. "You know, you don't get it? It's not about you all the time. Stupid, self-centered…"

"But you let me take the fall for this! I may be one of five, but your actions are impacting me!"

Leon balled his hands into fists. "Keep running your mouth, Steilsson, or I'll end you."

"I'd like to see you try."

Leon threw a sloppy punch and Erikur caught his wrist. He flinched and Leon blinked. "I've had a lot of practice." Erikur released his arm, crossing his own and tapping his foot. "Come on, Leon. I've known you for years. Don't pull this shit. Talk to me. I know that it's Alfred, and as of late, he doesn't have a good track record…"

"You can mind your own business."

Leon rolled his eyes as Erikur stepped back. "Fuck, Leon, what did I do?"

Leon frowned. "Nothing, it's just… it's not your business, and it'll be over soon. Don't worry. You can go back to either being in the closet and popular or you can date your nerdy, stupid, trashy boyfriend and act like suddenly you're high and mighty because you broke down those nasty little stereotypes."

Leon watched as Erikur's jaw dropped. "I don't think that. But here you are calling Kiet trash and…"

"Says the boy who can't even be seen with him in public."

Leon smirked as Erikur's face began to turn red. "Don't act like an enlightened asshole." Leon chuckled as he walked away. Erikur about tackled him to the ground, until the bell rang, and he walked towards his locker

x x x

"He was so smug."

"You've said that about thirty times." Timo chuckled as Erikur fumed.

"And I wanted to smack him."

"Glad you didn't, because suspension is boring."

Erikur looked over as Timo gave his tenth deadpanned reply and Lukas remained silent, looking rather glum. He wanted to yell at them, asking what their damage was as they both seemed to have attitudes. "Where are Svea and Mathilde?" he opted for instead. Maybe the mention of their crushes would brighten the mood…

"Svea's probably sucking someone's dick, so I don't expect to see the tramp anytime soon."

Okay, Erikur thought. That's not a normal response…

Lukas' eyes darkened and he looked away. "Mathilde… who cares?

Fucking weird. He huffed, about to inquire what was wrong when he heard the sound of books falling to the ground and a body being slammed up against the locker. The three looked over in the direction of the sound and Erikur's blood boiled.

"Well, well, look who it is," Alfred said with a chuckle. "Kiet Sripuy, it's been a while. How have you been?"

"Leave me alone, Alfred, I'm not in the mood."

"Huh, well…" Alfred chuckled. "That's a first. I thought you liked tall, blond, and handsome?" he asked as Kiet tried to push Alfred out of his personal bubble. "Blue eyes too, so I heard. But, I could be wrong…"

"May just suck any dick that is waved in his face, honestly," somebody said. Erikur bit his lip as his ears began to burn with anger. Lukas leaned closer, whispering into his ear to block out the sounds of the taunting.

"Hey, come on, we have detention." It was an attempt to keep Erikur out of this. Erikur huffed as Timo rolled his eyes. "Erikur…"

"Go on, I'll meet you there." Erikur gripped the strap on backpack as he walked over to the group. Alfred stood surrounded by at least four football guys he didn't interact with that were seniors and juniors. Next to him was his freshman cousin, who was in the middle of spewing slurs at Kiet.

"Oh look! It's Eri!" one of the seniors called. "Need us to hold him so you can give him a nice ass kicking again?"

"Alright, guys, show's over. Leave him be."

Erikur inhaled, his stomach clenching as his voice shook. Everyone gasped audibly and the students in the hall stopped to listen, shocked by Erikur's objection to the tormenting of Kiet. "Woah, what the hell?"

"Oh, Eri, come on," Alfred cooed, winking at him as Kiet eyed Erikur. "We're just having fun. Besides, I bet this guy really likes it rough. Probably enjoys choking on a nice, big…"

"I said stop, Alfred." Erikur's voice was more firm and strong, much more confident in what he was saying. "I fucking mean it. Leave Kiet alone. He did nothing."

The group was staring at Erikur as if he had three heads. Alfred chuckled as he crossed his arms. "What, are you so desperate for a lay you'll let the cock slut suck your dick? Now, what would your parents say?"

"Alfed, I'll kick your damn ass," Erikur threatened. He stepped closer, but Alfred didn't budge. Erikur knew Alfred was trying to scare him into submission, mentioning his parents casually. Erikur didn't back down. He wasn't going to let this happen. He saw Svea and Mathilde from the corner of his eye, whispering as they watched the scene unfold.

He looked anywhere but at Kiet, afraid to see what Kiet's face looked like.

"Oh please," the freshman snorted, bringing him back to reality. "Don't tell me you're suddenly on a crusade to protect this nobody?"

"Yeah, why does it matter if we kick his little gay ass?"

"It matters because that's my fucking boyfriend!" Erikur shouted. Alfred's eyes widened and Erikur watched the freshman step away from him, terrified that Erikur would turn on him. The hallway grew still and Erikur coughed. He looked over at Kiet who also stared at him in wonder.

"Oh, well… uh…" One of them turned as two stepped far away, trying to distance themselves. Alfred's grin never faded as Erikur's confidence waivered again, slowly disappearing as he realized what had just happened.

Luckily, he felt someone grab his arm. "Get lost or I will make sure the school gets you kicked out for homophobic slander, bitches." Mathilde snickered as the group began to disperse and the hallway began to stir with whispers related to what had happened. Svea walked over, ushering the two away as Kiet tried to reach out.

"We have detention. Now."

"But wait, Ki…" Mathilde shushed him.

"I don't think you realized but you outted yourself to the school." Svea glanced at Mathilde. "And well, also, you two kind of broke up."

"Not officially."

"You two haven't spoken in a few days," Mathilde reminded him. "And uh, he may need space from this. And you need time to react proper…"

"Oh my fucking God…" Erikur interrupted. He stopped outside the library door as Lukas and Timo walked up, both stunned from what had just happened. "Hey, Eri, how are you?" Svea and Mathilde released Erikur's arms as his eyes widened.

"Fucking terrible! I'm so… I outted myself! Holy shit!" He kicked the library door and Mathilde shrugged. Svea looked over at Mathilde in shock."

"There's the reaction." Mathilde chuckled at what she said as Svea rolled her eyes, rubbing Erikur's back.

"My parents! Oh my God…"

Lukas opened the door and the five filed in. Instead of entering an empty library, Mr. Willie stood there with two adults, both blonde. Timo's jaw dropped. "Mom, Dad?" Timo asked.

"Oh God did he call our parents?" Erikur asked. Mathilde looked over at Svea who stood in shock. "Oh my God, please no…"

Mr. Willie looked at the group. "It's time to end this vandalism nonsense and close this case, once and for all."