Khan woke up slightly sore from practice, but excited for the day ahead. The football game, bonding time with his team, was today. He got out of bed and served himself breakfast with a smile on his face. He cheerfully walked back up to his room to change into his school clothes. Khan wanted to be a little fancy, so he donned a striped button-down shirt and jeans. He went to brush his teeth, and put gel in his hair. He took his bag and walked out the front door, only to be greeted with his partner waiting for him outside.

"Oh, good morning, Lian!" he greeted cheerfully. The white-haired girl gave a cold glare in response.

"What's got you in such a good mood?" she asked, bitterness in her tone.

"I'm just excited for the game today, that's all."

"Cool." Khan offered his hand. She took it and smiled, then started walking with him towards school. After that small gesture, her mood seemed to brighten. She rambled about her position as captain of the cheer team. Khan chuckled at himself, only now realizing how fake their relationship was. The captain of the football team and the captain of cheer. How stereotypical.

"So I told Cassie that she didn't get captain because she didn't bond with as many teammates as I did. That made her really pissed."

"Oh, that's cool," Khan replied, disinterested.

"Are you even listening?"

"What? Of course."

"Then what did I say?"

"Something about Cassie being a bitch."

"She's a total bitch! She keeps trying to steal my thunder." Lian continued to ramble about meaningless banter between her cheer team friends. He hated when Lian did this. He didn't understand why she always had to start fights and pick on everyone who wasn't up to her standards. Khan remembered what Fernando told him. They were close to school anyways, so Khan decided he could speak up and avoid Lian for the day if things went badly.

"You ever tried leaving her alone?"

"What?"

"Like, not saying anything?"
"She's the one who starts it! Are you implying I'm the one who starts this stuff?"

"It doesn't matter who started it, it's about who ends it."

"You can't let people get away with messing with you. That's how you end up like Jenos."

"That's what I'm talking about. Just drop that attitude, and maybe there wouldn't be so much drama."

"Are you calling me out?" Lian asked, gasping. She stopped. They were in front of the main building of the school. Khan paused and took a deep breath, hesitant about what he was about to say. Remember.

"Yes."

"How dare you? How could you say that to your own girlfriend?"

"I'm sorry-"

"No you're not. Get out of my face!" She ran away from Khan, towards her class. He stood speechless. A couple of people around him had witnessed the scene. Embarrassment set in. Khan realized he didn't need to call her out, and that he probably just made things worse between him and his friend. He sighed, shrugged at the spectators, then walked to class. He lost his enthusiastic air to his partner once again.

/

The lunch bell rang, and Khan got up from his desk and headed to the door. He waited for Fernando to catch up and noted the tension in the classroom. Nobody knew if Inara was taking this assignment seriously or not. The project was worth a large portion of the grade, so Khan hoped his and Fernando's work was enough to bring up the group grade. Lian and Skye both ditched class, so only half of the project was completed. After he caught up, Fernando chatted with him as they walked to their lunch table.

"What do you think we got on our project?" Fernando asked.

"I don't know, but I hope it wasn't a low grade." The shorter boy chuckled.

"You don't have to worry, it's me who does."

"I just don't want it tainting my grades, that's all."

"You'll be fine."

The two sat down at their normal table, but Skye and Lian weren't there.

"So, you think you're ready for the test?" Khan asked Fernando.
"I think so. Your help might bring up my grade to an acceptable one," Fernando responded nonchalantly.

"I hope so. I think you can do it."

"What about you?"

"I'm a little nervous."
"Really? Khan? The intellectual? Nervous for a test? Amigo, you don't need to be nervous, you were born ready!" Khan smiled at Fernando's reassurance. He appreciated how he was always there to help him feel more confident.

"Well, thank you."

"Thank you too, for helping and all. I would definitely fail if you didn't come in."

"No problem. Let me know if you ever need me again, I'm happy to help." There was a moment of silence.

"Where did Lian and Skye go?" Khan asked. Fernando shrugged.

"No idea."

Khan now regretted calling out Lian that morning. He realized she was probably in a bad mood and didn't want to see him. He frowned. Fernando's face softened when he noticed Khan's expression.

"What's wrong, amigo?" he asked, moving closer to his friend.

"Nothing, I just-" He paused, breathed in, then continued, "Lian and I got in a bit of an argument this morning, that's all. I hope she's not angry about it."

"She'll get over it."

Khan smiled weakly, then asked Fernando, "Are you excited for the game?"

"You kidding? Of course I am!"

"Me too."

Both fell into silence. It felt strange to not have to deal with Skye and Lian's bickering. Khan wondered if Lian was with Skye. He hoped she wasn't alone to ponder and dwell on her feelings. He didn't mean to ruin her day by calling her out, but he had a feeling that he had. Once again, he felt as if he needed to submit to her. He needed to listen to his own advice and let it be. That way, their relationship would be better. Right?

After a rather uneventful break, Khan and Fernando headed to the locker room to get ready for the gym. Both mentally prepared themselves for their test, pushing the game that night to the back of their heads. But Khan couldn't focus; he couldn't drop his train of thought about Lian. Was listening to Fernando a bad idea? I mean, he did just break up with Cassie, he thought to himself. As he changed, he kept pondering his decision. He didn't want to create a rift between him and Lian. He just wanted to have more control in the relationship. But Fernando's advice didn't help. He looked towards Fernando, who was changing, and questioned the man's nature. His daring eyes, his determined face, his toned muscles, his smooth skin. What did it all mean?

"Khan? Amigo?" he questioned, raising an eyebrow. Khan felt his face turn hot. Koga was standing next to Fernando, snickering. Uh oh.

"Yes?" he said, quickly.

"Just making sure you're alive over there." Koga whispered something to Fernando, then socked him on the arm. Fernando blushed, then tackled him, shoving him to the ground. Koga chuckled, then pushed back on the larger man, straddling his waist.

"Don't try that on me, dude. I've got tricks up my sleeve." He smirked. Khan saw Fernando's face turn redder. When Fernando grinned back at him and playfully shoved at the silver-haired man, Khan felt strange. The feeling of something being off returned.

"Cut it out!" Khan shouted. Both men turned to him, confused looks on their faces.

"Chill bro. We're just playing," Koga responded, getting off of Fernando. Khan breathed heavily. Fernando stood up, then walked to Khan, leaning against the locker next to him. Koga started to put on his gym clothes.

"Khan, is something bothering you?" Fernando asked. His face had softened again.

"No, I'm fine."

"You sure?" Khan didn't feel like opening up. Not here, not now.

"Yes."

"Alright." Fernando changed into his gym clothes, then walked out of the locker room. Koga, who had finished changing, smirked at Khan as he walked up to him.

"I know your secret."
"What are you talking about?"

"Playing dumb I see? Alright, two can play at that game. Bye." Koga headed out to the gym, leaving Khan to finish changing. He was stunned by Koga's interaction with Fernando, as well as what he just said to him. Something felt wrong about playful wrestling between his friend and the thug. He didn't want Fernando to be involved with him in that way. Koga was not to be trusted. He didn't know what the boy meant by knowing his secret. Maybe he's just making it up to try to intimidate me? Khan felt, either way, Koga was playing mind games. He just couldn't tell if he was tricking him or Fernando. He walked to the gym after he finished changing, feeling unsettled.

/

A couple of minutes after he turned in his math test, the bell rang, marking the end of classes for the day. Khan would normally yell excitedly, but it was quiet in the classroom. Tests were still out. He walked out and waited for Fernando by the door. After a couple of moments, he caught up, and the two began to chat as they walked out of the school building.

"How do you think that test was?" Khan asked.

"It was kind of hard. I finished though." Khan nodded.

"Very good!"

"You know I could have gotten every problem wrong, right?"

"You should be more positive, believe in yourself."

"You're right. I'm positive I could have gotten every problem wrong." Khan chuckled.

"I'm kidding. I think I did a good job. All thanks to you," Fernando reassured, a smile spreading across his face. They stopped, now in the front lawn of the school. Khan was flattered by Fernando's appreciation. They stood in silence for a couple of moments.

"So, where are you headed?" Fernando asked casually, looking away from Khan.

"I'm going to pick up lunch with the team, you coming?"

"Of course!"

"Alright. Let's go." Fernando nodded and followed Khan. They walked off the campus and towards downtown, meeting their friends at a pizza place.

"Hey Khan," Viktor started, "Oh, Fernando? I didn't know you were coming. Hello." Both boys sat down next to each other at the table.

"Geez, way to be subtle, Viktor," Buck cut in, making Khan and Fernando chuckle.

"Did you guys order yet?" Khan asked.

"No, not yet," Buck responded, "We wanted to wait and see what you wanted."

"Okay. How about hawaiian?" Khan suggested. There was a pause, and Buck and Viktor looked at eachother, disgust on their faces.

"Are you joking?" Viktor cut in.

"No."

"We're not getting that," Buck stated, making Khan frown.

"Hey, let the man get what he wants! We can put it as half," Fernando cut in.

"Fine. But you have to eat it too, then," Viktor demanded, making Fernando wince.

"I'll do it," he replied, hesitantly. Khan started to blush. Fernando stood up for him, just like that.

"You don't have to, Fernando," Khan said weakly.

"Amigo, I insist. I know how much you like hawaiian." He turned to Khan and squeezed his hand under the table, making his face turn a deeper red. What the hell?

"Alright, t-thanks," Khan stuttered, trying to control himself. Viktor rolled his eyes, and Buck raised an eyebrow.

"So, what do we want on our half?" Buck asked Viktor.

"Meat lover's pizza." Fernando burst out laughing.

"What kind of name is that?" Viktor smirked.

"Your name, if you keep this shit up with Khan." Fernando's laugh died off, and it was his turn for his face to darken. Viktor chuckled when Fernando tried to speak, but nothing happened. Buck looked at both men, confused, then went to order their pizza. Viktor watched Fernando and Khan, the three men sitting in silence. Shortly after, Buck returned and sat down awkwardly, eyeing his friends.

Khan tried his best not to look at Fernando or Viktor. Eventually, his eyes wandered to Fernando, who looked into the street. Why did he do that for me? He hates Hawaiian pizza. It would have been easier to side with them. Gosh, he's so selfless sometimes, he thought to himself, his chin in his hand while he stared. Suddenly, Fernando glanced back at him. Khan felt his face turn hot as he quickly turned away. He glanced at Viktor, who gave him a quizzical look. Then, Buck turned to Viktor, his face also confused. Khan pulled out his phone and pretended not to notice them. After a couple of minutes, he glanced back up, only to find Fernando looking at him. He quickly turned away too. This caused Buck and Viktor to both snicker to themselves. After an awkward time, the pizza finally arrived and they ate.

"Ay, dios mio, how do you like this stuff, Khan?" Fernando complained through a bite of pizza. Buck and Viktor laughed.

"You did this to yourself," Buck teased, chowing down on a tasty slice of pizza crammed with sausage, pepperoni, and beef.

"Let a man complain, Buck." The four continued to chat over the meal. When they finished, they walked together back to the high school. They waited by the locker room, excited for the game ahead. More teammates trickled to the area, as well as some cheerleaders. Lian was with the team, and Khan tried to talk to her, but she quickly shot down his attempts. He chatted with Skye and learned she was, in fact, not with Lian at lunch. She told him that she was in a teacher's room asking for help, and that she didn't know where Lian was. That didn't help Khan, and he was still confused as the girls left. When Coach Terminus arrived, the football players all headed into the locker room to change into their uniforms. The game was to start soon, and everyone was antsy. The rest of the team quickly changed and headed towards the field. Only Khan and Fernando remained.

"You nervous?" Khan asked, walking up to Fernando. Fernando exhaled.

"Just un poquito, you?"

"I'm always a little nervous. But I have a good feeling about tonight. We can do this."

"Well, you're going to do great, no matter what," Fernando pointed out.

"Why, thank you." Khan put on the uniform shirt, then continued.

"I believe in you too, Fernando." The dark-haired boy gave a warm smile.

"Oh, I know," he teased, putting his hands at his side and puffing out his chest. Khan smirked. He decided to have a little fun with his friend. He shoved his chest so that he landed against the locker. Khan grinned mischievously as he put his hands on the locker, just above Fernando's shoulders. The shorter man stood in shock for a couple of moments, then his face turned red.

"What was that?" he asked, in a deep voice.

"Uh- I- Let me go!" Fernando stuttered, struggling to respond. Khan smirked and chuckled.

"Alright then." He moved his arms away, paused, then realized the awkwardness of the situation. Suddenly, Fernando burst out laughing.

"You're a riot, Khan," he said through laughter.

"What do you mean?" He paused.

"I don't know, it's just funny when you try to be all macho." Khan chuckled, pretending to understand. Does he really think it's funny? Khan didn't know how to feel.

"Alright. Let's go to the field," Fernando suggested as he put on his shirt. Khan nodded, then started walking out. Fernando followed.

"Here goes nothing."

/

Khan took the long walk home after the game alone. He would have had Lian to come with him like she usually did, but he couldn't find her after the game. There were people everywhere: players, cheerleaders, band members, and students filled the area around the field. They won, so everyone wanted to linger to chat and congratulate. The locker room was slightly more peaceful, but still rife with rowdy football players on an adrenaline rush. After everyone took off their clothes, they got in a circle and chanted loudly. Khan loved his team, but the chaos was overwhelming. He managed to say goodbye to his friends and have a quick chat with Fernando before he took off. Khan was exhausted, so he didn't want to stay for too long. When he got home, he walked straight up the stairs and into his room. After laying on his bed for a couple of minutes, he heard a knock on the door downstairs. He sighed, got up, went down the stairs, opened the door, and was met with the white-haired girl staring back at him.

"Yes?" he asked, trying to be polite.

"Let me in." She crossed her arms and looked at him with contempt. He did so, then the two headed upstairs. Oh dear, what does she have to say? As soon as the door closed behind them, she sat down on his chair, crossing her legs and looking him in the eye. Tension rose, and Khan felt anxiety brew inside.

"What's wrong, Lian?" he asked nervously.

"You tell me."

"Don't do this, please."

"Don't do what?"

"Lian, stop it."

"What am I doing, Khan? Besides making you admit your own faults?"

"I'm sorry, okay? Is that what you want?"

"Sorry for what?" Am I really going to cave in again?

"I'm sorry for calling you out this morning." He paused. She looked at him expectantly as he sat down on the bed. Then he continued.

"I was just trying to help you calm down, you know, I don't want you to be upset-"

"You don't want me to be upset? Then why did you call me out in the first place? In front of everyone?"

"Lian, please-"

"Don't 'please' me, Khan. You need to listen to yourself. You told me to not say anything to Cassie because I didn't need to, but you didn't need to call me out. You're a hypocrite."

"Lian, listen. It's different."

"How?"

"You started the drama with Cassie. I didn't do that with you."

"What are you talking about? You're the one who started it by attacking me."

"I was just trying to-"

"Quiet. You knew what you were doing. You only wanted to call me out to feel better about yourself, to try to feel like you have control over me. You want to lecture me. I'm not letting you do that. You can't control me." Khan remained silent. He didn't know what to say. He felt as if he had just been torn apart from the inside. She exposed his major weakness and turned his own conscience against him in one fatal blow. He hid his face, not seeing her get up and move towards him. She took his chin in her hand, and moved him to face her and her cold, icy blue eyes.

"I'll forgive you on one condition," she stated.

"What's that?"

"Let me stay the night."

Khan couldn't refuse. If he did, he felt his relationship with Lian would be ruined. He gave a weak smile in an attempt to hide his dread.

"You can stay." She grinned, then jumped onto him, pushing him back onto his bed. She hugged him, then let him get up to change into his pajamas and wash up. After that, they got into bed together. Lian fell asleep quickly in Khan's arms. In the darkness, he could hear soft sobs from Lian and feel her tears wetting his chest. He didn't know what still had her down, but he ignored it and tried to fall asleep. After a long time of thinking over the day and week that had just passed, he drifted into an unsteady slumber.