Chapter 15: Hesitant Glow by Victory Thru Tears

Charlie's POV

Adam and I walk from the detention room. Maya and Taz have headed towards their dormitory, and we haven't said a word since leaving them.

"That was eye opening." I have to break the silence somehow.

Adam nods. He's reverting back into his shy and silent mode.

"Adam… come on, we have a lot to talk about." I'm not going to let him do this. "Let me start with—why did you leave last night?"

Adam looks at me with a terrified look on his face. It seems as if he's remembered something.

"Fulton… Fulton saw us!"

"What?" I've heard what he said, but I want to make sure that I understand. This could mean disaster.

"He saw us kissing at the fireworks."

Before I can say anything, Adam continues. "And Portman was there too… he came to me this morning, and he told me that he was going to beat the crap out of me. So I ran, and then I saw you and Linda. And then I ran again, and I found Maya. And I kissed her. And then she ran. And then I ran."

I'm not going to concentrate on all that he has just told me. Instead, I ask him something I'd been wondering all day.

"Adam, did you sleep at all last night?"

He shrugs timidly. "A couple hours."

I sigh. "That's what I thought."

I think about what he has said about the Bash Brothers. I don't know Portman as well as some of the other Ducks, but I doubt that he was really going to beat Adam up. And Fulton… Fulton is one of the Ducks that is very different. In fact, I've always had thoughts about him being gay as well. Nothing but speculation, but still. The best idea is probably to find one of the Bash Brothers (I'm thinking Fulton) and to talk to them. Of course, I'm going to be the one to do it. Adam is going to go back to his room and take a nap. I'm insisting.

I tell him this, and he doesn't object. We start to head towards his dorm.

"About this dance thing…" I start.

"Look, I just want to return a favor to Maya. I can see that we really put her in a spot… did you see the temper on her girlfriend?" Adam smiles.

"Yeah, and I'm thanking god that you never get like that." I laugh. "But am I really supposed to take her?"

"Yes," Adam says insistently. "You have to."

I sigh. I guess I could do this for him. "All right."

We've reached his room. He opens the door and we find Luis and his girlfriend sitting on the bed, deep in each other's embrace. Adam rolls his eyes at me.

"You know, maybe we should become each other's roommates… after all, you go through the same thing with Guy and Connie…" Even through his tired look I can see the mischievous spark in his eyes.

"Go to bed," I laugh. I squeeze his hand briefly, and leave him to rest.