Knox stood up and then sat back down, running his hands through his hair. He looked all around the room, avoiding Charlie's insistent gaze, wising that he hadn't been as insistent about talking. "Charlie, what was that?"
"What was what, Knox?"

"That. What happened in the dean's office? I mean, you just...ignored me completely."

Charlie looked at Knox, confused. "I didn't ignore you. I did what I had to do for both of us. If I hadn't, we'd both have been kicked out of here."

Knox nodded, his eyes brimming with tears. "But Charlie...according to you, there is no us."

Charlie looked at him, shocked. He couldn't believe what he was hearing! He had just saved Knox's ass, and here he was, being yelled at for it. He couldn't believe people some times. Suddenly, the anger flashed and he felt his cheeks flush. "Look Knox. I'm sorry if you feel hurt. But you should be so fucking grateful to me right now! I saved your ass! If I hadn't spoken up, you would have done something so fucking stupid- like telling the dean about us! Then where would we be? We'd both be our on our asses, and my father would finally have an excuse to disown me! You should be so fucking grateful! Stop being such a little bitch and just get over it!"

Charlie felt the words fly out of his mouth before he had the chance to clamp his mouth shut and stop any more from escaping. He watched the love of his life's face drop, tears finally spilling over the edges and a blush of pain creep in to his cheeks. The pain was fierce, and tore at Charlie's heart. He hated what he had done, the pain he had brought about. He hadn't meant to say those things- at least, not all of them. Some of them had just poured out of his mouth. But he was too deep in to it now. He watched as Knox rubbed the back of his neck, gathering his thoughts, and as Knox began to speak, he braced himself for the tirade he was sure to endure.

"Charlie, I'm sorry you feel like that- like I'm being ungrateful and a bitch. You were right not to tell the dean, because you're right, we'd both have been kicked out. But Charlie, what about later? What about when this comes up again? If, after we graduate, we're still together and you go up for some job, and you have to tell them we're not a couple because it would keep you from getting the job? What would you do, Charlie?"

"Damn it, Knox, I don't know I guess I'd-"

"Don't give me 'I guess', Charlie. For once, I just want you to answer a question flat out- not tricks, no bullshit. Just answer the question for me. What would you do?"

Charlie hung his head, as the answer flashed though his mind, He couldn't tell Knox what he would really do. But Knox saw the look on his face. He knew what Charlie was thinking, and he knew that Charlie would deny him to the ends of the earth, if it meant better for him. And Knox didn't know if he could deal with that. Without saying a word, Knox stood up and walked out of the room, slamming the door behind him, tears on his face but determination to stay strong in his heart.

Charlie kept his head down as he listened to the small echoes of the door slam reverberate off his bedroom walls. He shook his head and pounded his fist on his desk, pounding each time a little louder, until his fist was red and his whole body ached. He stood up, throwing his chair across the room and throwing himself on his bed, sobbing dry sobs that only he could hear.