Connor's POV:

"Wake up guys!" Derek said as he turned on the lights. I groaned and rolled out of bed, seeing Evan already up. I grabbed our hygiene baskets and shut the door.

"Good morning, Evan," I said as I grabbed clothes.

"Good morning, Connor," Evan said and we got ready. We did our reports and went to breakfast. After that, it was time for a group - life skills.

"Okay guys, today we're going to talk about proper communication skills," Kamera said. She talked about manners and being polite and asked what we were thinking.

Lavender stood up and said, "I feel like we should talk about this more, not just in here. At school, for some reason, all of these guys feel like they can just say whatever they want to me. Sometimes it's not bad, like saying I look pretty, but other times they say I'm flat or they want to, um, do things to me. And I just…. It's so disgusting and I feel so anxious and like it's my fault I just want to hide and throw up and hurt myself. I just… I hate it I guess."

Then, more girls started agreeing with her. I stood up and said, "My sister, Zoe, has to deal with that too. I don't get why guys do that. It's awful. They've stopped now, but that's because they're scared of me."

Kamera talked and wrapped up the group and I just sat at the table with Evan and Lavender came up to us.

"Hey, thanks for saying that. It made me feel better," she said.

"It's not a big deal. I hate that stuff," I replied.

She smiled at me and we left for activity therapy.

In AT, we had to paint something that inspires us to keep trying. Evan painted a forest, Lavender painted a heart, and I painted Zoe.

"Connor, share with us what you painted and why," said the instructor.

"I painted my sister, because she has always been one of the best people in my life. Lately, we've been a million worlds apart and that's my fault. I really want to fix things. I just don't know how. I feel like she's given up on me half the time," I explained.

"Thank you, Connor. We all believe you can fix relationships, especially with those who love you. You just have to put hard work into it," the instructor said and I smiled.

We did more groups and we went to lunch. I sat with Evan at a table.

"Hey Evan?"

"Yeah?"

"Where do you live?"

"Columbus," Evan answered and I froze up. "What?" Evan asked.

"That's where I live…. Evan, I've gotta tell you something."

"What is it?"

"I thought I recognized you, and I do. You're the adorable boy in my science class that I've had a crush on for months."

Evan turned bright red. "I'm sorry," he whispered.

"Evan, it's okay. You… you wanna hang out once we get out of here? Maybe… a date?"

Evan's face lit up like a Christmas tree. "Yes. Really?"

"Of course, Ev."

Evan smiled.

When we got back, our doctor came to talk to us.

"Connor," he called and I went over there.

"Yes?"

"I'm happy to inform you that you will be going home today!"

"What?!"

"Yep! At five."

I stood there in shock and was sent back to my seat.

"What is it?" Evan asked.

"I'm going home today," I told him.

"So am I," he said.

We smiled at each other. "Maybe that date won't be too far away."

Author's Note:

Woah. I'm shook. Okay, so yeah, I'm gonna do like one more chapter for this story. There will be a sequel, but it'll mainly be fluff and them getting better together with some stuff happening. Honestly, I love writing this story, but I feel like it's time to wrap it up. I'm so much farther from this point in my life than when I started writing this. I'm so touched and honored that this little story has helped so many people and I hope it will continue to do so.