Connor was right. Spending some time alone with his mission companion did help to clear his head. Poptarts was the only person that Connor could talk to about anything and everything, including his love life, or the lack thereof.

During the three hours they spent out in the city, Connor and Poptarts chatted about everything under the sun, from the kids back at the village, to how Poptarts' phone call with his parents went. It didn't go very well, but at least it went better than Kevin's phone call with his parents.

Poptarts was humming along to a hymn as they slowly made their way back to the hotel.

Connor began, "Hey, you know how I've been reaching out to people, trying to get us some funding?"

Poptarts stopped humming, "Yeah I know, how's that going?"

"It's not going anywhere," Connor sighed, "do you think we should just go back home?"

"Oh," Poptarts frowned as he pondered.

"Kevin thinks that we should stay," Connor added.

"Kevin, huh?" Poptarts grinned.

Connor gritted his teeth, "Not you too. What?!"

"Nothing. I just rarely hear you call Elder Price by his first name. You don't even call me by my first name," Poptarts grinned wider.

"You'll always be Poptarts to me. Besides, I know way too many Chrises, and most of them are jerks," Connor waved his hand in frustration, "That's not the point. Point is, I don't know if this is all a huge mistake."

"It's not a mistake, Connor. It'll all work out fine, you'll see."

"Are you just saying that to make me feel better?" Connor narrowed his eyes at his friend.

"Yes," Poptarts answered matter-of-factly, "is it working?"

"It's not," Connor groaned.

"Look, you're just stressed out from everything that has happened. And when you're stressed, you get all pessimistic and testy. Just take this few days off to rest and relax," Poptarts suggested, "maybe you'll even think of some new ideas after you're properly rested."

"Relax, yeah right," Connor scoffed. There was no way he would be able to rest and relax with a recuperating Kevin Price on his hands.

"Why, don't you enjoy spending quality time with Elder Price?" Poptarts teased, "No one to intrude, you two could-"

"Shush," Connor spotted Elder Davis and Elder Neely walking towards them.

"Elder McKinley! Elder Thomas! Hey!" The pair greeted.

"Hey, Elders," Poptarts waved, "better not let Elder McKinley see what you've got him for his surprise birthday party! Go on, I'll stall him."

With that, Elder Davis and Elder Neely changed direction abruptly, away from Connor and Poptarts, while clutching their shopping bags tighter to their chest.

"What was that for?" Connor asked, confused. Since when did Poptarts care so much about a dumb birthday party.

Poptarts stopped walking and grabbed Connor's shoulder, "I wanted to talk to you about Elder Price."

"Ugh, I regret ever telling you anything," Connor turned away, and resumed walking.

"No you don't. You love telling me everything," Poptarts kept up with Connor, "I'm just worried. Did something happen between you two? You were being weird just now."

"What?" Connor laughed airily, "nothing happened. I wasn't weird, I was just…you know, so not weird. I was acting perfectly normally."

"Right," Poptarts was unconvinced, "you were clearly uncomfortable sitting next to Price. One week ago, you two would've been all over each other, laughing and joking like there weren't anyone else in the room. But this morning, you were trying to avoid talking to him altogether. I don't understand, I thought you like hanging out with him?"

"I don't know, maybe I'm just tired of Kevin, it's been a long two days. And you should know, he's not the easiest person to hang out with," Connor lied. He would never get tired of Kevin. He was just tired of having that sinking feeling in his stomach whenever he was reminded that his feelings for Kevin was unrequited. That dream of his certainly did not help matters.

"Do you want to go back to the village today, then?"

"I can't leave Kevin here alone?" Connor shook his head.

"I'm sure Elder Cunningham would be more than happy to stay and help," Poptarts suggested.

"That's a really bad idea. And you know that," Connor chuckled.

"Or I could stay here with Elder Price."

"You would? Really?!" Connor was surprised. Poptarts is always friendly towards Kevin, and is tolerant of most of his antics, but Connor knew that he found Kevin's loud energy intrusive and overwhelming at times. He would most definitely prefer having quiet introspection time to hearing Kevin yammer away all day about how bored he was.

"For you, Connor, I would. I just want to make sure that you're happy," Poptarts declared, "Besides, he'd just be all drugged up and sleeping all day, right?"

"You wish," Connor was genuinely touched by Poptarts' concern, "but it's fine. I'll just stay here for another two days. Thanks though, for offering. I know you'd actually hate that."

The thing was, Connor couldn't bring himself to give up spending time with Kevin, even though it makes him feel really good and really awful at the same time. Besides, Connor has not forgotten what Kevin had confided in him. If he took up on Poptarts' offer, Kevin was going to assume that even Connor has had enough of him. Connor was never going to let that happen, he couldn't bear to let Kevin think badly of himself.

"Okay, but if you need a tag team just say the word," Poptarts said seriously.

—

Connor and Poptarts were the last pair to return to the room. The loud conversation was silenced once Connor swung open the door. Seven pairs of eyes gaped at them as they entered the room.

"What's going on?" Connor asked, even though he knew that they must have been planning that unnecessary party of his.

"No thing?" Arnold squeaked.

Connor rolled his eyes, "Alright, have we got everything on the lists?"

Elder Church nodded proudly, "I got us some apples at half the price. Half the price!"

"Uh huh," Connor said suspiciously, "were the apples rotten?"

"Well," Elder Church paused, "they were less-than-half rotten. It's still a good deal."

"We just have to cut off the bad parts," Elder Michaels shrugged.

Connor didn't dare to inquire further, nor look deeper into their grocery bags.

His eyes flittered over to Kevin, who was quietly reading a book in bed. Arnold must have brought it for him.

"Whatcha reading?" Connor took a seat beside his legs.

"Book of Mormon," Kevin murmured.

"What, why?"

"Why not?" Kevin closed his book with a snap and threw it aside, "It's the only book I have."

Connor made a mental note to find out where the bookstores were located in Kitgum, if there were any. Maybe a visit to the local bookstore would cheer Kevin up. Connor was baffled. He assumed that having all the Elders here would distract Kevin from his boredom, but Kevin seemed to be feeling even more down than before.

"Well, we should get going," Elder Church stood up, "it'll be dark by the time we reach the village."

"Of course," Connor nodded, tearing his eyes away from Kevin.

—

Connor bid them goodbye at the door, not before he reminded them to finish their chores and keep the mission hut clean.

"Do you want me to come by tomorrow, or?" Poptarts asked.

"It's fine, Poptarts. I'll be fine. I'll see you back at the village in two days," Connor hugged him goodbye.

When Connor shut the door behind him, he was met with Kevin looking at him glumly from the bed.

"I thought you'd be happier, with everyone dropping by and all," Connor finally asked, "what's the matter?"

Kevin shrugged wordlessly.

"I had Poptarts bring my computer, we could watch a movie or something," Connor tried, "I'm not sure if the WIFI is working, but I've got some movies in here already. Some Disney, perharps?"

Kevin shook his head and smooshed his face into the pillow.

"Are you feeling okay?" Connor placed a hand on Kevin's knee.

If Connor was not worried before, he most definitely was now, as Kevin was clearly stifling sobs against the pillow.

"Oh no, Kevin."