"And where e-exactly is it that we are going?" Evan asked, trying to calm down his breaths at the same time. They had nearly been caught trying to leave school five minutes earlier by one of the school's guard sand they now sat in Connor's car. Evan was starting to doubt whether or not he should have agreed to this.

"That, Hansen, is a secret. I suppose you'll have to wait until you see it for yourself. Don't worry though, you'll love it." Connor replied, starting up the car. Connor's car was quite old and it looked as if Connor had spent some nights in it. In the back seats, there was a blanket and pillow. Evan would have to remind himself to ask him about it later. Connor reached into the glove compartment and pulled out an aux cord and connected his iPhone to the car.

"Any recommendations?" He asked Evan.

"Huh? Oh n-no just put something you like, you'd probably think my music is lame anyway." Evan replied through fake laughter and looked out the window. Connor mumbled something incoherent and began playing Tame Impala. They were heading out of town and the townscape was gradually being replaced by walls of trees that looked so refreshingly colourful under the summer sun. As he focused on the trees, Evan's anxious thoughts began to wash away slightly and he stole a glance back at Connor. Connor was beautiful really (in a totally platonic way of course). Without Evan noticing, Connor had at some point tied up his hair and it now hung in a loose bun, fray strands framing his face. The golden sun that landed on him made him look ethereal as he strummed his fingers on the steering wheel while driving. Realising he was being watched, Connor turned his head to Evan with a questioning look.

"Sorry, you're just r-really pretty," Evan stated. Evan was scared he had crossed some boundaries as he wasn't sure how normal friends acted with each other but he seemed to be riding on the adrenaline of their little adventure and decided that was why he had complimented the other boy. Connor's cheeks flushed a light pink and he focused on the road again before mumbling a quick thanks but Evan wasn't going to let him have it.

"Connor…are you blushing? I didn't know the stone-cold Connor Murphy could feel embarrassment. Don't worry I won't tell anyone. It might ruin your bad boy reputation." After all of Connor's teasing, it was Evan's turn to have a go at it.

"What? No." Connor sputtered and let out an embarrassed cough. "You just surprised me that's all. Look, Evan, I'm flattered but I'm not ready to start a homoerotic relationship with you." He teased, regaining his confident demeanour.

It was now Evan's turn to turn bright pink and he threw a lollipop wrapper he picked up at Connor with a laugh. They finally arrived at Connor's surprise location which turned out to be an apple orchard. Nature was taking back its territory from the abandoned picnic tables and was winning as wildflowers and moss attempted to drown any trace of human existence. In a small clearing, the sky seemed so big as it turned from bright blue to a more pinkish orange from the setting sun.

"So what do you think? Welcome to my orchard. Yes, that's right, MY orchard. Since no one comes here anymore, I've decided it's mine now." Connor announced with pride while putting an arm around Evan's shoulders and giving him a squeeze before letting go and walking down the barely visible path through the apple trees. Evan laughed and followed him, taking in the view some more as the light shone through the tree leaves and the thick, earthy smell filled his nose. Evan reached his arms out towards the surrounding branches and felt the grass and leaves brush against him. He loved this place. He followed Connor through the forest path until they came across an old barn. Inside, there were stacks of hay and some of the evening glow shone through the windows.

"I come here a lot as you can see," Connor spoke up, gesturing to the blanket and cushions against one of the walls. Reaching under a stack of hay, he produced two bottles of water and threw one at Evan who fumbled to catch it. Evan mumbled thanks and took a seat on a hay bale. He made himself comfortable and looked over to see Connor with a strange look on his face.

"Now to do what I've been waiting to do for a long time," Connor said but before Evan could ask what he meant, Connor began walking over to where Evan was sitting. Connor placed a hand on Evan's chest and pushed him down so that he lay with his back on the hay and placed his legs over Evan's, almost straddling him. Evan, shocked by the whole interaction, couldn't bring himself to muster up any words. Instead, he just stared into Connor's eyes and felt his heartbeat quicken. Connor stared into his eyes with a playful look and trailed his hands from Evan's chest downwards to his waist and then his hips. Evan thought he was going to pass out. It's not that he didn't object to what was happening necessarily, it was just a lot for him to process. Wait. What? When did the idea of Connor running his hands down his body become something he wanted? Did he like Connor? It was probably just him having a real friend for the first time confusing him. Connor leaned his head down towards Evan and Evan was about to lean towards him before Connor grinned and shouted out "GOT IT!" and triumphantly produced a blue lighter from Evan's pocket. Oh, Evan thought, he had wanted that.

Evan slapped himself internally for thinking that anyone would ever want him in that way. He tried to fake a laugh to not seem uncomfortable but he didn't have to try very hard as Connor burst out laughing, tears emerging from his eyes. Evan had heard Connor chuckle before but never laugh as hard as this. He had never seen him so lively. Evan soon found himself laughing along with him. They were soon both clutching their sides and Evan made a mental note to get used to Connor's flirtatious teasing and banter. It didn't mean anything but a small empty feeling started up in Evan's chest.

Connor took out the joint that had been burning a hole in his pocket all day and finally lit it and started smoking. He wondered briefly if he had gone too far and made Evan uncomfortable. He could feel the blood pumping faster and faster within Evan and he was admittedly tempted to feed but he thankfully dismissed that thought. He felt other temptations when he was staring down at the boy underneath him but he pushed those away too.

"So why did you need to smoke so badly? You said e-earlier that you couldn't go through school today. A-Are you ok?" Evan asked, sitting back up to look at Connor. Connor fought himself inside. On one hand, he could tell his only and best friend the truth about himself and have someone to confide in and on the other hand he could trust Evan and then get hurt like it always turned out. Evan didn't seem like someone who would try to break him but then again it always hurt the most when you least expected it.

"I-um. I am pretty fucked up. Evan, I don't want to lie to you because you're my best friend but there's a lot I can't tell you right now. As for this morning, I just woke up hating myself more than usual and got in some shit with my family. We don't get along at all." Connor said all this while looking down as if it was shameful that he hated himself. "It's fine if you don't understand." Connor finished.

Evan laughed sadly before saying, "Of course I understand. Every day I look at myself in the mirror and repeat the words 'You are a mistake' to myself over and over again. If someone else isn't saying it then I am. My anxiety is so bad that is controls m-most of my life and I hate myself for it. That's why I'm grateful for you Connor. You're my first friend. You push me- I-in a good way of course! Please d-don't be so hard on yourself."

Evan dug his nails into his arm again to stop from getting emotional but it was true. In the time that he'd known Connor he'd done more than he could imagine. He was so comfortable around him, more-so than around his own mom. Evan was also scared shitless that he'd somehow ruin their friendship.

Connor smushed his joint into the ground and walked over to where Evan was.

"Can I hug you?" He asked shyly with a lopsided smile on his face and sad eyes.

"Y-you sexually harassed me to get your lighter back and you're questioning whether or not you can hug me? Of course you can." Evan said with a sigh and a smile, holding out his arms. Connor hesitated for a moment before tightly hugging Evan.

Still feeling confident and appreciative of Connor, Evan added, "I meant what I said before by the way. You are pretty." To which Connor just hugged him even tighter. Evan smelt of honey and freshly laundered clothes whereas Connor probably smelt of cigarettes and sweat. Connor could stay safe in Evan's arms forever but for now, he'd have to live with the small moments of intimacy he won from his teasing. Connor pulled away and started to walk to the other side of the barn but Evan held onto his arm. Evan motioned for Connor to sit next to him and as he sat, Evan extended his legs and Connor placed his head on Evan's lap. Connor looked up at Evan and noticed just how many freckles he had on his face that extended downwards to his neck and probably chest too. Being so close to Evan made his cravings worse but Evan started running his hands through his hair and relaxed him. What did Connor do to deserve a friend like Evan? In so little time the two had become so close it was unreal. The two talked effortlessly, Evan about his mother's late shifts and his dad which made him flinch as he began to talk about him. Connor, in turn, told Evan about his shitty relationships with his family, leaving out the abuse. Connor nearly fell asleep from the soothing effect of Evan's voice and fingers in his fair but was startled back to reality from Evan's phone ringing.

"H-hey, mom. Yeah, I'm fine I'm fine. I'm sorry I wasn't feeling too great at school s-so I left with a friend. I'm better now. Yeah, sure I'll head home." Evan spoke to his mother on the phone. The two made their way back to Connor's car and Connor drove Evan home, disappointed that their evening was coming to an end but happy that they had fun. During the ride back, Evan fell asleep on the ride home, exhausted from all of the excitement during the day and Connor took this chance to steal glances at his friend. Evan was warmth and honey and shy smiles whereas Connor was cold, and irritable most of the time. He couldn't comprehend how their friendship worked but he wanted to spend more and more time with Evan. As he pulled up to Evan's house, Connor reached over and hesitantly reached to brush Evan's cheek with his finger but decided against it. What are you doing? Already standing at the door was a tired-looking blonde haired woman who was, Connor guessed, Evan's mom. She waved at the two as they arrived and Connor waved back from the car. He turned to Evan and poked his side, resulting in a yelp from the sleeping boy and a grumpy look from being woken up.

"Thank you, Hansen. And as we agreed, I will try to go to class more. I am a man of my word." Connor grinned again at Evan before letting out an exaggerated sigh and pretending to feel faint, "Oh the things I do for you."

Evan laughed and went along with the theatrics "You wound me Connor, please forgive me and my outrageous demands."

"I don't think I will ever be able to. Now go, you're making your mother wait." Evan lazily chuckled and headed out of the car, towards his mother and waved back at Connor as he drove away.

"Is that your friend honey? You should invite him over for dinner one day. I'd love to meet him." Heidi asked Evan as they entered the house.

"Hmm.. yeah" Evan replied, focused on his phone and the messages from Jared that attacked his screen.

From: TheInsanelyCoolJared to ThatTreeBoy

12:26- Where are u man

12:35- Dude r u skipping with Connor? Zoe said she saw u leave school together.

12:49- Evan seriously are you dating him or sumthin

13:10- wait is this some sex thing

13:11- Ev you kinky fuck

Evan pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed before choosing to ignore his messages from Jared. It was going to be hell for him when he saw Jared again at school. Evan lay down on his bed and images of Connor flew through his head. His smile. His restrained but truthful grin. The way his eyes lit up when he spoke of his art. The grimace he wore when he spoke of his family. The way he was so scared of sharing how broken he was with Evan. How he looked, only inches above Evan as he was practically on top of him. A warm fluttering feeling spread through Evan's heart. He bit his lip to stop from smiling in remembrance of the day. Why am I like this? Evan groaned and pulled a pillow to his head to cover his face. Shitshitshitshit. Shit. At that moment Evan suddenly realised two things.

1. He was gay or rather bisexual.

2. He was falling for his best friend. Hard.