Date 3

It had been a few weeks since the encounter behind the bleachers, but everyone could notice how much more comfortable Isaac was around the school now that he had someone to spend time with, someone he knew, someone he could call his friend, not that he was sure if Jackson considered him a friend too, but who was him to complain? Even if Jackson didn't consider him his friend, it was still better than being completely alone.

In the days that followed his encounter with Jackson, Isaac came to learn that he and Jackson had a few classes together, so it was kind of comforting for him to know that he could look around and see a familiar face in class.

Running through the halls like someone trying to escape the plague, Isaac finally reached the door of his first class of the day. He was late, extremely late, so without even knocking onto the door, Isaac simply pulled it open and entered the classroom, knowing very well that the Chemistry teacher would lecture him hardcore for being late or even give him a detention.

"You're late, Lahey. I'm disappointed." Jackson said, beating the teacher to it, what caused Isaac to try very hard to fight the smile that was attempting to surface across his features. "I'm sorry!" Isaac said, not sure if to Jackson or to the teacher, who was looking at him sternly. "Da… I mean, Chris couldn't take me here today, so I had to take the bus and traffic was hell." Isaac explained when he sat down beside Jackson prior to mouthing a soundless "shit" under his breath for almost calling Chris his dad. Jackson had a joke set on his mind about Isaac calling Chris his dad, but decided against it, noticing the startled look on his friend's face.

"We have a project to do about Spectroscopy." Jackson said, rolling his eyes when he saw Isaac smirking quietly, one of his eyebrows raising in amusement. "So we're doing it together, huh?" Isaac asked, his smirk growing ever so slightly as he nudged Jackson playfully. "Oh, shut up, Lahey. This classroom is not big enough for two egocentric pricks". Jackson returned Isaac's nudge, faking a glare.

"What the hell is this Spectroscopy thing, anyway?" Isaac asked as his nails scratched the back of his nick in a signal of embarrassment. "I have no idea." Jackson replied, rolling his shoulders in a shrug. Isaac simply shook his head and turned his attention to the teacher to hear her explanation to the project.

"What about we hit the library after class and start this project?" Jackson asked once the class was over and he and Isaac were packing their things to go to their next class. "Fine by me." Isaac replied prior to playfully punching Jackson's shoulder. "I've got to go, dude. Can't be late to any other class today. See you later, Jackson." Isaac added prior to walking away from the class, waving his palm in a goodbye to Jackson.

The rest of Isaac's classes passed painfully slowly, he was feeling pretty bored and anxious at the same time even though he had no reason to be anxious, after all he was just going to work on a project with Jackson. Not to be anxious. At least that was what Isaac wanted to believe.

Ever since he met with Jackson at the coffee shop Isaac couldn't but think about that party he went to with Erica and Jackson, the way the three of them were pressed together, dancing, and kind of flirting. He always told himself that he was more interested in Erica that night, but no, he only had eyes for Jackson.

A sigh escaped from Isaac's lips as he threw a glance to the clock on the wall, he would still have to wait ten more minutes until he could meet with Jackson at the library. He hadn't seen the younger Whittemore since the fifth period two hours earlier. Isaac knew it wasn't normal to feel bothered t the fact that he couldn't have all classes with Jackson, it wasn't normal to miss someone the moment they were gone, but Isaac did, he missed Jackson.

Carelessly throwing his stuff into his bag as the bell rang signaling the end of his last class of the day, Isaac put it into his back and quickly vanished from the class, crossing the path to the library, where he knew Jackson would be waiting for him in order for them to start the project.

When Isaac finally arrived at the library, he swiftly scanned his surroundings, looking for Jackson, who he spotted sitting at one of the farthest corners of the place, a book in hands. There weren't many people there, so it was kind of the best choice to study without being interrupted.

"You're late again, Lahey." Jackson said, barely raising his gaze from the book to look properly at Isaac. "What?!" Isaac asked, gasping quietly. "I have only left class, there's no way I'm late." He added, acquiring a defensive edge to his voice. Rolling his eyes playfully, Jackson shot a smirk at him. "I'm kidding, Lahey. Don't get your pants into a twist." In a friendly manner, Isaac flicked Jackson's forehead. "Asshole." Isaac said, chuckling lightly as he sat down beside Jackson. "But still you love me." The younger Whittemore said in a nonchalant tone causing Isaac to stare him wide-eyed. "Come on, let's get started with this." Not trusting his voice, Isaac simply nodded and grabbed one of the books on the table.

"Hey, fancy getting an ice cream, Lahey?" Jackson asked after a couple hours of research in the library. "I know this ice cream shop that sells some exotic flavors." He added as if that would make Isaac instantly agree to go with him, which kind of worked, because without even noticing, Isaac was already nodding and standing up to pack his things. "Sure! I can no longer read about this damn Spectroscopy thing. I hate Chemistry now." Deciding against replying, Jackson simply chuckled and packed his things as well, so they could both leave the library.

As they reached the ice cream shop with Jackson leading the way, Isaac chose a table at its entrance and got Jackson to get the ice creams for both of them. "What flavor do you want, Lahey?" The younger Whittemore asked, eyebrow raised in question. "Something exotic." Isaac replied, as if it was some internal joke and shaking his head in amusement, Jackson simply nodded.

Jackson came back after only a few minutes with two ice creams in hand, one of them was light green and the other had a shade of purple that looked almost like white. "Which one is mine?" Isaac asked as Jackson sat down across from him. "Depends. Which one do you want?" He asked, raising the green one as he asked "Pistachio?" And the purple one as he said "Or jabuticaba?" Isaac had never heard of something called jabuticaba, so he chose this one to see if it had a good taste.

They boys chatted as they ate their ice cream and at some moment Isaac decided that it would be funny to rub the ice cream against Jackson's nose, what made the other guy rub his one against Isaac's nose before both broke into a row of laughter and at that moment Isaac felt happy for the first time in a long while.

A.N.

For those wondering what Jabuticaba is, it's a brazilian fruit.