A/N: Sorry I haven't updated in a while. I've had essays and stories for classes to write and they kinda drain me creatively. And I have finals for the next week and a half, so I may or may not update for a while. But as soon as I get home, I plan on posting for a couple days consecutively to make up for it. I'm glad you've enjoyed everything so far and hope you continue to. And getting feedback is my favorite part. And the only thing SA I own is the soundtrack, unfortunately.

Having wasted the entire afternoon playing with the girls, Ernst was forced to spend his evening struggling with homework. His mind just kept drifting to that afternoon.

He danced with all of the girls; each begging for their turn with him. It was like they were trying to help him hide his secret and make him a ladies' man all at the same time.

As a joke, both Melchior and Hanschen started begging to dance with him to. Flustered, he agreed and got to spend 7 amazing minutes in the arms of the people he was attracted to. Melchi was joking the entire time and quickly switched, so he could go back to Wendla.

Hanschen, on the other hand, danced with him for some time and even let him lead, unlike Melchior. It was like heaven. Hanschen even acted like a perfect gentleman for once instead of being the cynic he typically was. He even seemed to be enjoying himself dancing with Ernst. At least that's what Ilse had told him on their way home.

A light tap on his window brought Ernst out of his reflecting. He looked outside and saw Ilse staring at him.

"Ilse! What are you doing here? It's past 10."

"I'm running away from home. I can't stand to be there anymore. Please Ernst, let me stay here tonight."

Ernst thought for a moment. He could get in trouble for letting Ilse into his room, but he couldn't let her sleep outside. "Alright."

Ilse climbed through the window and Ernst helped her over his desk. She gave him a giant hug as soon as her feet touched the floor. "Thank you so much Ernst. I don't know what I'd do without you."

"Not a problem Ilse. Just don't let my parents find out."

"I'll be gone before they wake."

"But where will you go?"

"To the artists' colony. I always did enjoy drawing when I got the chance."

"As long as you'll be safe."

"It'll be safer than my house anyway. Now, if I could just have a blanket to curl up on the floor with…"

"No Ilse. Sleep in my bed. I have homework to do anyway, so I won't get much sleep."

"But Ernst, it's your bed. I couldn't deprive you of it. Why don't you climb in with me once you're done?"

"I s-suppose I could do that," he said, even though the thought frightened him.

Ilse crawled into his bed leaving enough room for him to snuggle up next to her. Ernst knew he would get no more work done that night, so in his uniform, he climbed into bed.

Ernst lay on his side and Ilse cuddled up right next to him. It would have been awkward except that he was not attracted to Ilse. She was one of his closest friends. It almost felt right even. Ernst put his arm around Ilse in a protective way and drifted off to sleep.

A/N: My favorite character from the show is Moritz. I love his soliloquy before "Left Behind." It's so beautiful.

And I have a livejournal now where I've been posting some of my other stories and will post this one there too at some point. .com/.

Anyway, I hope you enjoyed the chapters so far. Please let me know what you think.