Fletcher walked into English class dragging Gabe along with him, but Gabe seemed a little more willing to come along with Fletcher this time. Gabe has always wondered what advanced level English class was like, and now that he was in one he realized that they weren't any different from regular classrooms. This was kind of a disappointment for him, because he imagined high tech computers and robots flying around, and now he realized that stuff was all science fiction. Smart people were just normal people who just happen to excel in classes that others aren't good at. That doesn't mean they get better computers nor have robot slaves. Gabe kind of wished that was true, because then he could have a slave to do all his homework. Gabe had never liked homework, not because it was work, but because he never understood the purpose. He thought that he could learn more if they did work in class and not have to go home and do work all by themselves, because what if they get stuck or don't understand something? They can't just make the teacher magically appear, and if they did all their work in class the students would be less confused about things. They would also do better on tests and quizzes, and if Gabe was able to change the school so they didn't have to give stress inducing homework he would. He knew he would make a great school leader because he would treat everyone equally. Then he thought of Fletcher and wondered if he would actually treat everyone equally or would he discriminate like he did against Fletcher, because Gabe had always thought Fletcher was some nerd who didn't know how to have fun, but he was more complex than he let on. Gabe always admired people who were complex, and he wondered if he was actually starting to develop real feelings for Fletcher. He wondered if when he said he loved him he really meant it or was it something to say back because he was helping him.
Fletcher looked back at Gabe and realized he was thinking and this made Fletcher do a double take because he couldn't believe that Gabe was actually thinking. He smiled to himself, because he thought that his intelligence was rubbing off on him, and he knew this would work. He knew that he could save Gabe from a life of idiocy and immaturity. He wanted to praise the principal for making them do this, because he knew it was already working for him. Gabe was actually thinking in school, and by the look on Gabe's face Fletcher could tell that he hadn't been thinking in school in a long time. Fletcher giggled to himself with joy and silently guided Gabe to his seat next to him in the back of the classroom. Fletcher always hated sitting in the back because he felt only the bad kids and the idiots sat in the back. Although he was in an advanced level class he couldn't help but think that some kids in this class were more advanced than others. He knew he was one of the smartest kids in class and for once that kids who sat on the left of Fletcher wasn't the least intelligent because Gabe was here. Fletcher noticed that everyone was staring and whispering when he walked into the classroom with Gabe attached to his wrist. He knew it would be odd to see two boys handcuffed together and not wearing prison uniforms. He hoped they didn't assume they were dating or anything. That would be the worst of it all.
"Fletcher, will you please introduce your new 'friend' to the class," His teacher said as she fixed her classes fixated on Gabe and obviously she knew who he was by the look on her face.
"Well, everyone here should know Gabe. The reason we're handcuffed together is because we got into a huge fight and the principal thought it'd be fitting to punish us by handcuffing us together until we can admit to teach other that we're friends. At the rate this is going it won't be happening any time soon," Fletcher said before sitting down and Gabe snapped back into reality when Fletcher stood up, and he couldn't deny what he was saying. Gabe and Fletcher were like darkness and light, complete opposites. Gabe was obnoxious and crude, and Fletcher was polite and nice. They were two different types of people that weren't meant to mix. Gabe didn't know if he would ever be able to admit to Fletcher that he liked him. It seemed like an impossible task by the way Fletcher acted, and Gabe believed that sometimes he was asking to be made fun of. He didn't know a normal kid who would wear suspenders to school for fun. He didn't know a typical pre-teen boy who reads Shakespeare for fun, and he didn't know a boy who preferred reading a book over playing some basketball. Gabe knew that Fletcher was a different kind of person, and trying to get along with him was a difficult task within itself let alone actually trying to become friends with him, but Fletcher had promised him straight A's so he had to give him some respect, because he's the only one who has ever believed he could do anything besides become some brainless jock in life.
"Well Gabe, I didn't know you had yourself a boyfriend," A boy with long brown hair commented chuckling a bit and Gabe frowned and got up from his seat, but Fletcher pulled him down, "Awe, your girlfriend had to protect you."
"He's not my boyfriend, Chase. You know better than anyone I wouldn't voluntarily be handcuffed to this nerd. I was forced to by the principal and my parents, and the quicker we can pretend we like each other the quicker I can go back to playing sports and beating up nerds like him," Gabe said and Fletcher rolled his eyes leaning back in his chair.
"Maybe, if you were less aggressive, and more amiable you wouldn't be handcuffed to me, and you would be still playing sports and insulting academically advantaged students," Fletcher said chuckling to himself and Gabe glared at him.
"Do you think this is funny?" Gabe asked with disbelief and Fletcher turned to him not understanding why he was so angry.
"Yes, you're overreacting. We're in junior high it's not like you're in high school and you're a senior who's dating a freshman," Fletcher commented as he took out his copy of Romeo and Juliet.
"No, I am not in high school, but I have friends, and I can't hang out with my friends if I'm attached to you!" Gabe said angrily.
"Well, you should've thought of that before you wrote on my desk and got into a fight," Fletcher said and Gabe was confused because he never wrote on Fletcher's desk. Gabe remembered in the principal's office when he mentioned him writing faggot on his desk, and Gabe would never write that word, because it's offensive and rude. Gabe hopes that Fletcher didn't actually think he was the one who wrote that on his desk, "Now be quiet and pay attention."
English class went on pretty smoothly except for Gabe stopping the class every five minutes to ask what she meant when she was explaining a quote or something else relating to the text. Fletcher couldn't believe that Gabe was this stupid, and Fletcher thought he was pretty stupid, but not so stupid that he has to ask questions every five minutes. Gabe felt incredibly stupid in that class, because whenever he asked a question people giggled at him and the teacher obviously was getting annoyed with his insisted curiosity. Gabe was relieved when the bell rung and the class ended, and he dashed to the door and almost fell over when he remembered he was attached to fletcher who was still gathering his books. Gabe got off of the ground dusting him off as he chuckled nervously at the girls who were giggling at his clumsiness. Fletcher thought he had reached a new level of idiocy when he forgot that he was handcuffed to another person. Fletcher thought that that would be amusing if Gabe had been arrested for something, but alas he was still next to him and would be for a long time.
Fletcher's next class was art, and Gabe was happy, because they were in a middle of a project and he wouldn't have to complete it because they were using skills that he never learned. As Fletcher was painting away Gabe was leaning back texting, listening to music, and playing a video game. Fletcher couldn't believe he would be so relaxed while he was painting. He yanked on Gabe's arm causing him to pause his game and music, and he stood up looking at Fletcher. Fletcher pointed to the table where all the paint was and Gabe sighed as he got up, and he just had gotten comfortable and he unhappily walked over to the paints with Fletcher. Gabe watched as Fletcher got some red paint, then some blue, then some white, then some black, and finally he got some orange and Gabe couldn't believe he needed that much paint. He was only painting a picture of a pair of bottles not making a landscape. Fletcher noticed Gabe's exasperated expression and sighed. He handed Gabe the tray of paint and Gabe looked down at it as if it was infected or something. Then he looked back up a Fletcher.
"Uh, what do you want me to do with this, Fletcher?" Gabe asked not really sure why he had to hold the tray if Fletcher had two very able hands.
"You're going to paint, Gabe," Fletcher said and Gabe froze as his eyes widened. He thought Fletcher was joking, because painting was for girls and sissy guys. Not for masculine males like him. He refused to move when Fletcher tugged on his arm. Fletcher gave Gabe this look of disbelief, "What are you doing, Gabe?" Fletcher asked.
"I'm not painting. There's no way in hell I'm painting. Painting is for girls as feminine boys like you, Fletcher," Gabe said and Fletcher scowled dragging Gabe to the table and forcing him to sit down. Gabe had never seen Fletcher be so forceful before.
"Gabe, if you want to do well in school you have to be willing to do things you normally wouldn't do, and I'm pretty sure you normally wouldn't paint so you're painting. Or would you rather be chained to me for the rest of our middle school life?" Fletcher explained and Gabe realized he was right, because he was always right. He didn't want to be handcuffed to Fletcher for his entire life, and he definitely didn't want to fail this school year and have to repeat the grade. He slowly picked up the brush and dipped in in the red paint and began to slowly paint the area where Fletcher hadn't finished, "Good, but try to stroke softer, you're being too rough," Fletcher said causing a few people to look over and Fletcher realized that those weren't the best choice of words he could've used.
"What do you mean 'softer'? I am going soft," Gabe said and Fletcher shook his hand and grabbed Gabe's hand and slowly showed him how he should do it. Fletcher guided Gabe's hand smoothly and softly across the paper to make even thick strokes instead of rugged ones. Gabe looked to see that Fletcher was holding his hand and he looked down quickly as he felt his cheeks redden. He didn't understand why Fletcher was making him feel this way. Gabe had butterflies in his stomach and he was making his palms begin to sweat and Gabe couldn't even look at Fletcher without becoming weak. Gabe wondered if he really did have feelings for Fletcher. He didn't want to have feelings for him, but Gabe couldn't deny the fact that Fletcher was right about him. He was angry at himself, because he couldn't accept the fact that he was a homosexual, and he was taking his frustrations out on the person who he had these feelings for, Fletcher. He was mad because he knew Fletcher wasn't gay, but he wanted to believe he was so there was a chance for him, but now that he knows that Fletcher isn't gay he can't stop loving him. He also knew he was subconsciously prolonging their friendship, because he didn't want to lose the chance to be so close to him.
"Gabe, are you alright? You're really read and your hand is really sweaty," Fletcher asked and Gabe once again snapped back to reality.
"I'm just a little bit hot is all, and the period is almost over. You have lunch next period right?" Gabe asked and Fletcher gave him an odd look.
"Yeah, maybe you're just hungry," Fletcher rationalized pretending he didn't know why his face was red. Fletcher knew that Gabe wasn't hot, and that he was blushing, but it couldn't possibly be about him. He didn't think Gabe was actually gay and he really only said that to anger Gabe. Fletcher was the one, who was really gay, and he hated to admit it, but he was really in love with him. He could never admit it though, because he knew Gabe was not a homosexual, and it would only cause him to get bullied more than he already did. He just wanted to keep it to himself, because he knew if he said anything he could cause a whole new problem and it would be harder for them to become friends and get unhand cuffed. He sighed as the bell rang indicating it was time for Fletcher to go to lunch, and he took solace in the fact that he had the smallest lunch.
Fletcher and Gabe left the art room and took a right down the hallway, and the lunchroom was right there on the right side of the hallway. Fletcher was carrying his lunch box with him and he walked over to his usual table and put the box down and Gabe once again forgot that they were handcuffed and walked over to the lunch line and almost fell over because Fletcher had sat down. Fletcher sighed and got up and walked Gabe to the lunch line. Gabe was really hungry, and felt he hate to eat something to quell the feelings he was feeling. He bought a wrap, a thing of fries, a soda, a juice box, a bag of chips, and a couple cookies. Fletcher couldn't fathom why he needed to eat so much, but Fletcher also thought that Gabe's slight chubbiness was adorable and kind of sexy. He'd never admit it though because Gabe would probably punch him and then lose all the weight. Fletcher helped Gabe carry his food back to the table as Gabe sat next to him and began eating.
Eating proved to be a difficult task, because Gabe always seemed to use his left hand to eat and Fletcher used his right hand to eat. Fletcher didn't seem to understand why Gabe was eating with his left hand if he wrote with his right hand. So whenever Fletcher reached for his food his hand would get jerked away by Gabe's arm. Fletcher than tried eating with his other hand, and at first it was difficult, because he was so accustomed to picking up things with his other hand that he missed his food a couple times because of it. Gabe was purposely using his off hand, because he wanted Fletcher to strike up a conversation with him. Gabe didn't know why he craved Fletcher's attention so much, but he knew he had to have it whenever he could. Gabe looked at Fletcher as he ate and was amazed by his flawless skin, beautiful eyes, adorable smile, and amazing personality. Gabe was officially in love and wanted to be around Fletcher forever. Mitsu saw the way Gabe was staring at Fletcher and smiled to herself, and she smiled, because she knew it would happen soon.
"Well, how are you two lovebirds today?" Mitsu joked as she walked in followed by Max who chuckled a bit, but was quiet enough because he didn't want to anger Gabe.
"Very funny Mitsu, but Gabe here is disrupting me trying to eat, because I can't even move my arm for a second without it getting jerked away by him," Fletcher said as his arm got jerked once again and he turned to Gabe, "Oh would you stop it. Why are you eating so much anyway? You seem nervous, Gabe."
"Me? Oh I'm not nervous, I just forgot to eat breakfast so I'm really, really hungry," Gabe said opening his soda and taking a sip.
"Well, maybe you should start eating breakfast, because I cannot take another meal of you jerking my arm every five seconds to quell your appetite," Fletcher replied and Gabe stopped eating and turned to him and sighed.
"Sorry mom," Gabe said giggling as Fletcher hit him jokingly.
"Hey guys, do you happen to have any plans tonight?" Mitsu asked and Fletched turned to her and smiled because he knew she always had amazing trips and stuff planned for them.
"Well, I don't know honestly, Mitsu. I'm staying at Gabe's this week and his family might have something planned. Why do you ask?" Fletcher said as Mitsu pulled out a paper.
"I got us reservations at the most exclusive restaurant in town," Mitsu said and Gabe spat out his soda all over Fletcher.
"Ew," Fletcher said to himself as he whipped himself off.
"How the hell did you get reservations to Akirmatsu?" Gabe asked as Fletcher was still angry that he spat his soda all over him.
"Well, my uncle owns the restaurant and he said I could invite three of my friends for a dinner for four," Mitsu said causing Gabe to once again spit his soda all over Fletcher.
"Again? Really?" Fletcher yelled as he whipped himself off again as Max laughed him and Fletcher just glared at him angrily.
"Wow, that's pretty cool, Mitsu. Wait, you said three friends?" Gabe said not quite understanding what she was getting at.
"She meant, you disgusting creature, that because I'm handcuffed to you that you have to come with me, and join us at this dinner. Even though, that's the last thing I want," Fletcher said whipping himself clean, and then he placed his hand to Gabe's mouth before he could spit out more soda, "I'm not getting spit on again," He said removing his hand and Gabe swallowed his soda.
"Mitsu, that's really nice of you," Gabe said before his eyes narrowed and he looked at Mitsu, "What's the catch?"
"What do you mean?" Mitsu said calmly.
"I mean I know you absolutely hate me, and if this restaurant means a lot your family and you wouldn't wanting me there to embarrass you unless there's another motive behind this dinner," Gabe said intelligently and they all seemed kind of shocked at Gabe's revelation.
"Well, well, um, you see that, um, I just wanted to, um," Mitsu began to stutter and Gabe realized he had gotten her right where he wanted her.
"Oh I see, you want me to come to this dinner with you, because you're in love with me and didn't want your friends to know," Gabe said and Mitsu almost slapped herself in the face with disbelief. Even Max and Fletcher thought that that was kind of farfetched.
"No, I'm not in love with you, and I wanted you guys to come so you could connect better, and maybe we can have your Fletcher back quicker," Mitsu said smiling and Gabe seemed relieved.
"Oh, well alright, Fletcher, I want another soda, c'mon," Gabe said as he dragged Fletcher out of his seat and towards the lunch line.
"Max, I forgot something at my locker. I'll be right back," Mitsu said and Max nodded as she left the cafeteria and met a boy outside of the cafeteria as they walked down the hall. He was Chase, Gabe's best friend, and he knew everything about Gabe as Mitsu knew everything about Fletcher.
"Mitsu, did you get them to agree to come to the restaurant?" Chase asked and Mitsu nodded not feeling too proud of herself.
"I know they'll be happy together, buy do you think it's right of us to play cupid?" Mitsu asked Chase who sighed and crossed his arms.
"Look, I know that you care about Fletcher, and don't want him hurt, but the only way for Gabe to stop being so mean and evil is for him to accept himself. Fletcher needs to be happy to, and he won't be happy unless he accepts himself too. At this restaurant they'll hopefully realize their love for one another. Nice job getting the tickets to the Japanese restaurant. Sushi is Gabe's favorite food," Chase explained and Mitsu felt uneasy.
"I know you're right and sushi is Fletcher's favorite food too. I just hope this whole thing doesn't turn out to blow up in our faces," Mitsu said as she crossed her arms.
"There won't be an opportunity for that to happen, Mitsu. We're not connected to this at all, and all the things that are going to happen will not be caused by us, and so we have no connection to it," Chase explained and Mitsu stopped.
"But they're our friends!" Mitsu yelled.
"And we're being good friends. Now go back and pretend you don't know anything," Chase ordered and Mitsu sighed.
"I don't feel comfortable nor happy lying to Fletcher, but I need to in order for him to become happy," Mitsu whispered walking back into the cafeteria as Gabe and Fletcher came back.