Yikes, sorry for the late update! I've been going in and out of my college just taking a look around so that i'm not lost when class starts ;) I'm going tomorrow too, but i already started on the next chap!

A million thanks to you guys for the reviews! Keep it sexy and cool, brothers B)!

TWENTY-THREE

Finally… it's Friday. I really need a break.

Oddly, I was in the library waiting for Mike to finish with a student, -"Oh, I was wondering when you'd bring that book back,"- He took the book from the student's hands and eyed it, -"Who else had it?"

-"Uh, no one else, sir."- The student who I didn't recognize gazed away nervously. Everyone in this school knew that lying to Mike was pointless.

Mike eyed the student before sniffing the book, -"Hm, recently touched, four scents; two from elders, two from younglings."

Mike Zacharius was a weird librarian. Smelling people's scent was his usual habit to know the person without even formerly introducing themselves. He could tell if a person is lying just by smelling and the same goes for the books. He can tell how many people touched the book; that's how protective he is with them, -"H-hey, I have no idea. I swear I didn't give it to anyone!"- The student quickly tried to defend himself.

Mike leaned on the desk and smelled the student. His eyebrows furrowed, -"Liar. Five more dollars."

-"What!? You can't do that!"

-"Yes, I can."- He always does, in fact.

I sat while he finished. I really had no idea why I came here, my legs just moved here on their own. I was really hanging on the thought that I'm crazy after all. That reminded me; today I have to see Kat for the psychology meeting. I really didn't want to go, but I had a feeling that she'd look for me anyways, -"Kirshtein?"- I perked my head up. I quickly stood up and walked to Mike's desk.

-"Yeah, I just wanted to ask if the freckled guy came around here."- That's why I really came to the library. I haven't seen Marco this morning… which worried me and at the same time relieved me.

Mike though for a second, -"I believe so. Yes, he came to pay me what he owned, but I told him you did it for him."

At least I knew he did come today, which worsen my nerves, -"Thanks."

I left the library and looked around. I wanted to avoid Marco today, but I was worried for him at the same time. I obviously didn't want him to end up like me with the emotions in total disorder and in the brink of mental instability. I knew I was exaggerating, but honestly, I felt like that.

I was avoiding him at the same time because last night I couldn't straighten my balls to face him, at least, not yet, because I really wanted to. I still wanted to be his best friend and guard him from any assholes, but after what happened… I was having trouble keeping that though permanent. I really didn't though it'd come to this…

-"Jean Kirshtein, please proceed to the infirmary."- I flinched at the intercom's beep and Petra's voice. I honestly though they shouldn't announce that out loud; I mean, no one had to know I was taking psychology meetings, they didn't had to know I was crazy.

At the infirmary, immediately when I sat, -"Let's talk about Marco."- She shifted some papers and crossed her fingers. She didn't even greet me.

I scowled, bothered at her sudden question as the images of me and Marco's scene surfaced, -"What about him?"

-"What is he to you?"

That question again, -"He's my best friend,"- I hoped I've hidden my unsureness well. When she arched her eyebrow doubtfully, I ran a hand through my hair in aggravation, -"Is there an specific answer you're looking for?"

She nodded, -"I'm looking for an honest one, Jean. You're actions are more and more preoccupying each day."

What have I done recently that was worrying? –"What do you mean?"

She took out a phone from the pocket of her med robe, clicked and showed it to me. It was a video… of me… in the library, discussing with Marco about gays. I was practically shouting at him even though back then I was sure I had my voice low. Once again, I see Marco's devastated face as he ran out. I followed him while calling his name. The one taking the video was laughing and said: "I knew that Chinese book would work. Totally cool."

Another guy laughed too, "Yeah, man, Otaki's the best."

The video ended. Kat shoved the phone back in her pocket and scribbled something in her papers.

My eyes were widening as I processed this. So… I've been played? Somebody set this up? Somebody tricked us, faking the cover of the manga. That person wanted us to have that discussion; it means that person wanted to prove something… but what?

-"What do you think of that, Jean?"- Kat asked me, her eyes observing my every reaction.

-"I… I,"- I spluttered. I was trying to speak while thinking. If the manga was of gay sex, then that person maybe wanted to prove me and Marco were gay? That video demonstrated nothing! It's just a debate about opinions; people couldn't possibly prove anything with that! But then it hit me, -"I… was played there! Somebody set all that up!"- I wondered if someone recorded me and Marco's little make out. The door was open. Marco and I were too occupied to notice anything. It all pointed to 'yes' or 'maybe', but if someone did, I wouldn't be seeing this video now instead. The situation would be deadly different.

-"What are you talking about, Kirshtein?"

-"Didn't you hear at the end? Someone planned all that!"- I sighed annoyingly at her confused look, but it wasn't her fault. I was too desperate and didn't make any sense, like always. Her look after I explained everything in detail told me she was definitely arranging to change my med record into 'out of mind crazy student on board to the Asylum's ship', -"You gotta believe me!"

She sighed and took off her glasses, caressing her forehead. I was giving her a headache, -"Jean,"- She scribbled something again, -"The point of all this, is that Marco Bott is more than just a friend to you. Be honest or you'll end up hurting yourself and others and I have no doubt that that is the situation here. All this is making you… unstable; since he arrived, you've gotten into more fights and you now suffer from emotional disorder,"- She stood up and began to point at some pictures on the walls; one was a news article and the other was a picture of a brain with what looked like various issues, -"Listen, this is a special case with a student who had the same situations as you, he…"- She kept blabbering while my mind drifted into thoughts.

Who, who in this damned school would have done that? Obviously, it's someone from twelve one who hasn't gotten enough of humiliating me, it's someone who wanted me crawling on his feet and begging for mercy. Well, whoever it is, he or she has to kiss my butt.

I was raging by myself and Kat was still speaking, -"Jean, are you paying attention?"- She finally asked me, turning harshly towards me.

-"Who's phone was that? You know, the one where you show me the vid."- I asked her, completely ignoring her question.

She smashed her hand on her desk and pierced a sharp look at me. The loud sound broke me from my thoughts, -"This is serious! Why can't you take these situations seriously? This is no joke,"- She waved her arms up in exasperation as her eyes pierced me: she looked panicked and I wondered if I was her first patient with these issues, -"This is a critical situation in hand, Jean. You aren't aware of what is happening to you or the consequences,"- What is she talking about? I'm perfectly aware of what I'm going through! In fact, nobody else knew! Besides, it's none of her business! –"For starters, you have to change that attitude of yours."- She hastily turned around again and started packing things up.

I didn't bother to ask her about that, she was obviously mad at me; instead, -"Are you going to tell me whose phone was that or not?"

She looked up at me, shocked at my ignorance. To be honest, I was too, -"Are you…,"- She stopped mid- sentence and sighed. She didn't say anything about my ignorance, -"Dismissed. Time's over."

I stood up seriously, rather bothered at her for not cooperating, -"Look, I need to know."

-"No, you don't. You don't have to go around picking fight with people because you think they are culprit for tricking you. You don't even have proof to begin with,"- She waved me off as she shoved my record in her drawers, -"Dismissed."

I growled angrily, -"That's the proof."- I wanted to add 'idiot' at the end, but I held it. She's the last person I wanted to have a discussion or a fight with.

-"This is no proof and if it were,"- She dug out the phone and held it high, -"You'll need more. Now leave. We'll continue on Monday if you rethought of what you've done."- She was furious at me. I'd honestly been a jerk, but she was worse by not giving me the phone.

She was obviously kicking me out because the meeting just started; she didn't wanted to see my face for the rest of the day, -"I'll get that phone,"- I swore before leaving and gave her a last serious gaze. I meant my words, -"And I'll prove you I'm right."

I left with a serious suspicion that she had a paper on this. She really didn't want me to investigate this.

I went to Levi's and gave him my excuse for not assisting at his class. He gladly understood and I went to Spanish.

There… the air around me twisted and I quickly ran around the corner. I peeked and saw Marco with a worried face asking Eren something. I could hear something…, -"… where Jean is?"- Marco asked as he fidgeted with cheeks worriedly.

Eren shocked his head, -"Nope, sorry man. It's hard to lose sight of a horse like him though."- He laughed, but Marco didn't find it funny. That Yaeger…!

Marco looked down, disappointed, -"If you see him…"

-"I'll warn you. Got it, but hey,"- Eren lent close to Marco and whispered something. Marco quickly stepped back, blushing, -"It's weird, you know? You two act like…"

Damn it, I couldn't hear anymore. What is that Yeager telling Marco, who now looked uncomfortable and nervous? Rage filled me, -"N-nothing…! Jean and I don't have anything. He's just my… best friend."- His face twisted into sadness and devastation I didn't liked seeing on him as he spoke those words. His face dimmed as he looked down, avoiding Eren's look.

Eren shrugged ignorantly, -"Bah, it still doesn't look like that."

I backed away and leant hard on the wall. I gripped my chest: my heart beats were insanely fast, my stomach swirled as I felt the presence of the guy I almost fucked in the bathroom near. God, what am I supposed to do? I felt something go up in between my legs as the memory of me and Marco in the bathroom recorded in my mind. Was I having a boner? No way!

I was struggling with myself when I felt a poke on my shoulder. I harshly turned around and froze. It quickly went up again. I cursed and tried to stay cool in front of Marco, -"Uh-um… hey… erm,"- I spluttered nervously, looking at all ways while trying to control the immense boner I suddenly had while also trying to swept off the sweat on my forehead, -"H-heyy…"- God, I must look pathetic.

Marco chuckled; obviously, he glad I was okay and not shut in my room, -"I'm glad you're okay."- He smiled. How could he stay so calm after what happened? For him, it's as if it never happened. I knew it wasn't, but it looked like it. Man, I don't think I'll ever understand him.

-"Y-yeah… I-I, ugh."- My nerves made me bent a little and my voice shaky.

Marco noticed my struggling and probably how nervous I was too, -"Jean… what's wrong?"- His face dimmed a little.

I took a deep breathed and straightened up, -"Um, yeah, I'm fine, perfectly fine,"- I sighed and ran a hand through my hair, come on! Pull yourself together! You look so embarrassing! I scold myself. Slowly, I suppressed my nerves and looked at him.

Wow… h-he looked so awesome today. My face heated up as I eyed him: white jeans with leather pockets, white awesome looking Superman Converse, a white Superman badge overcoat and a white plain beanie. He had a black skull rubber bracelet and another one with that VA sign; it was half white, half blood red. I wondered what it was about again.

I must have been staring at him for quite some time because he began to wave his hand in front of me, snapping me out of my trance, -"Are you sure you're okay?"- He asked me again with a worried look.

I quickly nodded and scratched my neck, -"Y-yeah, sure."- I bit my lip and looked away.

I heard him sigh, -"Jean… I-"

-"Hey, what's that about?"- I pointed to the VA rubber bracelet on his wrist, interrupting him. I had a feeling he was going to talk about that.

He lifted his hand, -"Oh, its Vampire Academy! Awesome book series!"- He beamed happily. I always loved- I mean, uh, liked when he enjoyed so much talking about books and his favorites stuff, how his smile grew…, -"I haven't finished reading them. There are six books and I'm on the third one."- He pointed to his backpack, meaning that he had the book there.

My head spun as I imaged the sea of words in those books. Damn , I can't read that much, -"D-do you have them all?"- I tried as hard as I could to keep him out of that topic.

He nodded happily, -"Yep, but I haven't got time to spend on books."- He sighed.

-"Oh."- It's all I managed to say. I wanted to smack my head. I had to find another topic to…

-"Jean, about…,"

I harshly turned around with a gasp when my heart began beating faster than before. I tried covering my heated up face, sweat trailing down on me like cascade. Mindlessly, I began to step away, but he stopped me by my arm, -"I-I-I, erm, I have to… go."- My excuses were pathetic.

I bit my lip as he spoke, -"Jean… you can't keep running."

I sighed, shut my eyes for a moment and slowly turned around. My eyes fluttered opened to face him. What can I say? How can I say it? My mouth began to open and I knew I was going speak everything out loud with no control, -"Marco, I-"

He interrupted me with a squeeze that sent a current of warmth through me; I also felt an electric shock that made my heart skip a beat and the boner slowly coming up again. No, no, no, no… -"We can talk about it later… if you want."

I gulped nervously and nodded, not looking at him, -"Su-sure."

-"Pixis is absent so... I'll meet you in the rondure."- He stared at me.

I gazed at him slightly; his face showed no sign of nervousness or panic like mine does. He was blushing lightly while I was blushing like a tomato; sure, he was worried and maybe a bit nervous, but he was calm and ready. Maybe if it was someone else, he'd be losing his mind, but since it was me, his best friend from a long time, he had so much confidence in himself, -"Al-alright."

I nodded one last time and the overflowing electric shock faded as he let go of my arm along with the boner.

After that, I felt even more nervous. I didn't though I had to face him this soon. My stomach swirled, losing my appetite and I couldn't eat anything at launch. On the other hand, Marco could. We didn't hang out, but I kept an eye on him and he knew. When launch hour was reaching its climax, it got worse.

I was hiding behind one of the pillars on the rondure when I hear footsteps. I hid more. I was trying to get ready, but it wasn't working out, probably because it was me who did all… that to Marco and that's why he felt calmer. Yeah, maybe that's it… no, it didn't make any sense. I knew from deep within that Marco trusted me; even after what happened, he didn't lose his trust on me and like me, he didn't want to lose our friendship. That's why we're doing this. I wanted to believe in Marco too.

When I finally shitted my nerves, I turned around from the pillar to face Marco… only to find my ex-girlfriend, hands on hips and grinning evilly, -"Hey, looking for someone?"

That fuckin' bitch...! DX! You know, i can work it out for um, u know, an 'accident' or 'assassination' ohhh~ the possibilities buahahaa! :D

So yeah, Marco reads Vampire Academy like me! Yayy! :D! I'm just so shitting obsessed...!