Firkle's next class was computer lab, so he attended. His seat was at the back, beside a quiet kid who didn't bother him. As an added bonus, Ike wasn't in this class.

Peacefully, he logged into his account and opened his current project.

They were supposed to ultimately create a fake charity event of their choice, complete with posters, a timetable, and an 'advert' (which was just a PowerPoint). Currently, they were still researching charities, so Firkle was looking at different endangered animals to see which he would use as his main one on the poster.

He propped his elbow on the desk and leaned his cheek into the palm of his hand, absentmindedly brushing his fingers against his cheek. The sensation brought back the memory of the kiss in the bathroom, and he felt his cheeks flush.

Grateful for the privacy that the back of the class offered, he finally allowed his mind to wander and contemplate the boy who plagued his days.

I still don't believe he has a conformist crush on me. So, why is he acting this way? Why did he fucking kiss me?

His cheeks heated further, and his gaze quickly darted beside him to ensure the brunette girl wasn't paying attention.

He's so weird. So he's a genius who thinks everyone is boring? It doesn't take a genius to figure that out. Everyone in this shitty school is just another conformist, so of course they're boring! He was standing so close earlier; he needs to learn some fucking personal space boundaries. He did smell good, though, and for some reason, my skin didn't feel like it was crawling at his proximity…

Firkle considered this further for a moment. He generally struggled with people getting too close to him unless it was someone he was very close with. The only people he was fine with touching him were his mum and the other three goths, it surprised him to realise Ike being close didn't bother him.

"Whatever" he mumbled to himself before forbidding himself to think about the matter any further.

Time passed, and he had almost finished his first poster when his phone vibrated in his pocket. Distractedly, he retrieved it and checked the message.

A loud clatter sounded as his phone tumbled from his hand and landed on his desk. The girl beside him glanced over curiously but quickly went back to her own work.

Firkle's eyes were wide as he picked his phone back up and went back to the message, more accurately the photo, that was on his screen.

Ike had sent him a selfie. He seemed to be hunched over and sprawled on his desk with his head resting on his forearm. His black fringe looked messy against his forehead, but his icy blue eyes were just as piercing as ever. Firkle stared longer than he cared to admit, taking in all the details in the photo.

Suddenly, his phone vibrated again and a message followed the image.

I'm so bored. These gifted classes are so lame I'd much rather be in class with you :( what lesson are you in now? xx

Firkle rolled his eyes at the message but couldn't hide the warmth adorning his cheeks.

He chewed his lip for a second in thought, the rebellious goth in him wanted to tell Ike to fuck off but part of him admitted he felt excited by the attention. Looking back at the photo he reluctantly admitted the other boy was attractive then frowned at himself.

Releasing a big sigh, he typed a response.

Computer lab.

The response he chose was detached and blunt so Ike couldn't read too much into it.He stared intently at his screen as the delivery report showed the message was delivered and seen almost instantly.

I'm so jealous! If we were in class together I could sit with you at the back and tease you and make you blush ;) xx

Firkle scowled and scoffed at the reply, teying to ignore how his heart rate increased.

Not fucking likely. What does he even mean by tease me? Ugh he's so annoying why can't he just be normal?!

Before the small goth had time to reply, another message came through.

I'm sorry if that was too much, I just got so excited when you replied and you just have this effect that makes me not think before I act… and I think about flirting with you a LOT.

Firkle locked his phone screen and covered his face with both hands, having to physically hide his embarrassment even from just his phone.

What the fuck am I supposed to say to that?! Fuck he's so embarrassing.

Heart hammering in his chest, he hesitantly picked his phone back up and tried to type another reply. He could feel the blood burning his cheeks as he decided to be honest and hit send.

Whatever, you're so fucking embarrassing. You better not act like this at my house or I'm kicking the shit outta you.

Ignoring any more messages he got from the Canadian, he decided to listen to music in his earphones and finish his poster. When the bell finally rung, he swiftly packed away his things and almost ran to the back of the school, desperately craving his nicotine fix.

As he rounded the corner he saw that the only goth currently present was Michael.

"Hey" he greeted, the taller goth glanced at him and nodded but didn't both speaking.

Still pissed then.

Michael had smoked two cigarettes by the time Firkle was half way done with his.

"Michael you might want to slow down a little, you'll be pissed if you run out and don't have any left later" the younger commented before taking a drag from his own cigarette.

"Yeah well you might want to shut the fuck up and let me do what I want" he spat back, Firkle held his hands up in defeat as an apology then rotated his left hand and flipped him off.

Deciding to keep to himself, Firkle leaned his head back against the cool brick of the building and let his mind wander. Not long after, Pete came around the corner looking equally as annoyed at Michael.

Firkle sighed and rolled his eyes, "not you too! I can't deal with two pissy bitches today!" He groaned jokingly, but half serious as his mind was running wild trying to work out what game Ike was playing with him.

"Well I think Ihave the right to be fucking pissed when I have to work with that fucking vampire conformist for three fucking weeks!" Pete exploded before quickly taking out his own pack of cigarettes and lighting it while inhaling the relaxing toxins into his lungs. Firkle watched as the red haired goth exhaled and slowly sunk to the ground to sit with them.

"Well that is fucking shit man… don't let him try to bite you or anything" Firkle said before laughing to himself at the thought.Pete flipped him off and Michael patted his shoulder slightly to show his condolences.

Henrietta soon showed up smiling and luckily alone, she was wearing her long black dress with spider web netting around her chest and shoulders, she had lost weight since middle school but she was still curvy "hey guys! Er, what's with the dark atmosphere, well, darker than usual atmosphere?" She said as she pulled out her skull embossed lighter and lit a smoke for herself after placing it in her cigarette holder.

"Well for starters Pete is stuck with vampire barbie for two weeks and you lef- ow!" He was cut off my Michael slapping his head nearly knocking him over. "What the fuck!" He complained while rubbing his temple.

Fucking prick, not my fault he's jealous!

Henrietta narrowed her eyes slightly, "what about me?" She asked accusingly, looking at each of them in turn.

No one said anything for a while before Michael finally growled "YOU left us this morning to go with your fucking conformist fuck boy" he docked out the end of his cigarette on the sole of his heavy black combat boot and swiftly lit another.

Henrietta stared at him in disgust and shouted back "he is NOT my fucking fuck boy you dick, he WAS our friend once in case you don't remember!" She now had her left hand on her plump hip. Firkle watched the interaction with wide eyes, it wasn't often that people within their group argued.

Michael stood up now, "the only reason wannabe Raven's even fucking talking to you again is because he was dumped by his fucking queen for the millionth time! He's just fucking using you!" He yelled back, his cheeks now colouring with rage.

Henrietta watched his outburst and Pete noticed a flash actual hurt in her eyes, she mumbled a "fuck you Michael" and flipped him off before storming away back around the corner towards the front of school.

"Congratulations Michael you fucking dick" Pete said while Firkle clapped sarcastically.

Michael just sunk back down silently and continued smoking while staring into space. Pete stood up and dusted off his pants before stalking after Henrietta. Firkle watched him leave then turned to the older goth. "That was real shitty of you Michael, good job" he said dryly before putting his own cigarette out and stretching before walking away, leaving Michael to dwell on his emotions