Left out. . . {bxbxb}

chapter twenty

Wait... a chapter that's... actually on time...? wtf

-Nolan-

I think Andrew is avoiding me.

I can't seem to find him anywhere in the halls or during lunch, and in the classes we share, he is always the first one out of the room, and it doesn't help that we practically sit on opposite sides of the room. 

For the past three days, I've been trying to talk to him. He hardly ever spends time with me, and I just... sometimes I feel like he doesn't like me the way Derek says he does. I hope he does, though. 

I also want to talk to him about his friends. Derek told me all about them and how they hated him from the beginning. I've seen them around, and they really don't seem like the type to hate someone for no reason. 

I sigh to myself as I see Andrew walk into the boy's bathroom. 

Perfect. 

I'm going to confront him in there, and he has to talk to me. 

________________

It's been a long day for Andrew.

It seemed like everywhere he went, Nolan kept following him, watching him. It really creeped him out. 

He thought he could get some privacy in the bathroom, but he was so wrong. 

Because as soon as he walked in, Nolan soon opened the door, stepping in, and locked it. "Can we talk?" Nolan asked with pleading eyes. Andrew wanted to tell Nolan to fuck off, but he decided against it. He should at least see what he had to say. After all, nothing good can possibly come from a 'Can we talk.'

Reluctantly, Andrew answered, "Fine." 

Nolan grinned before the smile quickly turned into a small frown. "It's... kind of about your friends, Oliver and Jackson?" Nolan rubbed his hands together awkwardly, something Andrew has seen him do a few times before. 

Judging by all the time Nolan spends with his boyfriend, Andrew immediately assumed Derek lied, yet again, to Nolan about his friends. 

"What about them?" Andrew asked. "Uh... have they... done anything to Derek? Like to hurt him?" Nolan asked, his face turning a light shade of red. Andrew almost snorted. It really took all he could to not laugh at the blonde boys' stupidity. 

"No. They would never do anything like that," Andrew explained. Nolan gave him a look of pity, confusing Andrew. "Oh, Andrew," He frowned. "I'm sorry you think that." Nolan patted Andrew's shoulder, only making the noirette even more confused. 

"Derek did tell me that they were manipulating you somehow." Nolan gave Andrew an apologetic look while Andrew's face changed from confused to pissed. "He what?" Andrew asked in annoyance.  

Why would Derek lie about that? Maybe Nolan was lying? Maybe Nolan was lying so he could have Derek all to himself...? Derek wouldn't say anything like that...? Right? 

No. No, actually, he would. And Andrew felt stupid that he even thought otherwise at this point.

"Nolan, don't be stupid. You know they wouldn't do that." Andrew didn't care about how rude he sounded. He just... he knew Derek would lie like that, but he couldn't wrap his head around the fact that he did. 

"Andrew, do you like me?" Nolan blurted out. The question caught both boys off guard.  He hadn't meant to blurt it out like that, but he couldn't take it back now, could he. 

"What?" Andrew questioned dumbly. 

"Oh, God." Nolan slapped his forehead with his palm. "Please don't make me repeat it."

"No, no, I heard the first time." Nolan's face flushed. "Because... I know we're dating already, but it seems like you don't really... like me..." 

"I mean, we are dating the same guy, so I sort of have to," Andrew muttered before slapping his hands over his mouth in shock. They both widened their eyes. Even though it was unintentional, Nolan was sure he understood what Andrew was implying. 

"Oh..." It hurt.

"So you don't..." Nolan could already feel the tears threatening to slip out. 

Andrew felt awful for what he did, but he also felt relieved. He hated lying to Nolan, who honestly didn't deserve it, but he was so glad to tell him. 

"I'm- I'm sorry, Nolan..." Andrew apologized, looking at the floor. 

"Why didn't you say anything...?" Nolan whispered, silently begging Andrew to look at him. 

"I- I don't know..." And he truly didn't. When he tried to tell Derek, something bad happened. He just assumed Nolan would have the same reaction. 

Nolan, who was hurt to begin with, was even more hurt after that. "You don't know?" He asked incredulously, a few tears sliding down his cheeks. "How could you not know?" 

"You led me on! You sat there and led me on!" Nolan exclaimed, his heart clenching. "Nolan... I-" Andrew began. "No! No, I'm not done!" Nolan angrily cut Andrew off. "I thought you were a nice guy! I thought you weren't a liar! I thought you- you-..." Angry tears fell down his face. He couldn't even continue.

 Derek lied to him. Andrew lied to him. Or was it just Derek. Nolan didn't even know at this point. He just felt sad.

"I was scared," Andrew finally muttered after minutes of silence. Nolan looked up at Andrew, who looked on the verge of tears as well. "I told Derek I didn't feel the same way he did about you, and he... didn't react well. I was scared you wouldn't either." Andrew wiped away the tears that nearly slipped out. He really didn't want to cry right now.

"Fuck..." Nolan murmured. "I'm sorry for blowing up, Andrew..." The blonde felt bad for being upset when Andrew clearly had his reasons for not telling him. "I should've let you explain. I-" Andrew cut him off with a hug. "This is a friend hug," Andrew clarified. Nolan smiled. "Thanks." 

It still hurt to know that Derek lied to him about Andrew. And that Andrew didn't say anything to him about it. Nolan would've understood if Andrew had just told him from the beginning. But he knew Andrew had his reasons for not saying anything, and he understood.

Now it was time for Nolan to have a little chat with Derek. 

Maybe Nolan will break up with Derek.
Or maybe that stupid asshole of a boy will trick Nolan into believing him again. I wonder what will happen.
And who knows, maybe the next chapter will be on time too. Honestly, I'm still surprised at myself for getting this chapter out not months later-