At Least You're You. (Cevan)

Three: Conversations

(More like CONNOR-SATIONS! Sorry don't hate me)

Connor was staring at Evan, who was writing vigorously in his notebook and wiping his hands on his shirt every once in awhile. He looked tired, anxious, and sort of depressed. It could be his fault. Connor felt guilty, but he could help it. There was something about him that just-

"Connor! Can you tell us what your book from the library is about?" Connor's head snapped towards the teacher.

"You... did read it, didn't you?"

Mr. Jones raised his eyebrows and the class snickered. Connor held back from yelling back, and instead stood up.

"The book I got was called Purge, it was about a girl with bulimia who is in a hospital trying to figure out how to get over her disorder." Mr. Jones, along with everyone else, looked shocked. He usually just stared back, waiting to the teacher to move on, but this...was unexpected. Connor sat down, opening his sketchbook and doodling a few things. After a few moments of stunned silence, everyone moved on. But when Connor look back to Evan a few minutes later, Evan was staring back.

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Connor left in a hurry, desperate to get to the library. He had spotted a book he liked, and prayed that it wasn't taken. He dashed into the library and dove into the shelves, scanning, searching, hunting for the one, particular book.

"Looking for 'How to School Shoot for Beginners, I assume?" Connor spun around. "Oh, great, it's you." Connor spat, turning back around. Jared Kleinman, king of the assholes.

"You didn't say no, freak." Connor spotted the book, and, as quickly as he could, snatched it up.

"What the hell is that?" Jared sneered.

"A book. You need new glasses, dickhead." Connor snarled. He shoved past Jared and moved to the checkout counter.

"Well what book is it?" Connor sighs, shaking his head angrily, trying to stay calm. "Why are you following me?"

"I asked first." Connor breathes out a longer sigh.

"Fine. It's called 'The Impossible Knife of Memory.' It's about a girl named Hayley who struggles with issues with her dad. Happy?" Jared tilts his head in confusion.

"Why would you read a book like that?"

"It's relatable. Fuck off." Connor only realized what he said when he was around the corner of the hall. He is about to kick a locker in frustration when he notices Evan in the fetal position, face buried in his knees. Connor, walks towards him quickly, and looks down, stopping a few feet away. Connor hits his back on the locker next to Evan and slides down to sit next to him. Evan flinches, but doesn't move his head. Connor grabs Evan's hand from his knees and holds it gently. Evan decides to look up at this moment, realizing that it could be anybody next to him. When Connor sees Evan's look of shock and horror, Connor looks away, placing his own head on his knees. He closes his eyes, feeling the same emotions he felt the day he was planning to commit suicide. His heart pounded slowly, his breath was thin, and he just felt...guilty? Angry? Sad? Connor felt Evan's hand slip out of his own. Evan's warmth left his side, and his vision got darker. Connor opened his eyes to see Evan standing above him, hand outstretched. He really only had one choice at this point.

He took Evan's hand.