Two Player Game

~Chapter Three~

 He dashes out and down the block in time to catch his breath before the bus shows up. He can't imagine how difficult would be to make it to bus on time for Connor. Evan get on and sits next to Jared looking like hell.

"Morning."

"what happened to you? Get hit by a tornado on the way to the bus?"

"No, I, uh ... I didn't sleep much."

A small grin starts to form on Jared's face. "You were talking to him, weren't you?"

"Huh? Uh, I don't know what you mean."

He huffs. "You were. Now you wanted to know how I know he likes you."

"Well- Yeah..."

"Ok, well one obvious one, you two were texting each other all night."

"Okay, that doesn't count. What else?"

"I see now, he took up most of the space on your cast for his name. Asserting dominance. He doesn't want anyone else to have you."

"What? He did that because he knows I'm a loser and nobody was gonna sign it anyway."

"Well how many people did you actually ask to sign it?"

"...Two."

"See? If you ask more people they probably would actually consider signing it, but now they can't because Conner."

"Well... That's an entire other side..."

"Well-!" Then Connor sits in the seat next to Evan and Jared.

"C-Conner" Evan stutters.

"Well you look like shit." Connor replies.

"A'int that the truth." Jared leans his head on the window. It's early

"Sleep well?"

"Shut up, you know I didn't, Hansen." Connor snaps at him.

"Bam! Proof." Jared says, suddenly.

"Shut up!"

"What are you talking about?"

"Just about-"

"Nothing, don't worry about it!" Evan cuts him off. Jared chuckles to himself.

"If you say so, and hey Connor, nice hair. Very school shooter sheik." He repeats. Connor glares.

"Calm down wey, just teasin' ya." He makes this face that irritates him so much. he practically growls "mhm"

"So I, uh... I see you're not done pretending you're friends with me." This takes Connor by surprise. He blinks. "Sure."

They get to school and Jared's gone. He's got stuff he needs to do. Conner and Evan have a couple of classes together and they both think it's so cool. It's great, they've both got a friend now!! A real friend!! At some point, Evan finds Zoe again to try and talk to her.

"H-Hi, Zoe."

"Hey, Even, right?"

"Yeah! yeah, it is, Evan, that's me!" He's not with Connor this time.

Zoe looks down at his cast. "I see you got Connor to sign your cast"

He looks at it as if he's only just seeing it now. "Uh.... Yeah he did. Isn't that nice? Just... right across... really big." God, he's suddenly embarrassed and can't tell why.

"That IS really nice of him. He didn't even bother to sign my cast when we were little. But what are brothers for, right?" She's a little embarrassed herself.

"I guess so." he laughs a little nervously. "He's- He's a nice guy, Connor is"

"Yeah..."

Evan Doesn't know what to say, he's at a loss. "So- I forgot to ask, when's the next band function? I just- I just want to make sure I show up on the right day at the right time."

She's a little disappointed that she's too scared to give him her number. "It's next month, 13th at 7." She pauses. "But if you want, you can come to one or two of our practices. I'm sure you'd be let in."

"Oh, r-really? Cool! I'll- I'll totally come to one!" 

She smiles. "Cool, I'll see you tomorrow Evan!"

Zoe turns and walks away. She'll ask Jared for his number, she's sure he has it. Jared has everyone's number.

 "B-Bye Zoe." He's blushing a little. God she's beautiful. Evan's on cloud nine all the way to the end of the day when he gets on the bus with Connor. 

"Hey Connor!"

"Evan, we meet once again!"

"So my folks won't be home for a bit, wanna come to my place?"

"Uhhh," Evan's face heats up. "S-Sure, Connor, totally."

"Nice. Glad to know you like me that much, treeboy."

"wh- I- uh- well we are friends."When they get there, they exit the bus and Evan sort of follows Connor inside. 

"Uh... Nice h-house."

"Sure. The roof is where it's at though. It's best to be up there at night."

"Yeah?"

"Yep. Maybe I'll show you some time." He flops onto the couch and sighs. "So what do you do normally, plant child?"

"uh... not a lot... I read a lot. Watch Netflix." 

"Don't go anywhere?" Evan shakes his head. "Join the club."

----At The Same Time----

Zoe catches up with Jared in the Jazz Band room. Zoe with her guitar and Jared with his trombone. 

"hey Jared,"

"Zo! What can I do ya for, darlin?" She always blushes when he calls her that. It's just a name he calls people when he flirts with them. Then again, he flirts with everyone.

"I was wondering if you just so happen to have Evan Hansen's ... number."

"Oh Dear God you actually like him."

"What??" Her face heats up majorly.

"You know he's been hitting on you since like the eighth grade."

"Can you just give me his number please?"

"Yeah, sure, but, uh, you're gonna have to do something for me." He whispers it in her ear like it's some sort of movie. 

"I can't do that! He'll murder me!"

"Well sure you could. It's not impossible." Zoe's hesitating. "C'mon, you want his number, right?"

".....fine." She pauses. "You fulfilled the bet right?"

"Oh I learned it alright." And Jared starts playing the tune to the beginning on Roundabout.