Not Based on a Lie

More Harm Than Good

[Hey, uh, apologies for the super long hiatus,,, I was pretty stuck on what to write for this chapter, and I was pretty occupied with other things for most of December... But I have ideas now, so I should be good. Also, apologies for the characterisation in this chapter... it's,, not great... But I don't know how else to write it... EDIT: also, forgot to mention that during that time, we hit 1.2K reads, and oh my god tysm. It's so cool that so many people are seeing this story, and so many people like it?? I don't really understand but I love writing it so,,] 

Jared sat in Maths class, staring at the back of his boyfriend's head in the seat in front of him. According to the clock, there were fifteen minutes until the bell would ring to signal the end of the day.

Evan was watching the teacher, copying down everything she wrote on the board. He was working in his maths book, but Jared could see the sketchbook peeking out of his bag. He'd been fighting the strong urge to take it and see what he'd been drawing for about half an hour now, but his wish to keep Evan's trust was stronger.

Jared was pulled out of his thoughts as he felt a tap on his shoulder. He turned to see Amy McVeigh, waving a note in his general direction with obvious disinterest. He raised an eyebrow at her and she shrugged, waving it again. Jared quickly took the note and hid it under his desk, looking up at the teacher to check he wasn't paying attention, before unfolding it and flattening it onto his notebook, instantly recognising the handwriting as belonging to Alana Beck.

Jared,

Stay back after class. I need to talk to you about the Connor Project.

Make sure your boyfriend stays as well.

-Alana

P.S. all of us can see you staring at him. Teri says they might throw up if they have to watch it any longer so I'd suggest you stop.

Jared didn't turn, but nodded slightly, hoping Alana could see. He picked up his pen to scribble a reply, barely writing a word before-

"Mister Kleinman! Taking notes, I hope?"

Jared's head snapped up and saw the teacher glaring at him, he nodded quickly, putting down his pencil.

"Then I'm sure you wouldn't mind solving for a, would you?"

He glanced over the equation on the board for a moment, before shrugging "It's one."

"It's... It is one. Good job, I guess..." He turned around and muttered something under his breath before returning to the lesson.

Jared tilted his head to look at his book for the rest of the lesson, though his eyes remained on Evan. He heard Teri Cleary-Gorton make quiet retching noises from a few rows behind him, and raised his hand slightly in a thumbs up so they could see, which prompted a few quiet giggles from a few of the people behind him.

When the bell finally rang, Jared packed up his barely touched stationery, and stood up, moving to stand next to Evan's desk.

Jared saw him quickly kick the sketchbook further into his bag before he stuffed his maths book and pencil case in and stood up, looking at Jared.

"Alana wants us to stay after class to talk," he half-whispered. Evan nodded and looked over to her, while Jared watched their teacher leave the room, clearly not caring about the lingering students.

~~~

"Thank god you guys stayed," Alana appeared next to them, and Evan jumped a little, having looked away from her for only a few seconds. "I was worried you were gonna be too lost in each other's eyes to remember."

Jared rolled his eyes "Alana, you passed the note less than ten minutes before the bell..."

"I do not doubt the power of your obsession with each other. Anyway, I needed to talk to you guys. About the Connor Project."

Evan nervous glanced at Jared nervously and bit his lip, taking his hand. "Look, about that-"

Alana cut him off before he could finish. "Look, there's been a lot of negative comments directed towards the Murphys, but look, the project is growing so much since Evan posted that letter. We just need something to put an end to the hate directed at the Murphys and we can keep going..."

Evan bit down harder on his lip at the suggestion that it was him who posted it, digging his fingernails into Jared's hand a little without realising, but quickly fixing it at a sharp intake of breath.

Alana only continued talking, seemingly oblivious to their obvious discomfort.

"Alana..." Evan spoke quietly, but Alana kept talking.

"Alana." Jared tried this time, but she glared at him for a moment and quickly returned to talking.

"Alana!" Evan yelled this time, making her jump. "Look, I appreciate your efforts, I really do, but... something happened... With the Murphys. We can't continue the Connor Project. It's too much and it's causing more harm than good at this point."

Alana's smile faded "But... Evan... We need this. It's so important. This means so much to so many people..."

Jared nodded "Evan's right. It's helped a lot of people, but it's also hurt people, and badly. The Murphy family has received hate mail, accusations, death threats. All because of this stupid fucking project. We need to stop it, Alana, before it gets too out of hand."

Evan smiled at him gratefully, glad that Jared had been able to put into words what he couldn't. Alana's expression shifted from confusion to anger.

"But what about the hundreds of thousands of other people it's helped? We've changed lives, guys! We can't stop here, there's so much work we still need to do. You're prioritising three people over millions!"

"Alana... I can't keep doing this if it means anyone is in danger because of it. The Murphys hardly feel safe in their own home... They became almost like a second family to me, I don't want them to be in danger any more."

"And what about the money, Evan? We raised so much money for the orchard. People trusted us with their money to do something great, we can't just shut it down!"

Alana glared at him and he felt tears form in his eyes and his heart sink to the ground, her yelling and wild gesturing becoming too much. His lip started to tremble slightly before Jared cut in.

"Look, Alana, you can continue the project, but keep it quieter, stop making it all about Connor and his family, move it to the orchard, and suicide as a whole. Take the focus off the Murphys, take the funds and help get the orchard back up and running again. Evan and I can no longer help, ask Zoe if you have to, but if she says no, leave her be. I'm sorry, Alana, but that's the way it is."

Evan smiled at Jared gratefully, trying to resist the urge to kiss him right then and there. Alana, on the other hand, seemed to be tearing up. She held her books close to her chest, continuing to glare at the two of them.

"Fine. It's clear you guys don't care anymore, and I'll have to continue it myself. Now, if you don't mind, I have a lot more work to get to."

With that, she turned on her heel and rushed out of the room, clearly trying to hide her tears.

The two stared after her for a moment, before Jared tugged at Evan's hand gently, and they started walking to their lockers, both of them trying to process what had just happened.