↔IMPULSE↔

↔Nice↔

Lately Gabriel had been getting horrible headaches.

They were horrible, Gabe spent some days home because they were excruciating. Archie liked to drop by for surprise visits when he wasn't feeling good bearing gifts which were usually food.

Dory was still being a dick about Gabe being friends with Archie, honestly, when would he get over it? On weekends Gabe would dress up in his band clothes and go out with Archie and the band when he could and some nights Archie would spend the night in with Gabe doing completely mundane things like watching TV or playing cards on his bed.

The end of freshman year was rapidly approaching and Gabe, Reese, Blake, Dory, and Nikki we all back in Reese's living room for a cram session for finals. They had a couple pizza boxes and two litres on the coffee table while books and papers were spread across the floor and couch.

About three hours in, Dory was bored and drooling all over his history textbook. Nikki was trying her best to stay focused, Reese was playing with the marinara sauce that came with his breadsticks by using a half eaten piece of bread as a brush, drawing on his paper plate.

Blake, however, was a force to be reckoned with. It kind of freaked Gabe out how single minded he was. Despite acting like a complete dumbass jock, Blake had serious focus. Several rings of flashcards   were next to him as he skimmed his math book for formulas.

Gabe was more like Nikki, trying his best but bored to death. At least he was bored until Archie dropped in with a smile.

"I smell pizza," he said sitting next to Gabe.

Dory perked up like a watchdog and growled like one too. "What are you doing here?"

Nikki swatted Doria's arm, "of course he can join us." Dory's look darkened.

Archie slung his arm over Gabe's shoulder and kissed his temple, "how's your head today?"

He smiled at the gesture, "better."

"What about your stomach?"

"Meh." Gabe scooted closer to Archie so he could rest his head on his shoulder.

Dory pointed at them and snapped his fingers, "Nuh-uh! Separate!"

Archie smirked and wrapped his arm tighter around Gabe. Dory stood up and separated them, squeezing between them, Gabe had to scoot over so he wouldn't get sat on. Blake glanced over at them annoyed, "shut up!"

Reese snapped back to reality, he put his food down and plopped his cheek on Blake's shoulder and rubbed against him like a cat. Gabe watched Blake's sharp expression soften as he smiled at Reese, why didn't Dory get snippy with them for being so close?

Blake, now in a better mood, "we should take a break. You guys must be tired."

Nikki cheered, "Oh thank God!"

Gabe leant forward a little and saw Archie resting his cheek on his knee, looking over at Gabe with a smile, his blue eyes had a weird look in them but it was still pretty cute. His cheek was mashed up, squishing his face a little.

Dory intersected his view and his blue eyes were suddenly replaced with Dory's, his face was close to his, it was a little startling. "You okay, Gabe?"

The smaller teenager sputtered out, "what? Me? Y-yeah, 'course." His face tinged pink in embarrassment. His breath smelled like garlic from the pizza and he had on a small, dopey, lop-sided grin that Gabe felt his heart tighten at.

"Can I stay over tonight?" Dory asked.

Gabe opened his mouth then closed it and looked away, "Um, I won't be staying home tonight..."