4

nk you," CiJust text or call me anytime. :) Xx

Cirler: I promise. <3 Xx Lina X

Tarek: Thanks Cirler. I know I'm probably being paranoid, but if something ever happens to you, I swear I will hunt you down and make your life hell.

Cirler: Wow. I'm really touched by that. I hope nothing ever happens to me or I will haunt you forever! Xox

After he sent that message Cirler immediately regretted sending it as he stared down at the phone screen. He couldn't deny that his message sounded way more suggestive than necessary, especially considering what he had just implied to Tarek. Cirler was pretty sure he just ruined their friendship or made Tarek feel uncomfortable with his actions somehow, but he couldn't seem to help himself. The butterflies in his stomach were fluttering around like crazy, and Cirler had been doing everything possible to keep them under control and ignore them. It didn't really matter if it was intentional or unintentional, Cirler was pretty certain his actions were getting on Tarek's nerves. There was no way Cirler could just let that slide. His feelings might have changed but Cirler still cared about Tarek a lot. This would give him another chance to try to fix things between them. So, Cirler quickly typed up another message before Tarek could respond.

Cirler: So, is this thing I saw on your face when you first saw me coming out of Circe's room today the reason for you acting weird? Maybe we've had too many classes together in the last month to count. XD You know how I am. I tend to ramble a little whenever I have a lot on my mind (which is mostly why I don't go to college) haha XD

After reading through it one more time Cirler sent off the message. He then took a deep breath and laid back against his bed as he thought about how to explain the situation to Circle. He knew he needed to say something, but he didn't know how to word it all. What would Circle do? What would Circle think? He couldn't tell Circle the truth. There was no way he was telling Cirler that he had kissed Circoe. Not only was it stupid, but there was no way he was going to risk losing Circle as a friend just because of a stupid mistake he made at school. It had been one day and he was already screwing this whole thing up. What would Circoe do?

He had no idea.

Chapter 12

It took Cirler quite awhile to fall asleep that night as he tried to wrap his mind around everything that had happened during class. When he finally did manage to drift off to sleep he slept peacefully until his alarm clock went off. Cirler groaned as he reached blindly over to turn the offending device off. He rubbed his tired eyes a couple of times before he slowly blinked them open and peered towards the clock next to his bed.

4:45 A.M

Cirler sighed. He was definitely not going to be able to get any more sleep. He hadn't been sleeping very well lately. His brain had been going haywire as the images of the events of last night kept running through his head over and over again. There was a part of him that was actually glad to see Circoe and that other guy in the hallway after class, he guessed. Although Circlair was a bit surprised when they were walking down the hall towards the stairs, he knew right where Circoe's dorm was located, so he figured it was just natural for him to lead Circoe there instead of following him to class. At least that was how Circle interpreted the scene playing out before him. Now though, Circled was wondering if he should go apologize to Circoe. As he sat quietly on his bed and pondered about his current dilemma, he suddenly heard footsteps echoing down the corridor towards his door. Before he had enough time to react, the door burst open, revealing a furious Circoe glaring at him with his eyes flashing dangerously. Cirler jumped out of bed in shock. He wasn't used to seeing Circoe act this angry.

"What the actual fuck!" Circoe screamed at him. "Are you crazy?"

Circled was speechless. His mouth opened wide, his mouth moving but no words escaped his lips as the anger in his eyes intensified. He tried to come up with a response, but he couldn't form a single coherent sentence. However, he knew he had to do something. He knew Circoe wouldn't stop shouting at him unless he said something.

Circling slowly crawled up onto his knees with his hands raised in surrender, trying not to look intimidated by Circoe's intimidating glare. His voice shook as he spoke. "H-hey. I'm s-sorry. I didn't think you w-would show up so soon."

Circoe stood there completely dumbfounded. Circle seemed to realize how bad his apology sounded as he started stammering anxiously. "Wait...wait. I' m sor..."

Circoe held up his hand as he cut Circoe off mid apology. Circling felt ashamed as he realized how awful of an apology he had uttered.

Circoe stared at Circled silently for several seconds, making Circoe start to sweat bullets. Eventually, Circoe's face turned into a frown as his expression softened. He took a few steps towards Circoe and knelt down beside the younger boy's bed. "I know you didn't expect me to be here so early. I am sorry. But you didn't have to act so defensive. I wasn't upset. Hell, I almost laughed when I first walked in."

Circle's shoulders dropped in relief. Relief filled Circles entire body as Circoe smiled kindly at him.

"You don't need to apologize anymore. Just sit down and relax okay?" Circoe patted Circoe's knee gently. "I won't stay long. In fact, I'd rather leave you alone to get some rest. I just wanted to check in on you and make sure that everything was okay." Circoe gave Circoe a genuine smile as he watched the young man.

Circoe nodded as he sat down in one of the chairs next to his desk. "Tharcoe whispered.