Or maybe that...

6 months have passed.

The end of the year was arriving soon and so was the end of the project. The group of five had only few months together and they knew it. Despite not knowing each other at the very beginning and have had highs and lows, those last months have been good overall. Nolan opened himself even more, to the point of feeling at ease with the group and they were happy to see him be more talkative. Now, a real friendship could be felt. For today, they were all at school, about to go to philosophy class.

"I hate philosophy." Declared Shawn, already annoyed.

"It's true that it's a little bit tough to follow." Admitted Calvin too.

"I like philosophy." Said Nolan.

"I don't how you do. It's boring."

"It's not boring. It's complex." Said the dark haired boy with a smile before all arrived at their classroom. Entering quickly alongside their classmates, they all took place at their seats before the teacher started the lesson of today.

"For today we will talk about something a little bit particular." Declared the teacher. "You know that last time we've started the subject of psychology and how our brain works. Evaluating all the circumstances and situations possible, now I have a question... Is killing unforgivable?"

"Of course!" Shouted out Shawn who suddenly felt more enthusiastic.

"Can you justify your answer, Shawn."

"There is nothing to justify. Killing someone is obviously wrong and unforgivable."

"True. But taking this question in our psychological context. You know that the Institut is making researches around the different types of personalities. What about those having mental disorder? Is it not their fault? Or is it? What about killing in those conditions?"

"It stays the same." Took back the redhead boy. "Killing is bad, simple as that. It takes someone's life."

"Does it apply to suicide?"

Shawn stood silent for a moment, taken by surprise.

"I... I don't know... in both case it's... horrible... I mean... If you end up to that, killing someone or killing yourself... It is horrible... It shouldn't happen in both cases..."

"Interesting answer. Does anyone else has more to say about that?" Asked the teacher before the rest of the class continued the lesson.

But from the group of five, the silence took place. And yet, Nolan looked in the void. The words of his friend resonated in him. Killing unforgivable? But... What if someone annoys you? What if someone is bad toward you? Is it bad to do? What if killing is sometimes the only escape...?

****

At lunch, the group of five ate their meal while discussing about everything and nothing. At a moment, Iris wanted to serve herself water.

"The carafe is empty." Said the girl, looking at it.

"I'll go fill it." Declared suddenly Nolan who grabbed the carafe and led to the water sink near by. There, the boy filled back the carafe, looking at the water. But suddenly someone bumped into him by carelessness, too much busy to laugh with his friends. Nolan turned and crossed blue eyes. It was again the boy that he fought with two times. But as soon as the blonde boy crossed Nolan's eyes, he widened. He was frightened. Bad memories were coming to him. The boy ran to the exit of the cafeteria, screaming like a kid who just saw a ghost. ''Yo bro!'' Shouted out one of his friend, confused. Few people around laughed at the boy's reaction. Nolan smiled. He liked that. Then he led back to his friends, serving Iris water before putting the carafe on the table.

"What's this guy problem?" Asked Shawn, confused.

"He looked terrified." Replied Calvin more intrigued than else.

Having seen this boy, Flora turned instinctively to Nolan.

"Talking about him, you didn't tell us what happened with the director?" She asked the dark haired boy before he quickly raised his eyes to her.

"There's nothing to say." He answered, going back to eat quickly.

"Why are you lying?" Questioned suddenly the blonde girl which forced Nolan to stop eating and shocked the others. A silence took place. He hated that.

"Lying? You're accusing me of lying?"

"You're acting too secretly on that. I just don't like it."

"It shouldn't be your concern."

"We're in the same project."

"I don't care." Replied the boy with a sense of disgust in his voice. All were shocked. He didn't care about this project?

"Then why are you here if--"

Nolan stood up suddenly, leaving the cafeteria.

"Why did you say that?" Intervened Shawn.

"I just asked a simple question that's all. I don't like that he may be hiding things from us."

"I don't think he's hiding anything Flora." Said Calvin. "He's just introverted, I guess."

Flora didn't know what to answer. She felt like she was only one of the group feeling something off with Nolan lately. Not even just lately but in general since the beginning. But maybe was she wrong? Maybe that all this program and spending all their time together each day was making her understand few things wrongly? Or maybe that...