For the first time in what seemed to be like a long time, the feeling of anger and loss was slowly disappearing. He channelled all his energy into sports and lessons with Norah. It was finally beginning to get better.

Like being thrown ice cold water, his good mood was extinguished over night. He was not allowed to go back home to see his family like everyone else. It was a slap in the face because he was positive that his banishment was an exception on holidays. He hoped that after nearly three months of absence, his father's anger would have abated and they would miss him. All his friends have left for holidays or were seeing an extended family in London.

But Norah didn't let him sulk, and the week had flown by thanks to her constant company. It was the most productive month Rafe had since coming to Berkshire. He had completed all of his coursework and now he knew how to wash and iron his own clothes. The whole process was fascinating. At one point he truly felt like a Karate Kid when Norah was teaching him how to iron. He was tired and hot, and his shoulder was getting pins and needles. He went through a lot of shirts. Rafe never met a person more obsessed with neat lines and symmetry.

Ironing had been a whole new experience. There was something relaxing about it. It was gratifying to see creases disappear with a stroke of the iron. T-shirts and pants were easy, he struggled with the school shirts, but getting praise from Norah was a whole new achievement of its own. She yelled at him a couple of times and ended up with one burnt shirt because he almost fell asleep half way, but overall it was safe to say the learning experience was a success.

Feeling like a new man, he made his way to the pub to enjoy a drink and watch the Premier League. He earned his night out.

Luke, Tom, and Amber were already back from their respective half term breaks. He was looking forward to seeing them. Not once had Norah agreed to go on a drink with him. So he was glad for a more fun company.

Rafe got himself a pint and nestled in their usual seat with a couch. They were catching up on the recent events, the usual school gossip, and had a customary discussion about how none of them was looking forward to school.

Rafe sat listening to the conversations, all the while rubbing his sore wrist.

Luke noticed the gesture and snickered. "What's wrong with your wrist?"

Rafe shrugged. "It's sore, I've been writing non-stop this week." It was also probably because of all the ironing he did this morning, but he decided not to mention that or he'd never hear the end of it.

Tom laughed out loud. "Yeah. Right. You've been 'writing'."

Luke didn't miss an opportunity to chime in, "Hey mate, it's all right. You're all alone in that tiny room. No Parisian models around. One gets lonely."

"Oh fuck off," Rafe said with a roll of his eyes.

Tom laughed as he high fived Luke.

"Never shaking your hand again," Luke added.

"I wasn't alone, I was with Norah. She helped me study," he explained.

Luke choked on his beer. "Did she now?"

"Yeah," Rafe said with a grin. "I think maybe I have a chance to ace these exams after all".

* * *

"Achoo." Norah sneezed into her sleeve.

"Bless you," Benny said as he offered her a tissue. "Someone must be talking about you."

"I hope it's my teacher thinking of ways to give me extra credit," she replied as she accepted it. They sat in their usual local café, catching up. Norah ordered her usual spicy chai latte with a chocolate chip muffin and Benny was having the sunday special He let out a sigh and propped his head on his hand.

"Can't believe you spent the whole week with Rafe," he said with a coy smile.

"I think you're over-imagining things. It's really frustrating and tough at times."

"The Norah I know would be holed up in the library alone during the half-term break," Benny said raising his eyebrows. "Looks like he wormed his way into your heart."

"Cut it out. Can we move on from Rafe now? Honestly."

Benny gave her a concerned look. "You know if Hazel finds out, things will not be pretty. I mean, she hates you already, but if she finds out you spent the whole term break together... I heard they made out two weeks ago at Alex's party."

As much as she wanted to move on from the topic, she couldn't help but feel a little disappointed. She also couldn't understand why the news make her a little upset. Maybe it was because she was sure Rafe had better standards than to be with Hazel- a bitchy, mean, self-obsessed girl with absolutely no personally. He needed someone better, smarter and more mature.

Norah scoffed. "I don't care. She's an idiot."

Benny shrugged.

"Enough about me. How was your date? You know, with the guy you met on social media?"

"Call it by its name: Instagram. Even my grandmother doesn't use that term anymore," he said with a laugh.

Norah gave him a pointed look. She didn't care that she didn't have any accounts. It was just a waste of time.

Benny sighed wistfully and stirred his hot chocolate. "Well his name is Louis. It was great. He's great. So talented and creative. London is just so diverse and accepting. I'm so tired of homophobes and racists and right wing fascists in this town."

"Did you spend the whole week with him?"

"Yeah. Him and his friends. He has amazing friends."

"You have amazing friends. Well, friend," Norah said with a smirk and pointing at herself. As much as she was happy for Benny, she was wondering if she would be cast aside and Benny would choose to live with his boyfriend instead.

"Of course I do," he said, patting her hand.

"Did you talk to your father?" Norah asked gently. Benny telling his father about his sexual orientation was a taboo subject.

Benny wrapped his arms around himself and avoided Norah's gaze. He let out a heavy sigh and shook his head. "I couldn't do it."

Norah stirred her drink and didn't give any sign of emotion. She told herself that she was here to listen, not to judge or scold. Benny had wanted to come out to his father ever since she met him on her first day of school when she moved from London.

Benny's father, Gary, was old-fashioned. He was a plumber who recently found solace in drinking ever since losing his wife to cancer. You would always find him having several pints a night at the local pub, at the same table, at the same time.

"You will have to tell him one way or another Benny, especially if you're in a relationship. He'll suspect," she said.

"Well... it's easier said than done. It's bad enough he hasn't been himself since my mum died. I think if I tell him I'm gay, he will be sick. I mean, have you seen him? He's a heart attack waiting to happen. I don't want to be the one to provoke him," he explained. "I feel like I'm already a disappointment to him."

"Don't say that," Norah scolded. He was a gentle soul and the dilemma he was facing, she couldn't imagine how she would've handled it in his position.

"So we have school tomorrow. I guess you're going back to study?" Benny asked.

Norah. grinned. "You know what? I think I want to take a break from studying. I was thinking maybe go back to mine, get a bottle of wine and watch a movie."

"Who are you and what have you done with Norah?" Benny said with glee. In a second, he waved for the waitress to bring the bill. They paid and headed for the exit.

Norah laughed. "I think Rafe's carefree Italian attitude is rubbing off me the wrong way," she said.

Benny draped his lanky arm over Norah's shoulders. "I think I like the new you!"