"Ms. Ritter..." the principal's voice was polite but serious.

Lilith was surprised when she met him next to you at the door.

Because actually she was expecting you alone.

"What have you done?" She crossed her arms and looked back at the principal.

"Look, I don't think there's any reason for Y/n to get detentions," he continued.

"Sir, she attacked a student. It's not even a fair punishment, but it's the least thing I can do," she replied.

You rolled your eyes and waited for Mr. Phillips to continue. You had a lot of time to talk to him, which is why you told him the absolute truth.

He just shrugged.

"Sorry, Y/n but if your teacher insists..."

"Yeah I know." You nodded.

"Come on. It can't be that bad.", he gave Lilith his best smile and left you behind.

"Sit down," she said angrily.

You hurried to the last row, far away from Lilith's desk.

You heard her slam the door.

"I didn't know detention was so cruel," you said sheepishly.

"Although I could have guessed-"

"What is wrong with you?" She didn't seem to care that you were sitting far away from her.

Lilith's hand slammed onto the desk causing you to flinch.

"Lilith..." you said slightly startled to show her that she was clearly too aggressive.

"I wanted to talk to you," you finally said when she didn't respond, still looking angry.

"I- I wanted to ask..." you didn't know where to start and you were afraid of talking because she had intimidated you with her gaze.

"I was just wondering why you kissed me," you finally managed to get out.

"Because I don't think you wanted to do that." You got up from the chair and pushed it back.

"What is the reason? Do you enjoy teasing your students?" You were still calm, but you felt yourself slowly becoming more and more angry with her.

When she didn't say anything and just looked annoyed at the ceiling, you went to her desk. But before you could reach it, she already stood in front of you with crossed arms.

"You don't get it, do you? I don't want anything from you." She turned away.

"Look, you're nothing more than one of many students I've kissed at this stupid frat party." She tossed her hair.

Hurt on the inside, you swallowed and tried to keep listening to her.

But while she was saying some hurtful things, your gaze slowly dropped to the floor.

A feeling of worthlessness spread through your body.

"It doesn't take much for a grown woman like you to understand that it wasn't anything serious between us," she said.

Many things went through your mind. At the same time, you also felt empty. And again at the same time you tried to speak, but all your courage and confidence vanished at once and finally you didn't even open your mouth.

You headed straight for the door.

She wouldn't stop you.

She would not follow you to your apartment building because she was right. There was no connection between you and Lilith.

She was just a joke.

***

"Are you sure you're alright?" You asked Gabriel again. It was important to you to make sure that what happened this morning didn't depress him.

You knew he didn't like making a mountain out of a molehill.

"Gabriel, can I ask you something?" You flipped through a fashion magazine that Gabriel had in his

dorm.

"Sure, what is it?"

"How does it feel...not to be like the others?"

"Excuse me?" He touched his chest as if his heart would hurt.

"I don't know how to put this nicely. I know you're like everyone else. But then again, we're both different, because-" you continued.

"Because I'm into boys and so are you?" he joked, which calmed you down.

"You know what I mean," you replied.

"You mean because I'm gay?" He sat down next to you, resting his chin on his hand.

You just nod.

"Why do you ask? Is there anyone in particular?" He raised his eyebrows curiously and tensely.

Then you shook your head.

"I was just wondering what it would be like to be Gabriel Phillips," you replied.

"Do you feel different? Do you feel like you're not being accepted?"

"Is that a serious question?

Didn't you see for yourself what happened this morning? That's what I hear every day. But I don't care, after all I don't care about the opinions of others," he said easily.

"Right. But let's suppose you care what other people think of you..." you felt a strange tension.

"Well, then I'd probably go on living anyway," he replied as if that were a matter of course.

"How do you know that this is the right thing?" you probed.

He smiled and stretched.

"I don't know. I think I just...feel it".

***

"Darling darling, where are you going?" Two hands gently but firmly gripped your shoulders.

You left your school books at the cafeteria so you went back to get them. Nobody had been there but you and-

"Mr. Eastwood?" You tried to pull away from him as you looked him straight in the eyes.

"Please let go of me." Inhuman dangerous thoughts flooded your mind as you thought about him being your best friend's boyfriend.

To your surprise, he immediately let go of you. You took the opportunity and took a few steps back.

"What do you want?"

"You don't like me at all, do you?" He pulled out a chair and sat down.

Since you were on your lunch break, you were in no hurry. But you saw no reason neither to sit down nor to have a conversation with him.

"Tell me something new." You looked away.

"You haven't really had the chance to get to know me yet."

"Mr. Eastwood believe me, I already had the opportunity.", when you wanted to turn around he spoke again.

"You know you would understand me if-" you gave him your attention again.

"If you were in my situation."

"Fortunately, Mr. Eastwood, I'm not in your situation." You dropped the books on the table.

"Not only are you making yourself a criminal offence, you are endangering the life of a young student. You are also the leader of an illegal event. So in the situation you are in right now, Isaac, I would never get involved." You shook your head.

"At first I thought some stupid student was joking, but I realize a psychopath had that idiotic thought. And you're an adult." You clenched your fists.

It wasn't fair that a man like Mr. Eastwood was Harmony's partner.

"Harmony must be blind with love..." you grabbed your books and headed for the door, hoping he wouldn't pursue you.

"You know what Y/n, you're right!

You're absolutely right!" You heard him call out.

"But if you ever fall in love with an adult like Harmony did, I won't come to your rescue," he shouted.

You shuddered at these words coming from a lecturer.

Likewise, your whole body tingled, because you were already in the same situation as Harmony.