The pencil rolled along the table, bounced off, then shot to the ceiling. Lee watched it with disinterest, becoming bored with his homework. With a flick of his hand, the pencil fell to the ground. Lee knew he could use his powers for more important things, but right now he was just serving his boredom. He focused again, and the pages of his textbook flipped back and forth. Lee sighed, knowing that nothing could help him concentrate on writing an essay. Besides, his neighbors on the other side of the wall were making a racket. So he picked up his pencil and closed his book, staring at the badly painted white wall in front of him.

Although he didn't remember being placed here, Lee knew it happened shortly after his third birthday. He saw his parents' obituaries by accident, and he put enough information together to know that he was a small child when his parents died. Ever since then, Lee spent many hours staring at these walls, usually moping. He knew he wasn't the luckiest person, but sometimes he felt stabs of anger at how unfair life was to him. But now wasn't one of those times. Instead, he let his eyes slip out of focus in slight confusion and, strangely, happiness.

He was thinking of that moment a few days ago, when he felt accepted for the first time in his life. Thinking back on it now, he was able to process the scene a little bit more, so that he could fully appreciate what Seth said to him. He was also able to mentally focus on Seth's face, remembering how his expression was tightened in concern. Lee couldn't help but think that Seth was very good-looking, with his clear blue eyes, chin-length black hair, and flawless pale skin, together with a trace of British royalty in his features. Lee suddenly shook his head, getting the image out of his mind. He felt almost sick with longing, and even sicker with dejection. There was no use in falling for someone who could get anyone he wanted.

I knew something had to be different with me. It was as if the universe felt the need to throw new problems at me, knowing full well I could hardly handle what I had on my plate. This time, the darkness barely filled my eyes as I turned away, feeling disgusted. This was wrong, unnatural. How much of a fucking disgrace did I have to be? I scratched my arms, trying to scrape away the disgust I had for myself. But I guess this was it—I was tainted.

Lee shook his head again. He needed to stop thinking about the past. This was not disgusting, it was perfectly fine. Still, he felt a pang of the old self-hatred every time he tried to convince himself that it was okay. He managed to stop himself when his hands went instinctively to his arms, trying to scratch. This was one impulse he needed to work on.

Unfortunately, he hadn't seen a doctor since he was first diagnosed. He had a very deep fear of doctors, especially psychologists. All he needed was a slip of paper to get his prescription, and then he got out as fast as possible. There was no use talking about his problems. Therapists were paid to listen; they didn't really care. So why should he bother? Besides, if he admitted half of what was on his mind, he would be institutionalized for sure. Doctors heard the word "psychosis" as "batshit crazy." 'And I guess they're right,' Lee thought to himself, looking down at his scarred arms.

There was no use ruminating. Lee saw the sky darken outside his window, and decided to get something to eat. After a day of failed essay-writing and pointless thinking, he was getting hungry.

Lee wasn't the only one staring at a wall for a majority of the day. Seth lay on his bed, thinking harder than he did in a long time. His homework lay unfinished on his desk, but he didn't care about that. He didn't even feel the need to turn on the TV or play video games, as he usually did when homework bored him. For a second, he thought about texting his best friend, Diana, but as his thin hand reached for the phone, he stopped. He realized he didn't want to tell her what was going on inside his head.

At first he thought he was sick, but a quick search of symptoms didn't lead to any illness. His head ached, but Seth knew that was because he couldn't eat or sleep. It felt as though he had consumed several energy drinks and then been forced to give a speech in front of a huge audience. His heartbeat was rapid, like he had been running, and butterflies fluttered painfully in his stomach. What was going on?

All this started a few days ago, after he decided to follow that sad-looking guy in his class. He had noticed Lee on the first day of class, and it was hard not to—Lee was the only red-head Seth had ever seen. But this was not the only thing that drew his eye. Seth felt almost saddened by the darkness in Lee's eyes. He couldn't quite explain why he was so keenly affected by someone he didn't know. Still, when he saw Lee's hasty departure from class, Seth couldn't help but wonder what was happening.

Seth had followed Lee in the direction of the unused third floor bathrooms while everyone else bustled toward their next classes. But he wasn't prepared for what he would encounter in that bathroom. When he slipped in unnoticed, he saw that one of the stalls was occupied. For a split second, Seth assumed there was nothing out of place happening, but then he heard the strangled sob. He stopped dead, quietly leaning against the sinks and making sure Lee was unaware of his presence. Seth stood motionless for the next few minutes as he listened to the sobs, pleas for help, scratching, and maniacal laughter. It was that last sound that rooted Seth to his spot, hardly daring to breathe. A strange feeling of pity welled up within Seth's chest, and this was something he was not accustomed to. His hand went instinctively to his heart, as though trying to restrain it from beating out of his chest. When Lee finally emerged from the stall, Seth nearly lost all his composure, and his limbs became weak.

That's when the symptoms started. Seth mulled it over before turning back to his phone. He didn't have to tell Diana everything—just the weird feelings he was having. Maybe she would know something about this. Weren't girls supposed to know about emotions?

After listing the symptoms, Seth inquired about what it all meant. Surprisingly, Diana texted back almost immediately. Seth raised a brow at her quick reply, but looked at her answer.

"It's called love, silly."

Everything was far too quiet. I looked around, seeing nothing but endless lockers and classroom doors along the corridor. There seemed to be no trace of life here. I sighed, knowing that this didn't mean anything.

I went to the bathroom and splashed some water in my face. I needed the cool water to wake me up from another fugue, one that threatened to take over. I gasped for breath and looked up. The water drops trailed down my face and saturated a few locks of red hair. Hopefully I could face the rest of the day without interference.

That thought fled my mind as soon as the restroom door creaked open. Shit. This was the last thing I needed today. I barely had time to glance over at the intruder before a fist connected with my face. It was David.

"How's it going, fag?"

I tried to retort, but he punched me again. My open mouth quickly filled with blood, which I spit into the sink. David just laughed, and as I turned to face him, I saw that he had two of his cronies with him. That could only mean bad things.

"What do you want?" I growled.

David smiled grotesquely, but said nothing. In one swift motion, he grabbed the front of my shirt and lifted me off the ground. Then he flung me against the wall. My head connected with the solid plaster and a gush of warm blood dripped from the new wound. I felt my limbs go numb, and my vision started to waver.

"You know what? This kid's growing on me," said David, his voice laced with malice. I didn't want to know what he was thinking. It was bad enough that I sat here defenseless and badly hurt. I saw him approach, and my stomach filled with lead.

When he picked me up again, I let my arms fall to my sides, unable to muster the strength to fight back. This time, he grabbed my shirt collar and shoved me unceremoniously onto the sinks. I didn't understand this, and part of me didn't want to understand. I was used to his bullying by now, but this was something new. Still, the little bit of survival instinct left in me caused my feet to flail out in the hopes of kicking him. My foot connected with flesh, and suddenly I felt my legs being pinned down. David was holding me down. But why?

Questions and frail thoughts raced through my mind as David's hulking sidekicks grabbed each of my arms. Alarmed, I tried to yell out, but David forcefully covered my mouth. I didn't even know what I could say to possibly end this, but at this point my brain was turning to mush from pain and confusion. Then David bent me over the sinks.

All the energy left in me was drained, mostly from fear. My muscles suddenly slackened, worn out from being tensed for so long, and my eyes closed of their own accord. Whatever this was, I didn't want to see it. There was no point in trying to fight. I vaguely sensed that David was crudely shoving my pants down, and that was when I gave up. I sobbed weakly and prepared for the worst…

"No!"

Lee bolted up, covered in cold sweat and dried tears. For a moment he lunged out and tried to defend himself, but eventually he realized that he was safe in bed. His shaking fingers gripped at the sheets as he attempted to calm himself down. But this was proving to be difficult; his breathing came out in ragged gasps, and he couldn't control his trembling. It had been a long time since that nightmare haunted him.

"It's okay, Lee," he whispered to himself. "He's not here. You're okay."

He took another shaking breath, and let it out slowly. After giving himself a few minutes to recuperate, Lee looked around, making sure it really was his bedroom and not that school bathroom. His eyes darted from the window to the clock, where its face read 3 am. Lee closed his eyes, feeling a headache creep into his brain. 'I guess I should try to sleep again,' he thought. He looked over at his nightstand, where a pill bottle glinted orange in the moonlight. Lee paused. 'Aw, fuck it.' He shook out two pills, and swallowed them before laying back down.

Seth put his phone down slowly, feeling the realization wash over him. As much as he didn't want to believe Diana, she was usually right. But at the same time, he felt his stomach tense nervously, unused to this emotion. He never felt so confused in his life.

Tomorrow was Monday, which meant that Seth would face Lee once again. He wondered whether it would be awkward to see him, or even start a conversation—Seth paused. Why was his chest fluttering uncomfortably? He shook it off, taking a deep breath and reminding himself that Lee was just some guy. No need to freak out. Hell, Lee probably forgot about him already.

Lee sighed nervously. He couldn't get his hair to lie flat. After a night of awful dreams, anxiety, and then drug-induced sleep, Lee woke to messy bedhead and drool stuck to the corners of his mouth. He tried his best to comb the red locks into submission, then washed his face clean of sweat and tears. His stomach knotted when he thought about seeing Seth again. Ever since that Friday afternoon, Lee could barely think about anything else. He frowned, feeling the nervous tension turn into a weight at the bottom of his stomach.

Seth was perfect; there was no denying that. Lee turned his mind's eye to Seth's pale face, tightened with concern as he leaned against the bathroom sinks. There was no way Seth could possibly—Lee froze. He felt tears burn in his eyes. 'Why am I thinking about this? I already know the answer,' he thought miserably. Lee lifted his hand up, thinking angrily about how much life taunted him with unattainable goals. He tightened his fingers into a fist, and his bathroom mirror shattered.