That morning, Owen offered him a ride to school and of course he jumped at the opportunity, figuring that the man held an ulterior motive to his actions because he was always like a hellhound in the mornings. So when he offered a ride from his own mouth, it had to be a miracle that he wasn't expecting something in return. Like that one time he dropped Tristan to school and introduced himself to Miles, even though the two assholes already knew each other and played him like a fool. Yeah, Tristan would never forget that.

There he was, bathed and ready, and waiting for his little and only brother to come downstairs so he could glorify him with the news of his extended presence. And although Tristan already had a ride, he texted Miles not to come.

Aww… okay, meet you at your locker?

He quickly agreed.

Owen wore a pair of sunglasses on his face, his eyes were either on the road or on his mirrors making no attempt at conversation. The radio was blasted full force which cut most of the tension between the two. Tristan had entirely given up and settled at looking out of the window until they got to school, curious on his intentions. And soon enough, he heard the music being toned down and turned his head as his brother took a long breath and said, "I'm quitting school."

He couldn't say that he didn't see this coming. The fact that Owen showed any interest in college practically threw them all under the bus. Because his brother had enough trouble with high school as it is and he just didn't see him as someone who could sit through a three-hour lecture. But he also knew Owen had made an effort. Made a complete 180 on his grades in a matter of months and kept brochures from potential colleges clipped to his new bulletin board.

"And when did you come to that conclusion?" Tristan asked in genuine curiosity.

"Honestly, I've known for quite a while. I'm not 100% sure what I want to do yet, and I think spending thousands of dollars for something I'm doubting isn't worth it."

"You know ma's gonna kill you, right?"

"I know." Owen swallowed, keeping his eyes on the road, "Honestly, after Anya and I started dating, she made me think a lot about my future, made me want to become something more of myself. And then I went to college, blanked out one second and I was totally lost. Some professors didn't let me use a computer and when I hand-wrote notes, I could barely understand them. So I was pretty stressed the first couple of weeks and came back home completely ready to stay there. But then you guys cheered and there was confetti and all of my favorite foods and mom actually had the happiest expression I've seen on her in years. And when I say years, I mean when I turned three and you were born."

"Thanks for that." Tristan grumbled.

"So I was like shit, I have no other choice and went back even though I completely hated it. Eventually it did get better, but it still isn't what I want. It wasn't about me anymore, but I stuck through it just to make other people happy. And laying there in bed, I realized this wasn't what Anya wanted for me at all. She wanted me to think about my future, and when I thought about it – that's just it – I couldn't think about it, not in Business. And so I freaked and came here and when I wasn't here I was hanging out at a bud's place." Tristan stared at him with an incredulous look, "Got some of my friend's to tape the lectures for me and I am going back for exams, but after that…"

"You're staying?"

"I miss playing hockey with my friend's, I miss shooting hoops with the boy's across the street, I miss waking up to the fighting and going downstairs to chew our parent's out. I want to come back, take a year off, and decide from there what I want to do with the rest of my life."

"Seems like you already have this planned out."

Owen interrupted him, "When you have so much time to think to yourself, man, you have too. I'd rather not waste another minute there. Though I don't see Ma taking this lightly, she probably won't let me back into the house so I may need a back up plan."

Tristan nodded like he understood and turned back towards the window, watching their reflection through the glass, "… You took a long time to tell me… but I get it, I really do. You're scared, but you know I'd support you over anything bro, I love you."

There was silence on the other end which caused him to sink in momentary embarrassment, "… You think you can warn me first before you spring mushy crap like that on me?" He blinked and turned back towards Owen who wore a twisted face.

"You said something similar when I was in the hospital and it cheered me right up?" Tristan said in confusion.

"I'm not you though, I won't melt at the sound of some dude cajoling me."

Tristan felt his eyebrow twitch, "What's that supposed to mean asshole?"

"Exactly what it's supposed to mean, bro.. Hey, I'm driving here!" Owen growled as he swerved into the degrassi parking lot and turned to glare at him. He watched Tristan's expression turn blank as he looked in front of them and glanced forward to see what he was staring at, "… Woah, you think someone got shot?"

Tristan scoffed and cracked open the door, sliding out of the car as he struggled for his bag, "I don't want to know." Though I'll definitely find out.

"Yeah, well hey I was just kidding before, alright? It really means a lot, than-"

"Apology not accepted!" Tristan intervened and stuck out his tongue, closing the door. He turned and wandered inside at a slow pace, passing the two uniformed officers at the entrance talking amongst themselves.

A few seconds to himself before he turned towards his path – catching sight of something which made him smile evilly. He took large steps towards the couple and quickly shoved his way in between them, forcing their hands apart.

"Hey!" Zig sulked and Maya smiled largely as he turned towards them, sticking his tongue out playfully.

"Tomorrow, after school?" She asked.

"You're on. Maybe. I'll have to ask my boyfriend, we were planning to see a movie tomorrow."

She scoffed and shrugged it off, passing a smile to Zig who grudgingly took her hand again, "You guys are practically on each other 24/7. He's gotta learn how to share you or break up with him and go out with someone cuter."

"I'll keep that in mind." He laughed and turned back towards his path to give them some privacy. He paused, and sent a look past their way, "By the way, do you know why there's so many cops at the school?"

"Don't know. I don't keep my stash in my locker anymore so I'm safe. That's all that matters." Maya sent her boyfriend a look, "… I mean, I don't have it in my possession at all!"

Tristan rolled his eyes in amusement, whatever, and hurried along. He blinked and bumped shoulders with someone in his path, who turned to him and grinned, sliding her hand around his arm.

"Well hello handsome, you're looking great today, what's the occasion?"

"Do I need a reason to look fab?" He sang as they struggled through the mess of students littering the halls.

"Is Little Boy Blue asking for too much now?"

Tristan snickered at that, "No, trust me, he never asks for anything" which made her scoff.

"Gloating now? That's funny. And doubtful." She added, interrupting him as he opened his mouth, "No, but seriously, I'm glad you two are together. Even though I wish you could have told me, which I'll never forgive you for by the way, I mean, even Maya knew! … But anyway, I think he's much better than the other guy." Tristan blinked, and at the same time could not hide the grin forming over his lips, "You look me in the eye now, you don't look like you want to cry 24/7, and you finally answer your texts."

"That was just a phrase, but no worries, that's all over now." Tristan reassured, "Though, what happened about all men being pigs?"

"Oh they are." Zoe stressed, "But even pigs need love."

"Oh stop it!" They both shared a laugh before Zoe caught sight of familiar black and green hair passing them across the divided hallway. She let go of him, and quickly whisked away before he can question her, "Gotta go!"

"What the…?" He lifted his eyebrow, but shook his head out of it set towards his path. He quickly slipped out his phone to text his boyfriend hoping Miles was here, when something out of the corner of his eye forced him to stop. He looked up and slowed as he sent the message, moving in front of the door. He watched as a few police officers littered the room, a box sat on the desk while materials were spread messily around it, Mr. Simpson and a woman with a small lanyard badge were talking amongst each other looking oblivious to what were happening around him. The student's passed him by, unknowing to his growing anxiety.

And then Mr. Simpson looked up briefly, and began walking towards the door, towards him. He stopped right in front of him and said his name, "Tristan Milligan. Just the man I wanted to see." Thump, "We have to talk."

"… Okay." Tristan took a deep breath, closed his eyes for a second, "But can I – can I just call someone?"

"Sure you can. Though I'd like to get this through immediately." The woman interrupted and began walking through the hall, expecting him to follow and he did with a quick message to his boyfriend –

C2 PNCPAL OFFICE. ASAP.

And there was Miles, as soon as they reached the office, waiting for them impatiently.

THE END

Okay, not the official end. There's still an extra, but I'll be uploading it separately as there's a lot of spice in that chapter and I don't want to taint the mind of you kiddies! So if you want, you can look at it – it's called Idealistic Love 20 and it's my first spice since.. okay, years.

But you guys might still feel frustrated with me, I can't let that go. Only, I've just had so many ideas so that's just tampered with the frequency and result of this story. Though I am proud of myself because this is the first time I finished such a story. I'll be honest, usually I delete it when I have no intentions on continuing it but that has changed! And I'll surely keep this story, if not for the storyline, then for the memories~

Thanks a lot for the support guys!