Connor is back to school. He is walking around in a soft cast and with the help of a cane. His foot hasn't fully healed but he is on the mend. Its lunch time and he is sitting at the usual bench waiting for his two lunch partners. He's wishing they would hurry up because he's quite frankly starving and one of them is responsible for bringing his lunch.

"I could have starved to death if you two were any slower" he scowled with a faux indignant look on his face, which quickly turned into a broad grin.

One of the two approaching teenagers dead panned "Well I look hot in black and I have this great outfit I'm dying to wear… oh wait, you're the one dying" that was Taylor.

"Whatever, peg leg" that was Jude.

"Oww, that hurts like a bitch or shall I say bitches" retorted Connor, emphasizing the last word.

The three laughed and settled on the bench to eat. Jude carried a tray that had lunch for two, baloney and cheese sandwiches with juice and two bags of potato chips. Taylor had some healthy stuff with a bottle of water. The three had become fast friends since the incident a Taylor's house. Kids at school said mean things about Taylor's dad but she found solace with Connor and Jude. They didn't hold what happened against her and they made it a point to stand with her and that help to silence some of the vitriol that was aimed at her. And besides, she was smart and funny with a vile sense of humor and very genuine and good natured. She was also ecstatic about Jude's and Connor's budding relationship and guarded their secret fiercely. They were glad to have her in their corner and she was glad to have them, especially now that she and Daria were on the outs. Daria did not take Connor breaking up with her well and she was pissed that Taylor was still friendly with the two boys. They ate lunch and talked and laughed and enjoyed each other's company.

"I have to run" said Taylor suddenly.

The boys looked at her with questions in their eyes.

"Got to do something before next period" she said as she jumped up taking her trash with her.

They both waved her goodbye and she ran off waving back.

Connor and Jude continued their lunch, talking a lot about nothing. They did that a lot, just talked, each feeding off the other, never get getting bored with each other or their banter.

"So, what's up, how are you doing? Asked Jude, looking Connor in the eyes.

"I'm more than fine" Connor said looking at at him, a smile coming across his lips as he nodded slightly, locking his eyes on to Jude's.

They held that look until Jude turned his eyes and head down a little, his face and his ears starting to go red. When he looked back up, he saw that Connor too was red in the face and he flickered his eyes away from Jude. Connor's hand inched slowly across the table and came to rest on top of Jude's. The touch made Jude feel prickly all over, like a shock and his breath suddenly became slow and labored. He was excited but suddenly nervous. What if someone saw that? He gently pulled his hand away, looking around to see if anyone was watching. Jude wasn't afraid for himself, he was always different, he got picked on sometimes but he could deal with that. But the thought of Connor being harassed for what they were, for what they were to each other, terrified him. To see Connor hurt or miserable, he just could not bear that.

Connor looked disappointed and Jude felt like crap. He started to apologize. But Connor cut him off.

"Let's go in" said Connor. "It's going to take me awhile to get to my next class, might as well get a head start" he continued.

Jude got up silently and threw out their trash before quickly catching up to the slow moving and limping teenager.

In the hallway, Jude walked on Connor's right. Connor supported his injured left foot with the cane. As they walked Jude felt Connor drape his free arm over his shoulder. It looked like he was holding on for support. No one paid them any particular attention as they navigated the long, crowed hallway. The novelty and notoriety of Connor's injury had already worn off.

Jude whispered "I'm sorry, I'm just afraid."

"Afraid of what exactly dude, tell me? Asked Connor, sounding a little annoyed.

He stopped and turn to Jude, looking him in the eyes.

Jude tried to explain "I don't care what people say about me, you know that. But, you… I don't want to be the reason people treat you… I just couldn't live with that" his voice trailed off.

Jude felt Connor's strong fingers squeeze into his shoulder, it hurt a little but he did not pull away as Connor had him locked into a death stare, while saying.

"You don't have to try to protect me. I don't care what they think. I don't care what they say. You must know that I want to be with you."

"Jude… I think I love you."

Jude was dumb struck, but not by choice this time. He was lost in Connor's eyes, he was lost in the words that just came from his mouth.

"I love you" was all he managed to breath out in return.

When Connor heard that, without thinking or hesitating he moved in and then it happened.

He kissed Jude.

It was a gentle and slow kiss that Jude returned without apprehension. Jude's hand moved up to Connor's face cupping his cheek gently, his fingertips resting lightly on his ear. Connor's hand dropped down to Jude's slender waist, pulling him in closer.

They stood there locked together for what seemed like forever but in reality was a little less than a minute. But it was more than enough time for all the other kids in the hallway to stop and stare and gape.

"Oh my god"

"Did you see that?"

"Look!"

"Where's my phone, I gotta get this"

The boys heard them, but they were too caught up in each other to care. They just smiled at each other, both red in the face, and limped walked off down the hallway, hand in hand, fingers intertwined.

"Nice show guys, next time I'll sell popcorn" that was Taylor.