"When ones takes up a hobby , you get to know yourself that little bit more, it'll be good for you"

Jean looks as him with kind eyes. He didn't believe her. He had felt so left out and alone. That's why it was so cool when he got into band and started practise. Sure, it was only because of Lukas' diagnosis and it was more of a pity vote. But a vote was a vote. That's what he remembered Rahim telling him, when he told him the swing band story. Rahim had been an amazing romantic boyfriend. Without meaning to, he'd screwed him over.

Wait, he and his new boyfriend have screwed him over.

He thought that as the months went by, the French student would put on a friendly smile. That they could turn back the clock, but that was very unlikely to happen.

"Hey Rahim! What's your next lesson man?" Eric asked him one day, nudging his shoulder.

The look that Eric gets in return makes his stomach shrivel. If Rahim's eye's could have lasered a hole into the floor, and watched him fall, he would have done. His ex ignores him like he's Cole from the sixth sense He slams his locker with a sigh, and walks in the opposite direction, although he could be sure that science to his right.

"He hates me!" Eric sighed over family dinner.

"Well can you blame him?" Ana shrugs.

"An, don't be mean" Kirby tuts. "But you are right..."

"Woah, I didn't plan it you know! I didn't plan...Adam" He pleads.

"We know, we know, why don't you buy him something nice?" His mother, Chia asks

"Great idea" His dad Clarke said, smiling at his wife. "Like a peace offering?"

"Sounds good...almost as good as this food!" Eric nods at his dad, twiddling his spaghetti bolognese with his fork. That's why he went online, looking for nice looking [but cheap gifts ] He looks at candle sets, chocolates, food hampers. French Cologne.

"Just because he's French, it doesn't mean he likes..."

"Yeah Oatie, I know"

"What about buying him lunch for a while?" His friend said.

"He won't even look at me Oat crispie. He won't listen for five seconds. Oh...Clothes! Rahim's always wearing a black jacket and colourful scarves! That's it!" We're gonna get him a really awesome jacket!" Eric yells through the phone, followed by his best friends laughter and approval. So, he get's every odd job he can find, baby sitting, cleaning cars, dog-walking, dog-sitting and even writing the occasional love letter for cash. With a little money from Dad to help out, he was able to buy the medium sized leather jacket with a rainbow coloured scarf.

"Oat-bun! When you come over, I want you to model this for me!" Eric asks, holding the jacket up to him on skype.

"Okay but no scarf though..."

"Whhhhyyy? You'll look so cute in it!" Eric whines as the other boy laughs. He attempts to put it on himself when his boyfriend sharply pokes his head round. Eric pushes down the irritation. He always told him to knock, but he never did.

"Alright Gents?...Tromboner? He asks, slowly closing the door. He puts on hand in his pocket and points with the other. "Jacket?"

"Yeah" Eric spins it around proudly.

"New?"

"No, dumpster diving is soooooooo in! Babe it's new! Looks great doesn't it?"

His boyfriend shrugs, casually wrapping his arm around his waist and bringing him close. He leans into Eric's shoulder from behind. His nose grazing his neck, and gently pats his arse. "Could have asked me"

"What?"

"I'd get that for you, you know. No problems"

"Oh, Eric didn't, buy the jacket for himself" Otis chips in.

"Oatie, we'll talk later okay? Bye!" Eric says quickly turning the skype off. "Moving quickly on, babe, what you want to do today? The Arcade?"

"Trombo-"

"Or stay in? There's only a couple of my sisters dowstairs, so a DVD? Your pick, let's go!" Eric wriggles out of his grip and opens the door. He pauses when Adam makes himself comfortable on his bed. It's sweet, because it shows that he feels safe here. It's also annoying as he knows that his partner isn't going to budge.

"Who's the Jacket for?"

"A Family friend" Eric's rehearsed this with his oat-muffin a thousand times.

"Is that so?" Adam questions.

"You sound just like your dad...all posh...it's kinda sexy!" Eric chuckled.

"You sound like a fucking liar" Adam whispers. His boyfriend gets chills. Adam says the words, so softly, yet he knows that he's in the shit. He holds up Eric's phone. He curses under his breath. Most of his texts are to his best friend, talking about Rahim's face when he saw the gift. Talking about how much he'd like the scarf. Admitting to Otis...

"So Oatish, do I just show up on Rahim's doorstep or what?!" Adam reads out. "Huh? Giving him a pressie at school ain't good enough?"

"I was...I am' going to give him stuff at school. It's just...he won't talk to me...Like...at all!" Eric runs a hand his over his head.

"Good! You dumped him remember!"

"I know! I know, we embarrased him infront of the whole school and I want him to know that we're sorry!" He cries out.

"We?"

"Yes, we. Imagine if the roles were reversed!"

"You can imagine yourself SINGLE if you give him that shit!" Adam snaps. "What does it look like? My boyfriend, giving his EX gifts?"

"I look sorry. I look like a friend. I look like I'm trying!" Eric huffs as Adam taps the jacket on the bed. His boyfriend beckons him over with a finger. But Eric doesn't move from the door It occurs to both boys that Eric could be afraid. He isn't. Although it's impossible to ignore the cracks in their warped and damaged past.

"Tromboner I'm trying too. Every day"

"I'm sorry I've been such a hassle!"

"Nah, don't turn this around on me. Can't you see why I'm pissed? I'm trying to understand this mate. But I can't" Adam gets up, staring at the jacket with hatred, before walking to the door. "I hope Rahim's worth it?"

"As a friend, he is!" Eric states with no apologies.