I don't usually write AUs, but this one called to me. I noticed that Tony was being set up for something, but being who I am, mistook it for preslash. Then that girl came out of nowhere at the end for Clay to start over with, and I thought, well, that could just as easily have been Tony and been a lot tidier, no random characters we know nothing about. So, I produced for your enjoyment, a drabble-ish AU ending with Tony/Clay preslash.

Tony came to stand next to me at my locker.

"Hey. How are you holding up?"

"I'm okay," I said truthfully. "I'm coping."

"Good." He stared at me for a long moment, searching my eyes as though looking for something he hoped to find there. I held his gaze. Finally, he looked away, seeming disappointed.

"I'll see you around, then." He started to walk away.

I had really liked Hannah. Maybe even loved her. But Hannah was dead.

Something in me had responded to Tony's gaze, something I was too nervous even to name.

I thought about Hannah and how if she'd only taken a chance on me, she might still be alive.

I didn't have to name any somethings yet, I just needed an excuse…

I dug around in my bag and produced the Walkman I hadn't given back.

"Hey, Tony!"