Vald felt like a teenage girl. His heart was racing from the excitement of asking Havi out and he felt so awake and alert. He didn't think asking someone out on a date should elicit such a physical response from his body but it felt amazing. He didn't even mind that he still had Havi's homework to finish by the next morning. Part of him wanted to text the professor now and beg for help but he knew it would be asking too much.

He also had five texts from Liz that he had ignored and one call from their home phone which he assumed was from their mother, calling to check in on him at Liz's request most likely. There wasn't a message but Oliver had also texted confirming his assumption. Trevor had texted him to play Crimson Spell, and Abraham had apparently found out he had been with Havi and was asking for details.

Vald threw his phone onto his bed after reading Abraham's text. He had told Havi that he was popular with the girls in class but Vald hadn't mentioned that a lot of the guys were also talking about him all the time. It started as just appreciation of his attractiveness before moving on to jealousy and, most notably in Abraham's case, questioning one's sexuality.

Abraham was paying more attention to class and it was obvious why. Most of the male students had dropped by now, but Abraham had started off lazy and began trying to improve because he thought it would impress their hot professor.

Vald was hesitant to attempt a relationship because of rules and taboos, but Abraham probably had no such misgivings. Liz had even commented on such during lunch when she noted Abraham trying to talk to Havi who barely spoke to any of them the entire time.

"He's probably just being friendly," Oliver had replied, trying to make her drop it.

"Call it women's intuition then," Liz persisted. "He's clearly got the hots for Vald's professor. Guess he's got some competition."

Recalling it now made Vald's mood darken. The energy that had flooded him earlier was still there but felt dark and uncontrollable. He moved to the computer to try and vent his anger productively.

No one was on Crimson Spell so he just busied himself grinding. He tried tougher missions to increase the difficulty and amount of creatures he was allowed to slaughter. He spent an hour on the game and almost non-stop killing but the fury in his chest only got worse.

Oliver got on and called him on Skype. "What's up? Figured you'd be out later."

"I've got homework to do."

"Oh, and your professor didn't offer to help?"

Liz was apparently in the room too because she added, "If he needs help I'll try my best!"

"I didn't bother asking. I kinda spent a lot of time over at his place and I didn't want it to be weird."

"Yeah," Liz replied, "It's not like you're dating or anything."

Vald said nothing and continued trying to vent on pixelated humans and creatures.

"Stop it, Liz," Oliver said. He had moved away from the mic and his voice sounded muted. "If you don't approve then just keep your mouth shut."

"You don't understand anything," she said. "Vald doesn't mind, do you, Vald?"

Vald continued pressing buttons.

"Vald?" It was Oliver. "You still there?"

"I hear breathing. Is that him typing? It's like he's smashing the keyboard. Vald? Are you alright?"

"You probably made him mad."

"Oh no, really? Sorry, Vald! I didn't mean anything by it, I swear."

Nothing.

"Vald?"