~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Fingers meshed together. Fingers belonging to the female and male version of the same person. That was how they appeared to other people, at least when they were in their school uniforms and the male one didn't look like a girl. Both short and thin, both with pale skin and dark rings of eyeliner around their ice blue eyes. Both watched the figure of a sobbing schoolgirl flee to the toilets. Karen turned to face her half brother. "Who's going in, you or me?"

Evelyn turned to face her, smirking slightly. "I hardly think I can. She's in the lady's, you take care of it. Besides, I've got to meet Christie on the oval."

"Stop, Ev, you'll make me puke."

"Just as well you're going in there then, hey?" He gently pushed her into the toilets, lightly kissing her cheek. "Meet you up there?"

"Yeah, yeah." She called over her shoulder waving dismissively in his direction.

Adeline looked at herself in the mirror. Her green eyes were puffy and red at the edges. Green meeting red, meeting the black of eyeliner and mascara. The black now streamed down her face, borne on tears. Her dyed blue-black hair sat in a neat twenties bob, hiding her metal studded ears.

Karen poked her head around a corner, the clink of her rings against the brick wall giving away her presence.

Adeline stiffened. She quickly wiped at the tears and streaks of make-up on her cheeks, struggling to keep the sniffling to a minimum.

Karen walked up to her, leaning against a wall. "Hi."

Adeline forced a smile. "Hi."

"First day?"

Adeline nodded sullenly.

"Shit day?"

That forced a smile onto her face. "Yeah."

Karen smiled back. "I'm Karen Shelley, but call me Ren, everyone else does."

Adeline turned to face her. "Adeline Doran. Addie."

Karen gave an acknowledging nod. "Do you know anyone in your year?"

"No."

"What grade are you in?"

"Eleven."

Karen wrinkled her nose. "Don't worry, they're all arseholes. Do you want to continue this conversation elsewhere, 'cause it smells like piss and used tampons in here."

Adeline smiled again, a genuine smile that made Karen happy.

They walked to the oval, chatting about the school, which teachers were beastly and which were human. As they walked past a large circle of girls, Karen pulled Adeline close. "That's the 'bitchy, prissy, pastel' group. The tall thin blonde one with the big tits is Chantelle, their leader. Avoid at all costs."

"Which tall thin blonde one?" Adeline quipped.

Karen grinned. "You're catching on. The one standing at the back."

Adeline looked at her, sensing the contempt already building. She got feelings about people when she first saw them, always had. Chantelle rubbed her the wrong way instantly.

Karen continued to pull her along, indicating to a mob of sweaty boys playing basketball. "Jocks. They're the male counterparts of Chantelle's group. Mostly all arseholes, couple of nice guys."

Continuing past a few smaller gatherings, the druggies, skaties, homies and geeks--although Ren pointed out that she hated that word--they finally made it to the oval. Karen stood before the smallest group proudly, her hands on her hips. "We are the people that don't fit in with anyone else. Welcome to the outcasts."

Evelyn rolled his eyes. "Ren, you're such a fucking drama queen."

She smiled. "I know. Okay, everyone this is Addie. Addie, from left to right we have, Evelyn Shelley, Ev, my half-brother, Christopher Bennet, Chris, my half-brother-in-law, and Victoria Humm, Vic, my best friend."

Adeline smiled weakly, waving. "Hi."

They all smiled and waved back.

Karen flopped onto the grass. "Sit down and tell us about yourself."

Adeline complied, quickly examining everyone in front of her. Evelyn was beautiful. More than that, he was pretty. Delicate like Karen, they looked more like twins than half-brother and sister; he wasn't androgynous so much as sexless. She bet people often thought he was a girl. She also bet that he copped a lot of shit over that. Scraps of white blonde streaked black hair hung in his pallid face, a face made up of big blue eyes outlined in black, a perfect little nose and full pinkish lips. He had draped himself over Christopher's larger frame in a way that said they were more than just friends. Smiling lazily up at her, as if he had only just woken up, he looked just as out of place in this uniform as herself.

Christopher looked out of place in this group. His uniform looked right on him, obscuring, but not hiding, the body of a sports nut. She could see defined muscles in his arms and through his shirt. The mass of chestnut brown curls tickling his shoulders and his brown eyes looked decidedly plain, although not unattractive. His face was more mannish than Evelyn's, but still a little effeminate. He played absentmindedly with Evelyn's left hand, twirling the silver ring on the ring finger. Beside them, Victoria could be described as nothing less than amazing. She had a gorgeous heart shaped Asian face, with a slight olive complexion and green almond eyes. Her black hair was clipped to number one blade length, except for two little piggy tails. One was dyed green, one purple. She chewed lightly on a tongue ring, silver to match the one through her nose and the other seven in her ears. Adeline smiled, her eyes coming to rest on Karen. A waif--with long, naturally, black hair--like her half-brother she didn't belong in this uniform. She belonged in velvet and lace and unique silver jewellery. The dark smudges beneath her eyes--a telltale sign of the constantly made up--and the chipped black nail polish suggested that Karen's usual uniform was velvet and lace. Her lips curved into an inviting smile as she spoke. "Come on, Addie, we want to hear your life story."

Adeline smiled. "We've only got fifteen minutes of break left." The thought made her wince internally. Fifteen minutes before she had to face another classroom full of immature bastards.

"Well, then, start with how you got to this institution." Karen's use of the word 'institution' made Evelyn smile. It brought images of the mentally deranged, of straight jackets and padded cells. Half the people at this school should be institutionalised. A piercing pain in his left hand brought him back to reality. He looked down at his hand, Christopher's long nail digging sharply into the flesh. He cast an upward glance at Christopher, smiling adoringly.

Victoria's eyes widened. "Um, guys, disengage now."

Evelyn extricated himself from Christopher, moving a few feet away, altering his demeanour with the air of someone well practised. Adeline frowned, only understanding when she saw people making their way up to the oval.

"Did they see anything?" Karen gazed at the oncoming group accusingly.

Victoria shook her head. "No."

"Thanks." Christopher smiled at her, then turned to Adeline. "Sorry to interrupt, but we can't let anyone find out..." His rich, chest-resonating voice trailed off.

Evelyn looked up from the blade of grass he was dismembering. "You get used to it." His voice was soft, what you'd expect to come from a body like his.

Adeline smiled. "That's fine. I'm not worried."

Karen lay on the ground, her head in Evelyn's lap. "Anyway, why did you come to this shit hole?"

"My dad had to move here on business. We used to live in Adelaide. It was the closest school, except for a catholic one. But they wouldn't even bother trying to send me there. I've already had enough of those."

"How many schools have you been to?" Karen's voice was grittier than her brother's, communicating her personality as much as her words did.

"Since grade one, five."

"Fuck that." Victoria lay on her stomach, propping her head on her elbows. "Parents are a pain in the arse."

Adeline smiled. "They're okay, sometimes. They're soft on me 'cause I'm the only child and they know they've screwed me up."

Christopher grinned. "Being an only child has its advantages."

Evelyn looked across at him, a lopsided smile playing on his lips. "Your's just don't know they've screwed you up yet."

Smiling affectionately, Christopher rolled his eyes, and turned back to Adeline. "So, what subjects are you doing?"

"English, veggie maths, geography, history, German and art."

"Yay, another art person! We all do art, you'll be in our class." Evelyn beamed at her.

"But I'm in year eleven."

He smiled. "This is a public school. Public schools are pov because the bastards that run the government cut funding to education all the time, and the arts always suffer the most. Hence, we have composite art classes. We're lucky to have them at all."

Adeline smiled at the welcome news. So, not all her classes were going to be completely unbearable. "Cool. What about you guys? What other subjects are you taking?"

"Apart from art, Ev and I are doing English, maths B, biology, chemistry, physics. Chris does all those as well, except he takes graphics instead of biol."

Adeline stared at Karen. "Okay, you guys are obviously smarter than me."

"Just because we do the subjects doesn't mean we have the brains." Christopher looked at her pointedly.

Vic raised an eyebrow. "No, the A you pull in almost every subject means you have the brains."

Karen and Evelyn seemed to squirm a little under the attention they were receiving. "People are just good at different things."

Addie smiled, turning to Karen. "Yeah, that's what smart people always say to people like me to make us feel better."

Victoria grinned. "Don't worry, I have no idea how the fuck they get through it either. I took one look at Ren's textbooks and nearly died. I'm doing... what am I doing?" She looked to Karen for support.

Karen laughed. "Shit, Vic, you're fucking terrible. English, maths A, drama, music, Japanese and art."

Victoria smiled. "What she said."

The bell rang, a signifier of separation. Christopher leapt to his feet, offering a hand to Evelyn. Evelyn took it, his long thin fingers winding around Christopher's daintily.

Karen hooked her arm through Adeline's. "What class have you got now?"

"German."

"Do you know how to get there?"

She nodded. "Yeah, I got a guided tour last week."

"'Kay then. Are you being picked up this afternoon?"

"Yeah."

"Well, looks like we won't see you 'til tomorrow, but we'll be up here from eight thirty. If we don't see you then, maybe we'll see you at morning tea?"

Adeline smiled. "Sure."

Karen grinned. "Come on you lot, let's get to class."

As she waved goodbye to the others, Adeline smiled to herself. She had a good feeling about this.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

"So, what do you think?" Karen squeezed in between Evelyn and Christopher as they walked home.

"She seems nice." Christopher took Karen's hand in his, pressing her palm lightly.

Evelyn sighed. "I like her. Do you think she'd be interested in our 'extra curricular activities'?"

Karen smiled. "I doubt she'd be against it. We can broach the subject tomorrow if you like. Have you got your smokes with you?" She turned to Evelyn hopefully.

He eyed her incredulously. "Of course I do." He fished in his pockets for two cigarettes and his lighter, handing one to Karen when he'd lit them both.

Christopher shot him a look. "I really wish you'd give that up."

Evelyn raised an eyebrow. "When you stop drinking, I'll stop smoking."

"Ha!" Karen laughed out a cloud of smoke. "He can't stop drinking, he's got to keep having beer with the boys to keep up his macho image."

Christopher sniffed. "Fine, be bitchy see if I care."

As they rounded the corner Karen's smile faded. "Fuck, mum's still home."

Evelyn clutched at her hand. "It's alright."

They walked up the front stairs, Karen in front and Evelyn at the end. She pushed the door open and they wandered in.

Susan Shelley sat on the couch, her body clad in hot pink Lycra and black cotton. Platinum blonde curls with black roots cascaded over he shoulders, framing a face that would have been pretty if not for her alcoholism. She looked up at them as they entered. "You've been smoking." She announced, taking a swig from the bottle in her hand.

Karen closed her eyes. "Why haven't you gone out yet?"

"Carol is picking me up. I told you to stop smoking. You never listen to me."

Karen nodded for Christopher and Evelyn to continue into her room, prepared to spare them the lecture.

"Evelyn! Get back here!" Susan stood up, walked to him and grabbed him by the chin. She inspected his face. "Get that make-up off your face, you look like a fucking little faggot. What would your father say?"

Evelyn clenched his hand into a tight fist, Christopher carefully covering it with his own, larger, hand.

"Mum, leave him alone. He can do what he wants." She sighed wearily. Talking to her mother was always such a goddamn chore.

Before Susan could start up again, a car horn sounded outside, and she picked up her things. As she made her way out the door, she nastily threw a final "Wash your face" at Evelyn.

Karen shut the door, leaning against it. "Fuck I'm sick of this."

Christopher slipped his arms around Evelyn protectively, lightly kissing the top of his head.

Evelyn smiled up at him and patted his arm lightly.

The three of them trundled down the hallway until they reached Karen's room. She shoved the door open, throwing her bag into the corner of the room. She cursed as it knocked the bookcase and a framed photo clattered to the ground. Picking it up, she put it back in place with all her other photos. Mostly they were of her, Victoria, Evelyn and Christopher, but images of a few lost friends still lurked.

"Okay, how about we get some homework done, I'll make dinner, we can stuff around for a while, then you two can fuck and Christopher can go home."

Evelyn laughed, falling back with Christopher onto the queen sized bed shoved in the corner. "Can't the fucking happen first?"

Karen grinned. "Not on my bed. There is no fucking on my bed."

Christopher raised an eyebrow. "Really? None at all?"

Karen threw up her hands. "Christ you two are immature! I'm lighting some incense, then I want to go over the math problems."

Christopher wriggled into the corner, Evelyn leaning on him, as Karen tossed their books to them. She rummaged under the coffee table she had converted to an altar for incense. "Sandalwood or musk?"

Evelyn looked up from his book. "Save the sandalwood. You never know when you might need it."

Karen nodded, lighting a stick of black, musk, incense. She picked up an incense holder from the cluttered altar, shoved the stick in and placed them on the bedside table.

Evelyn leapt off the bed suddenly. "I'm going to get changed." He walked out the door, and ducked into the next room. He pulled off his shoes, shirt and tie, and slid out of his pants. Opening the closet, he picked up a pair of jeans from his bed. He quickly scanned the shirts hanging in the wardrobe, picking out a nice low cut and very clingy one. He smiled as he got dressed, then quickly brushed his hair in front of the mirror. His make-up was wearing off. He opened the top draw and pulled out his eyeliner and face powder, touching up where it was needed. Satisfied, he walked back to Karen's room with his hands in his back pockets. Karen raised an eyebrow as he entered. "Oh Christ, we're not going to get anything done."

Christopher grinned. Evelyn made himself look totally damn fuckable without even trying, well, at least with only minimum effort.

Evelyn sat cross-legged on the bed, purposely keeping himself at a distance from Christopher. "I think we can exercise a little more self control than that."

Karen reached under her bed for an ashtray and cigarettes, placing them on the bed between her and Evelyn. She lit one and passed it to Evelyn, then lit one for herself.

They worked on the maths questions for fifteen minutes before Karen slapped her book shut.

Evelyn stopped writing and looked up at her. "You're finished?"

She snorted. "No! I understand the process, therefore I don't need to do twenty questions which are essentially the same. Although, I'm really going to have to start listening in class. It's getting harder to just learn from the text."

"I'll second that." Christopher closed his own book.

"But Ms Harrington is so fucking boring! That woman is hopeless. I can't listen to her for five minutes without falling asleep. How she expects people to learn in that class I'll never know." Evelyn began sketching in the margin of his page. A young man's face, surrounded by shoulder length curls. He smiled.

Karen eyed Evelyn's sketch. Gee, I wonder who that could be? "So, what do you want for dinner?"

"Vegemite on toast." Evelyn offered, finishing the sketch and closing his books.

Christopher poked him in the ribs. "You've got to start eating properly, you're getting too thin. Both of you."

Karen sighed. "I have cellulite that says otherwise. What about vegies and rice?"

Christopher nodded. "That would be lovely. Thankyou, Ren."

She got off the bed, smiling. "Won't be too long." Just before she left the room she turned back. "No sex on my bed."

Christopher threw up his hands innocently.

Evelyn chewed his lip thoughtfully. "Do you really think I'm too thin?"

Christopher cringed. Why had he said anything? Now he would have to spend the next half an hour reassuring Evelyn that he was still gorgeous. Fuck, all he had to do was look in a mirror. "All I meant was, you don't eat enough. I don't want you to get sick because you're not eating right. You're not too thin, yet, but you could put on a few kilos. I just worry about your health, Evelyn."

Evelyn smiled a little, hiding behind his hair. "Yes, Christopher."

Christopher glared at him. "Don't call me that."

Evelyn’s smile transformed into a broad grin as he lay down next to Christopher, a hand playing idly in the brown curls.

Christopher wrapped his arms around Evelyn, one hand slipping dangerously low.

Karen poked at the vegetables with a wooden spoon, making sure they didn't stick to the frypan. She poured in a little more water, sprinkled in some cornflour and added a splash of soy sauce. She watched the rice out the corner of her eye, making sure it didn't boil over. She wasn't too sure if she should have left the boys by themselves on a bed. Especially with Evelyn dressed like that. He could do some serious damage in outfits like that one, and he knew it. "Evelyn?! Can you guys come and set the table please?!" She grinned evilly to herself.

Evelyn opened his eyes, sighing. "She always spoils my fun."

Christopher pulled his hands out from Evelyn's shirt and got off the bed. He helped Evelyn rearrange his clothes, then followed him to the kitchen.

Evelyn opened a draw and pulled out some cutlery. Christopher stood behind him, kissing his neck softly.

Evelyn giggled quietly, pushing him away. "Stop it."

Karen rolled her eyes. God it was sickening. But at the same time they were so cute. Evelyn was lucky to have someone like Christopher. Evelyn was special, but undeniably a little difficult, and only a certain sort of person had the ability to not only put up with him, but love him as well. Christopher just happened to be that sort of person. She did worry at times though. Evelyn knew that Christopher wasn't allowed to come out, but she could tell that every time they got told to 'disengage', as Victoria had labelled it, Evelyn hurt. He wanted to be himself, but he wasn't allowed. Society was a bit of a bastard in that respect. A loud hissing sound made her jump. The rice had boiled over. She caught the handle of the pot and lifted it off the hot plate.

Evelyn came up beside her, leaning on the bench. "Ready yet?"

"If you get me some plates."

He pulled three plates out of a cupboard and handed them to her. She heaped rice and vegetables onto the plates, handing one each to Christopher and Evelyn. They sat at the table, slowly eating.

Christopher noticed Evelyn moving the food around on his plate. "Eat all of that, or you won't get any desert."

Evelyn smiled, raising a suggestive eyebrow. "Yeah, and what's for desert?"

"There's a can of whipped cream in the fridge, use your imagination," Karen added helpfully, smiling.

Evelyn looked down at his plate, muttering almost inaudibly. "You know I prefer hot wax."

"Yes. I have the scars to prove it." Christopher smiled, whispering back.

Karen sighed, stabbing a piece of carrot with her fork. "I didn't hear a word you guys just said, but I don't think I want to know."

They looked up at her, smiling innocently and simultaneously. "Nothing to worry your pretty head over, my sweet." Christopher batted his lashes at her.

Karen pursed her lips. "Welcome to the nineteenth century."

Evelyn smiled wistfully. "Ooo, Oscar Wilde. I would have liked to have met him."

"You mean fucked him." Karen smiled mock sweetly.

Evelyn grinned. "Oh come on, you would have too. The man was brilliant. And he had such a sweet face."

Chewing her lip, Karen conceded with a nod. "Of course I would have. Not that he'd have been too interested in me. What about Byron?"

"Lord Byron and Percy Shelley in the one bed, at the same time. God what I wouldn't give—" Christopher stopped, catching his breath. "Did I say that out loud?"

Karen and Evelyn hid smiles behind their hands. "Yes, love."

He blushed slightly. "I didn't mean to."

"You're so cute." Evelyn reached out and took his hand. Christopher never really said anything like that, so when he did it was unexpected but not unwelcome. It sort of turned Evelyn on. He smiled, releasing Christopher's hand with a light squeeze.

"I bet they'd recite poetry and drip wine and honey down each other's backs," Karen mused.

Evelyn frowned, smiling slightly. "Do you think it's unhealthy to be thinking about fucking people who've been dead for ages?"

Christopher wrinkled his nose. "No. Besides, what's healthy? Who decides what's healthy and normal anyway?"

"Society." Karen and Evelyn answered in unison.

"That's right. And everyone knows society is fucked up. Screw society, normality is what you make it."

"Don't s'pose you want to go to your parents with that speech, do you?" Evelyn avoided eye contact with Christopher.

Karen cringed. Tact, Evelyn. Jesus.

Christopher forced a small smile. "You know the answer."

Taking a deep breath, Evelyn looked up. "All in good time." He put the last fork full of food in his mouth and chewed silently, waiting for the others to finish. Damn Christopher's parents. His mother was bearable, if not a little slow, but his father was a complete arsehole. They were conservative, right wing liberals, who thought any deviance from the norm evil, and wouldn't say the word 'sex' in front of their son, fearing it would give him ideas. Evelyn understood why they couldn't be told, but he didn't like it. Sometimes he just wanted to call them up and announce, in a very conversational tone, "I've been fucking your son up the arse for the last three years", then finish off with a very loud and authoritative "Deal with it". Not that it would ever happen, but he could still dream. The sound of Karen placing her cutlery on her plate brought him out of his reverie. He smiled, stood up and collected everyone's plates. "I'll wash up. You two can sit and chat for a while." He wandered into the kitchen, placed the plates in the sink, and started to run the water.

Karen sat back in her chair, her hands lightly resting on her stomach.

Christopher leaned forward, keeping his voice low so Evelyn couldn't hear. "Is he pissed off with me?"

Karen smiled. "No. He'll be fine in a little while. You know how he gets when your coming out gets discussed."

Looking away guilty, Christopher frowned slightly. "It never gets discussed. That's the problem."

Karen winced. "He only wants to be with you. He knows this is the best way, the only way, for now."

Christopher smiled faintly. "I just want to wait until we finish school. Then I don't care who knows. It's not so much me I worry about. You know what some of those guys are like. They'd kill him."

"If he couldn't seduce them first. How many do you reckon he could get into bed with him? Seriously."

Grinning, Christopher cast a glance in Evelyn's direction. "At least half."

Karen laughed. "I dare say you're right. He got all the looks in this family, you know."

Christopher rolled his eyes. "Oh come on, you two are practically identical."

"Then how come I can't even get a reputation as a slut?"

"Do you want one? I could start a rumour." Christopher placed a hand on her arm, smiling hopefully.

Karen grinned, patting his hand dismissively. "No. It'd just be nice to have someone to be with."

"There's nothing wrong with you, Karen. Evelyn just has a way about him. I swear he's turned heads on some of the straightest looking guys," he trailed off.

Karen placed her elbows on the table, resting her chin in her hands. "Including you?"

Christopher fell silent for a while. "I wonder what they'll say when I tell them? I don't think Dad will understand. He'll probably try to send me to some therapist, or something. Actually, I think he's going to be real pissed. They just don't realise how lucky I am."

Karen squeezed his hand. "Does it really matter what they think?"

"No, but it would be nice if they... well, you know."

Karen smiled. "Yeah, I know. But if they don't like it, then fuck them."

"Who are we fucking?" Evelyn walked into the room, drying his hands on a tea towel.

"Chris' parents."

Evelyn made a face. "No thanks." His eyes widened as Christopher pulled him onto his lap. Evelyn turned to face him, placing a hand on the side of his face. "How two such vile people produced someone like you, I'll never know."

Christopher smiled. "Two wrongs make a right." He gently kissed the soft, pale flesh at Evelyn's throat.

Karen threw the tea towel at them. "Guys, please, get a room."

Christopher stood up, Evelyn squealing slightly as he was carried out of the room.

Karen raised an eyebrow. "Don't be too masterful, you'll put your back out."

Wincing slightly, Christopher placed Evelyn on floor halfway up the hallway.

Evelyn grinned, wrapping an arm about his waist. "See, I told you I'm not too thin. You could have hurt yourself. Don't do that again."

Christopher sighed. "Excuse me for trying to be romantic."

"Hot wax and long nails are more romantic than being carried up a hallway, my love." Evelyn tugged him into the bedroom, closing the door behind them.

"Why does everything have to come down to pain with you."

Evelyn smiled. "It's a psychological problem I have." His smile faded a little in the darkness, his voice dropping to a whisper. "At least I know it's real."

Christopher pulled Evelyn to him, stroking his hair lightly. "I worry about you, Ev."

"I know." Evelyn bit his lip, tears stinging his eyes, although he didn't know why. "Christie..."

"Shh." Lying down on the bed, Christopher let him go.

Evelyn crawled under the sheets next to him a hand tugging at the maroon tie about Christopher's neck.

Karen flicked through the channels on the television. As usual there was nothing on. She retrieved the guitar from the corner of the room, tuning it and playing a few chords. She smiled. At least Evelyn and Christopher were quiet. She had to give them credit for that. Years of forced silence whilst fucking seemed to have had a lasting effect on them. She had never once heard a peep out of either of them. Why was she thinking about other peoples’ sex sounds? She shook her head, starting to play the beginning of a Bowie song.

Evelyn smiled as Christopher's thumb pressed hard into his hip. Shit that felt good. He responded by dragging his blue varnished nails down to the small of Christopher's back. Christopher smiled as he nipped at Evelyn's shoulder, his fingers undoing the last button on Evelyn's jeans. His eyes widened.

Evelyn sensed his surprise, laughing quietly in Christopher's ear. "You know, I haven't been wearing any all day? I thought you might notice, but I guess you're getting bored with me. Maybe you're eyeing all those big sweaty jocks you play football with?"

Christopher placed a hand over Evelyn's mouth, ducking under the sheets.

Evelyn's head fell back onto the pillow, rolling from side to side, as his fine fingered hand found Christopher's hair. His tongue flicked out across Christopher's palm, which was promptly wiped across his shirt. He smiled, bringing Christopher back up to meet his lips. In half breathed, half groaned words, Evelyn managed to finally tell Christopher what he wanted. His eyes closed and his mouth fell open as he felt his request being followed through.

Karen patiently waited for them to finish, having retrieved her school books from her room and completed her homework, when playing the guitar had become boring.

She grinned at Evelyn's just fucked expression when they finally exited his room. His make-up was a little smudged, the powder probably having worn off on the sheets, and his eyes were glazed and heavy lidded. The flush in his cheeks had barely had time to fade.

Christopher, on the other hand, looked immaculate as always. His clothes had been arranged neatly, his hair brushed back into place, and his school bag was hanging neatly off his back. His parents would never suspect anything. Apart from that being necessary for the relationship to continue, Karen found it incredibly amusing. His parents assumed Christopher was coming home after a hard day at school, followed by an afternoon study session, when in reality, he had been screwing his best friend less then an hour ago.

Christopher smiled at her, noting her expression and understanding what was behind it. "See you tomorrow, Ren."

"Night, darlin'." She waved at him, as he was ushered out the door by Evelyn.

Evelyn stopped on the top step, gazing down upon Christopher affectionately. "Night, Christie-la." He kissed Christopher lightly on the cheek, shivering slightly in the cool air.

Christopher tapped him playfully on the arm. "Get inside."

Evelyn smiled at him, folding his arms across his chest.

Sighing quietly, Christopher walked back up the steps a little to hug him. "Love you, Ev."

Evelyn leaned into his embrace. "Why don't you stay tonight. You could call your..." he trailed off knowing it was pointless.

"You know I can't."

Evelyn forced a smile, nodding in understanding. "See you tomorrow."

Christopher backed away from him, down to the footpath. "I'll see what I can do for the weekend."

Evelyn nodded again. "'Kay. Be careful on the way home."

"I will." With that, Christopher turned and left, their painful goodbye having ended.

Evelyn wandered back up the stairs, noting happily that he was sore in all the right places.

He sat next to Karen on the couch, leaning heavily on his half-sister.

She looked down at him, narrowing her eyes. "What do you want?"

Evelyn looked up at her, chewing on his lower lip. "Company."

She sighed, feigning exertion, and held him to her. "I suppose I can manage it."

For a few minutes they stared at the television, not really watching the sitcom playing before them. Finally Karen looked down at Evelyn. "You wanted him to stay, didn't you?"

He nodded silently.

She frowned. "You can't just spring it on him, Ev, you know that. You need to give him enough warning so he can come up with a decent lie for his parents."

The comment cracked his melancholy demeanour. "I know, but I miss him when he's not with me. It's like amputating a leg when he leaves. I want him all the time. Is that bad?"

Karen sighed thoughtfully. "I don't think so. You do understand that you can't have him twenty-four hours a day, even if the craving's there, so hey, you're probably not crazy or anything. You're just in love, my sweet."

"Yeah, well it sucks sometimes."

She stroked his hair lightly. "Tell you what. I just might have been considerate enough to buy us chocolate this afternoon while you two were snogging in the park. How about we go to my room, light some incense, and have a bitch session while we eat it."

Evelyn sat up, grinning at her. "You're cool."

She smiled, wrinkling her nose as she stood. "I know."

TBC…

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