When Alex’s alarm went off he had a moment of panic, rolling to turn it off and not feeling Kelsey next to him but it all came crashing into place when a deep groan sounded from the couch. Alex slammed the off button on his alarm with more force than was necessary.

“Jesus what time is it?” Drew asked groggily, sitting up so that the bedhead swirl of his hair was visible over the back of the couch and Alex glared at him as he pulled himself out of bed.

“5:30,” Alex replied, stretching his arms over his head, feeling his neck pop but the tension didn’t leave his shoulders as he rounded the end of the bed.

Drew groaned again, falling back against the couch. “Fucking Marine Corp bullshit,” he muttered. Alex glared at him before widening his stance and starting his side saddle hops. “Are you kidding me right now?” Drew exclaimed, tiling his head back on the arm of the couch, watching Alex upside down.

“Nope,” Alex said, not stopping or bothering to look at his brother. “I got 50 of these. Then pushups, then burpees, then-“

Drew groaned loudly again and Alex fought a smirk as his brother covered his face with his pillow.

Alex had worked up a fine sweat making as much noise as possible before he dressed in loose fitting shorts and a hoodie. When he finished lacing up his sneakers, he opened the sliding glass door and closed it behind him with a bang, trotting down the stairs to begin his jog. Normally he ran to Lambency Pier and back but today he turned the opposite direction, jogging easily down to the water’s edge and heading south toward Building One. He squinted at the end unit, wondering if Kelsey had gone home or if Sully was in there with his tart du jour, forcing Kelsey to stay at the Sarno’s.

It irked him that he felt so thrown off this morning without her. He was a creature of habit and considering it took two weeks to make a habit - right around the amount of time they’d been doing this thing - he didn’t like waking up to a cold space next to him. He missed kissing her head before he stepped out on the deck to do his calisthenics and then kissing her on the head again after he dressed to go for his jog. She was usually awake when he got back, the coffee pot going and she sat bleary eyed on the couch to keep herself awake, wearing one of his large t-shirts with nothing underneath. He brought her a cup and sat next to her, throwing an arm around her shoulders as she snuggled into him, holding her cup in both hands while she sipped it slowly with her eyes closed. He drank his own, letting his heart rate slow as he ran his fingers through her hair. Once her cup was drained and she was fully awake he took a shower while she dressed and made a simple breakfast for them which they ate side by side at the bar, chatting easily about nothing and everything. She kissed him goodbye afterward and went home to get ready for school.

He huffed and puffed his way up and down Lumen Beach three times before running back up the steps to his deck and flinging open the sliding glass door to slam it again. Alex snickered as Drew jumped, throwing off his blankets and sat straight up as if he were ready to fight. Alex showered quickly then dressed, contemplating heading out to Perkatory for breakfast but ultimately decided against it, pulling down an old box of Cheerios from the pantry and eating his bowl of stale cereal while standing over the sink. He was rinsing out his bowl, trying not to feel sorry for himself when he heard a small rapping sound come from the laundry room. He turned off the water staring at the door, thinking he was just hearing things but when it sounded again, he shot a nervous glance at the couch before rushing to answer it.

Kelsey was standing there, shivering with two steaming cups of Perkatory coffee in her gloved hands, her cheeks pink from the cold. She smiled brilliantly at him, feeling a little silly at how much she had missed him just overnight but he didn’t return her smile, just pulled her into the laundry room and closed the door softly behind her. He stopped her as she began to walk into the kitchen.

“What are you doing here?” he whispered, leaning back to look at the couch again but Drew wasn’t moving, seemingly asleep.

“I brought you coffee,” Kelsey whispered back, wiggling his cup at him and he took it with a sigh.

“How did you explain knowing my coffee order to Jake?” he asked peevishly and Kelsey frowned at him.

“You think you’re the only person in this town who drinks it black?” Kelsey asked with a raised eyebrow and Alex gave her a look over the top of his cup as he took a sip. “I believe the words you’re looking for are ‘Thank you?’”

Alex sighed. “Yes, thank you. Sorry.”

“Is Drew here?” Kelsey asked, chewing on her bottom lip and trying to edge past him to look into the condo but Alex stepped into her path.

“Yes,” Alex whispered. “He’s sleeping.”

“Not that he cared before you got here,” Drew called and Alex gritted his teeth, breathing sharply out his nose as he looked over his shoulder. Kelsey brought a hand up to smother her giggle.

“Kels, you should go. Reva will wonder where you are,” Alex said glancing at his watch.

“You never texted me,” Kelsey said, trying to mask the whine in her voice but Alex heard it all the same. She ran her fingers along the open side of his cardigan, fingering the buttons. “You promised.”

“I’m sorry,” he said, fighting his own annoyance, at her for not letting this go and at himself for accidentally lying to her. “I just… I can’t talk about this now.” He looked at his watch again.

Kelsey pressed her lips together, still fingering his sweater but ultimately she couldn’t stop herself from asking, “When will you be able to talk about it?”

“Kels,” he said, his voice a warning and she winced, letting her head fall back.

“I know, I know,” she groused and then sighed. “I just miss you I guess,” she muttered, not looking at him as she tugged on the hem of his cardigan.

He sighed, feeling a guilty tug in his chest. “Come here,” he said opening his arms to her and she stepped into his embrace immediately, pressing her face to his chest. “I really am sorry. I didn’t mean to not text you.”

“I know,” Kelsey said, her voice muffled in his chest. “Did he tell you why he was here?”

Alex stiffened. “Uh… no.”

Kelsey looked up at him dubiously and he sighed.

“I don’t wanna get in to this right now,” he said peevishly and gestured to the door. “You’re gonna be late for Reva.”

Kelsey glared at him, pressing her lips together in displeasure as she turned back towards the door and Alex felt a pang of guilt.

“Hey,” he said, stopping her as he reached for her elbow and she turned back to him sulkily. He cupped her face with his free hand, feeling a thrill of anxiety as he admitted, “I miss you too, okay?”

She nodded, standing on tip toes to put her arms around his neck, careful not to spill her coffee as she kissed him. Alex let his eyes sink closed, his arms circling her back as her tongue traced the seam of his lips and he opened them to her, allowing her to explore his mouth, his stomach flipping pleasurably.

“Wow you two are in deep huh?”

They sprung apart, Alex spilling some of his coffee on the floor as he spun around, finding Drew standing in the kitchen in nothing but his boxers, pouring himself a bowl of cereal. Kelsey peered over Alex’s shoulder and her eyes widened, starting to duck back behind him but curiosity got the better of her. Drew was the same slim build as Alex but softer, his hipbones invisible under meatier flesh, his arms and chest not as defined. Plus no scar along his ribs. She glanced at the front of his boxers curiously but could make no assessment from the loose fabric.

“It’s bigger than his,” Drew said with a smirk and Kelsey ducked back behind Alex’s shoulder, her cheeks flushing hot. “He got the brains; I got the inches.”

“Oh shut the fuck up,” Alex grumbled, turning back to Kelsey who looked mortified. “I’m sorry about him. He’s a savage.” He touched Kelsey’s face tenderly, feeling the heat of her blush. “I’ll see you in class okay?”

Kelsey looked at him for a beat, debating whether or not to try and argue again but finally nodded, “Okay.”

She stood on tiptoe and pecked his lips before she turned and he opened the door for her.

“For next time, I take my coffee with sugar,” Drew hollered and Kelsey narrowed her eyes at him. Drew gave her a wink.

Alex rolled his eyes, holding the door open and Kelsey slipped out, giving him a small smile over her shoulder as she began to descend the stairs. Alex shivered against the late October chill as he watched her make it safely down to the sidewalk and disappeared around the corner out of sight.

“That girl’s got it bad,” Drew said, slurping the milk in his cereal and Alex growled, shutting the door behind him. “You’re gonna have a stage-five clinger if you keep encouraging that shit.”

“Thanks for the advice,” Alex deadpanned, walking over to the desk and picking up his messenger bag, checking it for everything he needed.

“Anytime baby bro,” Drew said setting his bowl on the counter and walking back into the living room to flop on the couch.

“Please don’t sit here and watch TV all day,” Alex scolded. Drew rolled his eyes, flapping his hand at him in a yaddayaddayadda gesture that never ceased to make Alex’s blood boil. “Seriously look for a fucking job today. And don’t eat all my food.”

Drew nodded, picking up the remote and flicked on the TV as Alex stalked over to the front door, resisting the urge to bitch some more before closing the door behind him. One month. It was only going to be for one month and then Drew would be gone and things would go back to normal.

* * *

For Kelsey the school day seemed to be crawling by at a snail’s pace. She couldn’t concentrate, her mind unable to settle on a task without being unceremoniously ripped back to Alex and his twin. She could still hardly believe it. She sometimes didn’t, wondering if she had dreamed the entire thing but sure enough he was there again this morning, a near exact copy of Alex in physical form. How could he have not mentioned he had a brother, much less a twin?

“Hey are you gonna eat that?”

Logan was looking at her from across the lunch table, his hand hovering over her bag of chips and she shook her head.

“No, go ahead,” Kelsey replied and Logan grinned snatching it up and ripping it open.

Reva looked at him disapprovingly before she inclined her head towards Kelsey, her voice quiet. “You were home last night right?”

Kelsey looked at her, “Yeah. Why?”

“No reason,” Reva said with a shrug.

“Reva thinks you’re banging someone,” Logan said, crinkling the chip bag loudly and Kelsey’s eyes widened as Reva reached across the table to slap at Logan.

“Uh… no?” Kelsey said with a nervous laugh. Elliot waved a hand at her, glaring at both Logan and Reva.

“I told you. I saw her come home yesterday.”

“Yeah but you would cover for her,” Reva argued and Kelsey squinted at her friend.

“Why would he cover for me?”

Elliot looked down at his tray while Logan and Reva shared an exasperated look.

“We’re gonna be late for Etiquette,” Elliot mumbled, standing up and taking his tray and Kelsey’s over to the trash while she tilted her phone away from Reva and checked her hidden messages again.

“Expecting a text from someone?” Reva asked, tucking her chin over Kelsey’s shoulder. Logan sighed, taking his and Reva’s trays and following Elliot. Kelsey turned off her screen and looked over her shoulder at Reva who batted her eyelashes.

“No, I was looking at the time,” Kelsey said standing and Reva narrowed her eyes at her.

“Okay I’m tired of this game.” Reva threw her hands in the air before planting them on the table and hoisting herself to her feet to loom over Kelsey in a very convincing impression of her mother. “You are the world’s shittiest liar.”

Kelsey blinked at her. “What am I supposedly lying about?”

“You, Kelsey Charming, are sneaking around with a guy and I want to know who it is,” Reva said. Kelsey crossed her arms over her chest, raising her eyebrows.

“Am I now?” Kelsey asked, looking to the left and Reva smirked. “How very… Reva of me.”

Reva looked scandalized and Kelsey smiled at her, walking over to join the boys at the front of the cafeteria. Reva caught up but Kelsey had sidled up next to Elliot to engage in a conversation about algorithms that would likely last until they got to the etiquette classroom.

“She’s seeing a guy,” Reva muttered to Logan who looked at Kelsey and Elliot, their backs to them. Kelsey laughed at something Elliot said and Elliot gave her a small smile, touching her back delicately as the bell rang and the hall began to flood.

“Who?” Logan asked, letting a few people get between them and the other two.

“I don’t know,” Reva said, narrowing her eyes. “You’re sure it’s not Elliot?”

Logan snorted rolling his eyes. “If it was Elliot he’d be shouting it from the rooftops.”

Reva frowned. “True. Who could it be?”

Their eyes roamed over the different faces they passed, not saying anything but evaluating each in their own heads. Reva was thoroughly stumped, every possibility that flared in her mind being shot down almost instantaneously. Not that guy, he’s a Neanderthal. That guy is a moron. That guy is a freshman. That guy is…mine, God I hope that’s not him.

“You don’t think it’s someone I’ve dated?” Reva asked as they began to descend the stairs to the basement level and Logan snorted behind her.

“How could it not be? You’ve dated everybody.”

“I have not!” Reva insisted glaring at him. Then she sobered as a thought entered her mind, stopping in the middle of the hall.

Logan stopped when he realized she had and looked back at her. “What’s wrong?”

“It’s not…” Reva said and then gave a small, suspicious chuckle. “It’s not you is it?”

“What?” Logan asked, his eyebrows racing to his hairline in surprise and his voice squeaked like it did that summer he went through puberty. “Are you kidding me? You think I’d do that to Elliot?”

“That’s not an answer, LoKey,” Reva said, her eyes narrowing in suspicion as she jabbed her finger into his chest.

“Oh my God, Reva I am not banging Kelsey,” Logan said as she stalked past him down the hall towards a door at the very end.

“You better not be,” Reva glared at him and lowered her voice as they got closer to the group near the door. “Why won’t she tell me?” She frowned and for the first time he didn’t see curiosity in her eyes but hurt.

“I dunno, Rev,” Logan said, throwing an arm around her shoulders and giving her a rough squeeze. “She’ll talk about it when she’s ready. You know Kels. Always playing it close to the vest.”

Kelsey took a seat on one of the plastic chairs that were lined in a small half circle on three rows of built-in risers, eyeing Reva and Logan who were on their way over. Logan stopped, looking at the two of them contemplatively before grabbing Reva’s arm and pulling her to take a seat at the back row. Kelsey could hear her friend’s squawk of protest over the din of voices, waiting for Reva to plop down next to her any second but it never happened. She let out a slow sigh of relief and checked her phone again.

“Alright, Ladies and Gentlemen, settle down please. Settle. Settle!”

Miss Gwualtney floated in with her usual fanfare, her flowing bohemian dress giving her the illusion that she was gliding on air. Reva had been trying to learn that particular grace since freshman year and could never quite get the knack. No one was sure how old Miss Gwualtney was exactly but she’d been teaching Etiquette at Lambency even when their parents had attended. Kelsey remembered Sully saying she was old even back then.

“Today we will be starting our exploration of the Tango,” she gave a nimble hop, sashaying her arms gracefully and there was a titter of nervous giggles. “This class period is dedicated to an instructional video and we will be starting practical instruction tomorrow.”

She pointed a remote above their heads at the projector which beamed a YouTube page onto the bare white wall opposite the chairs. She then glided over to the light switch and flicked it off, throwing the classroom into near darkness. Elliot hoisted himself off his chair, already on his way over to Miss Gwualtney’s computer and there was a few minutes of confusion before she finally let Elliot navigate and the video started.

“You’d think she’d just let me do it after all these years,” Elliot muttered to Kelsey, retaking his seat next to her. Kelsey gave him a small smile, peeking at her phone again. Elliot eyed it for a moment before concentrating on the screen.

Kelsey’s phone felt hot in her hand and her battery was nearly dead now. She wasn’t one of those types that carried her charger with her everywhere and fought for an outlet at lunch to get enough juice to finish out the day. She peeked again at her phone, this time looking at the time and felt her stomach do a little flip when she realized in less than an hour she would be in Alex’s classroom.

She was caught somewhere between feeling ridiculous and giddy. Ever since they started… whatever this was… she had felt nervous thrills at the thought of seeing him again, a sense of urgency to get through other tasks that disinterested her. By the end of the day she was beginning to feel the itch to get back to Lumen Cove and into his condo where they didn’t have to pretend to be little more than strangers. However, today was the first time she’d felt derailed by it. She was beginning to annoy even herself with her inability to focus on what was in front of her, her mind bouncing away to what Alex was doing. Why hadn’t he texted her? Was he mad at her? All she did was bring him coffee this morning. She didn’t like this gnawing insecurity that had settled in her chest. It made no sense and had no evidence to support it but she felt as if she was on shaky ground with him all the same.

“So…”

Kelsey jumped, feeling warm breath on her ear as Elliot leaned closer to her, keeping his voice low so as not to catch Miss Gwualtney’s attention. Kelsey turned her head just slightly, her eyes trained on the screen in front of her but inclined her head a little more towards him to let him know she was listening.

“So are you sneaking around with someone?” He asked. Kelsey rolled her eyes, cutting them over at him and Elliot bit his lip, looking concerned. Sweet Elliot, always keeping an eye out for her.

Kelsey smiled at him and patted his knee. “No, Elliot. I’m not. I’m working on that space debris thing for Papert.”

“Why wouldn’t you just tell Reva that?” Elliot asked, his brows drawing in confusion.

“Mr. Braum I’m sure whatever you are saying to Miss Charming is of the utmost importance but please return your attention to the video.”

Kelsey and Elliot leaned away from each other, both focusing hard on the screen and ignoring a few stray giggles from somewhere else in the dark. Elliot watched Miss Gwaultney from the corner of his eye for a few moments before leaning over to Kelsey again.

“Why are you driving Reva crazy when you’re just doing research?” Elliot asked and he heard Kelsey emit a breathy laugh.

“Because it’s fun,” Kelsey whispered back and Elliot felt a smile tug at his lips, “Also you know how she gets when I spend all my time holed up doing research. She tries to ‘rescue me’ and I end up behind. I hate to say it but it’s easier to lie.”

Elliot cut his eyes at her, feeling a pang of doubt but shoving it away. What reason did Kelsey have to lie to them? “If you were seeing somebody you know it wouldn’t be a big deal right?” He whispered in her ear, his stomach curling nervously. Kelsey looked over at him blinking and then gave him a perturbed nod as if she were tired of hearing it. “So you’re definitely not?”

“No, Elliot!” Kelsey hissed and those around them turned to look at them, Elliot held up a nervous hand, smiling tightly at everyone. Kelsey flopped back against her chair, crossing her arms and checking her messages again from underneath her bicep.

“Hey have you thought about Cotillion?” Elliot asked finally, rubbing his hands together, watching as Kelsey pressed buttons covertly on her phone.

“What about it?” she asked distracted.

“Well, who are you going with for starters?” Elliot chuckle and Kelsey sighed, tucking her phone away again and leaning back in her chair, peeved. Whether at him or at her mystery contact Elliot didn’t know.

“I don’t know,” Kelsey said with a shrug and then added, “Actually I’m probably not even going.”

Elliot felt his chest tighten in panic. “Wh-what? Why not?”

“Mr. Braum!” Miss Gwaultney called shrilly and Elliot winced sinking lower in his chair.

“Why not?” he whispered again softly after a few moments.

“Because your dad is supposed to give you away,” Kelsey whispered back. “You think I’m gonna get Sully to set foot in the Firefly much less get him into a tuxedo?” Kelsey cut her eyes at him and shook her head with a breathy laugh.

“Well… what if you found someone else to do that part? Would you go then?” Elliot asked but Kelsey was peeking at her phone again.

“Maybe,” Kelsey muttered, sighing as she looked back at the video on the wall.

“Cool,” Elliot said, nodding his head and watching the video for a moment as well. He took a deep breath. “Maybe we could go together.”

Kelsey shook her head. “Elliot you should find a date that you know for sure can go. You don’t have to stay available just because we’re partners.”

“That’s not why,” Elliot said frustrated and he turned in his chair to lean close to her. “I want to take you Kelsey.”

Kelsey looked over at him and jumped startled at his sudden closeness. There was an earnestness in his eyes and she jumped again when he took one of her hands in both of his. What the hell was he-?

Her phone buzzed. She ripped her hand from his and grabbed it, tucking the screen under her arm to block the light and Elliot’s prying eyes.

“Srry bout this morn See u in class. XOXO”

Kelsey blinked confused.

“Did you have a seizure?” She teased back and waited for a response but after a few moments that niggling insecurity surfaced again and she added. “U never use txt speak. Wuz worried u had aneurism.” She paused before tacking on “XOXO” and hit send.

“Kels?” Elliot whispered and her leg jerked as he laid his hand on her thigh, pulling himself closer to her so he was sitting on the edge of his chair. “Can you just focus for a second this is kind of important.”

“I’m sorry, what was it?” She asked, eying his hand and while she had known Elliot practically her whole life having him touch her like that was a little weird. Almost intimate. Alex. She shook her head, trying to focus on his face.

“I really want-”

He was cut off by the bell and he sat back as the lights flicked back on, the class all standing from their seats and gathering their things to exit. Elliot looked distraught, watching the chaos around him but he realized that Kelsey wasn’t moving. She’d stayed seated, her eyes focused on him, waiting for him to finish. He smiled turning fully towards her again.

“I really want to take you to Cotillion,” he said, taking her hand in his again. “We’ve been friends a really long time and I think that Cotillion would be the perfect way to kind of…” he paused searching for the right word.

“It’s really important to you huh?” Kelsey asked before he could finish and Elliot looked into her eyes, sighing in relief and squeezing her hand.

“Yes,” he said emphatically. “Yes it is.”

Kelsey sighed, eying him. “Okay lemme think about it. I have to figure out a way to get Sully on board.” She rolled her eyes as she stood, shouldering her bag.

“Really?” Elliot said, staring at her dumb founded as she checked her messages again frowning. “Oh man. Oh Kels, this is great!” He exclaimed standing up and Kelsey let out a small huff as he pulled her to his chest awkwardly. “I’m gonna get you the best corsage. What flower do you want?”

“Elliot it’s like two months away there will be time,” Kelsey said with a laugh, patting him on the shoulder. “Come on we’re gonna be late for English.”

* * *

They shuffled out of the classroom and down the hall back to the stairs that led to the main level. Reva and Logan were waiting for them, Reva grabbing Kelsey’s arm to let some of the passing crowd separate them from the boys.

“Did Elliot ask you to Cotillion?” Reva asked and Kelsey blinked at her.

“Yeah he did actually,” Kelsey said with a small laugh. “How did you know?” Reva stared at her blankly. “What?”

“Nothing,” Reva said rubbing her forehead. “Did you say yes?”

“I told him I’d have to see if I could get Sully to agree to go,” Kelsey said, rolling her eyes as she hoisted her bag higher on her shoulder, butterflies letting loose in her stomach when she saw Alex’s classroom door come into view.

“But if you can you’re gonna go with him,” Reva asked, placing a hand on Kelsey’s arm and they stopped in the middle of the hall, bodies jostling them in their attempt to get by.

“Yeah. Sure. I guess,” Kelsey said then bit her lip. Would Alex mind her going to Cotillion with another guy? “Who are you going with?”

Reva shrugged, linking her arm through Kelsey’s and heading towards the classroom door at a leisurely pace, annoying all those around them. “I haven’t decided,” she said with a sigh and Kelsey laughed.

“So many boys so little time?” She asked as Reva released her to step through the door first.

“You know it,” she said winking over her shoulder but Kelsey had stopped dead in the doorway, her eyes widening as she took in the dark haired man standing behind the desk, shuffling papers around importantly.

“Hey Mr. Danvers,” Reva said smirking at him.

That was definitely not Mr. Danvers. Or at least not the one Reva thought he was.

He looked up bewildered by her tone and when he saw her sultry stare he actually licked his lips and smirked back. Reva gave Kelsey a covert wide eyed look as she spun away from him to take her seat. Kelsey jumped as the bell rang, looking out at the hallway just as Cody Alger tripped in, kicking the doorstop and the door swung slowly closed behind him.

“Miss Charming?”

She jumped, turning and Drew smirked at her

“Would you please take your seat?”

Kelsey took slow steps towards her desk, her eyes on him the entire time. “Mr. Danvers,” she said lowly and Drew grinned at her. “What…where… um…”

“Please.” Drew said, his tone mock serious. “Take your seat.”

Kelsey swallowed hard, taking slow steps over to her desk, pulling her bag over her head before lowering herself onto the chair. Reva leaned over.

“Do you think he got laid last night?”

Kelsey inhaled sharply, choking on her own spit which started a coughing fit. Reva looked at her alarmed.

“Are you alright, Miss Charming?” Drew asked, his eyes playful and Kelsey managed to get ahold of herself, struggling to swallow.

“Yes, thank you,” she said, clearing her throat.

“Sir,” Drew corrected and there was a tittering of giggles from the rest of the class.

Kelsey gritted her teeth. “Thank you, sir.”

Drew grinned to himself and Reva let out a low breath. “Look at that smile. He definitely got laid last night.”

“Okay, class!” Drew exclaimed walking out from behind the desk and surveying the classroom with glee before seeming to remember how solemn his brother was and he painted a stern look on his face. “Young minds… just ready to be… impregnated by learning.” Drew’s eyes fell on Reva who raised her eyebrows at him, her mouth popping open in shock. Kelsey sunk in her seat and covered her eyes with her hand.

“You know what,” Drew said, leaning on the front of the desk and looking thoughtful. “I just feel like I don’t know you guys very well.” He sighed and looked around at the astonished faces of the class before zeroing in on Kelsey. “Miss Charming, tell me something interesting about yourself.”

Kelsey lowered her hand slowly and gaped at him. Reva elbowed her hard and Kelsey could tell she was fighting giggles.

“Oh I dunno Mr. Danvers, you know plenty about me. Why not Cody?”

The entire class turned and looked at Cody Alger who was squinting up at Mr. Danvers with a dazed and confused expression, smacking his lips and occasionally rubbing at his bloodshot eyes.

“Cody has a really great theory about aliens,” Kelsey said and the entire class groaned but Cody lit up.

“Kelsey!” Reva said, hitting her arm, “Why would you do that to us?”

“I am not listening to him talk about aliens for an hour and a half,” Brittany Evans groused.

“Dude, okay, so, like everybody knows aliens built the pyramids. But did you know that aliens were behind Woodstock?”

Drew squinted at Cody before crossing his arms over his chest and tilting his head in concession. “Astute perception there, Mr….” Drew looked at the roster on the desk, “Alger. But, have you ever considered the possibility that electricity is alien magic and the hum from florescent lighting is them broadcasting their agenda into our receptive minds without our knowing it?”

Cody’s eyes widened and his mouth popped open, turning his bloodshot eyes to the lights above him, muttering a soft, “Whoa,” and falling silent.

Reva blinked at him and then back at Drew. “Wow, nice one Mr. Danvers.”

“I like to adjust my teaching methods to fit every learning style, Miss…?”

Reva snorted. “Sarno.” Reva leaned over to Kelsey. “What is with him today?” she muttered and Kelsey didn’t respond.

“Ah yes, forgive me,” he tapped his temple and leveled his eyes on Kelsey. “Haven’t been getting much sleep lately.”

Kelsey sat stock still, her face blank but her mind had started to race, finally unjamming from the initial shock. Where was Alex? She looked at Drew critically as he fished his phone out of his pocket and noted that he was definitely wearing Alex’s clothes, except for dirty motorcycle boots on his feet.

“Miss Charming?” He said again and Kelsey felt her ears burn hot. “Please, something about yourself?”

“Um… I…” Kelsey stopped, her eyes riveted to the phone in his hands. There was a gray splotch of paint on the corner of the case from where he’d dripped on it while painting his rental - Alex’s rental. This is Drew. “Is that your phone,” Kelsey blurted and Drew grinned at her, looking down at it and scrolling.

“Of course Miss Charming. Why would I have someone else phone?”

“Erm…”

“Come now,” Drew said stuffily in what he must have thought was a good impression of his brother. “Something. Fun. About. You.” He said punctuating each word with a tap to the desk.

“Why do want to know so much about Kelsey?” Elliot grumbled and Kelsey and Reva both turned to look at him astonished. “You spend every afternoon with her.”

Drew’s eyes lit up and Kelsey whipped back around finding him grinning at her lasciviously. She tried shaking her head as imperceptibly as possible but it only caused Drew to grin wider.

“I do, don’t I?” Drew said, crossing his arms over his chest and sighing, smirking at Kelsey. “Why is that Miss Charming? Does your mind not get impregnated enough in my class you need it after hours too?”

Kelsey opened her mouth to respond but was cut off by the classroom door flying open, banging loudly as it hit the chalkboard behind it and cracking the slate. Alex stood there panting, sweat pouring down his face, his cardigan falling off one shoulder and the white button-down underneath, along with his trousers, were covered in chalky white dust. The entire class was silent, looking from Alex to Drew and back again, stunned.

“Whooooooooaaaaaaaa.”

Cody Alger was leaning so far forward in his desk Kelsey feared he was going to tip it over, his eyes squinting from Alex to Drew with disbelief. “Are… are you guys seeing this? Because… because….”

“Good Lord,” Reva muttered beside her and Kelsey looked at her friend who was staring open mouthed at Drew. “There’s… there’s two of them.”

“Drew,” Alex growled, reaching to pull his cardigan up his shoulder and stomping over to his brother. “What… what… are you… doing?”

“Impregnating young minds!” Drew exclaimed and Kelsey pressed her hands to her face.

“Stop saying that word,” she groaned.

“Cat’s out of the bag, kiddos,” Drew exclaimed, throwing an arm around Alex’s neck and hugging him roughly. “Mr. Danvers has a twin! How come you never told them about me, baby bro?” Drew tried to give him a noogie and Alex deftly slipped from under his arm, grabbing him by the thumb and jamming his arm up behind his back painfully. “Whoa easy tiger. No fair using the Marine holds on a civilian.”

“You were in the Marines?” Logan asked and Alex looked at Logan from behind Drew who was breathing heavily, trying to wiggle some off the pressure off of his shoulder.

“Yeah,” Drew said, “He hunted spies in Russia for six years. OW!” Alex tugged harder on Drew’s thumb and his brother hissed. “You’re gonna dislocate my shoulder.”

“Good, if you’re in the hospital you’ll be less prone to wander. Now give me back my phone,” Alex demanded, holding out his free hand.

“What kind of hold is that?” Kelsey heard Logan mutter from the back and she glanced back at him finding him and his other football buddies gazing at Alex with a new found respect.

“I don’t have your phone,” Drew said petulantly and Alex rolled his eyes tugging a little harder on his arm and Drew gritted his teeth whining. “Fine, fine, fine it’s on the desk. Jesus.”

Alex looked over and gave Drew a shove as he released him then snatched up his phone. “Class, say goodbye to my brother.”

“The better looking Mr. Danvers,” Drew teased rubbing his shoulder as he winked at Reva who giggled shrilly. Kelsey hit her in the arm.

“Drew,” Alex barked and the anger in his voice ceased all chatter in the room, whatever amusement the students were getting from the situation vanished. “Goodbye.”

“Alright I’m going. Fun talking with you all,” Drew said as he sauntered towards the door. He spun, walking backwards and smirked at Kelsey, “Especially you, Miss Charming.”

Alex’s head whipped to him and Kelsey swallowed hard as she watched Drew disappear around the door frame, his throaty laugh wafting down the hallway behind him.

Alex looked back at Kelsey who was biting her lip, the worry line drawn between her brows and he sighed looking down at his phone which was clenched in his fist. He checked it quickly, seeing the XOs from Kelsey and glanced at her again. Her neck was red. He sighed heavily, shoving his phone in his pocket and then leaned heavily on the top of his desk, trying to think. He waited a beat before straightening, running a hand through his sweat-damp hair.

“I’m… very sorry about that,” Alex said, standing very straight and jutting his chin out. “My brother is… uh… a bit of a prankster.” Alex wiped at his shirt self consciously.

“What happened to you?” Elliot asked and Alex looked at him, his eyes turning cold.

“Well, if you must know, I got locked in the softball shed,” Alex snapped. Elliot’s eyes widened. Kelsey looked around and found several people looking like they were trying very hard not to laugh.

“That hold you did on him. You learned that in the Marines?” Logan asked. Alex looked at him blankly.

“Yes.”

“Was that true? About being in Russia for six years?” Ashley Immins asked.

“Uh,” Alex said, shuffling papers across his desk.

“You speak Russian though right? Were you like cracking codes and catching spies?” Ryan Shepcut asked from the back row where Kelsey noticed, he, Logan and Joshua Thurbeck were all leaning forward in their seats, riveted.

“Don’t be stupid, Shep,” Logan said hitting him on the arm, “He can’t tell us that. It’s classified right Mr. Danvers?”

Alex pinched the bridge of his nose, rubbing slowly and trying to harness his patience, his heartbeat still thudding hard from his escape from the softball shed and his dead sprint across the entire grounds to get back here. His blood was boiling and no amount of counting to ten or meditative breathing was even touching the rage.

“If your dad was in the Navy why’d you go into the Marines?”

Alex gritted his teeth against Reva’s question and heard her squeal “Ow” then Kelsey whispered something he didn’t catch.

“Class you’re dismissed for the day,” Alex said, his head still down and no one moved. “Go. Before I change my mind and make you write essays about literature during the Russian Revolution.”

“We haven’t covered any Russian Literature…” Megan Shahady said confused.

Alex looked up at her and her eyes widened as he zeroed in on her. “Then I suggest you leave before I start the timer.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone.

There was a mad scramble for the door as students clamored to not be the last person in the classroom. Alex fell into his chair, leaning back in exhaustion, rubbing his eyes.

“Al-… er… Mr. Danvers?”

He fought a groan as he looked up and found Kelsey standing in front of his desk, looking meek but concerned.

“Not now Kels, please,” he said and she nodded, the concern not leaving her eyes.

“I just wanted to make sure you were okay,” she said softly and sighed, looking at her with pure misery in his eyes. She swallowed hard. “I’ll… I’ll go…”

She walked slowly to the door, hoping with all her might that he’d ask her to stop but he didn’t. She looked over her shoulder at him before she left the classroom and he was still sitting there, slouched in his chair, his head hanging back, a marionette with cut strings. She pulled her phone out, shot off a quick text and then walked away, hearing the ding of his phone echo down the hall and wondering if he would even bother to look at it.