Adam laughed at Franky’s approximation of his accent and the most common Canadian accents. “Not bad,” he said of her accent, “it’ll take a little work, but you’re not too far off.” His face fell into a serious, furrowed-brow expression. “Those stereotypes are highly inaccurate.” He paused, giving way to a smile. “You forgot the part about how we all live in igloos. That one’s clearly closest to the truth.”
“So, can I say something without you thinking I’m a total freak?” Adam asked rhetorically, knowing he planned on asking anyway. It was something he needed to get out to someone other than the not-so-comforting ear of his concrete dorm walls. “I kinda feel bad for Owen… like… since we ganged up on him, I’ve seen some of his blog posts, and.. I don’t know. Everyone hates him, which.. is kinda my fault, and I don’t know. I just know what it’s like for everyone to hate you.” He exhaled in frustration, hating that he was even feeling this way. He wanted to despise Owen and stick to it, like a normal person; like a normal guy. But his damn sympathies were taking over. “Like, it’s no surprise that teens who are ostracized go ahead and kill themselves, and as much as Owen’s the last person I’ll ever consider a friend, I don’t want that happening either. I don’t know, I’m just confused is all.”
“Well we don’t all take tea and crumpets out to the garden every day and talk about how ghastly the rubbish Americans are and watch cricket from our balconies,” Franky said with a wink.
But at the sudden topic change Franky’s smile faded and her expression went serious. “Well I disagree with anything being ‘your fault’. I believe being a homophobic bigot is what got him hatred, not anything you did in any way. He deserved everything he got Adam,” Franky said with conviction. She softened slightly and put a hand on Adam’s shoulder. “But your heart’s in the right place. And you have a point. While I am one hundred percent certain that he deserved everything Adam, people can get second chances. You just have to be careful who you give them to. Some people not deserve them. I’m not saying Owen doesn’t. I’m just saying care is…” Franky frowned and looked at her knees. “So what do you want to do? Help him? Because Adam… If you talk to him, I don’t want you going alone. I’ll go with you.”
“Promise me you’ll take me with you,” Franky said in a stern voice, looking him straight in the eye.
