Chapter Text
“Well, Y/N. Don’t you just look happy.”
Sending Demetri a glare, you let your lunch tray fall to the table with a loud clatter, falling into your seat with a huff. You can feel both Demetri and Eli’s, whose sat next to you, gaze on you as settle into your seat.
Letting out a huff, you meet their gaze. “Guess who I ran into on my way here?”
“Hmm, let me guess,” Demetri pretends to pause in thought, pressing a hand to his chin. “Yasmine?”
Snapping your fingers at him, you roll your eyes. “Bingo.”
“Are you okay?”
Eli’s voice is in a much softer tone compared to Demetri’s, pulling your gaze on him as he stares at you with a mixture of concern and sadly, a lack of surprise. You can’t blame him, or even really Demetri’s response — the fact of the matter was it wasn’t surprising.
At all.
“I’m fine,” you shrug, moving to cross your arms over your chest. “She just had a few choice words about my appearance today, that’s all.”
Although you try to say it with an edge of nonchalance, brushing off their concern — both Eli and Demetri can see the way you curl into yourself, arms wrapping tighter around your body in an effort to try and cover yourself more. You were deeply regretting letting your small bout of confidence this morning convince you to wear something different to your normal every day attire. Something a little more risky, something a little more like what Yasmine would wear.
Any confidence you had had been quickly shattered the second you ran into Yasmine.
“Well, I-I think you look great.”
No matter how softly fumbled his words are, Eli’s compliment doesn’t fail to make your heart flutter in response and a warmth grow to your cheeks. You suddenly feel ten times better than you had seconds prior, a feat only Eli was ever able to accomplish when it came to Yasmine. The smile that curls onto your lips is contagious, but you find yourself fumbling for a response back, your embarrassment growing at the rather unimpressed look Demetri is sending both your ways.
“Is it cool if I sit here?”
You’re thankful for the interruption in more ways then one, blinking in surprise as you turn to look at the unfamiliar voice only to see a kid you don’t recognize.
“Ooh,” Demetri whistles, answering before you can get a word in otherwise. “Sorry, table’s really blowing up right now. I can put you on the wait list, but it’s probably next semester at the earliest.”
The new kid just shakes his head, obviously believing Demetri’s sarcasm, moving to walk away. “Okay.”
“Wait,” you call out, voice rushing out quickly before he can get too far. “He’s kidding,” you quickly explain, sending a small smile when the new kid meets your gaze. “Please sit,” you gesture before yourself. “Sometimes, Demetri just doesn’t know when to not be sarcastic.”
You send another glare Demetri’s way, but he’s hardly phased, shrugging his shoulders. “Hey, I bring the entertainment to this table.”
Rolling your eyes, you turn back to the new kid. “My names Y/N.”
“Miguel,” he nods back.
“I’m Demetri, like she said,” Demetri offers, before gesturing to Eli. “This is Eli.” In response, he just offers a small nod. “He’s a man of few words.”
Eli looks down at his hands at that, a action you notice out of the corner of your eye. Frowning, you quickly move to nudge him, sending him a small smile, one he moves to reciprocate, before something catches his eye.
Following his gaze, you frown at the sight of Yasmine.
Instantly, you curl back into yourself, desperately trying to avoid the girls gaze as she walks right past, not even batting you, or the rest of your friends, a single glance. Still, her words from earlier come back to slap you in the face, and you’re quick to curl back into yourself, nails digging into the back of your shirt.
You don’t notice Eli’s gaze on you.
“Dude,” Demetri calls out, causing you to blink. “Don’t torture yourself. Those are the rich girls.”
Miguel seems in a trance, blinking himself out of his stupor; “do you ever talk to them or...”
Instantly, you can feel Demetri’s sarcasm.
“Oh yeah! All the time. We hang out after school, make out, give each other hand jobs.” You watch as Demetri gestures to Eli, the latter in response laughing quietly to himself. “Eli here is the homecoming king. Gets laid more than anyone. Isn’t that right, Eli?”
“Okay, okay,” you huff lightly, rolling your eyes at Demetri but even you can’t stop the smile on your lips at his words. “I think Miguel gets the point.”
Demetri shakes his head, continuing; “talk to them? You realize what table you’re sitting at, right? You’ve pretty much signed away all hopes of losing your virginity before college.”
As Demetri finishes talking, you feel Eli tense up beside you. Glancing over at him with a frown, your shoulders fall in realization once you see what he has.
“Oh shit, Yasmine’s looking at us.” He fiddles with his fingers, leaning into himself. “Probably just making fun of me.”
“I don’t think she’s making fun of you,” Miguel argues, shaking his head. “I mean, just because they’re hot doesn’t mean they’re mean.”
“Maybe,” Eli shrugs, ignoring the disbelieving look Demetri sends him. “I mean, Y/N’s nice.”
You blink at his words, suddenly feeling all three boys’ gaze on you as your lips part in surprise. Specifically, you can’t seem to take your eyes off of Eli as he smile softly at you -- you’re not even sure he completely understand exactly what he just said to you. But then again, Eli said a lot of things to cheer you up and they never really meant anything before.
Not in the way you hoped anyway.
“See?” Miguel agrees, sending you a bright smile. “Eli gets it.”
“Well, I don’t care if Yasmine is the meanest girl at school. I’d kill all three of you just to get her to spit in my face.”
Scrunching your face up, you turn to Demetri; “that’s disgusting.”
“Yet,” he pauses, “true.”
“If you don’t make a move, though, you’ll never have a shot,” Miguel cuts in, shaking his head at Demetri.
“True,” Demetri points at Miguel, “but I’ll also never suffer a humiliating rejection. I’m at peace with my depression, the last thing I need to be is suicidal.”
Miguel falls silent at that, and just as you move to finally take a bit out of your lunch, you freeze when you feel a pair of eyes on you. It’s no doubt Yasmine, but still you turn your head over your shoulder nonetheless, a deep frown marring your lips as she meets your gaze. The look on his face is nothing short of cruel as he blatantly laughs at you, sending you a feigned pout of pity.
A little past her, you see one of the boys that frequently sit at her table eyeing you as well. Particularly, your chest.
Yup, you really shouldn’t have listened to yourself this morning.
“Did--Did you want my sweater?”
Blinking at Eli’s words, you turn back around to face him, eyes widening.
“What?” Then, you see him gesturing to his sweater, the words finally settling in. “Oh, no, that’s okay, Eli. Thank you though--”
But he’s already pulling off his sweater before you finish speaking, your lips parting as you watch him simply hand it over to you with a gentle smile. It takes you a second before you accept it — not feeling the pair of eyes watching you — smiling brightly at Eli.
“Thank you, Eli. I was getting a little cold.”
The both of you know that’s not it, but neither of you say anything as you let the sweater fall over your body, pulling your arms through the sleeves, feeling a bit better at being a little more covered.
And, of course, getting to wear Eli’s sweater.
Neither of you notice the matching pair of blushes on either of your cheeks -- in fact, the only one who does is Demetri, who simply rolls his eyes at the both of yours obliviousness.
Then, suddenly, Miguel’s standing up, slow and as if in a daze.
“Uh, what’re you doing?”
“Striking first.”
“Oh, shit.” Demetri huffs, “hope we don’t get hit with the shrapnel.”
Rolling your eyes, you watch Miguel with a smile. “I kind of admire it,” you shrug, “his confidence.”
“And yours this morning seemed to work so well for you.”
Frowning at Demetri’s words, you glance down at your lap.
In the next second, the chair Miguel had been sat in not seconds prior is pulled back out, Miguel falling into it with a huff a second later.
“So,” Demetri calls after a moment, “how’d it go?”
Miguel just nods, not needing to say anything.
“Well,” you offer after a moment, “I thought it was brave.”
Miguel turns to you with a bright smile, surprised by your words as you send him a thumbs up.
“Y/N.”
Feeling a nudge at your side, you turn to Eli with a quirked brow.
“Remember?”
That’s all he needs to say for it to click, “oh, shit! Our project!” Turning to Demetri and Miguel, you send an apologetic glance the latter’s way. “Sorry, Eli and I have to finish up our project that’s due next period. Final touches. It was nice meeting you though, Miguel.”
You’re moving to a stand, Eli following after you quickly as Miguel sends you a wave.
Once the two of you are out of the lunchroom, Miguel turns to Demetri.
“Are those two--”
“Dating?” Demetri cuts in, rolling his eyes. “No. However, deeply in love with each other and too afraid to admit it? Yes, most definitely.”
Miguel nods, slowly at first. “How long have they been like that?”
“Since the first day Y/N stood up for Eli, which in turn turned her into one of us.” Demetri shrugs, “I believe that was… middle school? I’ve known Eli since elementary and Y/N was the first person who ever stood up for him. He’s been in love with her since then.”
“And Y/N?”
Demetri pauses, face scrunching up in thought. “I dunno. One day, she came into school and it was like Eli was a whole new person to her. She won’t tell me, though. Won’t even admit it.”
Miguel frowns, head titling in confusion. “But it’s so…—“
“—obvious?”
“Yeah.”
“Trust me,” Demetri sighs, “I’ve been trying to tell both of them that for years.”
-
“Cyberbullying is no laughing matter.”
“Oh no,” you mumble, voice barely a whisper.
You feel Eli tense next to you, Miguel and Demetri sending you a look of confusion as all of four of focus on the student councillor. She’s made herself known at the front of the lunchroom, microphone in hand for added effect.
By the look on Eli’s face, you have a feeling you know where this is going.
“Sending a cruel message to someone online can be just as hurtful as saying it to their face. I’m not gonna name names, but the other day a mother called me up because her son was crying after some kids online made fun of his facial deformity.”
Not gonna name names, my ass.
Turning to Eli, you frown at the look on his face.
“It’s the kid right there,” you hear someone whisper nearby, gesturing to Eli.
“It’s the kid with the weird lip!”
Eli quickly moves to cover his lip, eyes trained downwards as he tries to hide himself with no avail. It’s pretty obvious everyone’s eyes are on him.
Setting a hand on his shoulder, you shake your head; “just ignore them,” you whisper. But you know that’s easier said then done.
“But today, our goal here is to make this school a safe space for all students—“
“You know,” Miguel cuts in, pulling your attention away from the teacher as he leans over to Eli. “If you’re sick of getting bullied, my karate dojos looking for recruits.”
You lips purse in thought, and one glance at Eli tells you he’s maybe considering it.
Of course, Demetri thinks otherwise. “Yeah, right. You hear that, Eli? A little karate training,” he makes some hand movements, a poor mocking of the sport. “And you’re gonna kick some major ass.”
“I’m serious, Demetri,” Miguel argues, leaning forward in his seat. “My sensei’s the real deal. I’m sure I could get you all discounts.”
“As enticing as that sounds, I think we’d rather spend our afternoons playing Crucible Control than getting hit in the face.”
“I dunno,” you shrug, leaning forward with a smile. “It might be worth checking out.”
“Really?” Miguel’s eyes widen, leaning towards you. “You’ll sign up for it then?”
You pause slightly, faltering. “I… more meant,” and slowly your eyes shift towards the boy sat next to you. “Eli?” And when his eyes fall on you, Miguel turns to him excitedly, looking entirely too hopeful. “It might be fun, yeah?”
Eli doesn’t say anything, not really; just a single glance to you and then back at Miguel, before shrugging his shoulders.
“Oh, and one more thing.” The teachers voice cuts back in, “while we’re all looking forward to the Halloween dance, let’s make sure our costumers are cultural sensitive. For example, instead of ‘sexy nurse’, maybe try ‘gender-neutral hospital employee’.”
Body tensing at her words, you bite your lip.
“Y/N?” Miguel calls out, surprising you as you turn to him. “Are you okay?”
“Oh, oh, yeah,” you smile, though it doesn’t reach your eyes. “Yeah, I’m okay. I just realized though, that I um… I have to go.”
You push yourself to a stand, grabbing your backpack with haste.
You’re walking away and out of the lunchroom before any of the boys can stop you.
“What was that all about?”
And as both pair of eyes fall on Eli, he just shrugs.
“I don’t know either.”
-
“Y/N! Y/N! Wait up!”
Pausing at the sound of Miguel’s voice, you’re oddly surprised at the sight of him running up to you, looking as if he’d left the cafeteria in a flurry of panic.
“Um, Miguel?” You call out, baffled as your brows furrow at him.
He falls to a stop in front of you, slightly breathless as he presses his palms to his knees. You watch as he catches his breath, slowly turning his head up to glance at you. “Are you, uh… are you okay?”
You blink, glancing past him at the doors to the lunchroom before back at him. “You ran all the way here just to ask if I’m okay?”
“Well, yeah,” he shrugs, “you looked really upset when you left.”
“Oh.” You mumble it out, shocked at his sweetness and care to check up on you — someone he’s really only just met. “Yeah,” you smile lightly, though it doesn’t meet your eyes. “I just… it’s just this Halloween dance.”
“You don’t wanna go?”
“No, it’s not that, it’s just…” Pausing, you shake your head. You don’t know what you’re just dumping all of your troubles onto Miguel when you’ve barely even told Eli or Demetri any of this. “I don’t know, just nervous. I want something to happen, but I’m scared it won’t go the way I want.”
Miguel smiles brightly, a twinkle in his gaze as he laughs. “You want Eli to ask you to dance, yeah?”
Blinking, you jerk your head back. “How’d you know?”
He just laughs; “it’s clear that you two like each other, and I mean, Demetri has definitely complained about his troubles as a third wheel.”
Letting out a snort, you roll your eyes; “that doesn’t surprise me.”
“I meant what I said though,” Miguel assures, “I know Eli likes you too.”
Crossing your arms over your chest, you shrug. “I’m not sure. He’s really sweet and kind, and there’s times where I think ‘maybe he does like me’, but then nothing ever happens.” You explain, meeting Miguel’s gaze with a frown. “I’m just tired of getting my hopes up.”
Miguel just beams down at you, setting a hand on your shoulder while giving you a thumbs up. “Don’t worry, tonight is the night he’ll make a move. I’m sure of it.”
Quirking a brow, you mimic his smile. It’s impossible not to — Miguel just has this way about him that makes you trust him inexplicably. Because the truth is, there’s no way he can guarantee something like that and yet, you want to believe him. You barely know the boy, but you feel like you can tell him anything, and he’d listen.
“Yeah, you think so?”
“I know so.”
“Well,” you shrug, laughing. “I’ll believe in you then.”
-
“Hey, you!”
Jumping at the random, booming voice, you tense in surprise as you spin around, only to see a full grown man rushing towards you. And not one you recognize as a teacher.
You’d been hesitating on walking into the gym, feeing slightly uncomfortable with the costume you’d chosen for the night. You’d gone with something a little more risky, and last time you had, it had gone anything but well.
However, you were hoping to impress Eli tonight.
“Um, hello?”
He’s slightly out of breath as he reaches you, and you’re mildly unsure of what he wants with you until suddenly there’s a piece of orange paper being shoved in your face.
“Cobra… Kai?”
“It’s my dojo,” he explains, “you should join it. Girls can be badass too. I don’t discriminate.”
Utterly baffled and confused, any previous anxiousness was out the window as you turned back to the guy.
“Thank… you? I guess?”
“Of course, of course,” sending you a ‘rock on’ with his hand, he begins to back up. “Don’t forget to check out the website, it’s—it’s on the paper!”
You don’t say anything else, simply watching him walk away as he slowly shuffles back on his feet before you slowly turn towards the doors to the gymnasium. That was… certainly interesting.
Once you’re inside, it doesn’t take long for you to spot your friends. They’re tucked away in a corner like you expected, and it’s not hard to spot Demetri in his full necromancy get-up that he’d been raving to you about for the past few days leading up.
“Look, there she is!”
Reaching them, you try to ignore the flutter of butterflies — you were shy at the worst of times, and having been trying to push yourself out of your own boundaries recently had been anything but easy. The only reason you hadn’t stopped after Yasmine made fun of you the first time was because Eli had thought you looked great and… well, you wanted Eli to think you looked great tonight too.
Beautiful even.
“Y/N, you—…”
It’s Eli who speaks first once the three boys have gotten a good look at you. Your heart starts to race as anticipation floods you, hoping desperately he’ll say the words you were waiting for.
But then a second pauses by, and it’s starting to get awkward; your smile faltering when you realize he isn’t going to say anything.
“—great!”
It’s Miguel who cuts in, pulling your eyes on him as he grins brightly at you. “Seriously! Best costume out of the four of us for sure.”
It’s not Eli, but the words are sweet enough and you can’t help but smile softly at Miguel — even if you can’t help but feel slightly disappointed. Plus, you know Miguel’s just trying to make you feel better and honestly, it kind of does.
“I thought mine was pretty good,” Demetri mumbles, mainly to himself.
“I mean… dude,” Miguel cuts in, gesturing to you, “she’s Princess Leia…”
Feeling your cheeks warm, you laugh at Miguel’s words, missing the look Eli sends him as you shake your head.
“Oh yeah, Miguel. I think your Sensei’s handing out flyers here at school.”
His head tilts, brows furrowing in confusion.
“Cobra Kai, right?” You ask, handing him the flyer, “he flagged me down before I came in. He was… um, interesting.” You offer lamely, not sure how else to describe the rather strange man.
Miguel looks mildly embarrassed, reading the flyer with a slight flush to his cheeks before smiling at you.
“The offers still there, ya know. To all of you,” he turns to look at Eli and Demetri too.
“Yes, well as much as I love talking about karate — please notice the sarcasm — why don’t we all grab something to drink?”
Figuring this was your chance, you were quick to speak up. “Oh well, I kind of wanted to dance.” You offer, eyes flitting from Demetri to Miguel, before settling on Eli, trying to not look to hopeful as you brush a strand of hair behind your ear. “If—if someone wanted to dance with me.”
It’s clear you mean Eli.
Miguel and Demetri glance at each other, pausing, waiting with anticipation for Eli to take the offer you’d so graciously handed to him on a silver plate. All he literally had to do was say he’d like to dance with you — he didn’t even have to ask!
But as a moment passes and Eli says nothing, looking nervous as ever and a red tint to his cheeks, you think maybe you’d misread some sort of line somewhere along the way.
He looked positively embarrassed at even the thought of having to dance with you.
Swallowing back the tears that threaten to fall, you take a step back. “I’ll go grab us some drinks then,” you call out, desperately wanted to get away from both Demetri and Miguel’s pitying looks and the absolutely mortified one on Eli’s.
Once you’re gone, Demetri doesn’t hesitate; “you really are an idiot.”
Eli blinks, “what?”
“Dude,” Miguel calls, exasperated as he shakes his head. “She obviously wanted to dance with you.”
Eli’s eyes widen, “she did?”
“I swear to God.”
Ignoring Demetri, Miguel turns to Eli; “yes. She was also hoping you’d say something about her costume.” Miguel shakes his head, huffing.And don’t pretend like you don’t like her, it’s pretty obvious.”
Eli’s cheeks warm and he shuffles on his feet, shaking his head, “yeah, but I mean… I highly doubt she’d actually want to dance with me.”
“Dude, we’re you just not present two minutes prior?” Demetri calls out, exhausted at his friends clear obviousness to your more than obvious feelings for him.
Eli just stares back.
“Look, there’s still a chance,” Miguel calls out hopeful. “Just go ask her now, I’m sure—“
But as the three turn in the direction you’d gone, they’re shocked to see a bit next to you, a hand on your arm as you laugh at something he says, the drinks you’d gotten them left forgotten on the table behind you.
Then, in the next second, he’s extending his hand out towards you and you’re letting your own fall in his, moving towards the dance floor.
“Well…” Demetri calls out after a moment of echoed silence, turning back to Eli whose since pulled back. There’s a upset look in his eyes but he turns away before either Miguel or Demetri can say anything.
-
“Here.”
Biting your lip, you reluctantly follow behind the boy, Adam, who’d asked you to dance. At first you’d been hesitant, but then one glance back at Eli and watching as he adamantly shook his head — assuming it had something to do with you — you realized, why not?
You deserved to have some fun, even if it wasn’t with the boy you wanted.
And it had been fun — at first — but now he was leading you out of the gym and through the rather secluded halls and you were starting to get a bad feeling about what he really intended.
“This rooms empty.”
“Um, I don’t—“
You’re yanked into the room before you can finished speaking, feeling the door slam shut behind you as you’re pressed against it. Your chest tightens in fear, feeling sweat build on your forehead as you realized you should’ve listen to your own instincts better.
Feeling his hands slide onto your hips, you tense.
“Uh, I don’t think—”
“Shh, it’s okay, right?” Adam calls out, voice husked as he presses his lips to your ear. “I mean, you like this sort of stuff, don’t you?”
Baffled by his words, you press the palms of your hands against his chest, pulling away from his with wide eyes. “What’re you talking about?” You huff, shaking your head as you try to create as much distance between the two of you as possible.
“What are you talking about?” He laughs obnoxiously, making you feel ten times smaller then you actually are. “Don’t you know?”
“Know what?”
“Everybody says you like to act like a prude, so I guess it makes sense.” Smirking, Adam pulls your hands off of him, moving to grip your waist with a tight squeeze. But as you continue to stare at him bewildered, he just rolls his eyes. “You know? I heard a few of my buddy’s say you’ve already given them a blowjob. I figured I had to see what all the fuss was about.”
“What?”
Finally coming to your senses, you harshly shove him off of you, feeling your eyes water at his words.
“Okay, Jesus,” he huffs, holding his hands up. “Don’t have to be such a bitch.”
You’re turning away before he can say anything more, rushing out of the room as the tears start to well in your eyes. You couldn’t believe what he was saying — you’ve… you’ve never even kissed a guy before…
How could those rumours have started? How—
Then it clicks. Yasmine.
“Man, I heard you were one but I didn’t realize you’d starting dressing like a slut too.”
It makes sense now why she’d said that to you yesterday. She’s always had a particular hatred for you, teasing you day in and day out — you just never thought it’d go that far…
Feeling a sob break past your lips, you realize you should’ve just stayed home tonight. Nothing had gone the way you wanted and now—
“Y/N?”
Freezing at the sound of Eli’s voice, and the pair of footsteps following him, knowing it can be no other than Demetri, you pause in your step. You don’t really want them to see you crying. They were your best friends, even if Demetri could get on your nerves sometimes, you still cared for the both of them greatly.
However, they were boys and you were afraid they wouldn’t… understand.
“Are you okay?”
A hand falls on your shoulder, touch gentle but hesitant and you’re quick to turn your head the other way.
“I’m fine,” you rush out, shaking your head as you wipe hastily at your cheeks.
“No, you’re not,” Demetri calls out from the other side of you, peaking around to see you — making your attempt at hiding all but useless. “You’re clearly crying.”
Sending him a glare, you huff; “thank you for stating the obvious, Demetri.”
He pulls back, hands held up in surrender as you simply sigh, shoulders falling in defeat as you finally turn to look at Eli. He looks ten times more worried then Demetri, (though you know deep down in his ever so sarcastic heart he cares) and he’s looking down at you with such care and concern you find your resolve faltering at the look in his eyes.
“What happened?”
Biting your lip at his softly uttered question, you shrug; “nothing.”
Eli frowns, clearly knowing you’re lying. “Yasmine?”
You tense at her name and that gives it away.
Demetri sighs, and the two boys follow you as you move to take a seat at the steps before the three of you. They’re on either side of you, Eli’s shoulder brushing against your own.
“Obviously something happened.”
You turn to Demetri, shaking your head. “It’s fine. More or less the same.”
“W-Well,” Eli cuts in, unable to stop himself. “What happened to that boy you were with?”
Your whole body freezes at his question and Demetri and Eli are quick to send each other a confused glance.
“Y/N,” Eli calls, leaning forward to meet your gaze. “Did he… he do something to you?”
You’re unbelievable uncomfortable. It wasn’t that you didn’t trust them, especially Eli — the two of you have leaned on each other more times then you can count when either of you were picked on. You found comfort in him, and you knew Demetri would never make fun of you because he understood.
Well, understood most of it.
“I got away before anything happened,” you shrug, bringing your knees to your chest, making a special effort to keep your dress tucked from revealing anything. “It just… startled me.”
You are careful not to mention what he said. You don’t want Eli thinking that of you.
“Do you want me to beat him up for you?”
It’s Demetri who says it, and it instantly brings a smile to your lips which you assume was the goal of his comment. Turning to him, you shake your head at the goofy look on his face, hands held out before him like he’s going to fight somebody.
“You been secretly going to Miguel’s dojo or something?” You tease, wiggling your brows.
Eli huffs next to you, “yeah, right. Demetri hates that I’m even considering it.”
You turn to Eli, letting out a giggle at the both of them, unaware of look the both of them send to each other and the smiles that curl onto their lips at their success in getting you to laugh.
Maybe they didn’t understand but, as always, you find yourself surprised at how much care either of the boys put into making sure you’re happy. Even though the night hadn’t gone how you wanted, it still felt good to know that at least you still had your friends.
And as your laughter slows, something comes to mind; “wait, where’s Miguel?”