Cal has some hidden talents!
Also, I can imagine that DJ's classmates have probably never seen him look flustered at all, ever, so they're as weirded out by his behavior as they are by whatever's going on with Fern and Cal.
DJ, the best student, the school prince/campus cryptid, who doesn't talk to people, rarely eats in the meal hall, doesn't sleep, and who only leaves his room for class and coffee refills, who's polite but aloof, and cool, is acting like a normal person. This is gossip mill jet fuel.
