The voice that invaded the peaceful sanctuary was unwelcomed. It was sharp, it was piercing. The boy stood, then whipping around to glare daggers at the noisy visitor. A girl from his small school of 22, roughly her fourteen years of age. Her name was Delilah; a 5’4, long-haired, stocky creature. She was kind, though occasionally so much so to the point that it became unbearable. He wished she’d leave.

“Are you always at the shoreline this early? It’s cold. You’re gonna get sick, ya’know.”

No response.

They had been friends for a fair amount of time, going on about three years. Naturally, she was in all of his classes considering the amount of students at the exceedingly small public school. Hauser turned his back to the girl once more, taking to his knees as he rested to watch the waters. Delilah took a seat next to him. “What do you like about this place?” She huffed, running a hand through her long, dusty-brown hair. Hauser did the most to attempt to ignore her. He’d focus extreme attention on the waves, dig his toes into the sand, do absolutely everything but look her way. Delilah hummed, petting her hair in a repetitive nature that made Hauser cringe. The girl extended her wrist in front of her, making its way out of the hiding place of the long, fuzzy sleeves of her sweater. It was then that he realized she wasn't going away, and then that he realized that there was no point in ignoring her.

"It's cold, and it's lonely." He spoke quietly, brows furrowed as he watched the tide roll out from sands of the coast.

"Hmm, oh. And am I ruining that?" Delilah chuckled, glancing over to her friend. He nodded slowly. The girl smiled.

And suddenly, she took a stand, glancing down towards him to hold out her hand. "Let's get outta here." Delilah spoke, those brown eyes of hers willing her friend to his feet. The two unlatched their hands from each other once risen fully, making their way back over to the low, dry shrubs. Hauser grabbed his bike, and though he could find the other girl to be an annoyance at times he knew basic manners and would not ditch his friend to opt for a faster ride on his bike. He walked alongside her, back up the dirt road, back up to town as they stopped quickly at his house to pick up his things for school, down through the roads winding about fields and meadows, and finally arriving to the small campus. Entirely, it was about equal to the size of a ranch house with an acre of land stretching beyond it.

Mountain Guard School of All-Age. Delilah gave a small smile towards the area, sucking in a deep breath before heading inside. Hauser was left to fit his bike into the small rack outside of the school. And as he locked it in place, for the second time that day his name was called out by another familiar voice. He recognized it immediately, as it was not nearly as harsh or as high as Delilah's own. He turned, a small smile on his face. This was someone he enjoyed being around. Kitsuya Nguyen. His senior by a year being in 11th grade, and, If you asked Hauser, his best friend. He gave Kitsuya a wave as the boy approached. He was about 5 inches taller than Hauser himself, standing at 5'11. His hair was jet black, combed down and straight. Bangs neatly covered his forehead and brushed just against his triangular frames. His eyes were light blue, and a kind smile decorated his features, one that contrasted against his medium-sized and sometimes intimidating build. Hauser quickly finished locking his bike to the rack, meeting the other boy half way.

Kitsuya gave a small "Good morning." to which Hauser returned with a nod. "Did you go down to the shoreline again this morning? Find anything cool?" He questioned, beginning to walk with the other boy towards the school. Hauser shook his head.

"No, not really.. I might have, but Delilah stopped me.." He sighed softly, shrugging and casting a glance to the taller male. He smiled

"I could help you look around a bit later, if you'd want." The senior offered, returning a side glance to Hauser.

"No, it's alright, really.. No offense, but it's just kinda nice to be alone." He replied, pushing open the doors to the school. Kitsuya seemed slightly disappointed, though only for a brief moment as he pushed his glasses up and further onto his face. He nodded simply, and Hauser was afraid that he had upset him. "Ah, well, I'm gonna go.. It's my turn to water the garden." He said quickly, rushing off before he could be around the another male for another moment longer. It wasn't that he didn't want to be near him, it was only that he didn't wish to possibly upset him further. Hauser sighed, making his way to the attached greenhouse, filling the water pail, and beginning to pour it over the plants.

Back at the mudroom, Kitsuya gritted his teeth. He had no reason to go to that beach, none at all. Hauser was his way to make it seem normal. Why couldn't he understand that?! No, no, he couldn't blame him. All he could do.. Was wait for his chance. And so, he headed to class, keeping his head low and hopes high.