Miguel decided that he would have more time at recess and during his classes to search through the 100ish kids that could fit his image of Elm. Miguel headed into his first-period humanities class and looked around. Why had he never noticed how many people had brown eyes?!

Miguel shook his head as he tried to shake all thoughts of Elm from his head. He made himself focus on picking a desk, that he would be stuck at for a full year. He chose one at the back and to the side so he would catch fewer people's attention.

As he glanced around he saw a smaller boy coming over to sit beside him. His heart sped up as the boy’s dark chocolate chip resembling eyes rested on him. The boy looked to be a junior too (this was a senior-level class), his blonde bangs hung over his forehead. He had a thin build, yet he still had strongish looking arms. He appeared nervous, with knuckles he kept trying to crack.

“Hi my name is Eric, could I trouble you into letting me sit in the spot right next to yours?” Eric said in the most confusing way possible.

“Umm yeah of course!” Miguel replied, as soon as he realized what the kid meant, he may have sounded a little too eager. A small caramel blush spread from his nose to his cheeks.

“How-long have-you been-going here? Today-is my-first day-and I-hardly know-anyone so-I-am-sorry if-I blurt-a lot-I am-just freaking-out a-bit!” Eric said without drawing a breath, as he sat down on the desk joined to Miguel's.

Miguel let out a small laugh and wondered if this rambling child could be the boy he lo-nope, was crushing on. “I am Miguel I have been going here for all of High School so far (9-12), I am sorry you are freaking out, I think you will probably make friends quickly, only a few of us bite,” Miguel said with a wink, trying to make the smaller boy feel at home.

The boy let out a small sigh and smiled, a smile that Miguel found breathtaking, he wondered if this could be the Elmhe yearned to know. Their teacher came in and silenced the class as they all nervously tried to read how much homework they would have for this class.

“My name is Ms. Barnum, you would do best to remember it, for those new to our school, humanities classes are a mix of literature classes and history. This class will be tough on homework if you have a special need to concerning printing, or extra time for things let me know before the eve of your homework is due…”

As soon as the bell rang to signify the change of periods Miguel turned to Eric and said, “What class do you have next?”

Eric was too nervous to actually speak so he just thrust his schedule into Miguel’s hand. Miguel’s grin spread from ear to ear, his luck might actually be turning around, he had each and every single class with Eric, except his French III.

“Want to walk together? We have all but languages together…” Miguel said searching for the smaller boy’s reaction and was relieved as Eric’s face broke out into a huge grin. In contrary to Eric’s past years in high school when he had no friends, yet here he was at a new school, making friends with someone. He couldn’t contain his joy, he smiled, and leaned in, hugging Miguel. At first, he feared he had stepped too far when Miguel remained motionless, but after two seconds or so he realized, this was not a dream and hugged Eric back until it became a little awkward (two dudes who just met hugging for like 10 secs 👌🏻👀).

“Ehm… Yeah, that would work for me.” Eric squeaked out, as they pulled apart. A giggle slipped through his lips once he saw that the rough-looking, jock resembling, boy next to him had a pink/caramel blush from his nose to his ears. Eric couldn’t stop smiling knowing he caused that beautiful blush.

What beautiful? What the fuck was he thinking?!? Being alone for so long probably had distorted the words he used to describe others, he told himself as they walked to class side by side.