Today there is a new student. Satome Eito. He has pastel pink hair, which is okay at our school if you're elite enough, piercings in both ears and hair that is slicked back on one side and longer on the other. He looks kind of intimidating, in a delinquent type of way, yet has a classy aura to him too. According to the whispers, he is a famous model. He is quarter European on his moms side and is quite rich due to his father owning and estate managing company. He’s also been in some advertisements and commercials. He stopped going to school after getting into modelling... and is now sitting behind me. I used to sit here with all the other guys but after what happened they moved, ending up in me having no one on my right and behind me. The teachers said it was fine, cause that way no one could cheat off of me. Going by that logic, it makes sense our teacher asked him to sit behind me, as my body would be blocking the view on my paper. But why can I feel him staring at my back. Did the guys put something weird on it? Is he trying to see what page I am on? If that's so he can just ask the person on his right or the teacher. Why?

I hear movement behind me, then three footsteps. A shadow casts over me.

“Hello! Nice to meet you, I am Satome. Satome Eito.” I look up to see the new boy reaching out his hand. I reluctantly shake it. Before I can introduce myself the gasps from the students draws my attention away from Satome. Shocked faces all throughout the room. Our teacher soon catches on and turns around.

“Satome-kun, I understand that you haven’t been to school in a while, and that you are excited to meet your classmates, but right now we have to continue class. Lunch is in a few minutes, so please be patient.” The teacher sounds kind, Satome smiles at me and goes back to his seat.

“Excuse me teacher.” Satome apologises. I can hear him opening his book. That was so awkward. Who stands up in the middle of class and walks over to someone like that? It is so obvious he doesn't know how school works. He is lucky this is our class teacher. If it was any other teacher, he would have been scolded. Shivers.

I wonder why he walked over to me of all people, is it because I am sitting in front of him? Then why didn't he shake the hand of the guy sitting next to him?

After the teacher finishes her lesson, she walks over to her bag and starts to pack up. I see Satome walk over. He starts talking to her quietly. Even quieter than the “whispering” the other students are doing. Teacher looks over at me and with worried face. Then Satome looks over at me. They both nod and the teacher continues packing her bag. What are they planning? 

“It’s lunchtime, I’ll see you guys later!” The teacher says and leaves the classroom. Satome walks back to his desk.

I forgot my food today, so all I can do is play on my phone. The whispering people are all next to the door and I’d rather avoid them. I can hear Satome behind me, tapping away as well.

“Hey, Satome doesn’t know about Tomisaki does he?” I hear from the other side of the room.

“They just met half an hour ago. Why did he shake his hand and not mine?” I hear a boy say. It’s Yuya. He used to hang around me and Mira all the time. I guess he liked her so much that he hates me now. Maybe he’s always hated me, because I was so close to her.

“Why would he shake your hand?” An annoyed girl follows.

“Uhm, because I was the first one who talked to him. And I told him about Haru.” It’s Yuya again. Oh, I remember, the guy sitting next to him is Yuya.

“Hmm, maybe he was confused. I hear he lived abroad for a bit. Maybe his Japanese isn’t that good.”

“That would make sense. But we should keep him away from Haru, before he seduces him and turns him gay. The modelling world would be ruined.”

I can feel myself losing brain cells over this conversation.

“What if Satome has a girlfriend, and he steals him away too. That girl would be devastated.”

“Stupid! He is single. He said so in his recent interview, but if we end up together and-“

“Keep dreaming! If he ends up together with any of us, and Haru ruins it...”

“He shouldn’t be with any of you, that way you can share your time with him.” The boy says

“Yuya! That was the smartest thing you’ve ever said!” That’s it. My brain has melted away completely. I am not here to steal him away from anyone. I just want to graduate and go to a good school, away from these idiots.

A shadow suddenly overlaps me once again.

“Hey, you aren’t eating? You forgot your lunch? I have some for you if you want!” It’s Satome. He puts his bread, rice ball and juice on my table. I can feel the eyes of the other students burn into me.

“Satome shouldn’t be so nice to him.” One of the girl says.

“We should teach Haru a lesson!” Fuck, what are they going to do now?

“Hey? Are you alright? Here, eat! I am full anyway, stupid manager put too much food in my bag.” Satome says.

“Ah, thank you! Yes I will eat it!” I smile and grab the rice ball. He is so nice to me, despite all the whispering about me.

“Good boy!” His eyes looking straight into mine, corners of his mouth forming a smirk. I know this face, it's the same face Kaito made. I look up at him in shock. Am I his dog now? Is he asking me to pay him back?

“Oh, don’t look so scared. I just heard you were dangerous and wanted to see for myself. But you aren’t threatening at all.” He tries to reassure me. Then he puts a piece of paper on the table. 

“Here is my contact info, if you run into any trouble. Please just contact me. Also... I kinda asked the teacher if you can become my guide here, until I get completely used to the school. I heard you are the president, I am curious as to why they forgot to mention this is supposed to be your job. So we have to stay in touch anyway.” This kid really just did this. He doesn’t even know me.

Thinking back at the time I used to be confident. I can see myself in him. He is talking to me like he is able to make everyone his friend. But unlike me, he doesn't have a guardian angel who provides courage. He is doing this completely on his own. Oh well, I don’t mind being friends with him. After everyone started to hate me, it’s been kind of lonely. Maybe I can finally live a bit normally again.

“Deal, I’ll message you now so you have my number too.” I say and smile, channeling my once confident self. I put his contact info in my phone and send him a message.

*ping* he looks at his phone

“Hey, it’s Tomisaki Haru!” Satome smiles again.

“Got it! Thanks!” He goes back to his seat, which gives me back my sight on the group of people on the other side of the room. They look at me disgustedly and leave the classroom. What are they going to do?

....

“Sometimes your dearest friend whom you reveal most of your secrets to becomes so deadly and unfriendly without knowing that they were not really your friend.” ― Michael Bassey Johnson