It was Wednesday and Toby got to the HQ on his skateboard, Memis running up ahead.
He had tried to forget about the events of Monday. Today was another day of lessons with the entire class, and he would just strive to do his best, like always.
He still had his goal set in mind: Telling Roy how he feels, no longer wondering what could or couldn’t be if he just kept doing nothing.
He really liked Roy… He was truly his best friend. And who knew, he could become even more than that.
Toby jumped down from his skateboard to walk the remaining distance to the HQ, when suddenly he was stopped by a hand on his shoulder.
“Come with me.”
Toby was pulled to the side and he let out a surprised gasp. Turning around he saw his abductor was Randall, who brought him to a back alley of the HQ. Memis, visibly confused but not alarmed, followed the two.
“Randall?” Toby shook his head. “Where are you taking me?!”
Randall let go of Toby and glanced at him. “So.” He crossed his arms. “How did it go on Monday?”
“... What?”
“Did you tell the nerd how you feel about him?”
“... N-No I- I planned to, but then-”
“Alright, that’s it, you’re going in the trash.” Randall grabbed Toby by the waist and lifted him up in a swift movement.
“Wha- HEY! LET ME GOO!!” Toby tried to wiggle out of Randall’s grip, but to no avail.
“I warned you.” Randall carried Toby over to a few trash bags and dropped him into them.
“Ouch--!” Loud rattling of plastic was heard as Toby landed on the trash. “Are you nuts?! What if there was something sharp in there?!”
“Don’t worry, I checked.”
“Tobyy--!” Memis jumped after him. “Are you okay? Are you hurt?”
“Mh…” Toby sat up.”
“... pathetic. You couldn’t even fight back.” Randall squatted down to face him. “That’s your problem. You are incredibly weak-minded. No wonder you were unable to go through with your plans to finally tell him.”
Toby furrowed his brows. “Why do you even care? That’s my problem… not yours.”
“Because I like you, idiot.” Randall stood up again. “Why else would I care?”
“... I dunno…”
“Get up, Toby.”
Toby did as he was told, knocking off some dirt that clung on his uniform.
“What went wrong? Why did you fail to tell him how you feel?”
“... I- I got nervous and my nose started bleeding.”
Randall narrowed his eyes. “Why the heck did your nose start bleeding?!”
“That just sometimes happens, okay!!”
Toby jumped a bit as his friend groaned annoyed. “Terrible excuse. I know what your problem is. You have absolutely no self-confidence and it shows.”
The shorter boy gulped. “What do you mean, it shows?”
“Look at you. The way you’re standing already tells me everything I need to know.”
Toby looked down on himself. His posture was definitely a little bit hunched over, his feet very close to each other with his toes pointing inwards. “What’s so bad about the way I stand?”
“Believe it or not, but the right posture can help you be more confident, and ease nervousness. Steady your stance by placing your feet further apart, and straighten your back.”
Toby had a hard time actually believing this would change anything, but Randall’s tone of voice was very determined and intimidating, so he gave it a try. He took on a wider stance and slowly straightened his back.
“Now you look like a confident man.”
“And?” Toby looked up at Randall. “I’m still nervous about this, no matter how I stand.”
“Then you gotta learn how to act on someone you like.”
“And what would you recommend I do?”
Randall scratched his chin. “Now, I’m not exactly sure what type of man the nerd is. But here’s how I’d do it with someone I want...”
He took a step forward, now being uncomfortably close in front of Toby, making him retreat until he met the wall.
“I like to corner my suitors, to make them feel special and attractive.” He rested his lower arm on the wall, right next to Toby’s head. “Then I might say something like…” He lowered his head, and looked at Toby through his lashes.
“I think you’re hot. Wanna go out with me?”
“Usually. And when I get positive signals… I go forward…” Randall raised his other hand, but it was blocked by Toby before he could touch him.
“Stop that-” Toby furrowed his brow. “That’s weird.”
“Weird? You’re the one that bursts into a bloody mess while trying to flirt.”
“THAT is not flirting.” Toby moved out of Randall’s arms. “That feels more like assault.”
“Assault?!” Randall grunted. “God, you truly know nothing about romance and sexuality. If I wanted to assault you, you wouldn’t have been able to escape me so easily!”
“Y-You know what- This was a bad idea, I shouldn’t have asked you about this.” Toby took a step backwards. “We’re too different.”
Randall let out a deep growl that made him recoil and cover his mouth with his hand.
“Hueh!” Kracheen poked his head out of Randall’s bag to hand him his inhaler.
“Thanks.” Randall held the inhaler to his mouth and puffed twice. “Hhhh….” He exhaled loudly. “God. You’re annoying as fuck, Toby.”
“....” Toby held onto the straps of his backpack.
“Get out of my sight.” Randall crossed his arms and turned his head.
“.... I’ll see you in class. Come, Memis…” Toby swiftly left the alley, Memis following closely.
Randall looked after him until he could no longer see him. Then he let out a deep sigh.
“Hueh?” Kracheen, who was still looking out of Randall’s bag, slithered up Randall’s arm.
“It’s fine, Kracheen.” Randall stroked the bridge of Kracheen’s nose. “I’m just annoyed.”
“Hueehh!”
“One day…” Randall started moving back to the HQ. “One day, I will destroy him.”
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