C.W.: Discrimination

Several weeks had passed, and Sergio Edevane had promised himself to keep his distance from Lucas Amery —supposedly for both their sakes. Yet, something new began to intrigue him. Being surrounded by an educational environment had awakened a desire within him: the urge to study.

As he cleaned the hallways, he often found himself pausing to listen to the professors’ class. It reminded him of his days as a student and filled him with a wistful hope that the young people in those classrooms would seize the opportunities he no longer had.  

Lucas’s lectures, however, were in a league of their own. Secretly, Sergio began slipping into some of the law professor’s sessions, sitting quietly at the back when he thought no one would notice. Lucas was captivating —a natural leader whose voice commanded attention. His explanations were precise yet approachable, weaving the intricacies of law into narratives that inspired and engaged. Many students feared his strict demeanor, yet his clarity and charisma made him a sort of rock star.  

Although Sergio did his best to blend in, Lucas had noticed. He saw the custodian enter the classroom with his head bowed, as if trying to disappear into the crowd.  

One day, the professor decided to call him out.  

“Jairo?” he said, his voice echoing as the students settled into their seats. “Are you joining my class today?”  

Sergio froze, wide-eyed, as if caught in the act of committing a crime. Every instinct screamed at him to run, but Lucas was already standing before him, awaiting an answer.  

“I... I can’t, Professor Amery. I was j-just here to collect the trash. Yep,... that’s all,” he stammered with a nervous laugh, clutching his mop handle for support.  

Lucas raised an eyebrow, unconvinced. “Would you like to? Why don’t you stay? You’ve got nothing to lose,” he expressed, gesturing toward an empty chair. Then, turning to the students, he added with a commanding tone, “No one will judge him, right?” His threatening gaze swept over the classroom, and the students, feeling intimidated, nodded in agreement.

Sergio's hands grew sweaty as he glanced around, aware of the students’ stares fixed on him. "HAHAHAHA! Seriously?" he asked, incredulous.

"I'm not joking. I never would," the professor replied firmly.

Hesitantly, the freckled man shuffled to an empty chair at the front of the classroom. As he settled in, he caught a few students exchanging mocking glances. But Lucas’s steely glare silenced them before they could say a word. The lecture resumed, and though Sergio’s nerves never fully settled, he allowed himself to absorb the professor’s words.  

**

Two hours later, as the class ended and students began filing out, Sergio lingered near the desk where Lucas was packing his books. He hesitated before approaching, still overwhelmed by what had transpired.  

“Thank you... for letting me stay, Professor Amery,” the custodian said.  

Lucas didn't look up, but he was momentarily surprised. A rare, faint smile curved his lips as he closed his bag. The remaining students, curious about this uncharacteristic display of kindness, lingered nearby. Lucas was known for his stern demeanor, and yet, with Sergio, there was a noticeable shift.  

“There’s no need to thank me, Jairo,” Lucas replied. At that moment, he felt an inexplicable urge to have some time alone with him, “Mmm… Actually, are you busy right now?”  

“I’m going to…” Sergio began. Truthfully, he needed to rush back to his duties before any other custodians noticed his absences, but curiosity got the better of him. “Do you need something, professor?”

Lucas shifted his weight, as if steeling himself. “Don’t take this the wrong way, but... maybe we could grab a coffee? Just to talk,” he said in a serious tone. “It doesn’t mean anything strange.”  

The freckled man blinked, caught completely off guard. Such a moment had existed only in his dreams, and yet here it was, happening in reality. His instinct was to decline, fearing the vulnerability it might expose.  

“Well, you see... I have to... I mean, I’m...” he stammered, trying to come up with a convincing excuse.

The professor, misinterpreting the hesitation, gave a slight nod. “You can’t, can you? That’s okay,” he affirmed, his tone understanding but with some disappointment.

Sergio opened his mouth to respond, but before he could explain, his stomach growled audibly, betraying him. He blushed like a tomato, wishing the ground would swallow him whole.

Lucas chuckled softly, the tension broken by Sergio’s evident embarrassment. “You haven’t eaten, right?”  

The truth was, Sergio hadn’t eaten all day. His wages were late again, and he’d been making do with whatever scraps he could find. Before he could offer a denial, Lucas spoke again, his voice gentler than before.  

“Let’s eat something.”  

The custodian looked at Lucas, unsure whether to agree or not. However, when Lucas picked up his bag and waited patiently by the door, Sergio felt he had no choice but to follow in his footsteps.