I’m getting quite annoyed, Teo thinks to himself as he hands his eraser to the one sitting in front of him, Sebastian Martin. Why does he have to borrow an eraser from me? I can see his eraser right there!!

Teo stops himself from making a sour face as Sebastian thanks him “Thanks” All Teo could do was smile at the poker-faced man with big thick glasses. 

I’m scared to ask why he always borrows stuff from me! I also can’t refuse, Sebastian doesn’t smile… like… ever! Even in school photos! I know it’s not nice to judge but I’m scared of him a little bit even though he’s smaller than me…

Teo’s thoughts spiral, staring at Sebastian’s back in front of him. They’ve known each other for a while but still, talking with each other is awkward. Maybe because Sebastian is so quiet, you never know what he’s thinking. He’s quite hard to approach despite his adorable qualities.

Class after class, Sebastian never fails to ask for paper or borrow something from Teo. Of course, the man couldn’t say no to him.

Then lunch time came.

“Teo! Matheo Pascal! You look like shit. Did someone annoy you? Wait. Did those bullies approach you again?” A red-haired man ran towards him with a huge smile on his face, waving. It was his best friend, Laurent. Teo sighs while Laurent pulls him to the cafeteria, “Lighten up, I know you hate school but it's lunch time now, school will be over in a few hours!!”

Teo, who is walking like a zombie, once again sighed deeply as both him and Laurent stood in line for some food, “It’s Sebastian, I don’t understand, it’s getting so frequent” he whispers. They are in different sections after all, Laurent couldn’t have known.

Laurent stops himself from laughing out loud by covering his mouth “That’s your problem?!”

“SHH”

Laurent chuckles, stifling his loud laughs “Sorry, but maybe he's just… I don't know… Saving up? Hmm… Nah… He’s so quiet, I have no idea what’s on his mind”

“You're no help as always” Teo scowled, the line finally moved and so did they.

Laurent chose his food one by one while speaking to the lunch lady. He then turns to Teo for a bit “Oof man, just let him borrow stuff, he seems like a nice guy anyway. Very quiet guy” While Laurent picks his food, Teo just follows behind him. Teo actually brings his own lunch cooked by his mother.

Teo nodded with a dejected look. Both of them walk to a nearby empty lunch table. Teo scans the cafeteria and as usual he sees Sebastian alone eating his lunch and drinking chocolate milk, “He’s always alone, huh?” 

Luckily, that day, the bullies were busy with something else. Giving Teo and Laurent a chance to eat at the cafeteria in peace. A rare occurrence. Maybe because graduation was near.

“Let’s eat with him?” Laurent asked, taking a bite of his bread “You never say yes when I ask that” He notices Teo always looking at the kid. He thought maybe he felt bad for him.

Teo starts eating slowly, his eyes glued to Sebastian “It’s because he always looks like he doesn’t want people bothering him… Just ‘cause he’s alone doesn’t mean he’s lonely. No need to bother others if they’re only going to feel uncomfortable”

This made Laurent laugh once again “You’ve been in the same class for the whole of high school! This is our last year and you’re still not close to him”

“To be fair, in the whole of high school, you’re my only friend”

♡♡♡

Sebastian tries not to be obvious that he notices Teo staring at him. Why is he always looking at me during lunch break? Not that I hate it.

He feels his face heat up, bashfully eating because of Teo’s glares. He tried not to mind but the stare was getting intense.

Thank goodness my glasses cover my face. My face feels so warm right now, I don’t know if I’m blushing. Why is he looking at me?! I’m panicking!

Is he going to speak to me? What should I say? What should I do? Graduation is near… I want to be closer… I want him to remember me. 

Eventually, graduation came. Nothing changed in their high school lives. Sebastian never really saw Teo again after their graduation. He kept hoping to meet him again, to have another chance, but unfortunately, he thought the world doesn’t work that way and tried letting it go. Sebastian spends most of his time regretting what could have been if he was just brave enough. Not like he can do anything about it now…

Luckily for him, the universe seems to be on his side. Another chance has been granted. Surely, Sebastian would do things differently now right? … Right…?