I'm still not sure why I yapped my whole backstory to Hazel and Calix!

Everything that had happened the previous day occupied a substantial amount of space in Aster's head. It was almost all that he could think about as he headed to school for another sound design class.

Focus, Aster, why are you in university if not to study?

Aster wiped all non-academic thoughts from his brain as he opened the door to the classroom, greeted his lecturer and proceeded to the same seat that he had sat in the previous week. As he turned on the computer, he organised his notes. Aster told himself that the lesson would be a productive one. The moment the computer whirred to life and its screen flickered on, Aster's eyes subconsciously flicked to the area where he had previously spotted Calix's file.

All the non-academic clutter in Aster's brain came crashing back in the moment that he saw that there were now five files. Any chance of him being productive had been derailed. The lecturer's droning melded with the other ambient noise of the room as Aster examined the names of each file. The first four files were named Calix_Frost, followed by their corresponding number. The fifth file stuck out thanks to its name: Calix_Frost_Purpleandbluedraftzxc. Excitement surged through Aster as he impatiently clicked on it. 

The computer took some time to buffer the audio, as if punishing Aster for his overeagerness. 

Purple and blue. What could this be about? Wait-

The audio started playing through Aster's earpieces before he could finish that thought. A smooth guitar introduced the tempo and key of the song, playing several arpeggiated chords. He did not know that Calix played the guitar.

Purple and blue are the colours that remind me of you

Just like the highlights in your hair

Purple and blue are my senses when I'm around you, 

Just like the contacts that you wear

Aster froze in his seat. Those two lines seemed to confirm his worst fear.

Wait, is this song about Lila??? 

Flowers and places may excite the senses

But they don't make me drop my defences 

Aster hit the pause button and pulled the earpieces out of his ears. He couldn't bear to hear one more line.

No way. I don’t want to listen to this anymore. BUT HE SOUNDS SO GOOD!!! Listening for a few more seconds should be fine, right?

He slowly placed his earpiece back on his ear and resumed the track.

Like purple and blue are the butterflies that are drawn to you,

Just like the scent of your perfume

Purple and blue remind me why I fell for you,

Just like the patterns on your shoe

Aster had heard enough. He shut the song off, a mix of emotions flowing through his veins. The jealousy he felt was so insurmountable that not even the happiness he felt from being the only one to hear Calix's originals could abate it. He swore that he would pay attention in class now.

"Okay, you may start doing your assignments now. Remember that from now on, you are to stick to the same workstation for the rest of the semester so you don't lose your projects."

Assignment?

What was even worse (to Aster, at least) than not knowing the assignment was the realisation that he would have to sit at this seat and helplessly watch as more love songs for Lila pop up on his desktop every week. He wished that the lesson would end quickly, so that he could just head home and brood.

***

Aster was thoroughly exhausted from the assignment that was given. His already battered mind had fought more battles today than it had been prepared for, and he was ready to crash. He walked out of the classroom and caught the distinct silhouette of Calix on the other side of the hallway, standing with his friends.

Of course, he's here. I forgot, his class is after mine. I really don’t wanna talk to him after hearing that song. If I just keep my head down, I'm sure he won't notice me.

Aster tried to walk as inconspicuously as he could past Calix, looking at the ground as he did so. As he walked past a pair of black sports shoes, he felt a gentle tap on his shoulder.

He noticed me.

In that moment, all the ill feelings that Aster harboured towards his crush were erased without a trace. Then, he heard an unmistakable, sweet, enchanting voice.

"Hey."

Hearing Calix speak that one word was enough to make Aster blush.

"H-hey"

Aster did not turn around to face Calix, worried that seeing Calix's face would melt his heart and further intensify his blushing. He started walking away, predicting that Calix would not start a conversation with him. It would not be in Calix's character to do so, after all.

"How’s practice with Hazel coming along?"

Who is he, and what has he done with the Calix I know?

Aster was forced to turn around and respond.

"It’s alright. Projects are starting to come in, so I’ve been spending more time on those."

Calix's face brightened a little. 

Yup. This is not the Calix I know. Anything more and I'm gonna file a missing person report. Still, it's nice that he's initiated a casual conversation.

"Oh yeah, film must be tough. Have you had to do any camera work yet?"

"Not yet, but I was stuck on a storyboard all night…"

At this point, Aster was just responding with whatever came to mind. He had been entranced by Calix's charm. Out of the blue, one of Calix's friends groaned loudly, pulling Aster out of Calix's spell. Then, they read something off their phone.

"Class is cancelled! Prof says something urgent happened."

A commotion stirred thanks to the unwelcome announcement. The air was filled with complaints and grievances from the other students who were waiting for class to start. Calix heaved a heavy sigh.

"I guess I came all the way to school for nothing."

Aster saw Calix's defeated expression. A sudden thought popped into his mind: this would be the perfect excuse to ask Calix out for lunch. The words that Hazel had said the previous day echoed in his mind: "I’m glad that you’re making more decisions for yourself! Keep at it and I think you’ll have a great time here." With the sounds of Hazel's encouragement growing ever louder in his thoughts, Aster felt spurred to bring his idea to fruition. 

Here goes nothing.

"Wanna eat lunch together then?"

Calix turned and looked directly at Aster, his deadpan gaze burning a hole through Aster's skull.

What did I just do?