Ring, ring, ring!

And just like that, the school day was done. As the students shuffled around, Victor, having shoved his textbook into his bag, had rushed through the door. Underneath his breath, Alexander clicked his tongue as he shoved his belongings into his backpack, before rushing out the door to catch up to him.

He spotted Victor crouched down by his bottom locker. With a huff, Alexander paced over to him, slamming his palm on the locker atop Victor's, the clang resonating throughout the hall.

“Victor, I think we should talk,” Alexander said, his voice tight. Victor didn’t flinch. He adjusted his glasses and looked at Alexander with a gaze that seemed to bore into his soul. Victor closed his locker shut.

“I agree,” Victor said, his words blunt and voice matter-of-fact, glancing at the students lingering nearby. “We need to talk. But not here. Follow me.” Victor didn’t wait for an answer. He grabbed Alexander’s arm and walked toward a nearby empty classroom with a steady, purposeful gait. He held the door open for Alexander and closed it shut behind them with a thud and a quiet, deliberate click.

Alexander tapped his foot and fidgeted in his place as he eyed Victor. Victor raised an eyebrow, observing his frantic energy with a deep interest. Alexander paced, his anxiety ruminating throughout the small room. Victor remained composed as he leaned against the whiteboard.

“You’re distressed,” Victor said, crossing his arms. “I imagine it’s about you and Byron. You don’t need to be defensive with me, Alexander. I’m not interested in fighting with you today.”

Alexander looked up at Victor, eyeing him with suspicion. “How much did you hear, Victor? How much did you see?”

Victor didn’t answer immediately. Adjusting his glasses ever so slightly, he walked to a desk and sat down, his posture upright. He gestured for Alexander to take the seat next to him. Alexander looked at him, reluctant to take his seat, but when Victor nodded at him, he finally complied. When Alexander sat, Victor retrieved his phone and opened a messaging thread before passing the phone to Alexander.

“There is a conversation going on in one of the student council group chats,” Victor explained, his tone careful. “Rumours regarding your personal life have begun to spread. Someone took a picture of a, so to say, tender moment between you and Byron.”

He turned the screen around. It was a candid shot of Byron and Alexander’s embrace, the lighting poor, the camera shaky, but the subjects unmistakable. Victor continued to look at Alexander, watching for his reaction with a look of genuine concern.

Alexander narrowed his eyes at Victor. He expected Victor to gloat or use this as leverage against him in that academic rivalry fantasy of his, but Victor simply waited. 

“What are you going to do with this?” Alexander said. “Is this a threat?”

“A threat?” Victor asked Alexander. He shook his head. “I’m showing you this so you aren’t blindsided. I told the person who sent the photo to delete it, citing our school’s policy on student privacy.”

Alexander blinked. “You stood up for me?” Victor nodded.

“I stood up for order and dignity,” Victor said, his voice firm and unwavering. “Whatever your relationship with Byron is, it is your business. It’s not for the student body to gawk at.”

Alexander saw how Victor’s gaze grew soft, as if he recognized the fear in his eyes. Victor sighed before he stood up.

“Listen to me carefully, Alexander,” he said, his voice low. “You’re lucky to be living within a society that has become so accepting of people like us.”

Alexander’s eyes widened, the look on his face incredulous. Victor kept a defiant look on his face.

“What do you mean by that?” Alexander approached him with caution. Victor sighed.

“Exactly as I said,” Victor said, trying to put on a brave face, but Alexander knew how hard Victor tried to keep up his bravado, ignoring the hitched breaths and rapid beating within his chest. It was as if there was a world in Victor’s universe that hadn’t been so kind to him.

The features on Victor’s face softened. He sat back down and stared out the window, the look in his eyes wistful.

“Society here in Fraser City may be kind to us,” Victor told Alexander. “But the world is not all sunshine and roses as we have here. People get spat on, cursed, belittled, and demeaned for loving who they love.”

“Speaking from experience?” Alexander treaded cautiously, and Victor nodded his head.

“Let’s say that I’m the reason why my parents divorced,” Victor said softly. “I was in a relationship with another guy once. My mother couldn’t handle it. Called me all sorts of names, and threatened to send me to summer camp in an attempt to change who I am and whom I love, the audacity of that woman. I guess that’s what you get when you keep your outdated mindset from long ago.” Victor chuckled bitterly.

Alexander was at a loss for words. He reached out to Victor, who gave him a soft smile. “I can’t imagine how that must have felt for you,” he said.

Alexander had to admit, he was fortunate. He was raised by a doting father and a loving mother. If he were to admit that maybe, just maybe, he had a crush on Byron, they would be supportive. Victor wasn’t afforded that same luxury.

“I’m grateful for my dad,” Victor sighed. “If he hadn’t divorced her and fought to be my sole caregiver, I would have all sorts of problems right now. In spite of all the pressure he puts on me to become someone of his calibre, I do owe it to him.”

There was silence in the air. Alexander hoped that Victor wasn’t pushing himself out of obligation toward his father. Was that why Victor seemed so agitated all the time? 

Seeing him now, there was a sense of carefree freedom in his voice that Alexander hadn’t expected out of him. He wasn’t sure what he expected from this conversation. Whatever it was, it wasn’t this.

“If there is anything I have done to anger you,” Alexander said. “I’m sorry.” Victor chuckled quietly.

“You’ve done nothing wrong, Alexander.” Victor smiled. “If anything, I owe you an apology. The rivalry was mine, not yours.” Victor extended his hand. “Truce?”

Alexander felt his heart grow warm. He was a new person, a man who can put their feud behind him as well. With a smile, he grasped Victor’s palm into his own and gave it a friendly shake.

“And for the record, I think you and Byron would make a great couple,” Victor smirked. “I’m rooting for you two!” Alexander pulled his hand back, the back of his neck warm, as blood rushed to his cheeks. 

As Victor gave a hearty laugh, Alexander couldn’t help but join him. It was as if the two already grew close to one another. For a moment, neither of them could quite explain why it felt so easy.

Knock, knock, knock!

Alexander turned toward the door, only to see Wendy and Byron through the window standing on the other side. Alexander waved goodbye to Victor before joining the pair. 

As the trio walked away, unbeknownst to Alexander, Byron turned around and shot Victor a dirty look. He had seen the exchange Alexander had with Victor, and truth be told, he felt a little jealous. As he sneered at Victor, Victor rolled his eyes before staring out the window.

Victor didn’t expect that his life would take a dramatic turn. He chuckled. Grabbing his bag, he slung it over his shoulders before making his way to the library.