Chapter Text
It's the third day-the last day of the competition. The bet that was made about Damon. No one has succeeded in making him smile and laugh. If no one wins-that's perfectly fine.
Though he knows that a few of his classmates would probably be disappointed. A meal from someone is nice. From a restaurant that is a little far from here. Wolfgang can understand the appeal, but he really doesn't care too much about this competition.
Sure, it would be nice for their classmate to show more expressions other than the frowns and scowls that form on his face. Wolfgang didn't quite get why it had to be a competition. Couldn't they just try without having a benefit to it?
It is a little too late for the competition to just be canceled. Trying to convince them to leave it-wouldn’t really do anything.
Of course, breakfast would be full of chatter just like always.
“Agh! Seriously!? Why is he so stubborn?!” Kai's hands ruffled his own hair aggressively. Of course, they all knew who “ he ” was. It wasn't that hard to figure out.
“It’s Damon . What did you expect?” Wenona replied. Which resulted in a small pout from Kai. From the little time that they've known him it was quite clear that he isn't that social. Which is fine.
Though from the little encounters that some of them have had. He comes off…a little blunt. Which did throw them off slightly. So, conversations with Damon don't happen very often.
“Plus, shouldn't you all give up by now? There is only today-the last day of this stupid competition, and yet none of you have succeeded.” Wenona is correct. It's true that none of them managed to get Damon to crack a smile and laugh. Still…mostly everyone is just like Damon…is stubborn.
“We're so far in though! You can't just back out of competition. That's lame!” Cassidy chimed in. Treating this just like another game. A race and everyone is in last place.
Wenona let out a sigh. She had mumbled something under her breath and proceeded to lean back a little.
“Yeah! Everyone has something that makes them smile and laugh. Damon is no exception!” Jett commented. A little bit of hope.
“And yet- none of you have figured out what makes him smile and laugh.” Eva countered. Wolfgang has a hunch that some of them have tried but the result is that Damon had possibly got fed up with them.
“You're not any better. You haven't even tried!” Kai accused, directing their attention to her. Eva looked away and spoke. “You have no proof that I haven't been.” She responded.
“There's still today to try. It doesn't hurt to continue this small competition.” Diana's lips curled into a tiny smile.
“If you want this competition to fail then by all means, go ahead.” Wenona said. The rest of them had dissolved into groups of two-trying to come up with a plan.
One last chance.
It still seemed silly, only a little though.
Trying to get those two expressions from Damon is difficult that has been proven over the last two days. What makes someone smile? What makes someone laugh? There are many answers that someone could reach.
Though, three days in reality is relatively short. It shouldn't be difficult to get a smile or laugh out of someone. However, this time it has proven to be tough. Damon has been pretty short with them. Understandable as his buttons were pressed by some of them.
It doesn't stop their classmates from continuing to try. Wolfgang does admire the dedication, not many people are dedicated. Though, Wolfgang would be wrong to say that he wasn't curious about what he looked like when smiling, laughing, or both.
Why? He doesn't know why.
It was mostly curiosity in the beginning. However, why is he curious? He's thought about it and thought . Wolfgang couldn't find an answer.
Shouldn't he have one? He normally does.
“Hey, are you there? Hey!” A snap of someone's fingers brought Wolfgang back to reality. He blinked for a moment, a small sound of confusion escaping from him.
“Seriously? What is with you…you've been spacing out these last couple days?”
Wolfgang turned his head to the right, eyes met with a familiar face. “Ah, sorry. My apologies, Damon.” Wolfgang said, giving an awkward smile to him.
Damon tilted his head, eyes staring at him looking for any amount of uncertainty. It feels strange to have such eyes on him. Some people have said it feels like he's glaring daggers at them or trying to burn holes into the back of their skull.
It doesn't feel like that though, at least not to Wolfgang at this moment. It's just like the last few times.
“Damon…you don't have to be concerned.”
“I've told you countless times already. I'm not worried about you!”
“Are you guys forgetting that I'm also here?” Wolfgang and Damon froze for a moment, slowly turning their heads back in front of them. That's right.
Eva was also here. There was still a little before breakfast would end, and they would have to go on with their days. A few hours of classes and then lunch.
As a result, Wolfgang had decided to leave breakfast a little early and ran into both Eva and Damon. Damon and Eva were just going to hang out a little, and well…a tiny invitation was extended to Wolfgang.
That's how they all ended up hanging out.
“Right. Sorry, Eva.” Damon said, as he folded his arms and rested them on them on the table.
“I also apologize. That wasn't polite of me to be distracted.” Eva hummed at that. Acknowledging their apologies.
“Seriously though. What is going on with you? What happened to the composed and calm lawyer?” Damon questioned. Wolfgang opened his mouth to respond. Though, what would he say? That his thoughts were occupied with him? That wouldn't be wise.
It would be the truth. Ever since this competition. His mind has been drifting and lingering on him. For what reason, it isn't clear to Wolfgang at all.
Eva looked between both of them and spoke.
“Wolfgang has a crush on someone.”
Wolfgang stiffened up at that. Letting her words seep into his head. A crush? He doesn't-why-that's-it's not-why…
“That's…!” Wolfgang tries to speak, but the sounds of small spurts of laughter halted him. Wolfgang turned his head, and Damon had his hand over his mouth but soon he erupted into laughter.
Surprising both of them. It was loud and pleasant. A weird thing coming from Damon. Sure, he's been loud…but it's normally during his debates. In a normal setting, such as just hanging out…it's out of the ordinary.
It's not bad though. Somehow, Wolfgang can feel his own face become hot…cheeks flushed. A little reminder about the fact that Eva had said something…a lie.
It takes a little bit for Damon’s laughter to die. His cheeks were also a little flushed. He composes himself after a while. “Wolfgang? Having a crush? I don't believe it.” Damon commented. Eva shrugged at that.
“Believe me or not. It's true.” Eva responded. Damon shook his head at her. He quickly glanced upwards and stood up from his seat.
“I'll see you both later. Bye.” Damon said and walked away from them-leaving them to be alone.
Awkward silence between the two of them. They should both get going as well, but Wolfgang still had to ask her the question.
“Why did you lie?” He asked. Eva leaned forward, her hand resting on her face. “About what?” She questioned.
“I don't have a crush on anyone, Eva.” He stated. Eva let out an “oh” sound. As she smiled to herself. Which made Wolfgang confused.
“I'm sure you don't.” She replied back. As she got from her seat.
“You'll thank me and someone else later.”
She left soon after that, leaving Wolfgang more confused than ever.
(“Wolfgang has a crush on someone.”)
The sentence echoes in his head. Having a crush on somebody? It sounds ridiculous. He has gone so long without feeling a type of way towards someone.
It's not something he gave too much thought about. Having a crush on someone…being in love with someone? His life has never revolved around such things. Why would it?
He's always been focused on what he wants to do. A relationship was just never one of those things. It still wasn't one of those things.
Still…Eva saying that sentence. Damon’s reaction. He laughed. Even if it was at the expense of Wolfgang, it was still a laugh.
Something that people have been trying to get out of him. It’s a sight that Wolfgang really doesn't mind at all. It was nice to see, to witness.
Why was he ever curious to see him like that?
One thing is for certain; he wants to see more of it. Damon laughing, he quite likes his laugh.
Maybe, it's because it's rare. Maybe, it's the fact that Damon doesn't really express something like vulnerability around.
Or, maybe…
(“Wolfgang has a crush on someone.”)
Wolfgang shook his head. No, that's impossible. If he did have a crush…it would be very much apparent.
If he was in love with someone…it would be obvious.
He would know.
He's realized a lot about himself over the years. How he wanted to be a lawyer just like his mom, how he actually likes the piano, that he finds gold quite beautiful, and he really hates lies.
He knows himself. Anyone can argue that they know themselves better than anyone else.
So, yes…he would know if he had a crush on someone. It’s the most obvious feeling in the world.
(“Believe me or not. It's true.”)
Believe her? It's true that he does? What a lie!
He doesn't have a crush on anyone!
…
Does he?