Chapter Text
It was hard to miss 'the new kid' when Jean arrived at school the next day. The dark-haired boy had obviously tuned down on the pastels; only black jeans and a simple lilac sweater covered his skin that day -- though the flower crown was still nestled in his hair. Jean put his hand in the air and waved to catch Marco's attention.
"Jean!" Marco's face lit up wide, relieved smile the moment he spotted the blond and stepped away from the gate, hurrying towards him. "I'm so glad you're here, oh gosh, I was freaking out, school's about to start and you weren't here-"
Jean chuckled as he cupped a hand over Marco's mouth, effectively shutting him up and watching a small blush cover his freckles lightly.
"Cool it, Marc." He smiled and pulled his hand away, revealing an attractive lip bite. "I'm here now, aren't I?"
Marco released his lip and smiled from ear to ear, tilting his head slightly. Jean didn't speak for a few brief moments, taking advantage of the other's closed eyes to admire him; the array of freckles splashed haphazardly against his peaches-and-cream skin, the dark hair almost falling over his eyes in a way that seemed like an effortlessly messy way that so many people styled for an hour to achieve, the thick eyelashes that threw shadows on his cheeks and the lush, full lips that girls would die for.
"Come on, then. Admin office first, we'll snag your class table." He spoke suddenly as he pulled himself out of his reverie. Nonetheless, his voice was smaller than he had intended. He could only hope that Marco hadn't noticed, and if he had, wouldn't be curious enough to ask.
Marco slid his hands deeper into his back pockets, the denim, Jean noticed, hugging him in all the right (and for Jean, so incredibly wrong and unhelpful ) places. Jean quickly drew his eyes towards the school and nodded his head, gesturing for Marco to follow and smiling to himself at the pleased expression that had settled on the other boy's face.
"Thank you, Jean, for doing this. I'd be so lost if you weren't here." Marco sighed dramatically, taking a few small running strides to catch up to the two-tone blonde. Jean chuckled softly.
"I'm sure you'd be fine. Just -- you seem sociable, so make friends, okay? You won't be liked much if you hang around me." Jean said, his expression uncomfortable and stony. He didn't elaborate - wouldn't elaborate - and Marco pressed his lips together, looking a little hurt.
"I - I don't know what you mean, but... I'll agree to keep you happy." He shrugged one shoulder and Jean blinked, lips pushing into a shape dangerously close to a pout.
Neither of them spoke after that until they reached the administration office, with only two minutes left to the bell. Jean opened the door and let Marco through before he followed suit, but stayed hanging around the door frame while Marco introduced himself to the grumpy-looking office lady with his ever-sweetening smile.
"H-hi! I'm, uh, Marco Bodt. Today's my first day here? I was wondering if I could get my class time table." Jean listened half-heartedly, eyes on the floor. Marco Bodt. The name rang with the same sweet tones as namesake's voice did, and Jean loved it.
The lady heaved a melodramatic sigh and Jean rolled his eyes. Come on lady, it's not even nine o'clock yet and you do jack shit. He'd made himself chuckle and quickly avoided the glare she sent his way.
Marco glanced over his shoulder and pressed his lips together, failing to hide a smile of amusement at the silent banter before turning his attention back to her and taking the sheet of paper with a nervous, grateful smile.
Never in his life at Trost High had Jean seen her show emotion, so he didn't miss the flash of a tight smile and the way her eyes softened. So Jean wasn't the only person Marco's infectiously sweet personality was affecting; the thought made the butterflies in his stomach still a little.
"Here -- do I have any classes with you?" Marco asked, holding the paper out to show Jean, who grasped the end of it and quickly scanned the small writing.
"Well, first up you have Chem with Ms. Zöe - that's with me. We're both in PE, Chem, Trig, Art and History together, but you're in Music and Bio on your own. I'm in *PAS and Photography while you're there. I'll show you where they are anyway." He explained, shifting his weight from one foot to the other as he spoke. Marco nodded along to his words, seeming relieved that Jean was in most of his classes.
"I wouldn't be too pleased if I were you -- Hanji Zoe is seriously insane." Jean half-joked, a crooked smile on his face that matched the one on Marco's.
"Kirstein, don't corrupt him. I'm trusting you to show him around." The woman said, putting a hall pass on the counter and scowling at him with no real malice as he reached for it with a nod.
Marco gave him a strange look, obviously confused, and Jean didn't quite meet his eyes as he opened the door for him. Marco hummed a ' thank you' and waited outside for Jean to lead the way.
The bell rang shrilly and both of them startled, leaving Jean to smile sheepishly and Marco to giggle out of embarrassment, one hand tugging on the hem of his sweater. Jean glanced at the grey sky and tugged the collar of his jacket up, trying to block out the cool autumn air.
By the time they'd reached the chemistry classroom they were already fifteen minutes late, with Jean clamping his lips together as he tried not to laugh at Marco's antics, who was giggling relentlessly into the sleeve of his jumper. Trying to gather his wits about him again, he glanced at Marco before rapping his knuckles against the door a few times.
Jean let one side of his mouth quirk upwards into a smile directed at Marco, who was rocking nervously on the balls of his feet.
The door handle turned and Jean pushed Marco forward a little. "Ahh, let the fun begin!"