Chapter Text
It’s a slow Thursday morning and his second period is mind numbingly boring. By now, Lo’ak had memorized all the routes to his classes and his teachers names. He focused on his work and trying to slip into the groove of going to school again. As he was so caught up in getting used to the new changes he barely paid attention to the people around him.
All except for one person.
The strong sense of overwhelming joy that rushed over Lo’ak like a gigantic wave when he found out Tsireya was in his grade and not only that but had a majority of his classes with her. Recently his depression had only worsened with the constant stress and anxiety over moving but it seemed Tsireya had this way of calming any scared soul she came in contact with— she had the natural instinct, like a mythical being that Lo’ak was unable to explain. He didn’t want to explain it anyway, he liked this mysterious yet magical girl and he barely even knew her.
As thoughts in his head swirled like restless leaves that fell from autumn trees he almost missed the loud bell that rang to signal class came to an end. With a silent celebration to the ending class he grabbed his bag and went for the door… until—
“Lo’ak!” Called out a sweet and soft voice from behind.
Lo’ak turned to face Tsireya only for her to walk to his side and walk with him through the halls.
She had her mid-back length hair tied up, different from usual and wore a simple skirt and nice top paired with jewelry that covered her head to toe, it fascinated Lo’ak— how she could dress so simple yet out-shine everyone there like the North Star. He loved it. It attracted him like a magnet.
“You walkin’ with me?”
“If you’ll allow me.”
They laughed together like family and Lo’ak nudged at her side, a playful push initiated,
“Of course…”
Silence followed as they walked comfortably side by side like they had known each other for decades. Tsireya quietly giggled to her herself- almost bashfully,
“This.. might be a weird question.” She started nervously.
“I like weird things.”
“Is that why you tolerate me?”
“Tolerate? Don’t flatter yourself.” Lo’ak jeered, not being serious whatsoever.
“I don’t know if you have things going on after school today— but if you don’t.. do you want to come over?”
“Yeah I can come over.” He answered simply and calmly but he was seriously freaking out inside. He was just invited over! This was a win, a big one- like winning one of his basket ball games by 2 points! A close call but worth it. His voice rang out as if he wasn’t moved and Tsireya nodded with a smirk.
“Alright.. I’ll see you later today then!”
“Yeah— see ya.”
She left his side shortly after their parting words, Tsireya had to get to third period before the bell after all. Lo’ak watched her walk away as he hated to see her go but loved to watch her leave and he daydreamed the rest of that black-and-white day about their intended hangout.
Lo’ak opened the front door, Neteyam followed him closely behind, only being a few inches back because he had to press the button to shut the garage door. Neteyam gave him a ride home so he didn’t have to take the bus he despised home.
Lo’ak waltzed past his father in the kitchen and went straight to his mother in the living room. The T.V was on— it was playing a child-like movie that Lo’ak assumed was on for Tuk although she was nowhere to be seen, a sleeping Kiri sat next to their mother, Neytiri, she stayed home from school today and actually- the past few days because of the terrible flu she had caught from God knows where. Neytiri stroked and petted her daughter’s head, trying to ease her sickly state and the window stayed ajar, letting the chill breeze flow through like water.
“Hi boys.” Neytiri greeted her two beloved sons even though her oldest had already retreated upstairs to the comfort of his own room and space.
“Mom. I’m gonna go out tonight for a bit.”
“Where?”
“A friend’s house.”
“Who? Where is this “friend’s” house?”
“She’s just some girl I’ve befriended in class.. she lives down the street.”
“A girl?! Lo’ak! You can’t go over to a girls house!”
Lo’ak rubbed his temples vigorously, attempting to keep his rude words and glaring death stares under wraps. He was speaking to his mother of course.
“Mom. Please. She’s a good friend and all I ask is to hangout with her for a bit.”
“You better be home before seven.”
“Thank you!” He smiled and gave an exasperated sigh after having to basically go on his hands and knees to get her to agree.
He stationed his bag by a chair that sat in its place at the dinner table and he rushed out the door in a hurry. Jake looked up from his phone and watched his son bolt out the door like an Olympic track star, he rolled his eyes and shook his head,
Lo’ak practically skipped down the cement sidewalk while he mentally checked himself. A decent outfit? Normal black shorts, blue hoodie and converse, good enough. hair? Tied back into a low ponytail, decent. How was he feeling? Shit. He forgot to take his meds. Whatever who cares— he certainly doesn’t.
He walked up to the front door of a new and unfamiliar house. It was pretty. Big and beachy. A homey yet sophisticated feeling. He knocked on the door, not really knowing who to except at the door.
His eyes were met with soft and light, sea-foam ones staring right back it was—… Ao’nung? Oh.
“Well well well…” Ao’nung sung,
“I’m not here for you.”
“Oh-ho-ho I’m well aware. She’s upstairs. Tsireya!” The taller and older boy called to his sister that currently lay in her room.
“Make yourself at home.. bro.”
Ao’nung and Lo’ak weren’t really friends. They were in different grades and the only interaction they had were when they had basket-ball practice and games, other than that— The few times Neteyam brought Ao’nung home too. Lo’ak only saw him briefly before the two older boys disappeared into his older brother’s room. Weirdos. Lo’ak wasn’t interested anyway he was only here for Tsireya.
“Wheres your parents?” Lo’ak inquired,
“Out of town for the night-“
“Lo’ak!” There Tsireya stood at the top of the stair case, this is why he was here.
“Tsireya!” He raced upstairs and pushed past Ao’nung like he was nothing.
“Tell your brother I said hey!” Ao’nung called out to the younger boy before he disappeared into his sister’s room along with her.
Lo’ak looked around and took the space in, letting it soak like a paintbrush in water.
It was what you expected from a teenage girl like Tsireya. It was kept clean and tidy like she didn’t even live there, ambient lights and lamps were turned on— the big overhead light stayed off, stuffed animals and easy-on-the-eye-decor. She even had pictures of her friends or family hung up and strewn about across the whole room. Lo’ak smiled to himself, he felt the warmth of the room enter his system.
Tsireya dug in the corner of her room at her drawers— looking for something presumably. As she searched she spoke,
“I’d like to practice my nail art skills on you.”
Lo’ak snickered, “Oh yeah?”
“Well I was thinking, you have sisters right? I’ve seen Kiri around… anyway uhm- I haven’t been able to have friends over so I can’t do their nails.. so-“
“So you want to do mine?”
“Yeah. If you don’t mind!”
“Sure.”
“Ok.. cool awesome. I didn’t think you’d actually be ok with that.”
He had sisters who prepared for this moment all his life. Lo’ak was comfortable enough in his masculinity that walking around with painted, preppy nails didn’t bother him. The thought of a smile and happy Tsireya made his stomach turn and it outweighed the feeling of any embarrassment that might come along.
They sat facing each-other, on the hard- wood floor that was hidden with a large and fluffy, white carpet. Tsireya held Lo’ak’s left hand with her right. The case of paints, glitter, charms and files laid right beside them while things were taken out and put back in.
She painted away, each finger-nail was glossed over carefully and one by one. Lo’ak didn’t know what color she used— well he knew, it was a light blue but he was sure there was a proper and longer name for it she’d quickly correct him on.
Music played in the background— filling the otherwise quiet atmosphere, it generic pop songs that annoyed the hell out of lo’ak but he put up with them since it seemed Tsireya really liked them. She hummed and slightly danced as she worked.
“Thank you.” Tsireya suddenly spoke out, not loud enough to disrupt the feel in the room.
“For?”
“For this— Letting me do this.”
“As long as it makes you happy.”