Chapter Text
It’s September, the beginning of a new schoolyear. The first of the last two years before the class, from this grade will graduate. A certain boy, called Felix Fraldarius has decided to switch schools, persuading the dream of graduating in peace, without being distracted. His former school used to be old, full of bad teacher and unwilling students. An environment he didn’t feel comfortable in at all.
But now he found himself a new, better school. New environment, nobody knows him. And today is his first day in this new school. It’s the beginning of a new stage of life. A better one, he hopes.
Following the map on his phone, he slowly steps into the building of his new school. The private high school of Garreg Mach, known to have some of the best teachers and therefore the best graduating students. It has made itself a great name in his country, guaranteeing great chances to be accepted at some of the best universities. And that’ where he will be graduating as well.
Without any distraction from anyone.
His new class teacher has already sent him all data he needs to know beforehand like the timetable, a map of the whole school, books necessary, which made things much easier for him and he could be spared from unnecessary talking at the secretariat. But the boy has never liked talking that much anyway. Only a very few people, friends or family have had the honour of longer conversations with him. But one of them he is desperately trying to forget.
Felix puts away his phone to look around the new halls that extend to the right and left. This school used to be a monastery over hundreds of years ago but has been turned into a school just quite recently. Besides having been restored a few years ago, they still kept all the old decorations on the ceilings and the walls as well as the doors, showing certain features of a church or monastery. A slight smile forms on the students’ face, who couldn’t be more pleased with his choice of school. Maybe this calm and quiet atmosphere will be kept up even during the lessons, so some good and effective studying can actually happen. His expectations are high.
Remembering his old school for a split second, Felix shivers. It was just down the street, in his neighbourhood, filled with some of the greatest idiots he has ever met in his life. Lazy, aggressive, taking drugs and drinking lots of alcohol already at a young age. Most of his old teachers had at least one mental breakdown, due to bullying from other students, which just made studying very complicated, as they couldn’t teach the few willing students properly. He always knew that this school wasn’t the best choice he could make, but all the money his parents owned had flowed into the college tuitions of his older brother, a child prodigy, loved by everyone. That’s why little money was left for the younger brother of them two. Also, the reason why Felix on his side, just taught most of the teaching material himself in a small, local library. But only a few months ago was when his parents and him finally decided to let him switch schools, so that for these last, important years he could get some actual and good education. And some good extra reputation on his school report could never hurt, if he managed to graduate as one of the best students from his year. Which is his goal after all.
After some minutes of gazing in awe about the beauty of his new school, which is definitely the prettiest one of the three he has attended, he walks up some old stairs, looks around, makes his way to the room his new teacher described him and carefully knock on the door. A few seconds later it swings open, revealing the face of young lady, who couldn’t be much older than 20. Bright green hair frames her face, a slight smile on her lips. She is wearing clothes all coloured in black, which emphasizes her pale but muscular body. She seems a little surprised, having Felix knock on her door during lesson time but quickly hides it with another soft smile. Felix can’t deny that she truly is pretty.
“How can I help you?”
The boy clears his throat and bows down a little before answering. “My name is Felix Fraldarius. I am the new student and I’ve come here for you to show me my new class, as well as the school. You must be Professor Eisner.”
She quickly nods. “Ah Yes I remember. Please come into my office, we’ll be waiting for the other new student to arrive and then I’ll get you both to your new class.”
He follows her inside. Another new student besides him wasn’t really what he was expecting, but it would be stupid to think he would be the only one with the idea to change schools. Although he had considered it before, it wasn’t something he really was thinking to happen, since many happen find the idea, to change schools during graduation, very disadvantageous if not even dumb. Especially for people who are not able to learn as quickly and precisely as Felix does, who is already used to teaching himself.
But knowing his abilities, Felix has no need to worry. And why would he spare a second though for a stranger and care about how well they would do in school?
Silence fills the room, after the Professor and Felix have taken a seat, not exchanging any further words. It seems that both of them are rather quite personalities. It’s comfortable, almost relaxing. But the peace only lasts for good 5 minutes, when sudden loud steps seem to come closer and closer. With a loud banging on the door, the relaxing atmosphere is broken completely. Felix gazes towards the door, which opens itself revealing a young man. Felix face falters, as he catches the face of the other student. He was tall, lean but muscular, a well-trained body. His face was framed by reddish locks, messily curling around his ears, his eyes the colour of honey, a mischievous smile on his lips.
This very boy standing in the doorframe, is someone he never hoped to see again. Someone he opened his heart to. Someone he… It takes all his strength not to start shaking at all sudden, trying to stay calm. He is no one. The past is the past and he doesn’t have to deal with him if he just ignores him. Which seems like a good plan, now to think about it. Just don’t look at him too much, don’t exchange any words, ignore him. It’s only that simple.
It seems like the other boy hasn’t taken any notice on his presence yet and just keeps standing in the doorframe, panting and of course not letting his eyes travel off my new teacher, eyeing up her whole body. If this keeps going on, he won’t even have eyes for Felix.
“I am so sorry for being late Professor. It’s just that this school is so huge, which is why I got lost several times before finding this room. I hope it’s not much of an issue Professor…? he lifts his eyebrows, trying to figure out her name. Remembering names was never one of his strengths, but not even knowing the name of your new class teacher is embarrassing.
“It’s Professor Eisner, how about you, young man? What gives me the honour?” she asks calmly, but I can feel a little sarcasm in her voice. The other boy doesn’t notice it. At least it seems like it.
He takes a deep breath, putting a great smile on his face before answering. “Thank you, Professor Eisner, the honour is on my side. My name is Sylvain Gautier. I have changed to this school and we should have texted before if I am not mistaken. But I really did not expect to be greeted by such a beautiful woman at this hour. It really is a pleasure to meet you.”
Sylvain Jose Gautier. One of Felix’ childhood friends, whom he hoped to never see again. He is one, if not the greatest idiot that Felix had to deal with in his life, but sadly he is also one of his longest friends. Or better was. And yes, during their childhood they spent a great amount of time together and Felix liked him. Like he really did. He was his best friend, the boy he could talk to about anything. Going to the same kindergarten as well as elementary school, but also spending a part of their high school time together, until Felix moved towns, a year and a half ago. He doesn’t hate his old friend, he could never. But would like to. It would make many things much easier. But they have known each other too long for that to ever happen. There was this time, end of 9th grade, when Sylvain suddenly started ignoring him, for a reason Felix does not know until today. That was also the time, when Sylvain wildly started flirting with every girl in school, hooked up with one after another and totally forgot about his friend Felix. The other boy was hurt to no end, because before that he knew that he could rely on Sylvain, trust him. But in all sudden it was over. That painful time made Felix realize that he needed no one besides himself to rely on. That he is fine on his own. But the memories of that time still hurt. Felix, naïve as he was back then, permanently thought about what could’ve stopped Sylvain from being his friend any longer, what made him leave Felix behind. Why Sylvain became one of the main reasons why he got distracted from studying as he couldn’t focus for any longer than two short minutes, always thinking about the redhead and his actions. Felix isn’t sure why he still thinks about that time and why it still hurts so much bringing back those memories.
But around that time an incident caused his family to move away from his hometown, which came more than called for Felix, as it only meant he could get away from Sylvain. Away from the one who hurt him the most. He never told him where he went, as the other boy probably wouldn’t have cared that much anyways. Yet here they are again. Sylvain not sparing a second thought about the world around him, already flirting with a woman he just met, showing that he has not changed at all. The same philanderer as he has always been. And there is Felix being crushed by so many memories and emotions at once, that it’s hard for him to catch breath. To think normally. Why in all hell is Sylvain here?
Professor Eisner nods again, ignoring most of his words and gets up from her seat. The sudden movement in the room pulls Felix from his thoughts and his attention is pulled to their teacher again. “I see that both new students have arrived, almost, in time at our school. I greatly welcome you both and I hope you have a pleasant time studying at Garreg Mach.” She sends a quick smile to both of us and gestures Felix to get up from his seat. With a split second of hesitation, he gets up, not prepared for anything that could happen any second.
Sylvain, who hasn’t been noticing the other boy until now, turns his head around to look at the other student. His eyes widen as he sees the raven-haired boy stand up, not doing anything more than staring at him for a few, long seconds. Felix swears he could see him gulp. But his surprised expression quickly changes into one of great joy. At least that’s what he tries to make it look like.
“If that’s not my old friend Felix. Wow, what a coincidence to meet you here. How… How have you been? Actually, where have you been? I just remember you suddenly disappeared, not telling a soul where you went and now, I am meeting you here again? That’s like old friends reuniting through fate.” He grins brightly and takes a few steps forwards, arms wide open, willing to pull Felix in a tight hug anytime. “I mean it actually is fate that we meet again in this place. The times without a friend like you on my side have been lonely.”
Felix steps aside making it clear for the other boy that I don’t want to get into any physical contact with him. He can almost feel his blood boiling, anger swelling up inside him. It takes all of his strength not to strike Sylvain in the face with his fist. “Stop that stupid chatter Sylvain, I don’t want to talk to you.” Felix may seem calm on the outside, but his inside is raging, wishing he could send the other boy flying. Sylvain was the last person he could need in this last year. The last one he needs to fulfil his goals of graduating in peace and getting good grades. Why do such things always happen to him? Why can’t his life be peaceful for once? Why in all hell is the redhead here at this place? Why?
“What the hell? Is this how you greet your best friend?”
“I am not your best friend. I have never been.” This last sentence was not necessary, Felix knows that. But he is angry, and he needs to give his emotions a way to release. Being sharp is probably the best way to do it.
“What are you talking about? Felix you can’t be serious.” His smile drops in a split of a second, and he steps a few meters away from the other boy. “I was just surprised… and happy to see you again after such a long time. To be honest I was not expecting to ever see you again. Especially not in this school. So, leave me my few happy minutes, after seeing my old best friend again.”
Felix raised his eyebrows. “I don’t know why you’re so happy about that, but I don’t care anyways. The teacher is waiting.”
The Professor just smiles in agreement and gestures them to follow her, not leaving Sylvain another chance to talk. But the redhead does not seem to be in the mood for talking anymore anyway. What a few words can do. Felix is impressed by it over and over again.
It makes the younger boy happy that he seems to have made his point clear, because Sylvain hasn’t even tried talking another word to him. And that’s good. The redhead’s idiotic gibbering has already started to annoy him a few years back.
From what Felix could tell from looking at map earlier, the classrooms seem to be quite a walk away. The trio hurries through the long halls of the school, up and down some stairs, crossing numberless rooms, students, even manage to get a view on the huge garden as they slowly approach the west wing of this giant building, called school. It will surely take some more time until Felix can find his way through the endless halls, without the help of a map on his phone. But he can do it eventually that’s for sure. From time to time Felix dares to glance over at Sylvain trying to have a short look at him, but this whole time, which is a surprise to no one, Sylvains eyes keep their focus on Professor Eisner’s back, more specific her butt and legs. Maybe the reason why he is not talking weren’t Felix sharp words after all.
It takes the group about ten minutes to finally arrive at their destination. For a second, Felix feels a little nervous, but quickly shakes away this feeling of unease. It’s just a bunch of people, whom he will never talk to anyways. So, what does he have to worry about?
Entering the classroom, they’re being greeted by another woman, who must also be one of the teachers here. She quickly waves them inside and they follow Prof. Eisner, to stand in front of the rather small class. But Felix doesn’t spare all those new faces more than a few seconds and turns around, to have a better look at Prof. Eisner and the other teachers who introduced herself as Manuela Casagranda.
“So, my dear students, as I have already announced a few minutes ago, we will be welcoming two new students who will join us in our great learning experience for the next two years.” She starts introducing the two boys with a singing voice. Felix can already tell that she won’t be his favourite teacher. He has never liked people who are so overly happy all the time.
She turns around to have a better look at them. “Who wants to introduce himself first? How about you, young boy?” she asks, while pointing at Felix.
He slightly rolls his eyes. What a nonsense. Why introducing himself, if he won’t be making any friends anyways. It’s all such a waste of time, which he’d rather spend studying already. But telling by the look on her face, there won’t be any way Felix could get around such a simple act of introduction.
Taking a few steps forward he crosses his arms in front of his chest, puts his pokerface on and with another slight roll of my eyes he starts speaking. “My name is Felix and I am currently 17 years old. I came to this school only for studying and graduating, so I would ask you all to not interrupt me at any time. If you have any further questions on your mind, I please you to hold them back. I am not here to make any friends.”
For a few seconds, silence fills the room and by the look on their face Felix can tell that at least a few students have held their breath. Teacher Casagranda is the first one to break the silence with a little cough.
“I thank you very much for your introduction and I can see that you have made your intentions very clear. You may sit down at the desk next to the window.” She says, her voice still inheriting this weird singsong.
Following her order, Felix walks up to his desk and drops his bag on the floor. Even without looking up he could sense that at least half of the class is staring at him. The other half is probably too afraid to even glance in his direction. An inconspicuous smile forms on his lips. That’s exactly what he intended. Peace to fully focus on his studies.
The boy is so lost in thoughts over this little victory, that he doesn’t even realize Sylvain’s introduction, as well as him sitting down directly next to him. Only when Professor Casagranda resumes her lesson, after Professor Eisner left the room he awakes from his thoughts. And it seems that Sylvain’s bright brown eyes have been watching Felix this whole time. He can sense some trouble.
But the luck seems to be on his side for once, as Sylvain doesn’t speak to him throughout the whole lesson. Which is very impressive for a talk active person like Sylvain. But the peace lasts only for a short period, because as soon as the bell rings, signalling the lesson is over, his chair scoots over to Felix’ desk, his brown eyes still watching him carefully.
“That was quite an announcement you made there. I’m sure with that you’ve cut any chances of finding new friends here. But I suppose you don’t want that anyways.” He whispers in the younger boys’ direction, not letting his glance wander off.
Felix tilts his head a little. “And you don’t seem to have understood what I said just there.” he scoffs. “Leave me alone Sylvain. I came here to study and not to be distracted by you again all over.”
“Oooh, come on… That was years ago. You’re not really hating me that much, are you?” he asks, crossing his arms in front of his chest. Felix turns his head to look at him while leaning back in his chair. It has been some time since he saw Sylvains face this close. His intense gaze is still the same and Felix can feel himself getting nervous all over again, just like he did years ago. He can’t stand the other guys intense gaze at all.
“This is not about hating or not hating you. I just want some peace, while I’m graduating. That’s all I ask for. And your presence does not contribute to this.” Felix returns his question, turning his head away. Again, he can feel the glances of the other students in the class, whose curiosity bloomed once more after they saw Felix and Sylvain talking with each other rather carefree. They’re probably wondering why the two new students in their class seem to get along so well, thinking they probably came here together after all. Which is not the case at all, obviously. Felix can’t stand the other male.
Sylvain just nods, approving the younger boys’ words. “I already figured out that much. But I am still happy to see you again, you know? Maybe some other day you’ll have some more motivation to talk to me and explain me anything that happened in those 2 years we haven’t heard of each other. I am curious to know why you disappeared so suddenly.” He slowly gets up from his chair, smirking and not turning his gaze away from Felix. “I would really appreciate it, since you are still a very good friend of mine. And I really want you to feel the same too. But for now, I will just try to find some other people to hang out with. Maybe flirt with some cute girls in here too. Who knows where the day gets me? See you.”
“I’m not sure if I’ll ever have the motivation to do so, Sylvain. Also it’s been only a year and a half.” Felix says more to himself than to Sylvain. But still the redhead seems to have heard it anyways, as he stops in his movement for a few seconds. That bastard has always had some good hearing. But without saying anything further, he just walks away. Even after so many years Felix doesn’t understand him and his motives quite well.
After waiting for a few more minutes, Felix also decides to leave the classroom for a bit. The first break is around 25 minutes long, so he decides to explore the school a bit more. It never hurts to know the place you’re studying at. Following the map on my phone Felix guides his way through the endless corridors in the building. With every step he takes and every corner he rounds, the student finds himself in new parts of the school. It seems like an endless exploring. Felix knew that this school was huge beforehand, but he must say, the school is still way bigger than he expected it to be. But that just gives me more space for exploring and maybe finding myself a nice and quiet spot, to study in peace. And maybe even a place Sylvain won’t ever find, so he can’t bother him either.
After exploring mindlessly for a good ten minutes, the library is the first place Felix walks to and once again he is more than impressed by how large it is. He surely will spend some quality time, researching and studying in here. Felix just hopes that it won’t get too crowded in there during exam time. He can’t stand studying around many people. Actually, he can’t stand people at all.
Next, he is passing through the cafeteria, again impressed by its size but also by the number of students who already gathered here to grab some food. The student will probably just bring his own food, so he won’t be forced to go to this place and avoid talking to people as much as he can.
Time passes quickly and just a few minutes later the bell rings again, signalling the students that the break is over, and they need to return to the classrooms. When Felix comes back, Sylvain is nowhere in sight. Felix sighs in relief. A few more minutes in peace.
Just a few seconds before bell rings again, this time signalling that the lesson starts again, Sylvain walks into the classroom, grinning brightly while he mischievously waves at some girls passing by. As he walks over, Felix takes this short time to study his looks a bit more. Even though only 2 years have passed, he has gotten a lot manlier. Broader shoulders, angular face and even his hair seemed to be a brighter shade of orange. The way he walks isn’t as lanky as before but much more coordinated and deliberate. Felix could even say that time did him very well and his appearance surely changed to the better. That he has become handsome. But his character still seems to be the same.
He looks away just in time, before Sylvain catches him staring. The last thing Felix needs is Sylvain thinking that he still likes him. It’s not like this. He is not his friend anymore, nor will he ever be. Those times are over.
The rest of the day passes rather quickly. Felix gets to know most of his teachers here, a brief introduction in the general structure of the lessons, which made him realize how much he actually missed good lessons, where you learn something without needing to do all the research yourself.
Apparently, Felix finds out by overhearing a conversation of Sylvain and one of his classmates, that this school also has a lot of after-school clubs and a few seemed to be quite interesting, so if he can spare the time, he might actually sign up for one. Besides his mental fitness, Felix swears on sports as a good balance to all the learning and sitting all day, but also his physical appearance shouldn’t lack a bit. It does not really seem like it, but Felix really takes care of his looks. Therefore, sports are absolutely necessary for him.
Nevertheless, he decides to take it easy for once and go home right after school, cook some nice food and watch a good movie, accompanied by his cat.
But his plans did not work out.
Right after the last lesson ended, the student packs all his belongings in his back, ready to make his way home, when Sylvain stops him in the classroom door.
“Felix, wait!” he demands, grabbing the younger boy’s wrist stopping him in his motions. “Let’s talk.”
“Talk about what? I can’t remember anything we would need to talk about.”
Sylvain grins. The same awful grin as ever. “I want to be your friend again.”
Felix rolls his eyes and crossed his arms in front of his chest. “I don’t need any friends. Especially not you Sylvain. You’re annoying.”
“But why? You can’t just throw years of friendship away like this.” The redhead pouts a little.
“To hear that out of your mouth...” The younger boy mutters, turns and walks away. “Leave me alone!”
“Aw come on Felix, what happened in those two years that made you become so grumpy?”
“None of your business.”
“But I want to know what’s going on in the life of my long best friend.”
Felix cringes. How much he hates to hear those words out of his mouth. Best friends my ass. “Sylvain. I actually come to believe that you are deaf. What about my words did you not understand? Leave me alone, I have better things to do than waste my time on you again.”
“Ouch that hurts. So, you really think those years of friendship were wasted?”
“I don’t think this is the right place to discuss this. People are staring.” Felix answers monotonous.
Sylvain scratches his head and looks around. “Yeah you’re right probably. Then let us go somewhere else. I know a nice Café nearby. Would you like to come with me? I just briefly want to know what happened after you disappeared and why. If you tell me, I’ll treat you with some food today.”
“You know I don’t like sweet stuff.”
“Still the same as ever.” Sylvain grins a little. “They also have quite a large variety of hearty food. But will you come with me? Just this once Felix. I will try not to bother you afterwards. I promise.”
“No. I have better things to do than spending time with you.”
Sylvain sighs, crossing his arms in front of his chest. “Look… if you don’t want to spend time with me, that’s fine, but I really would like to know where you were in the last years. Really. I promise that’s the only time I will bother you. After that… I won’t speak to you anymore. At least I will try. Just tell me what I need to know and you’re free from me. Does it sound like a deal?”
“But only this once.” The younger boy sighs and glares at the redhead. “I really hope you can keep your promise.”
Felix is not even sure how much truth Sylvains promise holds, if that’s his only chance to get distance of Sylvain in the future, it seems like this sacrifice must be made. It is only this once.
“Thank you so much Fe. I knew that you don’t hate me so much.” He grins.
“Stop calling me that Sylvain or want me to take back what I just said? I hate you and your stupid nicknames.”
The redhead just chuckles. “Yeah you already said that years ago. But I’m sure you secretly like them a lot.”
“No, I don’t.”
“Yes, you do.” Sylvain returns, slightly patting Felix’ head for a short second as if he were some little child. The scared, little boy from their childhood. Felix hates that. That’s not him anymore. He has changed at least as much as Sylvain did in those past two years. Felix hopes the other boy has realized that and only tries to annoy him on purpose.
Felix is glad to say that the café Sylvain chose is not far from his apartment, so he will be home quick after their talk is over. He still needs to be careful that Sylvain won’t follow him afterwards, because he does not want the other boy to know where he lives. A terrifying image of Sylvain disturbing him in his sleeps crosses his mind, but he quickly shakes it off. It won’t happen if he is careful.
“Order anything you want. I will pay.” Sylvain says, after both boys had sat down in the little café. Even though Felix rarely goes out to eat in restaurants, he likes the comforting atmosphere of this one. To him the small, but not crowded space is calming. The natural, saturated colours combined with the smell of coffee makes him almost forget why and with who he is here today.
“I’ll go with a small coffee for now. I’m not hungry.”
Sylvain raises and eyebrow but doesn’t say anything further. Felix had good lunch and if he wants to take care of his body, he shouldn’t eat too much after all. It may be weird for others but to him it’s totally fine.
Sylvain orders the food for both guys and for a moment they sit in silence, not quite knowing what to talk about. Sylvain has questions and Felix the answers but none of the boys has tried approaching the topic yet. So, they just sit in awkward silence. Felix sips his coffee and Sylvain eats his cake.
“So…” Sylvain breaks the silence after a while. “What happened?”
Felix looks up from his mug, looking at the redhead for the first time in a while. “What do you mean?”
“You know… why your family moved away so suddenly, why you cut our contact and why you dislike me so much now… Would you tell me?”
Felix sighs. “It’s not a problem to tell you but it might be shocking anyways. Glenn died in a car accident the day after we finished the schoolyear.”
Sylvains eyes widen and he carefully puts his glass of lemonade aside, his hands shaking a little. “Glenn is dead? That is so sad to hear. I… I really don’t know what to say… that’s awful… he was such a nice guy….”
“I know. It took me quite some time to realize that he really is gone forever.”
“I really can’t believe he is dead. My condolences.” Sylvain whispers. “I hope you’re doing better now. It must have been horrible for you. I am so sorry that I wasn’t by you side in that difficult time.”
The younger boy slightly shakes his head. “It’s fine, I am over it. My dad seems like that as well, but I always have the feeling he is shielding himself from the pain, not wanting to admit that he really is dead. My mum was hurt the most and I think she is still not over it. And because of all the memories we have with our old place, with Glenn, we decided it would be the best to move away, cutting contacts with friends that remind us of him, of our past with him.”
Sylvain sniffles a little. “That’s why you cut contacts with me too?”
“Yes.” An answer enough to please Sylvain, but not quite the truth. It’s better to say that he cut contacts with Sylvain because he was jealous of the redheads female acquaintances, girls that were only interested one thing, got more of his best friends time than Felix himself would ever get. He hated how Sylvain left him alone for girls he barely knew, how he was the one making their friendship crumble. But this truth won’t ever leave Felix’ mouth. It’s better to stay silent about some things in order to protect oneself.
“I am so sorry.” Sylvain say, keeping up a sad voice. “And are you ready to build up our contact again?”
Felix shakes his head. “No, I’m fine.”
“Are you really?”
“Yes, why wouldn’t I be?”
Sylvain shakes his head. “You’re closing me out of something Felix. I know you too well.”
The younger boy shrugs. “Well I can’t do anything about it. I’ve said it before, but my goal for the next two schoolyears are not to make a huge lot of new friends but focus on school and studying only, so I can graduate and go to my dream Uni. Understand?”
Felix knows how much it would help him to be friends with Sylvain again. How much of a mental pressure would be lifted from his shoulders, having someone to talk to, carefree, like friend that have been together their whole life. But he just cannot take the risk. Having observed the other boy throughout the day, it is clear that nothing of the behaviour he established in middle school has changed. That even if they were to become friends again, none Sylvains time would be meant for him in the first place. So why put himself in all this trouble again, why feel all the pain again just to have a friend? This friendship probably wouldn’t mean the same thing to Sylvain, as it did to Felix.
“I wouldn’t be a new friend.”
“I know.” Felix sighs. It hurts a little to turn down the other boy like that, but what can he do?
“Not even give it a try?”
Felix leans forwards, supporting his head with his hands. “I’ll think about it.”
“Maybe things will be easier to decide of I tell you something about my last two years?” the redhead suggests. “My stories are not as shocking as yours, but my family also went through some shit.”
“Tell me.” Felix turns to Sylvain again. He always knew the redhead’s family was troublesome, even though Sylvain tried his best at hiding it, but now hearing him speak about it so openly is odd. What could have happened?
Sylvain laughs absently and scratches the back of his head. “Well… most of the trouble was caused by Miklan. None of my family knew that he was the boss of a group of drug dealers until one and a half years ago, when he got caught and imprisoned. I mean we both know that my father always disliked him quite a lot, but that was just a confirmation for him how much of a disappointment he is. No one is talking to him at the moment, but that’s not much of a difference for me as he never really talked to me anyways.”
“I have always told you something about your brother seems fishy.” Felix answers dryly. “But I am sorry to hear that.”
“I don’t mind actually.” The redhead awkwardly laughs. “You know the best how much he hated me. I bet he’s happy that he doesn’t have to see my face again.”
“Maybe…”
Sylvain sighs. “I also fought a lot with my father in the last months, because I don’t really agree with his views on society anymore…. Well yeah… since then he basically ignores me as well.”
“I am sorry…”
“No, no it’s fine, it’s fine… I feel better now that I got those things off my chest… it has been bothering me for a while now. And with you gone I had no one I could talk to about those issues, so I just ate it all up until it became too much one day.”
Felix widens his eyes a little. He didn’t know Sylvain valued their friendship so much, in a way that he would openly talk about his feelings, less actually need him to talk about what’s going on his mind. Hearing this, makes the younger boy feel a little guilty having left him behind.
“Ahh whatever. I’m getting sentimental again. Sorry for that. Let’s talk about something else.” Sylvain shakes his head and throws a little smirk in Felix direction. “Anything else happened in your life that I need to know about? Have you had a girlfriend yet?”
Felix rolls his eyes, the feeling of guilt leaving his body. “I did not come here to talk about my love life to you. If that’s everything you want to know now I’ll be gone.”
“I’m sorry. Actually, you told me everything I wanted to know… for now at least.” He smiles. The smile he gave to Felix when they were still close friends, warm and comforting.
Felix nods. “Then I’ll be going home now. Thanks for the drinks.”
“One last thing.” Sylvain reaches for his pocket, grabs his phone and writes something down. “This is my new phone number. I just want to get in better contact again because I really liked talking to you today and if you’ll ever need someone to talk to, a trusty friend maybe, you could always leave me a message or call me.”
Felix shrugs, but a small almost inconspicuous smile forms on his lips. “I don’t think I’ll need it but thank you anyways. I also enjoyed it. See you in school tomorrow.”
With those words the younger boy walks off, holding the tiny piece of paper tight in his hand, afraid of losing it. He won’t ever admit it, but he is happy that Sylvain made a move on him again and even gave him another chance to be friends again. But Felix knows if he wants to retain his image of a lone wolf, he can’t make things too easy for the redhead. Whatever happened, but Sylvain was very endurable this afternoon. Maybe he really has changed to the better.