Chapter Text
ONE — The New Classmate
Kal gently closed the door behind him and left the garden with measured steps.
The wind was calm, and the temperature pleasant enough for him to slightly open his coat.
Without thinking, he headed toward his high school. He had walked this path so many times that he could probably find his way with his eyes closed. Of course, he didn’t try…
Kal was a teenager who disliked change, even when it had the potential to be positive.
To him, change was directly linked to losing control over everything around him. And he had very good reasons for not wanting to feel so powerless.
So when he reached the school gate and saw the unusually dense crowd, a shiver of unease ran down his spine.
Instinctively, he fidgeted with his hands before gripping the strap of his bag, his knuckles turning white from the pressure.
Dodging shoulders and elbows, he carefully made his way through the mass of students, heading for the building.
He was convinced that trying to see what was going on would only trigger a chain reaction of catastrophes he’d rather avoid.
Pushing open the heavy glass door and stepping inside, he was nearly knocked over by a student sprinting in the opposite direction, followed closely by a hall monitor.
A fight?
That would be a first…
* * *
The classroom was almost empty, except for a few students who took their role as top of the class very seriously.
Good, thought the blond. He hated being among the last to arrive.
Everyone always stared at latecomers as if it would make any difference.
After taking his seat, he waited, hands clasped under the desk.
The teacher soon entered, followed by about fifteen students who sat down in a chorus of screeching chairs.
Kal winced.
He wasn’t fond of loud noises.
"Good morning, everyone. Today, we’ll be resuming—"
The teacher didn’t get the chance to finish before the door swung open roughly.
Everyone jumped and turned toward the entrance—Kal included, despite himself.
A tall brunette, easily around six feet, stepped inside.
Kal immediately thought he looked like one of those bad boys straight out of a book—messy hair, earrings, a necklace, ripped jeans, and bandages on his face.
Something clicked in the blond’s mind.
He had to be the reason for all the commotion outside…
"Sorry for being late," the brunette muttered, closing the door behind him.
Then, scanning the room for a seat, his gaze met Kal’s.
Immediately, a shiver ran down his spine.
The eye contact had lasted only a second, yet it had sent an odd sensation through him.
"Leocoril, is that right?"
The boy in question gave a small nod.
"Since you’re new, I’ll let it slide this time, but from now on, try not to be late. You can sit next to Kalceran."
Hands stuffed in his pockets, the so-called Leocoril strolled toward the empty seat, letting his shoulder bag drop to the floor as he sat down.
"Alright, let’s continue…"
Kal didn’t dare look at Leocoril and pretended to focus on the notes on the board, though every fiber of his being was hyper-aware of the presence beside him.
* * *
Leo hated classes, hated the classroom, and hated the teacher. It was something deeply personal.
Normally, everything was fine. He could follow along, take notes, and focus without much difficulty. But now, he seriously wondered how he had ended up in such a chaotic class.
Some students, like the blond beside him, were calm and quiet. Others, however, spent their time giggling, scraping their chairs, tapping their pens or fingers against the desk—acting like complete fools, as if they weren’t here to study.
And the teacher wasn’t helping. Instead of telling everyone to shut up, he simply raised his voice to speak over the noise.
Leo genuinely believed that anyone who could concentrate in these conditions wasn’t human.
As if to prove his point, Kalceran was diligently taking notes in his notebook, completely detached from the chaos around him.
A surge of anger bubbled up inside Leo as he thought about his former principal. His old school had been fine. Well, aside from the fact that most of the students were brainless idiots who lived to pick fights and mock others.
And, of course, he had to get permanently expelled for “hitting another poor, innocent student.”
First of all, that innocent kid wasn’t innocent at all. And second, it wasn’t his fault that he was the only one willing to stand up to the so-called kings of the school.
Regardless, his adoptive father had decided to send him to another high school. And even though he was legally an adult now and no longer obligated to attend, he had agreed—unless he wanted to end up homeless.
Oh, how he hated him too…
But whatever. Getting worked up over the past wasn’t getting him anywhere.
Lowering his gaze to his notes, he sighed. At least he had written down more than half the lesson. But this part… he just didn’t get it.
Beside him, the blond raised his hand, catching the teacher’s attention.
"Sir, could you explain the last part again, please?"
Leo turned slightly toward him, surprised.
Was he doing that for him ?
Judging by his notes, Kalceran had clearly understood everything. So why ask for an explanation? Especially after already writing everything down…
Whatever the reason, Leo wasn’t going to question it. He’d just take advantage of the opportunity, silently thanking the younger boy.
* * *
Kal felt restless. Ever since he had felt the new student’s gaze on him when he had asked the teacher to repeat the explanation, he couldn’t think of anything else.
Leocoril had remained neutral—he hadn’t looked relieved, nor had he seemed annoyed.
Kal just hoped he hadn’t taken it the wrong way…
Seeing him hesitate over what to write toward the end of the lesson for several minutes, Kal hadn’t been able to just sit there and do nothing.
Besides, Leocoril seemed like someone who often got into trouble. He couldn’t explain why he had this feeling, but he couldn’t shake it off either.
As soon as the bell rang, a wave of students rushed toward the door.
Kal took his time packing up his things, hesitating. He wanted to talk to Leocoril.
But now that he thought about it… what would he even say? Nothing particularly interesting. Maybe it was better not to bother him.
"Thanks… for earlier."
Kal froze before slowly turning his head toward the brunet. He stood there, staring for a few seconds. Then, suddenly, he blushed and shook his head, as if trying to clear his thoughts.
"Oh, uh… it was… nothing, really."
Leocoril gave him a small smile before grabbing his bag and leaving the classroom without another word.
Kal watched him go, biting his lip, before finally heading out as well.