Chapter Text
Follo liked sculpture. The teacher was kind, and class was relaxing. Except for Tamsy.
"C'mon! There's no way that NOBODY has caught your eye! I can't graduate knowing you'll be lonely forever." Tamsy nagged.
"I doubt you CAN graduate while failing chemistry." Follo rolled his eyes and continued adding designs to his latest masterpiece: a flower sculpture for his little sister's birthday.
Tamsy spun around on his chair, groaning at the ceiling. "You'll tell me if you like someone, right?"
"Totally."
Lie. Someone HAD caught his eye, a year ago. Zanka Nijiku. They were in the same grade, had the same biology class, the same lunch, and walked past each other in the hall 3 times per day on average.
Follo couldn't tell Tamsy. Zanka would find out, then they'd never become friends, let alone something... More.
The teacher clapped his hands. "Alright guys! Time to clean up. Tomorrow we start our clay unit, so bring the signed disclosure. See you tomorrow."
Follo carefully packed up his stuff while Tamsy waited at the door. Tams was always ready for lunch.
The cafeteria is the best place to hear drama. Zanka hated it. He didn't care about the rumors, it was all just noise. His head pounded and he let out a sigh.
"What's the matter, babe? Math kicking your butt?" Riyo asked with a smirk. She enjoyed playing with him, trying to get a reaction.
"Shut up," Zanka said, "I'm just hungry. Didn't bring food today."
Jabber ran to the table and sat down across from Zanka. "I got chips!"
Zanka snatched the bag and ate a huge handful while Jabber tried to get the bag back.
Riyo likes the drama. She knows how to get a reaction.
"If only you had a cute little boyfriend to feed you chips and cuddle. What a lonely boy you are!"
Zanka choked on his food and gave Riyo a glare. "I told you, I'm not seeing anyone right now. Leave it alone."
Jabber raised his hand. "But there are so many good options! Jackson Bale is single, so is Matthew C. Kyo is open, and so is Follo!"
"Kyo is straight, Matthew likes Jackson, and... Follo? Follo Tunito?He's in my biology class. I don't think I've ever spoken to him."
Riyo and Jabber lit up. "So you'll consider him?? Jabber and I can ask Tamsy if he likes you!"
"No, no, no! Don't say anything! I don't want to make things weird, I don't even know if he'd be into me."
Zanka rubbed the back of his neck. //Would I even be into him? He's nice, but we aren't even friends.//
He rubbed his eyes and took another chip. //What am I talking about...//
The lunch bell rang and Zanka walked to biology. On the board, a new seating chart was posted. He sat in his new seat and watched his classmates enter the room.
Someone cleared their throat. "Uh, sorry. I think this is my seat."
Zanka turned to see Follo Tunito awkwardly standing next to the desk.
//Yeah, not quite my type.// Zanka thought.
"Hey. Follo, right?"
Follo responded quietly. "Yeah..." And he sat down.
//Definitely not my type. I hate quiet talkers.//
They were silent for the whole period.
Follo slammed his bedroom door, flopped on his bed and groaned. Less than 16 seconds later, a knock at his door.
Without waiting for a reply, Amo walked into Follo's room and sat on the floor.
"What happened? Was it Zanka?!"
Follo told the story. "It was sooooo awkward! I can't even talk to him yet! What am I supposed to doooo...!" Follo complained.
Amo thought for a moment. "Start with something small. Greet him in class. Just a smile or something."
Follo perked up. "Right. Yeah! I'll just warm up to it. Thanks Amo!"
//I'll smile. Maybe wave, say hello... Something small. To start.//
"Hey." Follo said with a small, awkward smile.
"Hey." Zanka replied.
Today was day 18. Everyday, Follo would walk in and greet him. It shouldn't have meant anything but Zanka was still confused.
//Usually they ignore me. Jabber says people think I'm mean, so what's up with this guy?//
Zanka pulled out his phone and opened spotify. He popped in an earbud and chose a song.
Right next to his empty ear, Zanka heard a voice.
"You listen to [insert band] too!? I love their newest album."
Follo was leaned pretty close in to Zanka, looking over his shoulder at the phone screen. Zanka blinked a few times and stared at Follo.
A look of understanding wasted over Follo's face and he backed away.
"Sorry. I shouldn't have been watching you..."
//Why does he look so embarrassed? I was just surprised, I... Didn't really mind...//
Zanka's thoughts trailed off, so he responded, "No worries. They have good music."
Follo smiled, the tension in his shoulders released.
Then class started. The teacher ran on a tangent about the powerhouse of the cell (the mitochondria, of course).
Zanka's mind was stuck. Stuck on the memory of the light in Follo's eyes.