Chapter Text
Henry awoke to sunlight seeping into his room, the light painting the walls in a warm, honey glow.
He stretched his arms and legs all while staying in bed, having no mind to get up and get ready for school, just as he was about to fall back asleep he heard "HENRY, GET UP AND GET READY FOR SCHOOL YOU'RE GONNA BE LATE" he groaned while kicking off his duvet and heading for the bathroom. He knew if he stayed in bed longer he would just be receiving another meaningless lecture from his mother, he put on his school uniform and checked himself once in the mirror. He hated how itchy and uncomfortable the new uniform was, honestly he hated everything about school, except one person of course.
Ralph.
Ralph has been Henry's best friend since they were kids in primary, He's one of the only people Henry has ever considered a true friend. They were a Roguish duo and the towns people never knew what to expect from them.
Without realizing it a smile began to grow on Henry's face and his face grew a little hotter, forming a slight blush on his cheeks.
Henry shook his head trying to come back to his senses.
No, He's my best friend I cant think about him like that. I need to get rid of these feelings.
He drew in a deep breath before making his way downstairs, he loosened the school tie around his neck and then started massaging said area, it always felt like he was being choked.
"Good morning Henry" Perfect Peter said, always the goody two shoes, although now that Henry was in year 11 and Peter was in year 8 their relationship with each other had become better to say the least. They were older and understood more now, though Henry would never admit it he was quite fond of his little brother, excluding his old snitching habit.
"Yeah whatever, morning worm" Henry replied as he dug into his bowl of cereal.
"Don't be horrid, Henry!" his mum reprimanded, he had heard that sentence so many times it felt like it would follow him to the grave, might as well put it on his tombstone. He rolled his eyes at his mothers words and shoved more cereal into his mouth as his mother sighed.
"Your tie is crooked, at this rate you'll get a lecture from the Headmaster again" Peter pointed out.
Henry rolled his eyes but fixed his tie anyway.
"You boys will have to take the bus today" Francesca told them, "But Mum I was gonna take my bike to school" Henry whined "why do I have to go with the worm?" he complained, "Don't be like that Henry! he's your younger brother. you need to learn some responsibility and take care of him." she scolded, as always getting irritated by his antics "Seriously Henry, you're 16 now you need to start acting like it."
I'm sixteen mum, not twenty.
He sighed knowing there was no way out of this, "lets just go worm" he mumbled and started heading out, "Bye boys! don't cause any trouble at school." their mum yelled out. Peter bid his goodbye while Henry merely waved.
They sat at the bus and checked their watches to see how long it would take for the bus to arrive. "Oh we're a bit early today.." Peter noted.
"Yeah that's on me, I didn't finish my breakfast today." Henry said in a monotone voice, Peter glanced worriedly at him and decided an attempt to cheer his brother up wouldn't cause any harm.
"Say Henry, How's everything with Ralph?" The younger boy said cheekily, Henry spluttered before saying "What do you mean worm?! There's nothing going on between us!"
Peter grinned and retorted "I never said there was Henry" in a playful but knowing tone, "Cmon Henry I see the way you look at him! you can't hide stuff from me"
"Fine, fine I may have teeny tiny crush on him.." he confessed and Peter squealed "Eek I knew it!!"
"But don't you dare go telling anyone about this okay?!" The ginger pointed out. "My lips are sealed Henry, I wont tell a soul. Pinky promise."
The bus soon arrived and they got settled in seats next to each other.
"Do you ever plan on confessing Henry?" asked Peter, Henry shushed him "Shhhh, quiet down your voice!?" he whispered and then paused for a second before quietly whispering "No" and If Peter wasn't paying attention he wouldn't have heard him. He gave one confused look in Henry's direction before the older one sighed and quietly but firmly said "I can't let anyone know Peter, they'd all hate me" and the fear and pain in his voice made Peter very concerned.
"But I know Henry! and I don't hate you" Peter tried to reason, Henry smiled but it didn't meet his eyes "I know" he simply said.
Peter grew more worried for his older brother but decided they'd have this conversation another time.
They soon arrive at school and go their separate ways, Henry makes a stop at his locker then makes a beeline towards his first class of the day, he settles down at his respective seat and pulls out his phone. They still have a good 5 minutes before the first bell rings so he starts mindlessly scrolling.
He looks up just in time to see a familiar brunette hair walk in who immediately locks eyes with him.