Chapter Two: "Hey"

At this point, I wasn't fully aware of the situation unfolding. Whether it was just the mystery of the new kid or the way he looked, still remains unknown to me today, and I would like to keep that the same.

You see, I am a man that believes in fate and it's tricky to later learn the consequences of fate itself. If you run along life and expect everything to be great with no real goals or accomplishments, fate will bring you back to reality. If you take your time, pounder your decisions and question your actions impact for your future, fate will also decided the outcome. You see, fate is the key to every situation whether good or bad the outcome may be. Everything happens for a reason, and this is why I believe in fate so much.

The idea of love was too farfetched for me at that moment to even commit to it. I was confused the very least to why I would be developing feelings for a guy I had just met, leaving myself second guessing my sexuality. It was a real eye opener into a different mindset, and could explain the lack of love interest in gals. Connecting with this guy was a life changer, for the good or for the bad, but all I knew... It was the start of a bitter love at first sight. - C.A

_____

There are no words that come to mind when I think about what is happening to me. It's all one big blurred mess of confusion and striking curiosity for the tacky sweater kid. Though I haven't really spoken a word to him since I took a close and spontaneous seating arrangement, there's just one question that's running through this trap of mine. What the fuck is wrong with me? Was it the 'not knowing' part of this guy? The way his body looks so small yet kinda delicate in the baggy red cloth? Or maybe it's the way his hair looked as if I could fall asleep in the fluffy brown abyss and never wake up? I don't think these questions will ever be answered for a guy like myself.

The teacher passed out a few sheets of paper to the front row students and the domino effect continued. The boy in front of me shifted his body to the side a bit before handing me the inked assignment, making quick eye contact before setting into his normal posture again. He seems a little antisocial at the moment, but Cronus Ampora can crack and make anyone a close friend. I glanced down at the paper, just a few personal questions.

"Alright class," The noise of voices lowered drastically as the teacher spoke. "You can call me Mr. Butler, your trigonometry guide for this year, or whatever you please that's school appropriate. I know it's going to be a rough start, with it being an awful time for math, but get over it. The paper you have is probably the easiest thing you'll ever be assigned by me. Just answer the questions and you will be graded for completion and presentation tomorrow." With the little rule guiding, Mr. Butler sat back down in his chair to sip his coffee again.

A presentation for the first week of school? Well, at least you don't have to research 'What's your favorite color?' intensely until you pass out on the desk in your house. I reach into my backpack, shuffling things around a bit before cursing under my breath. I forgot to get pencils, for school. My thoughts automatically go to the working individual in front if me, the conversation plan is in motion.

I extend my arm out just enough to give the boy a slight tap on the shoulder, making him jump in surprise and directing his hazelnut gaze at me with a questionable look. Those eyes were really something. "Uh hey, can I borrow a pencil?" I asked over the talkative classroom. His expression lit up with nervousness as he handed the extra mechanical pencil he had laying on the desk.

"Here."

"Thanks."

He went strait back to work and the conversation deadpanned. It was more of a non interesting warm up anyways, but on the bright side, he talked to me and was nice enough to give up a writing utensil. I could feel some confidence build up with that short handed experience, though my mind was focused on the back of his head than the small success. I sloppily doodled a few words down for some questions to make sure people didn't start thinking I was a slacker, which I technically was not. I can confidently say my grades were pretty good last year and I had no problems, besides a truancy.

"Hey." The new pencil poked at the boy's shoulder as I made a small smile form on my lips with the anticipated questions popping at the tip of my tongue. He looked over his shoulder, body more of a tilt and his features still showing no emotion. There was a bit of silence between us when waiting for a response I never got. "So, ya nevw here?" He stared back at me as if the question was blankly obvious, which it was, but a conversation is conversation.

"Yes I am." He faced the front again and placed his pencil down on the desk. Wow, this isn't how I kinda imagined this small talk thing would go down.

Was he already done? I look down and count the questions on the worksheet, about 30. He certainly can write fast. I decided not to pester the guy any further, since sitting in complete silence was a thing he was quite fond of. His back strait against his seat, fingers resting beside the tips of his elbows, I don't understand how some people could be so uptight. At least from my first impression of him went, but I won't give up so soon.

The rest of the period was wasted with the oblivious staring to the back of his head. His curls were very messy yet perfectly crafted into a style you couldn't tell apart from being brushed or not. Why the hell am I obsessing over this dudes hair?

Lingering behind to gather my belongings, I watch as the boy disappeared first out those doors. He seems a bit weird and nervous, but I assumed it's just because he's an introvert. I shrugged to myself and walked into the over flowing crowd of bodies. The next period was a study hall, which Rufioh had attended and screwed around with the science room computers, but flew by as quick as the other classes.

When the late lunch hit, I tagged along with a few other friends and claimed a table for our own. The food, of course, wasn't the best to eat without getting a good crash of constipation, but the government funded macaroni was calling my name and I can't resist. I scuffed down a spoonful of the yellow heaven, and occasionally listening to a certain moron's conversation.

"-Anyways, after that went down, she had dumped him for another chick. I never knew she was a lesbian, like, seriously that's fuckin' disgustin'." Meenah empathized the last word and I rolled my eyes. Why am I sitting at the same table as her again?

"Oh-!" I glanced over at the girl that piped up. I believe her name was Damara? Her red painted lips curled into an unpleasant sneer as she twirled a strand of her dyed-black hair with her finger. "Did you all know there's a signing going around to make queer marriage legal?"

Meenah burst out laughing and shook her head, her tight braids flinging around annoyingly. "Isn't that so stupid." Some of the others had either snickered or were shrugging their shoulders to the girls comments, but Rufioh and I just sat there with little interest, at least until the girl spoke out again. "What do you think bout this?"

I coughed a bit in surprise at the question that was thrown at me. Everyone's attention seemed to magnetize on the answer I gave, of course my statement would matter. With a quick sigh I gave a bland reply, "WVell, I really don't givwe a shit to be honest."

"Awe, don't tell me that Cro has gone homo durin' the summer." She countered, earning a few other heads to turn and listen onto the gossip. Was she really trying to play this blame game?

Her little smirk was almost enough to fire up an inner anger against it, "Fuck you, okay? I'm not gay. I really don't care because it doesn't effect me personally, so vwhy vwould I havwe an opinion against it?"

"Mmhm, so why are ya gettin' defensive all of a sudden?"

With a shove of my plate, I crossed my arms over my chest and gave her a glare. There was so much one person could take from an inconsiderate, know-it-all type of person, and for which abruptly ruined my appetite. I gave Rufioh a kick under the table, making sure he knows that I reached my maximum dose of Meenah Piexes for the day. He thankfully immediately reacted with a forced laugh, "And this is coming from a girl who's definition of looks, comes strait from the lesbian catalogue!"

Everyone had a riot of laughter, including me. This is why Rufioh might be the only normal guy at this table that I can respect, and because of his quick come-backs. This placed Meenah into an awkward stand still, retreating with a scoff like the comment didn't matter. Little does she realize, I know that bothered her ego more than anything and I was quite content with the results. I gave Rufioh a high five before grabbing my half eaten plate to throw away and walked out of the cafeteria a bit early.

My hands were stuffed into the pockets of my leather jacket as I wandered the empty halls, finding a bathroom just behind the corner and entered through the frame. I was met with a reflection that certainly needed some overdue management for his hair, gel specifically. Luckily, I always carry a bottle just for the occasion, fishing it out and letting the cold substance touch the tips of my fingers. I combed through, straightening a few strays with my hand and slicking it back to it's original style. With a flashy smile, I pointed at myself and posed. Oh yeah, I look confident and classy.

A sudden choking noise was heard inside the bathroom which sparked my attention to the green stalls. Only the farthest one was closed, but I hadn't noticed that someone else was in here until now. "Hello?" I walked down to the closed stall and knocked on it lightly, "I'm not tryin' to be vweirdo or anythin', but are ya okay? Do ya need the nurse?"

There was a subtle shuffle before a light voice answered back, "I'm fine." And then a flush to the toilet echoed loudly. The stall door clicked open and a pair of caramel eyes met my blue ones. It was the boy from my first period, red sweater and all, but he seemed to look more tired and drained than usual. This raised more concern for the kid, but he opened his mouth again with a slightly different tone. "Oh, it's you."

"Oh yeah, hey." I gave a little smile and a friendly wave, "But are ya sure? That sounded pretty gruesome to be completely honest."

The brown haired boy slid past me with ease and over to the sink, the sound of running water filled the small restroom. "Thank you for the concern, but I'm fine."

"Alright, I vwon't bug ya about it." I placed my hands back into the pockets, leaning against the pasty looking wall. "So, I didn't really catch your name in triganometry."

The boy had took a few paper towels, drying his hands and giving me a slight glare in return. "Such a lucky day for you, I presume." His backpack was slung on as he made strides to the exit, obviously not wanting me to know.

I felt dounfounded by his persistency of dissing me off, but I wasn't going to be ignored like that again. I decided to press on the matter and follow the red figure out into the hallway. With a few hoping strides from myself, I caught up to him with ease. "Hey, wait! Maybe I sounded too cocky or somethin', but I hawve good intentions I svwear."

The boy stopped in his tracks and caught me off guard with a quick turn to face me. His soft features were torn within kneaded eyebrows of anger. "I assume you are more educated than what you look like, but you can prove me wrong with this social gander you've been trying to attempt. I suggest we quit the politeness and go on as separate equals."

"VWhoa there, chief!" My hands shot up in front of me as I shook my head in defense, "You're takin' this all vwrong, I'm just simply curious, ya knowv? An if you're newv to the school an all, it vwouldn't be rude of me to guess ya don't havwe any friends. I'm tryin' to be nice to ya, if you'd let me."

Silence had seeped in between us, like a very uncomfortable yet intimidating wait for a job offer. The boy looked conflicted about what I said and finally opened his mouth to speak, his voice less with anger than before. "I-uh... I apologize for rather rudely displaying my emotions. The move has been more than stressful for me and my family. That is not an excuse for my words though." A sigh escaped his lips before covering his face with cupped hands.

I couldn't help but to let a soft smile form on my features, "I understand, I'm sorry for buggin' ya 'bout a stupid name. It's not my business to intrude anywvays."

"Yeah." His hands dropped to his sides as we made eye contact, an arm extended towards me. The first friendly action he made. "My name is Kankri, Kankri Vantas."

"Cronus Ampora," I took his hand in mine and offered a firm shake before letting go, "Nice to finally meet ya Kankri, Kankri Vantas."

That stupid remark rewarded me with a roll of the eyes and a small but evident smile. I couldn't contain the joy of my idiotic grin, because I had finally cracked the mystery of the boy in front of me. As simple as it sounds to make a new friend, I always loved getting to know a person from scratch. You never know who could become a close companion in the future, and that's what I go by the most.

'Ring'

"It was interestingly enough to meet you as well, but I have to be..." Kankri fumbled in his jean pocket and pulled out a pink schedule paper. So he is a senior, cool. "At the library for a study hall in less than five minutes."

"Hey," I retrieved my paper and scanned it to make sure my assumption was right, and it was. "I'm headin' that vway too, an vwe can go there together if ya vwant."

"Sure." The caramel skinned boy started heading towards the library as I followed in persuit, casually walking beside him and keeping a conversation going.

People started flooding into the hall, making it difficult to motion around and hear, but I didn't mind at all. I felt weird at that moment as I tried to pay attention to what Kankri was speaking about, but no words came out of his moving lips. I furrowed my eyes in concentration, but it was as if time itself froze at that exact moment. A flash of heat came upon my cheeks as I gazed into his coffee eyes like before. Something was different this time though, and I felt a little sick to my stomach.

What was happening to me?