We've had several periods today already. I'm going to introduce Aris to Newt after science.

When the bell rings, I immediately get up. Aris sits a bit at the back of the class, away from me. The science teacher put me in the front, so I didn't have a chance to check on him. He seemed fine the other periods, though. I requested the teachers not to introduce him in front of the whole class.

"Viviette," Mr Leadford's voice cuts through the almost empty classroom. It's the same teacher who gave me that form for Minho (which I then saw in the trash can).

"Yes?" I walk up to his desk, a usual knot of nerves in my stomach.

"Just wanted to tell you did exceptionally well on the test," he says, eyes lingering. "How's the project going?"

I'm not good at science, so the praise feels weird. But it's good, I guess.

"Uhm, alright," I mumble. "Thank you."

With a smile, he leans in slightly. "If you need any help, you know where to find me."

"Yes, sir."

"Good," he says. The word sounds almost savoring. "Have a nice rest of your day, Viviette. I'll be here if you need anything."

"Yes, you said that," I mutter quietly enough for him to not be able to hear it.

Then I spin around to find Aris already done, Finn's old backpack on his back. It's way too big for him.

"Ready?" I ask, holding onto the straps of my own backpack.

Shooting a glare at the teacher, he nods. "Yeah."

"Alright." I spin around, this time towards the door. "Woah! Jesus Christ, Thomas—"

Why does everyone always appear everywhere?

"Hi," he greets normally. He's leaning against the doorframe, eyes on the teacher, too.

"Hey, there, Thomas," Mr Leadford greets. "Do you need anything?"

He opens his mouth, stops himself, then closes it again with a shake of his head. "Nothing, sir. Just wanted to check how Aris's first day is going so far."

"Right." The man nods. He runs a hand through his hair, that's perfectly intact. Brown locks, coming past his ears. Sometimes, he wears a bun or ponytail.

Mr Leadford can't be older than forty. I'd say he's in his thirties, maybe late twenties. He's nice. Well, not many people agree on that, but I think he's nice. He was nice to Finn, too.

Thomas doesn't like him. I can't read Aris. Minho definitely doesn't like him. Mr Leadford clearly also has ones he doesn't like. I notice it by the way his mood changes. He's talking to a group of students he likes before class. When he turns to the rest, he's sterner. Some people haven't seen his nice side, I guess.

"Uh, today's been going alright," Aris admits. "People are nice."

"Okay. Great." Thomas gives a pat on the boy's shoulder. He visibly flinches, not used to it, and starts making his way to the cafeteria. I told him the location before.

Thomas and I stick right behind him, Thomas with one last glare at the science teacher.

"I don't like him."

I nod. "I know."

"You shouldn't like him."

"He's nice to me."

"Exactly. He's too nice, Sage. Too nice to just you."

"Don't be ridiculous."

Wait a minute. I'm talking to him and it's going as usually. Maybe because I'm not thinking much right now. Okay, stop— gotta continue the not thinking while talking.

"I swear I almost told him that what I need is for him to leave you alone," he adds. "Guy's crazy."

I no longer reply.

"I've heard rumors," he continues.

"Alright, enough. I hate rumors and you know it."

But Thomas does continue. Because he's Thomas. "He left another school because people were saying he and a student—"

"Thomas, stop. I was just happy he said my test went well."

"Alright." He sighs. "Just be careful 'round him. Definitely don't search for him when you need anything, like he said, so bittersweet and—"

"I get it, I get it." After giving him a push, I catch up with Aris. "Okay, so Newt is also in a few classes. You might've seen him already."

"He's the guy with the yellow hair," Thomas hints.

"That's blonde, Thomas. Blonde. Do you need to go back to kindergarten to learn your colors? Think you were too busy with blue to remember the other ones."

Aris's eyes go from me to Thomas and back to me. "Blonde guy... okay." He nods.

See? He's loosening up.

"By the way," he starts stammering a bit, lowering his voice, "if you don't mind me asking... are you two, like, a thing?"

If I had water in my mouth, I would've choked on it.

"Oh, no." I shake my head, chuckling loudly. Too loudly, Viviette.

"I'm with Teresa," Thomas explains. "The really nice one. I don't think you've seen her yet. I'll introduce you. Sage here," he wraps an arm around my shoulder, forcing me against his side, "was my cellmate in jail."

I roll my eyes. "We've been friends since we were born."

"Since you were born. When I was born, you were still hidden away."

"Nerd." I slip away from his grasp before any more butterflies decide to be born. "No, we're just best friends."

"Just best friends," Thomas repeats questioningly.

I look up at him. "Why are you saying it like that?"

"Not all best friends have shared the same diapers."

"I— what? We have not."

"Uhm, same brand, I mean. Same brand from the same package," he corrects quickly. "And not everyone lives across from each other."

I catch a small smile on Aris's face as we continue making our way to the cafeteria. Newt's easily spotted in the room, talking to Teresa. Her hair is spilling over her shoulders, long and a bit wavy today. She smiles at his story, then takes a bite off her food. Both of them have already placed their trays on the table.

"That's them," I tell Aris, pointing at the duo. He glances over with a mix of nervousness and curiosity on his face.

"They look... friendly." He adjusts the big backpack on his shoulders.

I can tell he's a bit overwhelmed but is trying his best to fit in, which is a great step.

"Hey, guys!" Teresa smiles once she sees us approach. Her eyes flicker to Aris, then to me. "This must be Aris?"

"Yes." I pull out a chair for us both as Thomas greets Teresa with the usual kiss on her forehead. I try not to glance sideways, but the pang of jealousy in my chest makes me do so. Quickly, I push the feeling aside and focus on my... tasks. "Aris, this is Teresa. The guy with the blonde hair is Newt."

Newt shakes the boy's hand. "Hi. It's nice to meet you."

"Yeah," Aris replies shyly. "Nice to meet you too."

The more we settle in, the more the conversation starts to flow. Teresa's natural warmth and sociability put Aris at ease; I can see it by the way he gets more comfortable. Newt's dry jokes even coax a few laughs out of the new boy. Thomas, who sits next to Teresa, keeps a careful eye on the boy, just like I do. I guess both of us want to make sure he's doing okay.

"So, how's the first day been so far?" Teresa asks eventually.

Aris glances around the busy cafeteria as if he needs to check if he's allowed to speak. "It's been alright."

"Good to hear," Newt responds. "If you need help with anything, let us know."

His shoulders become less tense. "Thanks."

"I'm gonna check if Minho's alright," I say, hesitation in my voice. If he's with those boys, I don't feel like walking up to them. "He said he'd join us."

"Oh, really? He's at his usual table."

Ah, man. But it would be lame to sit back down now. I can just check up.

"I'll be right back," I say, standing up. Thomas raises an eyebrow, but I ignore it and head to Minho's table. As I approach, I can hear their loud laughter. Puts me at unease already.

"Minho," I call out. My voice breaks off some laughter. The table is big enough for half of it to not even notice me, though. I'm glad about that.

Surprised to see me, he looks up. "Oh, hi, Vi. What's up?"

"Did you forget? You'd sit with us today." I keep my tone light.

I don't want to be annoying. These friends just clearly aren't it, and if he needs help to realize that and get away from them, I won't bother helping. He literally spoke to me about it this weekend.

"Right." A slight panic fills his eyes. "Uh—"

One of his friends cuts in. "Minho, come on, man. You're not gonna ditch us for your sister, are you?" I have no idea what his name is, but he's tall. Has got a smug expression I've always found irritating.

"Yeah, we're way more fun."

This was a bad idea. I'm embarrassing him now. Embarrassing him in front of embarrassing people, but still. I should probably leave.

Great. I manage to embarrass not only myself, but others, too.

I think my face says enough, because more words spill from their mouths. "Aw, did we upset the girl? Maybe you should go run off to the teacher."

"Don't worry, sweetheart. We promise we'll take really good care of your brother," one mimics.

At that, Minho gets up. From shifting uncomfortably to just shoving his tray away. "Don't talk to her like that. And no, you're not more fun. Let's go, Vi."

Perfect.

Satisfied with his response, I flash him a smile. We walk back to Thomas, Newt, Teresa, and Aris together, who all seem to be feeling different emotions.

"Hi," Minho mutters. I know it's mostly directed to Newt and Thomas, even though he's doing anything but making eye contact with them.

"Hey, man," Thomas greets. They 'dab' each other up. "What's up?"

Alright, then, Thomas.

Is it good or bad that some boys greet other boys way differently than how they greet girls?

"Not a lot. You got some room left for me."

"Yeah, 'course." Newt scoots to the side.

Minho picks up a chair from another table and puts that down next to Newt. "Thanks."