**** In the next day

As class began, the teacher at the front of the room droned out a lesson about some mundane subject that none of the students really cared about. Across the classroom, Kyle, Jason, and Ani were just board and waiting, until the bell finally rang.

Jason rolled his eyes, leaning back in his seat and propping his feet up on the desk. "Ugh, this class is so boring. I don't get why we have to study this stuff anyway, when is any of it ever gonna be useful?" he grumbled.

Ani nodded in agreement, tapping her pen against her chin in irritation. "I know, right? When is calculus ever gonna help us in the real world?" she replied, her annoyance clear.

Kyle shrugged, leaning back in his seat as well. "Probably never." he said bluntly. Then he gave a slightly teasing smile. "Unless you're looking to become a calculator."

Jason scoffed loudly, his feet hitting the floor as he sat up. "Ugh, gross." he shivered dramatically. "Imagine having to deal with numbers all day long. I'd die of boredom within a week." He said in an over-dramatic way

Ani chuckled. "Well, you wouldn't have to do that. You could always be a rocket scientist." she suggested, teasing.

Jason gave a sarcastic smile. "Oh, yeah, because being a rocket scientist is just so much more exciting than counting numbers all day." he rolled his eyes. "I think I'll stick to my dream of becoming a master chef, thank you very much." he proclaimed, earning a laugh from Ani.

Kyle raised an eyebrow, leaning forward. "Master chef, huh? Didn't you burn the toast this morning?"

Ani looked at Kyle with a look of confusion, her eyebrows furrowing. "Where you two together this morning?" she asked, clearly not understanding what he was referring to.

Jason quickly spoke up, a grin on his face. "Oh, I spent the night at Kyle's house yesterday, he needed my handsome company, he was depressed because he was sic-." 

But before he could continue, Kyle interrupted, a hint of irritation in his voice. "Heh... Enough about that topic." he said as he shot Jason a glare because he almost revealed that he was at the hospital.

Jason held his hands up in surrender, still chuckling over his own joke. "Alright, alright, calm down." he said in a mock-soothing tone.

Ani looked between the two of them, confused by the abrupt shift in the conversation. "Is everything okay..?" she asked, a hint of concern in her voice.

Kyle cleared his throat, shifting the attention to something else. "Yeah yeah... anyways, I was thinking, we should start planning that camping trip we keep talking about." he suggested, a hint of excitement in his voice.

Ani's eyes lit up at the mention of the camping trip. "Oh, so that guy you said he has the car agreed?" 

Jason nodded in excitement. "Yes! Actually guys I just remembered, I have a huge tent back at home, I could ask my father to use it!"

"Oh cool alright let's go tomorrow then if everything is set up" Replied Kyle as he rested his head on his desk.

Anika Marklod

It felt really nice to finally have friends to do fun stuff with, even though Jason can be a bit annoying sometimes. He's still nice. I accidentally kept starring at Kyle as he rested his head on the desk.

He looked really peaceful, his dark hair strands kept moving a bit from the soft breezes that came out of the half opened window next to him, his eyes were glimmering under the the sunlight, I don't know why but every time I look into those eyes, I feel so calm inside, He makes me feel safe... He's funny but there something about his smile that can bring a dead rose to life.

I like being around him for some reason. Sometimes I feel like there is something hidden, deep behind those, sharp blue eyes... I hate to see him upset, It feels weird when he's upset, even though he looks really strong and tall, but I know he's as fragile as a dandelion.

I don't know why... But I feel like we've meet before, maybe I saw him somewhere, but I don't know where.

I didn't feel my hand going up and gently touching the hair strands which were covering his eyes, he didn't move and just smiled softly, I immediately blushed and pulled my hand away, what on earth was I thinking?!

"I-I am sorry I don't why I did that..." I muttered in embarrassment, while hugging my hand close to my chest, he only let out a soft chuckle and reached for my hand, his touch was really soft and respectful, he kissed the back of my hand softly.

"I don't mind if it's you." He whispered softly, I was just really stunned to even speak, I think I almost lost the ability to speak at that moment, we just kept staring at each others eyes, not caring about the whispers that started around the class.

'Huh? isn't that Kyle?'
'Oh yeah I can't believe he let a GIRL touch him'

'That guy used to always be grumpy until she showed up to our class'

'they look so cute'
'Uh shut up, they don't, I am jealous of her'

'What does he like about her, I am prettier'

''''''

''''''

''''''

I started feeling really uncomfortable, and just pulled my hand away from his, It's not like I was uncomfortable because of him, but I knew just how fast rumors spread. He doesn't seem like someone who would like to be the center of attention. He frowned a bit when I pulled my hand away but he soon understood why I did it when he looked around and saw that all eyes are on us, especially Jason who surely would not shut up for the next hour. I am sure Kyle didn't mean anything with what he did, it was just his nature... right?

*****

Jason couldn't resist the chance to poke his friends. "Well, well, well, what do we have here, love birds huh?" he teased, his eyes sparkling with mischief.

"It looks like our little Anika has found her prince charming in the form of grumpy Kyle!" he continued, waving his eyebrows suggestively.

Kyle rolled his eyes, but there was a hint of a blush on his cheeks. "Oh, shut up before I make you!"

Jason just chuckled, not intimidated at all by Kyle's threat. "Oh, I can see it now, the happy ending... the wedding bells..." he said dramatically.

Kyle looked ready to throw something at him. "One more word and I'll make sure you'll never be able to talk again!" he threatened.

Jason continued to smirk, sensing his friend's discomfort. "Oh, don't be shy, Kyle. Everyone can see the sparks flying between you two!" he teased.

Ani groaned, burying her face in her hands. "Jason, stop it... This is so embarrassing!" she mumbled, her cheeks turning red.

Kyle stood up, his expression turning serious. "Alright, Jason, enough of the teasing. Stop making Ani uncomfortable."

Jason raised his hands in mock surrender, a mischievous grin still on his face. "Alright, alright, no need to get so grumpy" he said in an exaggerated tone.

Kyle rolled his eyes. "You're always like this, you know that? Always joking and fooling around. Can't you ever be serious for once?"

Jason shrugged, leaning back in his chair. "What can I say? Life's too short to be serious all the time. You should try it sometime, maybe you'll be more fun like me." he smirked.

Kyle scoffed, crossing his arms over his chest. "I am very fun to be around, thank you very much. And you know it. But that doesn't mean I have to be annoying like you."

Jason feigned shock, placing his hand on his chest in mock horror. "Oh, the audacity! Accusing me of being annoying? I am deeply wounded, Kyle" he dramatically stated, before bursting into laughter.

Ani rolled her eyes, a hint of a smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "You two bicker like brothers, you know that?" she pointed out.

"Eh!? him my brother?! I'd rather die." exclaimed Kyle as he crossed his arms and plopped into the chair.

Jason feigned hurt once again. "Oh, cruel Kyle, why must your words sting like a bee?" he playfully asked, leaning back and imitating a dramatic swoon in his chair.

Kyle rolled his eyes and retorted with a mischievous smile. "Oh, but you won't cry at my funeral, will you?" he said in a darkly humorous tone.

Jason's heart skipped a beat, why was he joking about something like this now?

"Oh shut up... I won't cry, I'd be celebrating." he said but his voice didn't sound so cheerful anymore.

Kyle noticed the shift in Jason's tone and expression, realizing that the joke might have gone too far. He quickly lightened the atmosphere.

"Hey, I was just kidding. You know I'll never leave your annoying butt, you're stuck with me, both of you are." he said with a smile, reaching out to playfully smack the back of Jason's head.

Jason glanced at him, then smiled softly. "You better... Who will I mock if you weren't here..."

Ani was a bit confused because something seemed off, but she decided to forget about it anyway. "Uh enough talking about these stuff, it's too early to talk about it, we're still in high school." she said with a soft chuckle.

"Right... too early..." Jason just muttered while looking away.

Kyle noticed the shift in mood and tried to get the conversation back on track. "Alright, enough of this somber talk, we should talk about the camping trip again. Tomorrow we should head out, maybe after school." he suggested, hoping to distract from the uncomfortable moment.

Ani nodded in agreement. "Yeah, let's start planning what we should bring. We don't want to forget something important, like flashlights or marshmallows for making s'mores!" she said, her excitement returning.

author's note: mwah mwah thanks for 1k votes <3