The school bells ring signaling the end of the day, students start to rush out at a quicker pace than usual. Perhaps this was caused by the upcoming weekend, making the students and even some of the faculty excited.

It has been a few days since Dalteon let Luenniel be, and he intended to do it that way especially since the other boy hasn't approached him at all to at least help for their assignment. If anything gets worse, he was ready to drop all dead-weight and do everything all by himself. Though if he was honestly speaking, he was also ready to do the polar opposite of what he just said.

Rina and Terrence went on without Dalteon, he did have plans made ahead of time, so he walked out of school alone. He headed towards a cafe that was way out of his route. He checked the time on his phone: 5:30 pm, he was right on time.

As he was about to leave the school, Luenniel once again saw a familiar figure by the gate. He saw Dalteon, who was walking alone without his friends - Rina and Terrence. He carefully walked behind him, making sure he wasn't seen but they both seemed to be headed in the same direction. This didn't make sense to Luenniel, they both lived in opposite directions. Carefully following, he almost seemed like he was stalking him.

Going across the street from the cafe, Luenniel stands by a telephone pole. He could see Dalteon but the Dalteon wouldn't be able to see him because of the shadows cast by the sunset. He didn't know why he was even curious but he just wanted to check out so badly, which was clearly irrational, unjustified, and borderline creepy.

As Luenniel watched carefully, Dalteon seemed to be studying as he enjoyed a cream puff and some iced coffee, no suspicious activity of sort. Luenniel once again thought of it and decided to be reasonable and respectful, after roughly 15 minutes of silently watching Dalteon, he finally leaves the scene, clearly disheartened on what he saw and disappointed in himself.

Unbeknownst to Luenniel, he crosses paths with someone wearing a different school's uniform who also enters the same cafe he was just looking at a while ago.

As twilight peaks, Luenniel was seated on Mike's couch as he lounged at his handsome neighbor's house. This was already predetermined as Luenniel usually stayed mostly at Mike's, especially since he needed to be someplace else over the weekend besides his house next door. Mike seemed accustomed to this as he served a cold beverage to the teenager who was uncomfortable on the couch for once.

Eerie silence comes in between the host and guest, "You seem upset, did anything happen?", Mike decides to break the wall of silence.

"I'm not exactly upset, but you can say that something did happen..." Luenniel quietly said.

Mike only gestured the boy to continue, "Well, maybe I had a hook-up who attends at the new school I just transferred to." Luenniel said in a smaller voice as he shied away from Mike.

Mike was aware of Luenniel's tendencies, of course, he didn't have any right to stop him but instead, he simply supported him and awaited his return. He felt especially conflicted about Luenniel's casual hook-ups and it was really hard not to say anything that could offend him. In turn, the teenager put his trust on him and told him each of his encounters as he sought for advice.

"I see, so what exactly makes you uncomfortable with this certain person?" Mike asked.

Mike's voice was filled with genuine concern because it was only one other time when Luenniel has only felt bad about hooking up with someone.

"It's just that, he confessed to me, and I..." Luenniel stuttered, "I almost wanted to accept it. But I also felt like I had to cut him off, right there and then." His voice started trembling.

This time, Luenniel started rambling even without Mike's consent. "And now we're supposed to work on this assignment together. He chose to work alone without my knowledge and instead of approaching me, he even went to a cafe to work alone."

Mike sighed, he didn't think taking care of an adolescent boy was this stressful. "Perhaps, you should give him a chance. Maybe start as classmates, especially on your paired homework. That should be your first step."

Luenniel sniffled and took a few breaths, "Thank you, Mike." He apologetically said as he embraced Mike but immediately pulled away, completely flustered.

By the next Monday, the sun reaches its apex by noontime, students pile out of the classroom for a lunch break or those with homemade lunchboxes remain in the classroom. Luenniel stands up from his seat, his chair screeching against the floor, a majority of the people in the room look over and quiet down.

Dalteon looks over at Luenniel who drew attention to himself with the loud screeching of his chair.

"Dalteon, I need to talk to you in private," Luenniel exclaimed, the other boy could only nod at this request.

Rina and Terrence looked over as Dalteon and Luenniel took their leave to talk in private. Dalteon blindly followed Luenniel as he walked behind him. Soon enough they got into a certain nostalgic place, the school rooftop.

"So what did you want to talk about up here?" Dalteon wondered as he looked around.

Luenniel cleared his throat to ascertain sincerity, "I'm sorry, I have been very difficult. I want to do my part on the paired project."  He sighed in relief after being so nervous.

"I think we both just got on the wrong foot. I know the submission of the hard copy of the report is within this week. I'll be more than happy to plead to the teacher all by myself for an extension. I'm really sorry." Dalton watched Luenniel apologize, his head bowed down to him, and his tone filled with genuine remorse.

"I-I get it and it's alright. Please put your head up, " Dalteon flushed red in embarrassment, "I also am to blame. I'm sorry too."

Silence suddenly filled their conversation, though this was immediately broken by a sudden growl from Dalteon's stomach, resulting in him blushing even harder. Luenniel could only do so much to hide that he snickered.

"We'll start later after class, for now, we should have lunch." Luenniel offered.

Dalteon nodded in agreement, "Sure. Do you want to join me and my friends for lunch?"

A loud thud would be suddenly heard from the door, Dalteon and Luenniel hurried over. To Dalteon's disappointment, he sees Rina who fell over Terrence.

Rina immediately removed herself from the large body beneath her, "We didn't mean to eavesdrop, swear!"

"Though we did hear," Terrence said as he dusted off his bottom while standing up.

Dalteon looked over at Luenniel who was in clear shock to see the two eavesdroppers, his face filled both with anger and surprise.

"We're really sorry, Luenniel. We were just headed up here because this is where we usually have our lunch." Rina apologized as she bowed her head.

Terrence scratched his head nonchalantly, "We're really sorry, it was really just a coincidence. We'll treat you to lunch and get your food for you."

The distasteful look on Luenniel's face suddenly changed after Terrence's proposition. "Sure, I'll take you up on that."

Soon enough Dalteon, Luenniel, Rina, and Terrence were seated. They were eating a variety of lunches, from hamburger steak to a meal of rice balls and a sandwich.

"If you don't mind me asking, " Luenniel interrupted everyone as he looked towards Rina and Terrence, and spoke, "are you two dating?"

Rina almost choked on her sausage, "H-How did you know that?!" She immediately shot an accusatory look to Dalteon.

"Ah no, Dalteon didn't tell me anything. It's just that when you two fell and found you eavesdropping, I Terrence's arms protectively holding you even though he took the brunt of the fall." Luenniel simply stated as he continued munching on his rice ball.

"Yeah that's right, we're dating. You better not tell anyone, Mr. Heartbreaker." Terrence exclaimed as he protectively put his athletic arms in front of Rina, resulting in Rina's face turning red.

"Mr. Heartbreaker? You mean Dalteon?" Luenniel immediately shot an angry look at Dalteon. "Just how much did you say?" He said in a grim voice.

"E-Everything," Dalteon answered in a quiet high-pitched squeak.

Luenniel sighed, "Unlike Sir loose-lipped here, I won't tell anyone your secret. I just transferred here, I wouldn't be able to tell any friends anyway."

"Ah, that's our bad I guess. We made him spill it. We'll keep each other's secrets then?" Rina finally calmed down as she said in a solemn manner.

"Agreed," Luenniel said as he and Rina shook upon it.

Almost coincidentally, the school bells rang. The four students immediately ran back as fast as they could to hurry back for their afternoon sessions.

...

Luenniel awaited outside the classroom once again, as soon as Dalteon came out he borrowed him from Rina and Terrence once again, just like at lunchtime.

"Where are we going, Luenniel?" Dalteon was puzzled as they roamed around the already empty halls of the school.

They suddenly stopped, "Remember what I said back at the roof?"

Dalteon gulped nervously as his mind went to a thousand thoughts in seconds to remember what Luenniel meant, "Y-Yes."

Luenniel had a light blush on his face, though the light from the setting sun hid it well, "I actually, don't know where to find our teacher. So could you help me and I'll plead to extend our assignment."

"Oh that, " Dalteon sighed in disbelief, "We'll go together, I'll plead along with you." He said as he was the one to drag along Luenniel.

Soon enough they reached the faculty room, they both entered and immediately approached their teacher. They all exchanged pleasantries and Dalteon then introduced themselves.

"Sir, I am Dalteon Havlen and this is Luenniel Smithe" Dalteon started as he used gestures to pertain to which is which.

"We're both from class 12-1 on your science class. We would like a personal extension for our report if possible, sir. You see, my partner, Luenniel Smithe is still getting used to our school." Dalteon explained.

Luenniel looked over at Dalteon with surprise, he could only go along with his excuse, "Y-Yes, exactly as he said."

"I see. I will give you an extension till the end of the week then, after your classes. Please be finished by then, Mr. Havlen and Mr. Smithe." The teacher thoughtlessly waved then off as he went back to work.

Both students thanked their teacher and courteously left the faculty room. Luenniel immediately punched Dalteon's shoulder as they got out.

"Ow. What was that for?" Dalteon winced as he rubbed his punched shoulder.

"I didn't think your plan was to shift all the blame on me!" Luenniel is exasperated.

"Sorry, sorry. That teacher is really ruthless though, I had to give a valid reason or else we're not getting any chance with him." Dalteon calmly explained.

Luenniel sighed, "Fine. I guess it was my fault too anyways."

"Ah, I'm really sorry. I guess that was too much to do especially since I'm not a friend." Dalteon apologized.

"Let's be friends then." Dalteon looked at Luenniel's eyes that was serious, accentuated by it's the dark blue color.

"Sure." Dalteon agreed though he said it as if he was in a daze as he continued to stare at Luenniel's eyes.

Luenniel's ultramarine-colored eyes suddenly twinkle, "Next time I skip cleaning duty or class, I'll shift the blame to you hehe."

The two suddenly laughed themselves off as a mark of their friendship, 'the first step' they both thought to themselves.
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1981 words

Quite a long chapter we have but I initially had more ideas for this chapter hahaha
Pls vote and comment constructive criticism on what you all think so far ^^
I'll see you in the next chapter, LeastGreatest