+to build a home+ // dnf

2

"C'mon Dream, it's time for the welcoming meal." Sapnap says, rising from his seat.

"Oh right, I forgot about that." Dream replies, closing the book he was reading. They were both wearing semi-formal outfits, ties resting comfortably around their collared necks.

George was early to the hall, as he was always taught to be. It was uncomfortable but there were a few other early people dotted sporadically around the hall. He decided to take his place at an empty table, directed further to the back. Despite the fact his family had always taught him how to act socially, he had never properly picked up the skills. He decided he would let someone come to him instead of him going to someone.

Eventually someone did come, a young man by the name of Aleric. He had light stubble dotting his chin, leading up to his head of light brown hair. They talked about academics, George admitting that he'd rather do something else. Aleric seemed surprised by this, but seemed okay with the situation.

Dream and Sapnap took their seats at deserted tables, continuing their useless discussion of how exactly to make toast.

"I'm telling you dude. It has the be at least a bit burnt!" Sapnap says, gesturing madly.

"No. It should be golden brown, like everything else you cook." Dream argued, with significantly less passion about the conversation that Sapnap was clearly heartfelt about.

Many more students filed in, taking seats at empty tables of varying shape, until people had to start sharing. Waiters traversed the room, handing out menus and taking orders of drinks.

Conversation was filling everyone's ears, a loud clashing of voices that Dream wasn't used to. He looked around at everyone, all having found someone to talk with, just adding more and more to the clamour of the room. It made his head spin.

"I think I need to head out for a minute, do you mind?" He asks, fiddling with the bracelet on his wrist again, specifically spinning the smiley face.

"Of course, go ahead." Sapnap waved him off, digging into his meal which had just been placed onto the table in front of him.

Dream turned and left, following the small blue signs which pointed in the direction of the school bathrooms.

George, on the other hand, enjoyed the noise and conversation with Aleric, it was something he was used to. A few of Aleric's friends had magnetised to the table, providing a lovely distraction for George. Although he enjoyed the conversation and the extroverted friend group, it deteriorated when they started asking him questions. It was like being stabbed with memories of home. Being in conversations was fine, but when he was the topic of them, his introverted nature popped out.

"I need to use the bathroom." He feigned a smile, placing his glass back onto the coaster. Straightening his tie nervously as he walked, he followed the signs Dream had been following moments beforehand. He exhaled to keep his composure as he entered the room, only to find a dirty blond boy standing in the corner, staring at the floor. The boy was nice looking, freckles spotted around the bridge of his nose and hair falling floppy onto his forehead. In the dim light, George assumed he had blue eyes, but he couldn't really tell. Owing to the formal attire, George presumed he had also just left the welcoming meal.

He clears his throat, "Uh, good evening." The boy in the corner jumps slightly, only just noticing the boy in front of him. The bathroom was dim, the lights on the walls behind the other boy in question, which is what made his features difficult to decipher.

After being ripped from his thoughts, Dream looks up and nods a "Good evening," back to him. "I assume you're not here to relieve yourself either?" George looked composed, he had good posture and dark hair which was cut neatly to make him tidier. He had dark eyes, but not soullessly dark, comfortingly dark.

"No. People were asking so many questions back there, needed a break. What about you?" George asks, tilting his head slightly.

"Just too loud, not exactly my scene." Answers Dream, a slight shortness to his tone.

The pair talked in low tones, as to spare their ears from the din of the previous room. Random topics flittered in and out: what is the other eating; how do they like the look of the school and other things of a similar calibre.

"Who made you that bracelet?" George questioned, having noticed how much Dream was spinning it throughout their conversation.

"Oh, my sister. She noticed I was upset one day and said the smiley face would cheer me up." George notices the corners of Dream's mouth turning up to from a true smile. Dream lets out a breathy laugh as he continues- "It's dumb really, but it made me feel cared about it. She always complains that I won't take it off: she finds it embarrassing." He was smiling wider now.

"That's nice." George says. "I ought to be heading back though, they'll ask more questions - probably about my toilet habits if I take too long." He grins, waving to Dream and turning out of the bathroom. Dream waves back. Waiting for a few more moments of thought until he followed the path George left on back to the hall.

"Hey man, you were gone for a while." Sapnap laughs, having half-finished his meal. "Had to make some room did you?" He holds back his laughter at his own stupid joke.

"You're such an idiot." Dream smiles, shaking his head and looking down as he picks up his fork. Conversation picked back up as he started to eat his meal.