Let's Be Friends

Did you catch it?

Stephen woke up a bit earlier the next morning, perhaps in an attempt to spend some more time with the boy he now held quite dear. He dressed and rushed out the room just in time to see Gray sitting on a bar stool as usual, scrolling through his phone. 

"You're up early..." He said with a smile, "Why's that?"

Stephen returned his look, "Just cause." was his reply as he took the bar stool parallel to Gray's.

Gray sighed and leaned back in his chair a bit, slouching, and looking rather unamused. "God I hate my schedule." Gray's eyes drifted over and met Stephen's, causing Stephen to feel some heat rising to his face. Gray crossed his arms and put his head down on the table on them. He looked tired.

Stephen thought a minute, then he patted Gray's head, "It's okay! Don't make yourself do things you hate, if it bothers you a ton then change your schedule!"

Maybe it was his imagination, but in response to Stephen's kind words Gray buried his face a bit more in the sleeves of his shirt, hiding it completely instead of partially as he had before.

His hand left Gray's hair and he could've swore he heard the boy sigh again. "I have to leave soon don't I?"

"Yea... seems as if its so."

With another bit of tiredness showing, Gray stood up and started walking to his room, probably to get his phone, "Hey could you toss me my jacket?" He asked as he reappeared at the beginning of their hallway.

"Yea of course." Stephen turned and grabbed the first black jacket on the coat rack by the door, he handed it to Gray with a "everything will be alright if you smile" look. Gray draped the jacket over his arm, "See you later Stephen."

"See you.." Stephen said airily as the door shut, he was filled with quite a feeling. An odd feeling. An unexplainable feeling. He couldn't describe what it was that had left him smiling and beaming, in any other form of words except for just Gray. It felt like they were the same perhaps. Like Gray would be the only one who could understand him for all he was, and Stephen the same for him. And without even realizing it, a small blush had formed on his cheeks.

Oh, what is this feeling?

...

...

...

Stephen could hardly listen to lecture, or news about this week's project, all he do was wonder why he felt this way. It was unlike anything he had ever experienced before. 

He sighed and looked out the window at the clouds. They would have been prettier this morning if he had gone to look. The sky would've been a gently ombre of pink, orange, yellow, indigo, and gentle undertones of sky blue. Maybe that's a metaphor or sorts, enjoy things while you can or don't miss out on opportunities. I don't know, I'm sure it means something.

"Class dismissed!" The teacher's voice rang out loud in the classroom. This particular teacher never seemed to have a reasonable talking volume.

Stephen began to pack his things: An unopened notebook, a perfectly sharpened pencil, a full pen. Glancing up at the board and away from the unused stationary, he saw this week's picture homework, TAKE A PHOTO OF SOMETHING COLORFUL/BRIGHT AND THEN ENHANCE IT.

Colorful? Bright? Ugh, Gray can't help me this time around can he?

He thought of the boy's picture, his perfect picture, a gentle monochrome image with just the brightest highlight. That's the boy's style, his whole aesthetic is black and white gradients.

It might be harder to find something this week... he probably gave examples in the lecture didn't he? Maybe I should've paid better attention... then again, when am I going to find the easy way out, use the examples everyone's looking for, the simple photo ideas. I should've paid attention nevertheless, I'll get behind at this rate.

Stephen's head started to ache. A sharp pain. It's fine.

He soon found himself at the threshold of the room, looking back at it, he couldn't help but notice how indifferent it was. This room was one of hundreds in this building, It was decorated in the same way, with a similar loud teacher, with similar loud teachings. Why are things so boring now a days? Was it like this in high school?

He sat back to think for a moment, but struggled to remember how things were in high school. It had always just been school, did he ever stop and ask himself why? Why is this what I'm think of nowadays?

He stepped out the classroom and was immediately met by an odd sight. A quite interesting sight that brought a smile to his face. 

Some people were already shooting him looks and comments. But Gray didn't seem to mind.

Stephen didn't either, because... well... Gray looked real cute in his hoodie.

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BET YOU DIDNT EXPECT THAT!! BAM MAGIC!! ITS ME GUYS I'M ALIVE LOL!!!

God, the only things keeping me sane rn are coffee, you guy's support, the dsmp, weak hero, and this Spotify playlist I found (Been listening to it for like a week now, gave me enough energy to update for you guys, so yay). SCHOOL IS EXHAUSTING.

Anyway thanks for the support guys ik I say it all the time but it really does mean a ton to me for people to like my work and give me such positive feedback on it really. Have a wonderful whenever guys and really, tysm for the support like fr.

Expect an update either this week or next week, no more of this one every two week business kekw.