A Letter to Alex

Tobias

     He was sitting at his desk. He noticed Alex walk in, and made eye contact with him. He put his head down and covered his face, which was still red from earlier.

     Soon Toby was called up to the front to solve a problem. He jerked his head up at the mention of his name from the teacher. He looked around for a moment. He glanced at Alex before getting up and going to the front of the classroom.

    He passed Alex while going up. He looked at Alex, who gave him a smile. Toby felt his face grow warmer as he gave Alex a small smile. When Toby came back he was greeted with a hand from Alex, asking for a high five. So he accepted, giving Alex a high five. He felt everyone staring at them as he went to his seat.

     Finally for once, other people were called on other than him. He hated going up. It was so embarrassing to him. He looked at Alex who turned around at the same time Toby looked at him. Toby's face got a light coat of red from embarrassment. But Alex gave Toby a small smile and wave, turning back around to listen to the teacher's lecture again.

     He was at his locker going through his books and binders. His locker was a mess. He was startled by someone coming up behind him. He jerked around and hit them with the folder in his hand. Thank god it was only a folder, cause the person he hit was Alex, who stood there in shock. Toby apologized repeatedly, stuttering uncontrollably. Like always.

     Alex put a hand on Toby's shoulder. "Hey, it's fine. It didn't hurt too bad. I'm okay. You don't need to apologize!"

     "A-are you sure? I-I didn't mean t-to hit you, i-it's just a r-reflex for when p-people come up b-behind me without w-warning."

    "It's fine really. Anyway, you gave me the note right? Asking to be friends?" Toby nodded, mumbling something. "Well, to be friends I got to know more about you. So why don't yo-" Alex was interrupted by the bell. "What do you have next?"

     "Science"

     "That sucks, I got english. Well! Cya Tobes!" Alex ran off to his class.

     Toby stood there for a moment. The nickname ran through his head before he was suddenly brought back to reality by the second bell. Saying that passing time was over. "Shit! I'm late! Oh god oh god!" Toby thought, panicked, he slammed his locker shut, not locking it. He ran to his class, though he was a few minutes late.

     That day he was sitting at his table alone. There were plenty of tables for everyone with many seats. He was sitting alone at his table, messing with his food, not eating it, when someone came up to him. Toby looked up to see Alex in front of him.

    "Hey! Mind if I sit here?" Alex asked. Toby was confused but nodded. "Awesome, thanks big man" Alex sat down, putting his tray in front of him. "So, I was, sadly, interrupted by the bell earlier. I was trying to ask if you wanted to tell me about yourself?"

    "Well, t-there's not much a-about me.. I m-mean I have a-an older sister? A-and I can p-play Mario Kart w-well."

    "Anything else?" Alex asked as he picked up his tray, moving closer to Toby. Right as Alex sat down, J.C. came over.

    "Hey, t-t-t-t-Ticci t-t-t-t-Toby!" he snickered. Toby looked down. Not from embarrassment though. Alex went to speak but Toby spoke first.

    "S-shut up"

    "Oh-ho-hoo, the retard's speaking up for himself! Surprised his little boyfriend isn't doing it for him!"

    Both their faces got a light coat of red across their cheeks. "H-he's not my b-boyfriend! W-won't you just l-leave me alone!"

     "Where's the fun in that?" J.C. leaned on the table.

     "Fuck off!" He stood up and pushed J.C. over. Alex was in shock. Just a minute ago Toby was this scrawny, shy kid, who looked like he couldn't say a single swear. But now he's fighting the biggest bully in the school.

     "Woah man! Calm down!" Alex went over to Toby, grabbing onto his arm. Toby looked over to him, his face a little red still. But Alex's wasn't. "Look dude, we don't need to start fights! How about we just ignore each other, and move on?" Alex moved in closer to Toby, whispering in his ear. "Look big man, I don't want to see you get your ass kicked by him. Alright? So let's just ignore him."