"I don't know what about him it was, but I want to talk to him more"
Zane and Evelyn sat side by side at the lunch table they shared as Zane spoke, trying to avoid their friends obvious grin. "He seems nice, I approve" Evelyn hummed happily as she continued to write in a small notebook she had. Zane sighed, laying their head on their sketchbook as they mumbled "Great, cause I needed your approval for friends" they spoke sarcastically as Ev giggled a bit before poking Zanes head "Speak of the devil, there he is" she stated as Zane picked their head up to meet eyes with Robert, who was already looking at them. They held eyes for a moment before Robert looked away, his normally pale cheeks looking rather rosier as he continued walking with his friends until they found them selves at an empty table. Zane and their friend spoke quietly as Zane continued sneaking glances at the table, or more importantly, Robert. Eventually Ev snapped them out of it as they spoke "Aren't you gonna hang out with him after school?" "Who?" "Don't play dumb, you know who I'm talkin 'bout" "I don't know what you're talking about" Zane grinned as Evelyn glared at them before she eventually sighed, sticking her tongue out as Zane laughed "Yeah, I am supposed to be hanging with him. I'm kinda nervous" they mentioned as their friend smiled, resting their head against their hand "Aww, I'm sure it'll go great, no need to be nervous!" She chimed as Zane sighed, trying to give them self confidence they knew they didn't have "You're right. I'll be just fine" they stated taking a deep breath until a voice interrupted them "or will you"
Roy stood on the other side of the table, leaning against it with a grin "What are you loosers talking about?" He questioned as Zane narrowed their eyes at him, leaning up "Nothing, go away bitch boy" they stated with a grin seeing Roys slightly taken aback expression as he glared hard at Zane "Whatever" he scoffed, walking off as Zane glanced to their friend "That was weird" they mumbled, Ev agreeing until the bell ending lunch rang.
School was boring hell to say the least. Zane was far beyond done with school and the people in it as they walked down the stairs. They glanced around before taking a seat on the bench they usually find themselves at, taking out their sketchbook to doodle in as they waited for, you guessed it, Robert. Evelyn wouldn't meet them today, saying something about attempting to talk to the beanie boy. They didn't really care, they had more important things on their mind. After about 5 minutes of drawing they felt a presence beside them, but before they could say anything a voice rung into their ears. "Woah no wonder you're in art, that looks absolutely amazing!" Zane turned their head to see Robert gazing at their drawing with awe before he slunk back "oh I'm so sorry for looking over your shoulder, it just looked cool what you were drawing" he apologized while rubbing his arm. Zane couldn't help but laugh as they shook their head "No no, it's ok. Thank you for the compliment" they sighed with a smile as they offered Robert better sight of the drawing. He gazed at it for a moment with a genuine smile as he clapped "It looks fricken awesome!" He cheered as Zane felt their cheeks grow warm. They thanked him again before they both stood "Where are we going?" Zane questioned as they miserably attempted to out their sketchbook in their bag while walking. "you'll see!" Robert whispered as they walked towards a familiar candy store. Zane smiled before gasping "I don't have any money, I'll wait out here" they mentioned while making movement to rest against the wall only to be stopped by Robert "Oh no, I'll pay for you!" He cheered. Before Zane could protest Robert had drug them inside and pushed them to go get some candy. Zane again tried to protest, but Robert just covered his ears while walking down the isles. Zane sighed and looked around, eve tually settling for a bag of gummies bears as they eventually found Robert standing by the counter talking to the cashier, who looked as if he was between killing himself and crying. Zane placed the bag down as the cashier rung them up, saying a total as Robert handed him money. Zane sighed and took the bag back while smiling at Robert with a huge smile "Thank you so much, I'll definitely pay you back" they said as Robert smiled back, shaking his head "I won't accept the money, but I'm glad you like the candy" he stated while opening the door for Zane, letting go them walk through before waving to the cashier and walking out behind Zane. They started walking on the sidewalk while munching on candy as Robert led the way, Zane following behind. Eventually they were walking through the woods, neither have spoke a word until Robert stopped, Zane almost crashing into his back as he spoke "Look"
Zane's eyes found there way onto a pond covered in most and lily pads, and all around, there were frogs. Zane gasped with a happy expression as they walked over near the water and knelt down in front of a lily pad that held a small brown frog. They gazed at it as Robert eventually made his way over and sat down beside them, but it wasn't the frog he was looking at, but rather, Zane. He didn't know why, but the scene in front of him made him smile, his cheeks heat up and make him feel nervous. Zane eventually spoke up, not noticing the boy staring "Frogs have always been so cool to me, their chill little fellows" they said before looking to Robert, who quickly averted his eyes away and nodded "Y-Yeah, frogs are my favorite amphibian, I love them" he stated before reaching to the frog, patting it's head as it sat there, unfazed. Zane laughed a bit as they nodded "Same here" they mumbled before looking around, taking I the sights before turning to Robert "Why'd you bring me here?" They questioned. Robert looked to them with a small smile as he leaned back "It's the perfect secluded place to chat and get to know one another better, plus, frogs!" He said, picking the one on the lily pad up and placing it on his lap as he pet it's head with two fingers. Zane smiled, accepting the answer.
The two talked for hours about themselves and their interests, getting to know one another better until the sun had gone down. Zane was first to notice as they sighed "it's getting late, we should probably get back to our homes." They mentioned as Robert nodding in agreement "Yeah, my sisters probably wondering where I am, I should get back" he sighed as Zane nodded. Robert stood up, holding his hand out to Zane, who took it acceptingly and stood up, brushing them self off before the two walked back to the opening and onto the sidewalk. Robert offered to walk Zane home, who accepted as they walked mostly in silence, sometimes speaking of small things until they reached Zane's home. They turned to Robert with a smile as they thanked him for walking them home. "It's no problem, I hope we can hang out more after this!" "Same here... Can I hug you?" Zane looked to Robert, hoping for the best as Robert looked lost in though before nodding with a smile "Yeah, course you can!" Zane smiled and wrapped their arms tightly around Robert, hugging him as he returned the hug gently. Eventually they broke away as Zane waved goodbye and ran inside their house, cheeks red as they cheered to themself. Meanwhile Robert just stood for a moment, his blush obvious as he just smiled to himself and walked along the sidewalk.
Tonight was a good night for the two.
