DISCE, OHSHC.

⁺ ♡ paragons of manner and class

"I've been wondering something," he said.

"Yeah?"

"Do you like anyone?"

Your stomach flipped but you didn't want to get ahead of yourself. "I like most people fine. You're not too bad."

He rested his cheek on his hand, looking at you with that knowing half-smile that sometimes stole your breath. "You know what I mean. Do you like anyone?"

"No," you lied. "Do you?"

His smile grew. Your chest ached at the sight of it. "Maybe. But I'm second-guessing myself a little bit."

"Who is it? Is it someone I know?"

He didn't answer. He studied you closely, as though trying to gauge something. The fading light sugared his hair and the line of his jaw. His eyes glimmered in the way that always made it seem like he was privy to all of your secrets.

"You know them very well, actually." His voice was low and for a split second, his eyes went to your mouth.

All of the wry remarks flew from your head. Whatever this was, you didn't want to ruin it. You felt like if you so much as breathed, this would all disappear, like the blurry, barely-there edges of a dream.

He drew close, his lips hovering by your ear. What he said made you lightheaded. You closed your eyes to hold the words in your mind for a moment before opening them again.

"Are you sure?"

He ducked his head, smiling at the ground. "How could I not be—"

You woke up with a start. Your arm had fallen asleep from where you'd been lying on it. You rubbed a hand over your face and took a minute to reorient yourself.

Window. Desk. A notebook hanging precariously over the edge. You were still at school. You must have dozed off during class. Someone was calling your name and prodding at your shoulder.

"Sorry, what?"

"Didn't you get any sleep last night? You look exhausted."

You couldn't quite bring yourself to smile at Honey. "I'm fine. You know how math is. I just dozed off."

"That would be the third time this week," Honey said, a frown stealing across his face. "Are you sure you're alright? You never sleep in class."

You swept your notebook into your bag and stood, stretching your arms over your head. "You just never caught me doing it before."

Honey didn't look like he believed you. "You can always take some time off if you're not feeling well," he said. "Taka-chan and I can always bring you notes to catch up on."

"I"m fine," you assured him. "Just had a late night."

Thankfully, Mori appeared before Honey could press the point. He passed over a carton of strawberry milk to Money and a chilled bottle of iced tea for you.

"Sleep well?" he asked dryly.

"Like a baby." There was an awkward beat as Mori and Honey both looked at you expectantly. "Uh, thanks for waiting for me. I'm going to head home. I'll see you tomorrow."

The boys continued to stare at you. Your neck prickled. What did they want? Your head was still fuzzy from your nap; you couldn't remember whether or not you'd promised them anything.

"You said you would go to the Host Club with us after school," Honey reminded you gently. Mori grunted in agreement.

You waved it off. "Maybe some other time. I'm kind of busy."