i like you but i cant say it

CHAPTER 5: a helping hand (page 20)

Caleb lifted his head, the bags under his eyes all the more prominent.

His gaze fell upon the back of Kenji's head, then down onto the piece of paper on his desk.

Caleb looked at the folded paper, and for a while he didn't even want to see what was inside, but realizing it was from Kenji he soon caved in and took it.

He held the note in his hand and opened it carefully.

"Is something wrong?" The note said.

Caleb looked at the words emptily.

To be honest all he wanted to do was crush it up and throw it aside and go back to sleep but something urged him to write back. He glanced up at Kenji again who was playing with his pencil nervously waiting for an answer.

Caleb sighed, "Fucking dumbass." he muttered under his breath before picking up a pen and placing the tip of it against the paper.

After he was done, Caleb folded the paper back up and held it between 2 fingers. He leaned forward and over his desk and tapped at Kenji's shoulder with it.

Kenji turned and took it.

"yeah" The words on the note said.

Kenji held the paper in his hand.

Should he ask again? Should he just leave it at that? Kenji didn't really know what to do. He was still worried about Caleb but he didn't want to push it either. What should he do?

[...]

Kenji walked with his lunch in his hands. The cafeteria was packed with students and there didn't seem to have any comfortable place to sit.

Except for one table, the one Caleb is sitting at.

Kenji felt his heart sink when he realized he might not have a choice. Nobody wanted to sit at Caleb's table, but he might just have to be the first to do the unthinkable.

He took a deep breath, puffing up his chest and walked over to where Caleb sat.

Caleb was holding an apple in one hand, bitting down in it and chewing calmly when Kenji stepped in.

Kenji placed his tray onto the table casually without saying a word. Caleb looked up at him in surprise. He's sat alone for so long, he never expected someone to sit down infront of him. The gloomy seat and always empty seat in front of him was suddenly filled, and Caleb didn't know how to react.

He almost got up to yell at the boy but something pulled him off from doing it. He stared at Kenji up and down sith agitated eyes but his body remained stiff and still.

A few quiet moments passed with neither of the boys saying a word to each other.

Kenji pressed his lips together nervously and his eyebrows quivered slightly. He glanced up at Caleb who was ignoring his existence, then back down at his food, hesitating if he should speak or not but eventually his worry got the better of him.

"H-Hey,..." He stuttered, lifting his head up.

"I didn't get to say "you're welcome" a few days ago."

Caleb stopped chewing as the memory flashed in his mind.

"Hey uh, ...thanks."

His face twitched at remembering his own voice saying that.

"If you ever needed anything, ...I'm happy to help." Kenji continued, lifting his gaze to meet Caleb's.

Caleb stayed quiet, but looking into Kenji's eyes made his quiver, before turning his head to look away. He sat there for a little longer, his leg almost shook but he got up and left in the end, silently.