"More than that?"
I could feel my cheeks light up.
"You've always got my admiration, I always wanted to feel loved by you, like you are the sun who's light I wanted to be in."
Really? How odd.
"I always wanted you to notice me too, but I thought I wasn't worth it because of my academic skills."
His eyes widen.
"You, not worthy of my attention? I'm so happy I can even just look at you in the eyes, that's how much you matter to me."
My eyes widen too, Alaitham, whom I always thought was one step ahead of me, is kneeling before me to just be in my presence.
"I'm so glad, now I can be close to you, and talk to you, and you can help me with studying while I can help you with making friends, we'll be everything we lacked to each other."
He gets closer to me, he wants to, he needs to.
"Kaveh, let me be what you always craved the most."
Like he wasn't already.
"Let me be the one thing you're missing."
I get closer too, mere inches from each other now.
"We should get back to class, Alhaitham."
"You're right, but just a little thing."
He whispers in my ear.
"Thank you."
We walk back to class, nothing changed, but everything did.
"Are you okay, Kaveh?"
The teacher glances at me, happy to see my stress relieved.
"Yes ma'am, I'm fine."
The teacher returns to the lesson, and I notice Alhaitham, this time he's not looking through the window, his gaze turns to me in a lovely peek.
"Afraid you might get burned if you look at me too much?"
I say jokingly, but he gets me again.
"You're too bright, but when you see your rays you always wonder why I'm not the one lightened up."
Why is he being like this? That's something more than admiration.
"I can help you study after school if you like!"
I reply quickly.
"At your house right?"
And I just hope he doesn't question anything.
"Alright, you want to stay for lunch?"
"Yeah, alright, it's not like I have anything or anyone to attend to."
He looks at me, trying not to question or take pity on me. How could such a sensible and understanding guy not have friends?
"It's settled then, you're coming to my house."
After school we went there as he said.
"What would you like?"
"Everything is fine with me."
He gives me a choice but I'm not used to have two whole hands trying to feed me, so I pick the one that's nearest.
"I'll cook some noodles then."
"Let me cook. Please."
He backed off and offered me the space.
I start cooking some eggs and vegetables as I feel Alhaitham's eyes on me.
"What is it?"
His eyes are glued to me.
"I just thought you looked so bright while you cook."
"Are you somewhat obsessed with me?"
How bold can he be?
"If that's a motivation to the fact your looks really comfort me then yes."
"I... Comfort you?"
He knows it can sounds stupid, but he's pouring his heart out.
"I know that you're probably thinking i look stupid, but I just feel safe around you."
Stupid? No. The best compliment ever has been brought to earth by the star I was always looking up to.
He gets closer to me while I cook. He opens his arms and I give in.
"You're the first person that looks at me directly in the eyes, you know?"
He hugs me because he finally has what he's been searching for. Respect and love.
"I don't understand why so many people have missed out on those."
At this point I'm done cooking as his arms wrap around me, and I just can't let go, if it's a dream, then I want to wake up only to his voice calling me.
