Another tiring winter.
December 29th, 2023. 8:19PM
"Alright, that's all for today. Get home safe everyone!" The director shouted from across the room as he walked out of the door.
Cole sat at one of the chairs, he was getting the makeup removed off his face, his body was sore from tiredness. He had to work 2 hours over today because it was a New Years photoshoot. They were slow on schedule as well, what an inconvenience.
The model packed up his things and left the room with his manager.
"Any plans before 2024?" His manager said in a joking tone as they walked outside together.
"Other than laying in bed? I do not." Cole shake his head. Before working as a model, he will go out partying restlessly, there was no club in town he never step foot in before. But after walking into the industry, he found himself in many non-flexible schedules.
"I guess I'll see you after New Years then." His manager patted him on the back as before she walk towards the taxi that's waiting.
"Back to you, May. See you." The model waved goodbye.
He's now alone, standing still as snow falls on top of his hair.
The man shake his head lightly. He pulls out a package of cigarettes from his pocket and a lighter, placing the cigarette to his lips, he lit it up then took a long drag.
Cole kept smoking as he walked along the pavement. He could call a taxi and get back to his apartment immediately but something about tonight felt queer, he felt like he shouldn't go back just yet.
He kept walking, he doesn't know where his feet will lead him to but as long he got his mind off these thoughts in his head, he didn't care. He kept walking and walking along the pavement until he saw a bus stop at a distance, and a familiar silhouette..
Ruffled brown hair, dark eyes, pale skin with freckles all over his face. That silhouette was wearing a jacket that looked too big in size, making him look shorter than he already is, his eyes were looking around, his feet jumping up and down, he was clearly impatient for the bus to arrive.
Cole dropped his cigarette to the ground, clearing his throat before he walked towards the young man.
"Still short I see." He said as he stood next to him.
————
"Just behave, please. I don't want to be judge because of you." Cole's sister glared at him before walking into the school first.
"You make it seem like I want to be anywhere near you!" He shouted after her. The teenage boy crosses his arms, groaning in annoyance.
Being the only son of a wealthy family with high expectations, you are expected to be nothing but perfection. The way you stand, the way you walk, talk, even the way you hold your silverware, it must show class.
From elementary till secondary, Cole was homeschooled. Until he turned 16, his parents finally decided to send him to a public school. They said it was because he needs to learn social skills, but really it's because they've discovered that he's flawed. Incredibly flawed.
August 1st, 2016.
The first day of high school was overwhelming. There was too many people staring at him, too many chatter coming from their mouth, he wasn't used to so much people talking.
Cole looked at the time table in his hand, barely making his way through the crowded hallway to find class 2C24, but it was no where to be seen.
"Are you lost?" A soft voice appeared behind him.
He turned around to see a boy with brown hair and freckles all over his face. He was wearing glasses that just made him look too old for his age, his hair parted in the middle and being held down by way too much gel. He had a name tag on his sweater vest that says "Sen Nguyễn".
"Oh.. yes, I can't seem to find class 2C24." Cole scratched the back of his neck as he showed the boy his time table. "Do you know where it may be?"
The young boy looked at Cole up and down for a moment, studying the teenage boy, before nodding.
"We're in the same class. Follow me." He turned and started walking towards the East side of the building without waiting for Cole.
"Hey! Hold up!" He quickly ran after him.
October 16th, 2016.
The first semester mid-term results are here.
"Please shut up." Sen looked at Cole with fire in his eyes after Cole teased him. The teenage boy smiled widen when he saw that look, something about annoying Sen was just too much fun.
"What? The know-it-all Sen doesn't like the taste of defeat?" He chuckled as he saw Sen's face scrunched up more with every word he let out. "Just accept it, sweetheart. I am way better at this than you."
Cole waited for the other boy to say something but he just kept quiet. He didn't budge at all, just standing there with his arms crossed, he was clearly annoyed.
"We'll see about it." Sen finally said, coldly, before making his way back inside the building, leaving Cole there with his group of friends.
The teenage boy raised both of his eyebrows as he looked at the young boy leaving, his friends were snickering in the background. He turned back to the list hung up on the school board, smiling ever so slightly at the fact his name was right on top of Sen's.
————
Cole smiled as he watch the bus leaving with Sen, his eyes stuck to the silhouette of the young man.
It's been so long since he last saw his face. Sen still looks the same but something about him felt different, maybe it was his hair? Maybe it's his eyes? Or maybe it's because of how soft spoken he was..
Cole tirelessly shook his head, it was just too heavy to carry anymore thoughts other than the ones he already have. He decided to call up a taxi and head back to his apartment.
9:23PM.
The model stepped into his apartment and collapsed on the couch the second he step inside. His body was sore and his eyes were fighting to be open.
Maybe he'll just sleep on the couch tonight, there's no way he'll be moving himself from his current position.
As Cole was about to close his eyes, a notification popped up on his phone. He groaned as he reached for his phone and checked, it was a message from the high school's class' group.
He checked to see what it was about.
[➤ Hey guys! It's been a while since we last saw each other, why don't we all have a class reunion on New Year's Eve? We can welcome a new year together as 2C24 once again!]
"Class reunion?.." Cole stares at his screen for a moment. It wouldn't hurt to go. Besides, he didn't have any other plans than to spend new years alone, might as well spent it with some old friends.
And maybe with him, too.
He liked the message then turned off his phone. Seems like he does have plans before 2024 after all.
