All The Arts That We're Not

Chapter 27

Arkin

"Hey!" Arkin knew exactly what his classmates want when they gathered around him as soon as Zeke left. "That's Zeke, right? Is it true? You've been hanging out with that guy?"

The sudden question made him paused from writing to raised his glance up to them and saw how they're all seemed waiting for his response.

"What are you talking about?"

One of his classmate hissed. "C'mon, we've been seeing you talking to Zeke. Are you like friends now?"

"And what makes you think I'm being friends with him?"

"Because you looked like you are. We even seen it ourselves a while ago."

Arkin's brow narrowed. "And then?"

"And then what?" His classmate asked with his brow raised.

"Is it even a big deal?"

"Well, technically yes. Isn't he your rival? So you shouldn't be hanging out with him." Arkin put down his pen to look at him intently in the eyes and which made them come to realization.

"Look, we're just being concerned about you. You know we've been hearing a lot about that guy and it's no surprise he's only trying to get close to you just so he could take your spot."

"Don't you think you're just overthinking?"

"Who's overthinking?"

Arkin couldn't think since when they become concerned of him. As far as he could recall, they didn't really recognize his presence. It's as if he's a wind and never existed.

"Tell us, is that were you've been getting your skills? Is he teaching you or something" That question made him stood up on his feet when he couldn't take it any longer.

He could hear them talking as he made his way out but he didn't paid attention to any of it and just rush away.

He already expected people to have all sort of accusations but he didn't expect they could get this crazy.

.

"I thought you wouldn't visit me anymore." Zero said to Arkin as soon as he entered with the room.

"I just got busy lately. You know... exam week's fast approaching."

Zero nodded. "Well, I'm sure you're gonna pull that off anyways."

"I know." Zero's brow raised as he looked at him with his lips parted.

"You're just like Zeke. You know what? I'm starting to hate having smart people around me." He said and they both laugh.

Talking to Zero again makes him feel a lot better. He's been in the hospital for about a week and although he's haven't fully recovered yet, he's just glad Zero's looking okay compared to how he's been before.

"By the way, have you talked to Zeke?"

"About what?"

"I heared about what happened and I thought that's the reason why you're not showing up very often."

Arkin stared at him for a while before he breaks in a with a beam. "Yeah. I've talked to him already. And I think we're cool now. I mean, I've get to think about some realizations and thought about the good side of it."