A Love So Playful

VIII- Like, Love or Lust?

Nero was finally home. He lives just 3 blocks from the school and its just a 10 minute walk from school. He went to his apartment and immediately lays on his bed. It was already 8pm and he needs to have dinner before sleeping but he didn't have the energy to do so. He could not stop thinking about the man that kissed him.

First day of school and everything turns out to be the greatest day of all

Nero smiled as he reminds himself of Kendrick's charm. But he suddenly frowns as a thought came to him.

But I forgot, I cannot love.

Nero was sad, even though he had feelings for Kendrick, and the man felt the same to him too, he could not bring himself to love yet again, he was too traumatized by what happened between them and James.

I can't bring myself to love him, I just can't!

Nero repeated to himself over and over. It may look like Nero's over reacting but who can't be traumatized by an event that will haunt him for the rest of my life.

And I don't even know what I feel for Kendrick? If I like him, love him, or feel lust when I'm around him.

Nero was too unsure for his feelings for Kendrick and found it irrational to have kissed the man in school.

Fuck! I'm so screwed!

Nero cried, but he fell asleep later on. The next morning, he woke up with a dried throat so he got up and brewed coffee. As soon as finishes drinking, he pulls out his phone to find out that it was already 8am. 1 hour till' class starts. He was shocked. He rushed to the bathroom to take a shower and wears his uniform. He organizes his bag and left. Then he passed the waffle store near his apartment and bought two to eat on the run.

Meanwhile, Kendrick and his other classmates are already in their seats. With only two blank seats, one is for Nero and the other one for a classmate who didn't attend the first day.

"Hey Skyler?" Atasha shouted as he looked towards the brown haired man's best friend

"Sup?" Skyler casually asked as he faced the pink haired girl. "Where's Nero, its not like him to be this late?"
Atasha asked in a worried but questioning tone. Kendrick immediately looked to the two people talking infront of him. Then Nero suddenly arrived.

"Nero!!!" Skyler and Atasha said as they let of a smile. "Hi!" Nero said as he walks to his seat. He looks at  Kendrick and the man smiled as he seen his classmate arrived in time. Nero ofcourse smiled back.

"Sorry I was late, I overslept" Nero said as he took a seat. "Don't worry, Mrs. Javier hasn't even arrived yet" Atasha said as he looks away from Nero. "Has the mystery student attended class yet?" Nero asked "No not yet but we are dying to know!" Skyler stated as he narrowed his eyes and smiled.

Then Mrs. Javier arrived. "Good morning everyone, please settle down and I will announce today's agenda and announcements!" Mrs. Javier stated

"So for our announcement, I forgot to remind you yesterday that every friday, we get a 40 item quiz for everything we learned throughout the week and it is 80% of your grades. If there are 4 weeks for a quarter, total of 160 items, if you get the scores of 0-100, you will repeat this school year,
101-130, you pass this school year, 131-140, you pass as an honor student, 141-150, you pass as a high honor student and 151-160, will make you graduate as the highest honor students and have chance to be the school year valedictorian" Mrs. Javier stated

Then Nero raised his hand. "Yes Mr. Springfield?" Mrs. Javier stated as she points to the curious student. "Well what's the other 20% grade?" Nero asked

"The other 20% grade might be low, but it can cost you your dreams, it's your final output, your subject teachers will give a project, assignment or any hard task to see if you pass it, if you failed that 20%, you will automatically repeat this school year." Mrs. Javier stated as the students all gasped.

What!?! She can't be serious right?

Nero didn't knew what to respond. In his previous school, which was public, he didn't even need to do those kind of tasks, just do great at class and your grades are fine. But in this school, you have to pass 4 exams for every subject and has a criteria on what rank you get and worse, a final output which determines if you pass the school year or not. He knew this was going to be a hustle.

"Now another announcement, your classmate still hasn't attended since the first day and I decided I will go to his home to see what's wrong" Mrs. Javier stated.

I wonder who that mystery classmate is and what the reason could be in his rapid absence.

"Now, let's continue our agenda by continuing our discussion" Mrs. Javier stated. The science teacher wasted no time and started teaching the class, but Nero yet again didn't listen, not because he knew the lesson, but he was worried about the requirements to pass the year.

Will I pass? Will I fail? I don't know! but I have to do everything to pass!

The discussion continued as the clock struck 10am and was the cue to head to the computer lab. He was walking in the hall when he felt a hand touch his hair. The touch gave a chill up his spine and knew what that meant.

"Hello again Nero!" Kendrick said as he ran his fingers through Nero's hair
"Hi..." Nero said with a low and quite dull voice. Kendrick felt worried on how the man he liked answered him.
"Is something wrong?" Kendrick stated as he grabbed the man's face to face him. "No! Just give me some space!" Nero said in a rude tone and pushes his arm away and walks away quickly. Kendrick was shocked and left a frown to the concerned man..

Nero arrived at the computer lab and had a seat besides Skyler and Atasha. Then Kendrick enters the room with a worried look. Nero felt bad for hurting the man's feelings but it was for his own good.

Fight it Nero! You can't fall inlove! Nunca!!!

Nero maintained a blank expression the whole tech class. Then time passed and they went back to their room for English class. But as Nero walked in the hall, he saw Kendrick talking to his friend on the other class. Kendrick's eyes laid on Nero's presence and lets out a frown before facing his friend again.

I... uh... I'm speechless, I wanted to distance myself from Kendrick and avoid getting worked up, but why is he avoiding me like this? I think I offended him earlier... Fuck! I'm so stupid! Why did I did that rather than talk it out!
Now, Kendrick won't even look at me properly, Its almost like he didn't want me nearby! I'm such a fool, I ruined our love... I mean friendship... ughh I don't know what to even call it!!!

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To Be Continued

I'm guessing you're already curious who could the mysterious student be? Well, stay tuned if you want to know more.