How We Got Lost in the Woods (And How You Brought Me Back the Light) | lava

Part #5

January

Coming back to school after a break is just like taking a shower. You really don't want to go but the water will run cold eventually. And if Cole knew something well, it was the freezing coldness of his own house that would not go away no matter how much he turns the heater on.

Still, being on the grounds of his school made him wish to go back. No one had any reason to look at him but somehow it felt as if every pair of eyes found their target on his back. Cole inadvertently shook, despite the fact that the cold did not reach this far into the school's halls. Leaning against the lockers, he clutched the strap of his backpack in his hand and glided with his gaze over the place before him, not focusing on anything or anyone in particular.

Then he finally arrived.

"'Sup, Stone." Morro put his arm around his shoulders, leaned into him. Something about coming back to school felt like one too small, scratchy sweater Cole just could not manage to pull over his head.

"Hey." Maybe it was the long pause of no contact that made things so awkward. He couldn't find it within himself to lean in for the kiss Morro wouldn't give him.

"How were the hermit holidays?" Cole could only manage to raise an eyebrow in question. "You love your alone time."

"Yeah, well..." He wouldn't mind spending New Year's not alone. But he can't say that outright, Morro was keen on giving him space, which was considerate. "I don't hate it."

"You know, I never thought I'd say it, but the guys from Ninjago Tech do know how to party."

"Sorry?"

"I got a lodge by the river for the New Year's party, thought I'd invite some, you know, maybe it could be funny, I thought. I have to say I'm pleasantly surprised," Morro explained to him. "Come on, I didn't invite you because I know you prefer to be by yourself." He gave a light punch to his shoulder. "How's pops? How big of a bummer was he on ye holy night?"

"Dunno. He's coming back from his tour today." He arrived at the brink of dawn and passed out on the couch, shoes still on, the smell of smoke and alcohol overpowering his cologne but no one had to know that. Cole took a breath in an attempt to get those thoughts away but while he was on the topic... "You know, I was wondering–"

However, before he could bring up the idea he's been mulling over in his head for over a month, Morro let out a low whistle, eyes aimed somewhere across the hallway. Cole wished he never followed his gaze, as if wishing for anything has ever led him anywhere.

"You know," Morro mused, "I can't stand Smith but you gotta give it to him, he really knows how to wrap people around his finger. You think he really cares about someone and the next day he's with somebody else already." He shook his head. Cole wanted to look away but his body would not listen. "Man, if only girls were this crazy for me. How does he do it?" Then he turned to look back at Cole. "You were saying?"

"I was just saying I should get to class," Cole muttered, an autopilot in his brain taking over.

"This early? We've got plenty of time!"

"I wanted to talk with the teacher about something." With agility that was not his own, Cole got out of Morro's hold and walked calmly, because there was no rush, to the room his first class was to take place. It was about half-full when Cole threw himself into his chair and pulled out his notebook and pencil case. And it was time for his thoughts to catch up with him.

Kai wasn't just flirting with a different girl than the noirette he was hanging around with before the break, he was flirting with somebody he already was with before.