Monday morning dawned bright and early, the sky above painted in shades of pale blue as the sun slowly climbed higher. Ocean moved through the halls of the school with his usual quiet steps, keeping to the edges, away from the groups of students that filled the corridors. It was easier that way—easier not to be noticed, not to be drawn into conversations that he had no interest in.
Yet as he passed the corner by the art room, he found himself glancing toward it, half-expecting to see Skyler there again, sketching away. But the room was empty, its doors closed. Ocean felt a flicker of disappointment, though he quickly shoved it down. It was foolish to expect Skyler to be waiting for him. They were just... acquaintances. If that.
Still, as Ocean walked toward his locker, a familiar voice cut through the hum of the crowded hallway.
"Ocean!"
He turned to see Skyler making his way toward him, his face lighting up as soon as their eyes met. Ocean felt an involuntary warmth bloom in his chest—something he immediately tried to ignore.
"Hey," Skyler greeted, coming to a stop beside him. "I was hoping I'd run into you."
Ocean raised an eyebrow, already sensing that Skyler had a reason for seeking him out. "Why's that?"
Skyler's grin widened, and he leaned casually against the lockers. "Because I've got a proposition for you."
Ocean narrowed his eyes. "Should I be worried?"
Skyler laughed, the sound bright and easy. "Not at all. I was just thinking... maybe you could join me for lunch today?"
Lunch. It sounded simple enough, but to Ocean, it wasn't. He usually spent lunch alone, in the far corner of the library, avoiding the bustling cafeteria where groups of friends gathered. But now, Skyler was offering an alternative. An invitation to be... included.
Ocean hesitated, unsure of how to respond. He wasn't used to people inviting him to things—not like this. But there was something about Skyler's easygoing nature that made it hard to say no.
"Come on," Skyler added, sensing Ocean's reluctance. "It's just lunch. No strings attached."
Ocean finally relented, giving a small nod. "Okay. I guess."
Skyler's face lit up with satisfaction. "Awesome. Meet me outside the cafeteria at noon?"
"Sure," Ocean replied, feeling a strange mix of anticipation and nervousness bubbling up in his chest.
As Skyler walked away, Ocean realized that this was the first time in a long while that someone had gone out of their way to make plans with him. It was... unsettling. But also, somehow, kind of nice.
When noon rolled around, Ocean found himself standing just outside the cafeteria, scanning the crowd for Skyler. It was chaotic as usual—students clustered in groups, laughing and talking loudly. Ocean shifted uncomfortably, not used to being in the middle of so much noise and movement.
But then he spotted Skyler, who was weaving through the crowd with that same casual confidence he always had. Skyler waved when he saw Ocean, his smile brightening as he approached.
"Hey!" Skyler greeted, clapping Ocean on the shoulder. "Ready?"
Ocean nodded, though he still felt out of place. "Where are we going?"
Skyler grinned. "I thought we'd eat outside. It's too nice a day to be stuck indoors."
Ocean glanced outside, noticing the soft sunlight filtering through the windows. It was nice out—the kind of day where the breeze carried a hint of warmth, and the sky seemed impossibly clear.
"Sure," Ocean said, following Skyler as they made their way toward the exit.
Once outside, Skyler led them to a quieter part of the campus, where a few picnic tables were scattered beneath the shade of tall trees. It was peaceful there, away from the noise of the main courtyard, and Ocean felt himself relax a little as they sat down.
Skyler unpacked his lunch with a grin. "I hope you're not too picky. I brought enough to share."
Ocean raised an eyebrow. "You brought food for both of us?"
"Of course," Skyler said, unbothered. "Can't let you go hungry, right?"
Ocean couldn't help but chuckle at the absurdity of it all. "You're really something, you know that?"
Skyler winked. "I'll take that as a compliment."
They ate in comfortable silence for a while, the sound of birds chirping overhead and the rustle of leaves in the wind filling the space between them. Ocean found himself stealing glances at Skyler, curious about this boy who seemed to break through his carefully constructed walls without even trying.
"So," Skyler said, breaking the silence, "I've been thinking."
Ocean paused mid-bite, glancing at him. "About what?"
"About you," Skyler said casually, though his tone held a quiet sincerity. "You don't talk much about yourself."
Ocean shifted uncomfortably. "There's not much to talk about."
Skyler didn't seem convinced. "I don't believe that. You're just good at keeping things to yourself."
Ocean shrugged, unsure of how to respond. He wasn't used to people prying into his life, but Skyler's approach didn't feel like prying. It felt more like... genuine curiosity. Like he actually wanted to understand Ocean, not just ask questions for the sake of it.
"You don't have to tell me anything you don't want to," Skyler added after a moment, his voice gentle. "I just think you've got more going on than you let people see."
Ocean stared at him, feeling the weight of those words settle deep in his chest. Skyler was right—he did keep things hidden. But that was because every time he had let someone in, they had left. Every time a promise was made, it was broken.
Ocean looked away, his throat tightening. "It's just easier this way."
Skyler didn't push. He just nodded, as if he understood in a way that most people never could. "I get it. But you don't have to shut everyone out."
Ocean glanced at him, surprised by the quiet intensity in his gaze. Skyler wasn't like anyone he'd ever known—he didn't ask for more than Ocean was willing to give, but at the same time, he didn't just accept Ocean's distance without question.
And somehow, that made Ocean want to let him in, even if just a little.
"I'll think about it," Ocean said softly, echoing the words he had spoken before.
Skyler smiled, and for the first time in a long time, Ocean felt a flicker of hope. Maybe, just maybe, there was someone out there who wouldn't break the promises they made.
TBC. 🩵
