Am I Your Type Now? (Kavetham)

A Step Forward

The days that followed Alhaitham's unexpected encounter with Kaveh were a blur of classes, homework, and adjusting to the rhythm of high school. Yet, the memory of their brief interaction lingered like a warm glow in the back of his mind. Each time he walked through the halls, he found himself unconsciously searching for that familiar tousled blond hair, hoping to catch a glimpse of Kaveh among the throng of students.

On Friday afternoon, just as the final bell rang, Alhaitham was gathering his things from his locker when he heard a voice behind him.

"Hey, Alhaitham!"

He turned to see Kaveh leaning against the lockers, a mischievous smile playing on his lips. Alhaitham's heart raced unexpectedly. "Hey, Kaveh," he replied, trying to keep his tone casual.

"Looks like you survived your first week," Kaveh teased, stepping closer. "Ready to tackle the weekend?"

"Yeah, I guess," Alhaitham replied, feeling a bit self-conscious. "I have a bit of homework to catch up on, but it's not too bad."

Kaveh's expression shifted to one of playful disbelief. "Homework on a Friday? Live a little! You can finish it later. Come on, let's go hang out. I can show you some cool spots around the school."

Alhaitham hesitated, torn between his responsibilities and the allure of spending time with Kaveh. He felt a strange pull, the promise of adventure beckoning him. "I... I don't know. I really should finish my work."

Kaveh rolled his eyes dramatically, a playful grin on his face. "Homework will always be there. Besides, it's not every day you get to hang out with a professional artist." He gestured dramatically toward his sketchbook, which was slung over his shoulder. "You don't want to miss the chance to see my latest masterpiece!"

Alhaitham's curiosity piqued. "You really draw?"

"Of course! Come on, I'll show you," Kaveh urged, already turning to walk down the hallway. Alhaitham felt a wave of hesitation wash over him, but he followed.

As they walked side by side, Kaveh effortlessly chatted about his favorite drawing techniques, animatedly describing how he captured movement and emotion on paper. Alhaitham listened, captivated not just by Kaveh's enthusiasm but also by the way his eyes sparkled with passion. Kaveh seemed to light up when he talked about art, and Alhaitham found himself smiling at his infectious energy.

Eventually, they arrived at an art room tucked away in a corner of the school. The walls were lined with colorful paintings and drawings, and the room smelled faintly of paint and canvas. Kaveh led Alhaitham to a corner where a few unfinished pieces were spread out.

"This is what I've been working on," Kaveh said, gesturing to a canvas depicting a vibrant sunset over a city skyline. "I'm trying to capture the feeling of the moment—the colors, the light... it's still a work in progress."

Alhaitham stepped closer, admiring the blending of colors and the way Kaveh had managed to evoke a sense of warmth. "It's really impressive," he admitted. "You've got a real talent."

Kaveh beamed, clearly pleased with the compliment. "Thanks! I just love to create. It's my escape, you know?" He paused, looking a bit more serious. "What about you? What do you enjoy?"

Alhaitham hesitated. "I like reading, I guess. And I'm interested in a lot of things... science, literature... I don't know, I haven't really figured it out yet."

Kaveh leaned against the table, crossing his arms. "You'll find your passion. It just takes time. High school is the perfect place to explore. You'll discover new interests and meet interesting people—like me!" He winked, trying to lighten the mood.

Alhaitham chuckled, the tension easing from his shoulders. He realized how much he had enjoyed this impromptu outing. Spending time with Kaveh felt easy, like they had known each other longer than just a few days.

"Do you think you could teach me to draw?" Alhaitham blurted out before he could second-guess himself.

Kaveh's eyes widened with surprise, and then he laughed, a joyful sound that made Alhaitham's heart flutter. "Absolutely! But fair warning, it might be a disaster at first. Just don't expect masterpieces right away."

"Disaster is fine," Alhaitham replied, feeling bolder. "I just want to try."

"Deal!" Kaveh said, grinning. "We'll make a great team. I'll show you how to unleash your inner artist."

Alhaitham couldn't help but smile back. As they talked and laughed, the unease he had felt about high school began to dissipate. Kaveh's presence was comforting, and for the first time since starting school, Alhaitham felt like he belonged.

As the sun began to set outside the art room windows, casting warm hues across the walls, Alhaitham realized that this was the start of something new—a friendship that could lead to countless adventures. And as he looked at Kaveh, animatedly explaining the intricacies of shading, he couldn't shake the feeling that high school was going to be much more exciting than he had ever anticipated.