Line of Time

Friendship is Starting

Gunnar had been walking the halls after he had gotten his lunch, he was in search of Tino so he could show him where their next class was. He saw a group of three jocks leave the area where Tino's locker was. They looked over at him and then shivered at the cold stared Gunnar gave them. Sure they occasionally picked on Gunnar but they would all knew to stop when he gave him his frosty stare. Everyone at school feared that about him, his stare and expression were just as cold as the winters he had known back home, if not colder. That along with his height and strength they knew better not to start anything with the Swedish boy because it was surely something they couldn't finish.

Now as he walked down the hallway where he expected Tino to be, he heard a few whimpers. When he stopped in front of Tino, he saw that the small boy was holding his leg and once he noticed Gunnar's shoes. Not recognizing them on first glance he looked up at the owner of the shoes with big scared eyes.  His eyes softened a bit once he saw that it was Gunnar, Gunnar then put his lunch down and picked up a few papers and books that Tino had dropped, handed them to him and he then sat down crossed legged in front of him.

"Thank you..." Tino said as he got up and put his things back in locker, took out his bag and then sat down taking out his lunch.

"No problem. Did you have trouble in our classes?" Gunnar asked since he didn't pay any attention to Tino after he brought him to place to place.

"A little, but the teachers helped... There are still new words that I don't understand though." Tino said as he ate his sandwich.

"Like what?" Gunnar asked as he looked over at him.

"Hum... there's a lot." Tino admitted sheepishly.

"Doesn't matter, go ahead." Gunnar said as he waited for Tino to tell him.

 "Crush... Gill-friend... Boo-friend... and G-eh." Tino said as he was insure if had said each word correctly.

 "A crush is when someone thinks your nice and they like you. A girlfriend and a boyfriend are when you date someone, like what parents do before they get married. Gay is when a boy likes another boy instead of a girl... " Gunnar explained as Tino smiled, showing he understood, Gunnar and Tino went back to their lunch. Gunnar had gotten quiet after he had explained the last word, he had also said it in sort of whisper, it was like he didn't like to explain it at all.

They then went to their next two classes, the last one of the day was gym. Most of the football team was in there class and it didn't help that today was doge ball. Gunnar and Tino were on the same team but most of the football team versed them. Gunnar was without a doubt was one of the best players on their team but no one else stood a chance. Soon almost everyone on their team was out and Gunnar and Tino were the only targets left. The other team focused on getting Gunnar's attention away from the team players that were getting ready to take their attack on someone they had an issue with. The football team players hurled balls at Tino and didn't stop even after he was out. They didn't stop, even when he was curled up on the floor, they only threw with more force and aimed for sensitive targets. Soon the teacher blew his whistle and everyone went to the locker rooms. Gunnar stayed out in the gym and walked over to Tino and he got closer he heard what sounded like soft tears. He kneeled down next to him and put a hand on his shoulder. He shrunk under the touch then looked up when he heard Gunnar clear his throat. Gunnar pulled him to his feet and saw that Tino hadn't been sheading tears but it had been his shaky breathing that had sounded like he was crying.

They went to the boy's locker room and changed. Gunnar showered but Tino didn't, he was the first one to leave the locker room after a few choice words were thrown his way, he didn't know what they meant but he knew they hurt. He didn't want to know what they meant. He had gotten his bag after the bell and when Gunnar had found him at his locker he noticed that when he walked towards him that Tino had a limp. It wasn't that bad but it was noticeable. He ignored it and they started walking home, Mathias had gotten a ride to his friend's house for the evening and Lukas and Bernard had club meetings. So it was just Gunnar and Tino for the walk back to the blue house they all shared.