The Boy Under The Azaleas

Salt & Pepper with a little alcohol

I sighed as I trudged into the cafeteria, looking around for Uriel since he said to sit with him. We still hadn't spoken for that entire day until now, or well not properly at least. We did of course exchange some kind of conversation.
I spotted him and quickly trotted over. I beside him as my heart pounded.
"H-Hi, Uriel." I said very softly, my cheeks turning a stupid shade of red, although his cheeks too were quite red.
"H-hi..." he mumbled and clearly gulped.
I sort of just sat there, silent, staring down at my lap. He then looked at me.
"Are...Aren't you going to get yourself some lunch?" He asked. I jolted a bit in my seat before I slowly shook my head.
"No..I..um..don't have any money at all.." I admit and scratch my arm. He then immediately, without a single word opened his bag and took out his wallet. He took out some money and handed it too me.
"Here, my mother gives me way to much for my school meals so have this, it's the least I can do...I can almost hear your stomach growling from here." He said, making my cheeks flush bright red.
"W-what?! Y-you could??" I exclaimed in embarrassment. Uriel then began to laugh hysterically, a few people staring at him. He then wiped a tear from his eye from laughing so much.
"I was joking you goof ball!" He said and ruffled my hair. I pouted and hid my face in my hands. He smiled a soft, caring smile at me.
"Aoww..come on Derrick, don't be like this." He said and mocked my pout by imitating it. I tried not to smile or giggle and continued to pout at him. I crossed my arms at him, and he did it back at me. I then flicked his nose with my index finger.
"You dumb ass. Thank you..a lot for the money." I said and stood up. "I really appreciate it." I added.
"Don't sweat it, it's the least I can do for a close person like you." He said with a smile, standing up and making me suddenly realise how damn tall he was. He must've been about 6"3 at least!
"C-close person?...that..makes me really happy that you think of me as a close person to you. I think of you like that too." I said and looked up at him. Uriel smiled down at me.
"I'm glad you think that too.." he replied. We both got a little flustered before walking towards the actual canteen area. I bought just a simple cheese sandwich, a strawberry milk box and a small mixed selection of fruit and berries. Uriel bought a hot meal, which consisted of a baked potato with cheese as well as carrots, pees and some battered cod on the side.
We then both sat down again and began to dig in. My eyes lit up as I chewed on a bite of my cheese sandwich. All of a sudden there was a tap on my shoulder, I saw Uriel about to reach out for me before there he was, Grayson..
Before I could say anything he shook a pepper shaker onto my face before laughing hysterically as I began to let out, rather embarrassing, cute sneezes.
"A-a-..! Pu~!" He sneezed constantly as I tried to wipe off my face. "Owowowow!" I exclaimed, it had gotten into my eyes too. Grayson then pushed my back making my chest hit the side of the table I sat at. I coughed before I hurt a loud thud and a crash. I looked over and there was a furious looking Uriel, having punched Grayson in the face and pushed him into a table.
"You bastard!! What did I tell you?!" He shouted at him. "Pathetic, you're so pathetic! What is it? You're too much of a fucking coward and too scared shitless to fight someone your own size so you go picking on perfectly kind people that I smaller than you, huh?!? Is that it??" He shouted. Grayson got up and pushed Uriel's chest, not making much of an effect on Uriel.
"No way you lanky prick!! I'll fight you any day!" He shouted back. Uriel gritted his teeth and crossed his arms.
"Okay then, Grayson. Go ahead, punch me." He said before glaring intimidatingly down at him. "I dare you.." Uriel muttered. Grayson gulped before he turned around.
"What's that miss Warrington? You need help?" Grayson pretended that a teacher was calling him before quickly speeding off. The entire cafeteria stared at Uriel before some people cheered and clapped for him...me on the other hand, I was hunched over the table that I sat at, hands over my eyes as I cried, trying to ho back the sobs but it wouldn't stop.
Uriel rushed over to me and immediately hugged me.
"Fuck...fuck..I'm sorry..I'm sorry.." he said quietly and rocked me a little. "Are you Okay? Does it hurt?" He asked and pulled away. He tilted up my head by holding my cheeks gently. I shook my head so I could face downwards again.
"D-d..Don't look..a-at me when I'm pathetic..L-Like..This..!.." I choke out. Uriel hugged me again.
"Idiot, you're not pathetic, let me help you out okay? You look just fine." He said softly. "Do you want to wash your eyes out with some water, or splash them a little, hm?" He asked in a caring manner.
I nod.
"P-Please can you get me a glass of water t-to splash them?" I asked in my quivering voice. Uriel nodded and pats my head gently.
"Stay right here, Derrick. I'll be right back." He replied. I nod.

Uriel comes back with a plastic cup of water, still I'm crying softly. Uriel tilted my head back all the way.
"Okay, I'm gonna pour the water into your eye so keep it open okay? It won't hurt, it will be soothing." He said. I nodded and kept my eyes opened before he poured it on my eyes making me blink hastily.
"Well done Derrick." He said and patted my eyes dry with a towel. "Good job.." He whispered actually making me smile through my slight tears and laugh at him a tiny bit. I then suddenly sneeze.
"Kya-a-..! Puu~!" I sneezed
Uriel chuckled.
"That was such a cute sounding sneeze..!" He said. "My sneezes sound so weird, I wish I had a sneeze like that.." he admitted with a chuckle. I shook by head, wiping my tears away as I let out a brief laugh.
"No you don't!..I laugh like a girl." I said before feeling my heart drop in my chest slightly. Uriel shook his head however.
"No, it's a nice sneeze for a guy like you." He said and smiled slightly . I look at him dubiously,
"A guy like me?" I question him.
"Yeah, like you."
"What..What does that mean?" I ask. Uriel seemed to then react differently, looking off to his side.
"U-umm...I...Well I...I-I mean..your sneeze isn't too loud, it's not an embarrassing one is what I meant.." he said, stumbling over his words. But I believed him.
"Ah.." I reply simply before rubbing my nose and my eyes again.
"I hate this school...I hate school in general.." I grumble to myself, crossing my arms.
Uriel looked as if a lightbulb blinked on above his head.
"Wanna skip the rest of today?" He asked nonchalantly.
"We can go or somewhere, do you like doing stuff you shouldn't?" He added.
I tilted my head, curious.
"Maybe I do...depends what you are hinting at.." I say, squinting my eyes up at him suspiciously. He turned to me and grabbed my shoulders, making me surprised somewhat.
"Okay, So! I have some friends that live on the other side of town. It's sort of like a safe haven for me. They..they don't know that I'm gay but all of them are at least bi. They are all really cool and if you want, we can get drinks from them and go home and have a drink gaming session!" He whispered. First of all I was shocked by the request or well...offer..but then I thought about it. I had only been drunk once before and that was an accident...but it ended up being so much fun....although..I did almost die if man slaughter...but the combo of drunk and gaming sounded like something to try out.
"Snacks too?" I whispered back, he nodded hastily.
"So many snacks that you won't have to eat for years after tonight!" He said, keeping his voice down.
I clasped his hand and shook it, smirking.
"You, my friend, have a deal!"