𝐚𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞, ph.

⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀𝐢𝐢. smile for the camera.

⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀𝐢𝐢. —— smile for the camera.

— i —

Rome got on the bus in the last moment, earning a disapproving glance from both the driver and his photography teacher. He waied both of them, still trying to catch his breath after a run. The boy moved between the seats but he was disappointed when his eyes finally spotted Emma only to see that the place beside her was already occupied by an over-eager senior.

"Rome, you made it!" the girl said, catching one of his hands. "I'm so sorry that I didn't drive you, your brother told me you already left and he wouldn't let me in. I should've waited for you in front of your house but you weren't picking up and I was afraid that there won't be anyone to tell the teacher to wait for you," she tried to explain before Rome could even say anything.

He should've known that it was his brother's fault, that asshole could always find ways to make Rome's life that much harder. Good thing that this time it was only a stupid ride to school though, god knew that Noh usually aimed for worse things.

"Don't worry about it, it's not your fault," Rome assured, looking towards the end of the bus for an empty seat.

"We saved you a seat next to Pick," Porsche said suddenly, making something clench in Rome's stomach. He looked back to where Porsche was pointing and sighed; Pick looked like he was sleeping but he had sunglasses on so Rome couldn't see whether his eyes were closed or not. He wouldn't risk sitting next to him anyway.

"I should probably find another—" Rome tried, but then the driver started the bus and Rome lost his footing, falling forward. Everything happened fast but Rome could make out the fact that someone caught him by his belt and pulled back, and then suddenly Rome was sitting down instead of lying with his face squished against the dirty bus floor.

"You're so annoying so early in the morning, that doesn't look promising," Pick's bored voice made Rome snap his head towards Pick.

"I'm perfectly annoying all day long, thank you very much, P'," Rome said instinctively as if he was just bantering with Emma who now burst into laughter, not even trying to deny Rome's words.

Pick looked surprised but something was tugging at one corner of his mouth and Rome could swear it was a ghost of a smile. Not that he cared, he was keen on keeping his distance from the senior if only his best friend could stop stabbing him in the back. Rome sighed and tried to adjust in his seat, his back and arms were still sore after his encounter with P'Tul, when Rome checked himself in the mirror this morning he could see some cuts and ugly bruises formed on the old ones. Honestly, he was sure that this was the reason he still didn't have a boyfriend; he was cute, tiny, and very much available, but who would want to date someone who looked like he just came out of a boxing ring? If Rome dies alone, he will blame Tul for that.

The first hour of the ride was quite peaceful, everyone was busy with their things and even P'Porsche quieted down after nagging Emma for the first fifteen minutes. But then Rome could feel a nudge on his shoulder and he realized he's still been fidgeting.

"What's your problem?" Pick asked, moving the sunglasses up and pushing the hair that was falling to his forehead back. Damn, was it really that soft? "Quit spacing out," he said, snapping his fingers just in front of Rome's face and making him flinch back out of habit. Pick looked surprised at the sudden reaction but before he could start asking questions, Rome beat him to it.

"I'm uncomfortable," Rome answered shortly, tugging at the collar of his hoodie. It was way too hot for that but he didn't want Emma to notice any of the scratches on his forearms so he had to deal with it.