Thirty Days ✔

9 | BALTER

balter (verb)

to dance artlessly, without any particular grace or skill but usually with enjoyment. to dance or tread clumsily though usually happily.

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Chase was confused when it was revealed to him that Zero wasn't truly a part of the volleyball club. He spent the entire night that day wondering why Zero would lie to him about something as simple as that. Amidst said thoughts, he drifted into a deep slumber. 

The next day in school, however, when he spotted Zero, he was determined to question him about it. He wanted to know the truth behind why Zero had lied to him. His own best friend.

That being said, he waited for the bell to go off before making his move. As the cluster of students rushed around the halls to ensure that they wouldn't be late for class, Chase let out a sigh of frustration. He began making his way through numerous bodies - some drenched in sweat, some emitting a smell worse than any landfill on earth, and some coated with such a sickening amount of perfume that he had to hold his breath to keep himself from passing out.

Finally, when he spotted the familiar boy with dark locks and curious dark eyes, he took a hold of his wrist. Immediately, he noticed how the boy winced in response - resulting in him letting go in surprise.

How did that hurt? He hadn't even held onto him that tightly. Maybe Zero was just sensitive, right? 

Chase hoped that that was the case. 

"I'm sorry, uh- can I talk to you?" Chase asked, his eyes not quite meeting the eyes of the boy he was talking to. 

"We're talking now," Zero smiled in response, crossing his arms. "What is it about?"

"Can we go somewhere private first? This place is making me feel sort of claustrophobic."

At that, Zero grabbed a hold of Chase's wrist and began dragging him over to the boys' washroom. He waited for the door to shut behind them and scanned the room for any other individual. When he was sure that they were the only ones present there, he looked at Chase once again.

"So?" he urged.

"You.. told me that you wear those forearm guards for volleyball, yeah?"

"Yes," Zero nodded. "Why?"

"But Oliver told me that you aren't a part of the volleyball club.. why did you lie?"

Zero paused. Then, he looked down at his feet. He remained silent for a few minutes before clearing his throat. Without looking up at Chase, he spoke, "I.. guess I wanted to seem cool."

"Seem cool?" Chase questioned. "What do you mean by that?"

Zero looked up, "It's just that- you're so good at basketball, Oliver's amazing at volleyball, Jason is amazing at lacrosse, Tyler is amazing at football, and I'm amazing at.. well, nothing."

Chase's heart sunk at that. At the thought of Zero thinking that he was untalented in comparison to the rest of the boys. He stepped closer to Zero and placed his hand on his shoulder. The proximity didn't bother either of them, to be truthful, it seemed to comfort both of them in a way.

"You're amazing at being you," Chase confessed. "You're amazing just the way you are. You don't have to be good at sports to fit in with us. You being yourself is more than enough. You don't have to lie about something as simple as that, okay?"

Zero let out a soft sigh before giving Chase a small smile, "Thank you, Chase. I'm sorry for lying to you. I won't do it again."

"You better not," Chase grinned. "Then, should we go back to class?"

"I don't think we have any other choice," Zero chuckled.

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