CHAPTER TWO (PART 1)

“HELLO buddy, I brought something for you!” Pedro excitedly said to Joseff, as he remembered his talk with Austin.

“J-Joseff, uhm, o-obviously he’s cold and s-snob to e-everyone. B-Based on some s-stories I h-heard he’s living a-alone and he doesn't l-like h-hanging out w-with a-anyone.” Pedro already figured out what Austin said except the part where he said that Joseff is living alone, but he let him continue.

“And, uhm, he’s a-also very s-smart. He e-excels in e-everything. A-And that a-almost everyone admired him.” Austin said and silence ate them after.

“Hmm, that’s all? His life is so boring then,” Pedro reacted while thinking of other ways to get Joseff’s attention.

“Uhm, I r-remember he likes c-cheesecakes,” Austin added making Pedro’s forehead crest.

“Cheesecakes? How did you know that?” he asked, 

“Uhm, I-I just h-heard it s-somewhere, and I always see him eating c-cheesec-cake in the c-cafeteria,” Austin said and shook his head because he’s scared of Pedro’s voice, and Pedro saw it so he tap Austin’s shoulder slightly making Austin almost jump but when he sees that Pedro is smiling, he felt at ease again.

“My bad, did I scare you? I’m sorry,” Pedro apologized.

“I-It’s fine, I-I am not j-just u-use that someone i-is t-talking to m-me,” Austin said while pinching his fingers. Pedro looks at him worried, from there he can feel how much burden this guy has.

“It’s fine, if you need someone to talk just call me okay?” Pedro said then patted Austin’s head and the latter just nod slowly. 

“So I need to buy a lot of cheesecakes for him ha?” Pedro mumbled upon the air, then nod because his mind worked with a brilliant plan.

SHOWING off his captivating smile, Pedro expected so much for his effort. But Joseff just look at him and the things that he brought. 

Pedro was beaming so wide, he thought that maybe with what he brought Joseff would melt even a little? But seconds, and minutes after Joseff just sigh and look away. Their classmates sigh too, they also thought Joseff would smile, but no. Even a single glimpse of emotion did not escape instead Joseff’s face become harder.

But instead of feeling down, Pedro still manages to smile. Yes, he’s a little bit sad but it makes him more motivated to do things for Joseff. He doesn't know, but he felt the connection towards Joseff. That even if he thinks of just letting the feeling away, he chooses not to. Somehow, he could partly understand Joseff even if he is not in Joseff’s shoes. Maybe he does not have any idea about Joseff’s life, but taking a risk to know and break Joseff’s walls would not be that bad right? For a short time, he can say that he cares about Joseff, a lot and it’s hitting all his nerves because he does not know why!

“Because you left me five times, youu should take these honey cheesecakes and five jars of stick-o,” he said still beaming and that made Joseff look at him. Raising his right eyebrow but his face is still emotionless like steel.

‘Do not look at me like that, I’m just starting.’ Pedro’s evil thought.

“No need to say thank you, it’s my thank you gift for saving me.” lame reason, Pedro almost vomited at his excuse which is partly true but it’s not the main reason. He smiled at Joseff upon seeing that its brows creased.

“I don’t need that,” a rough husky voice plays like a lullaby in Pedro’s ear and that made his smile fade. Yeah, he knows he’s exaggerating, but he is really shocked by hearing Joseff’s voice. His eyes opened widely and his lips form into a big "O", he is surprised! Too surprise that it took him a few minutes before he digest that finally, Joseff is talking back to him and he is not having a conversation with the air again.

“I-I, y-you... It is your favorite right? Oh fuck!” he could not contemplate what he is about to say, his mind is clouded that his mouth do its way, spouting secrets. ‘I’m getting insane, this is not nice.’ he dramatically thought.

“Just-t, take i-it okay? You don't have any idea how I got to know your favorite just for you.” He said but Joseff didn't hear it all. It’s too fast and sounds too little, so how could he? Though he really likes cheesecake, he’s no fan of stick-o so why did this guy give it to him?

“You’re weird,” Joseff said and Pedro cann’t stop smiling because finally, he is having a conversation with Joseff. The thing that almost every student in their room envied a lot. Because for the record, Joseff is talking with someone.

“Yeah, and I’m going to be much weirder if you won’t accept my friendship. Fuck this is so gay, friendship? But well, I badly wanna be your friend so it’s fine, I guess.” Pedro said and Joseff can’t help but not to look at him. His gray and deep emotionless eyes meet a blue crystal tantalizing one and he’s mesmerized by it that he didn't notice that he’s staring way too longer than he should. Then a smile formed on Pedro’s face so he immediately looked away and act like he did not done anything.

“So?” Pedro asked hopingly.

“Let me think first,” is all can Joseff say. To be honest, he doesn't want any involvement with anyone. He would rather choose to be alone than to have someone, it’s too much for him but he can’t just tell it to this guy, he merely knows him.

“Take your time buddy, because for me you are already my friend. So take my gifts okay? Or I will be really sad,” Pedro said and Joseff was almost gonna say ‘like I care’ but then Pedro flash a smile again and Joseff saw it, that captivating and sweet smile that made him nod. ‘Now I’m being weird too’ he thought.

And Pedro being satisfied with the nod started jumping like a kid and that weirded everyone out including Joseff. But Pedro didn't mind them all because he is in so much glee. He only stop when he saw their teacher coming.

AFTER class, Pedro looked at Joseff immediately, “Let us take our lunch together, shall we?” Pedro couldn't help but blurt out his plan and he’s beaming widely but it was erased immediately when Joseff coldly turn his offer down.

“But why?” Pedro sang while pouting. Pedro is a man, no doubt with that, but he really could be childish and needy like a girl if he can’t get what he wanted.

“I’m going home,” Joseff said, and started fixing his things. And Pedro just sulks in his seat like Joseff would give a damn care about him. But seconds later his mood shifted immediately when he remembered something.

“Juan,” he tried to call Joseff who’s now ready to go but Joseff did not even give him a look and was about to walk away when Pedro pulled Pedro’s hand making Joseff stop.

“Juan, can I come to go home with you?” he asked and Joseff look at him like he was just kidding but when Joseff saw that Pedro looks serious because Pedro’s packing his things already. Joseff just sighs, he’s been letting his guard down and he doesn't know why that’s why he left again without saying anything about Pedro. He walks faster than usual, in his thoughts, Pedro would come running and will follow but he’s already almost at the end of the hallway but he didn’t hear any call.

‘and when was the time that I started thinking about someone?’ he thought but erase it immediately and before he turn his way to the right for the exit, he looks at his back and saw Pedro talking to a small guy and he is showing off that smile too while patting the guy’s head. Joseff having enough with the scene finally walks his way out to the school to go home and prepare for his work.

PEDRO was done packing his things and was about to say something to Joseff but the latter one left him again. ‘I am slowly getting used to being left, again and again, thanks to you Juan.’ he dramatically thought that if Joseff was in front of him he would probably act like a big baby now.

Doubling his pace of walking, Pedro saw Joseff almost at the end of the hallway when someone block his way. It is Austin, that is why Pedro smile and pats Austin’s head.

“Need anything little guy?” he asked gently.