(Cedric's POV.)
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"Yeah mom, I'm doing good here." I told my mom as she checks up on me again.
I was walking up the hill on my way to school, my airpods on my ears as mom does her weekly call.
"Really? Are you eating properly there?" My mom asked.
"Ofcourse I am! My friends even treat me sometimes." I told her enthusiastically, waving at the grandma I always pass by everytime I walk up this hill.
"You sure they're not bad influences to you? If you do anything stupid things, I swear--!" She said.
"Don't worry, they're good people! And I won't do anything bad... or stupid, promise! Ah I'm close to the school, Imma go now. Bye mom." I said, reassuring her before hanging up the call.
I tapped my wrist watch as the holoscreen pops up, showing me what time it is.
Still plenty of time before homeroom.
I went upstairs, just looking around as I wave to my friends from different classrooms.
"Dude, did you do the history assignment?" Rev asked loudly as I walk by his classroom.
"Sir Yoji didn't give us any assignments!" I replied loudly as I walk farther away.
"Lucky bastards!" I heard his voice faintly as I laugh at his shenanigans.
I reached my classroom, greeting the people that's currently in the room with a good morning. I placed my bag on my desk as I look at the back row to see if she's already here.
A girl with pink hair and eyes, someone who doesn't talk much but always pay attention to conversations.
"Morning Vely!" I greeted her as I walk towards her.
The person beside her also looked up as they greet me back. His brown skin really makes him stand out, that and how he doesn't talk to those he's not familiar with made him even more mysterious. It's no wonder that some girls from other sections like him.
"Yo dude, you're early today." Juwan said as I walk towards them.
"M-Morning Ced!" Vely greeted back as she raises her hand.
"Whatcha guys doing?" I asked them since it seems like Vely was watching something on her phone.
I took a peak at the holoscreen even if it was inverted at my point of view. Two topless dudes...? What?
"We're watching fighting stuffs." Juwan said as he relaxed on his seat.
"Oh? Fighting stuffs?" I asked as I grabbed a seat and sat beside Vely as well.
"Y-Yes umm! It's just that I thought it was interesting..." Vely said as she puts her phone down and made the holoscreen wider so that I could see it properly.
"Well to be fair, it is interesting. I learned something new." Juwan said as he leans in closer to Vely so that he could talk to me.
"Really?" I said, moving in closer as well.
"Apparently, it's better to use the palm instead of punching with your knuckles if you have no gloves." Juwan continued as he gently pulled Vely so that she won't get squished between us.
Seeing how careful Juwan is with interacting with Vely made me feel happy since both my friend and crush are getting along with each other really well.
"It's kinda weird that their fingers curl right?" Vely said to Juwan as I notice that she's holding on his jacket like usual.
I was worried before that they wouldn't get along well so I'm glad that they're very friendly towards each other.
"Oh right, Yu asked me to ask you if you want to join them in a gig." I said to Juwan as Juwan looked at me.
"Hmm? A gig?" Juwan repeated as we continue to watch random videos on Vely's holoscreen.
"Yeah, their vocalist apparently backed out."
Vely looked at the both of us, head slightly tilted.
"A gig is basically bands performing live." Juwan suddenly said as Vely covered her head with her hands.
What is she doing? That's so cute!
"...I'm not reading it." Juwan said.
"Promise?" Vely asked him as she gently lowers her hand.
"I can't read minds in the first place." Juwan replied as he chuckles.
"What? Reading minds?" I asked as Juwan sighs as after chuckling.
"It's nothing, don't worry about it." He said as the bell rings.
I slowly stood up, waiting for Juwan to stand up as well since the both of us have to go back to our original seats.
"Let's hang out later Vely." I told Vely.
"S-Sure!" Vely replied.
"Talk to you later, Lovely--" Juwan said but his words got cut off.
I looked back and saw Vely pinching his cheek gently.
"Vely." She uttered.
"Sorry ma'am." Juwan said as Vely pulls his cheek.
"Say it." Vely said as her cheeks puff out.
"Vely."
"Again."
"...Vely."
"Good. Talk to you later." Vely said as her pout turns to a big smile, pushing Juwan as he start walking beside me.
A smile forms on my face, I'm really happy they're so friendly with each other.
As soon as we reached out seats, I pulled out the textbook for the first subject of today.
.
.
"Ahhh..." I groaned as the bell for lunch rings loudly.
"What's up?" Juwan asked as he puts his books inside his bag.
"Rev said that Sir Yoji gave them an assignment, I thought we were lucky not to get one.... but no!" I complained since our history teacher gave us an assignment today.
"...isn't that normal?" Juwan asked as he hands me his finished work.
An angel! He's an angel!
"H-how did you-- what--?"
"I finished all the book activities that are part of the syllabus, remember?" He said as he stretched, pulling out another copy and his lunchbox.
We stood up, walking towards Vely's seat row.
"But... why do you have more copy?" I asked him.
"Well, someone else needs a reference." Juwan said.
Someone else? I shrugged and just looked at Vely, only for me to see how confused and in distraught she is.
"Here." Juwan said, handing the copy of his finished work.
Vely's face lit up, smiling as she looks up at us but Juwan's hand immediately landed on Vely's hair, slightly messing with it.
"Hey."
Suddenly a familiar voice called out to us. I turned around only to see Sonaia, smacking Juwan's arm.
"Ack--!"
"Why did you suddenly leave yesterday, you dumbass?!" Sonaia said, still smacking Juwan.
"W-Well because I have to go to my job!" Juwan explained as I laugh at these two's shenanigans.
"Is saying goodbye that hard? Huh?" She asked him, her hands stopped from moving as she sighs.
"Seriously, you're so annoying. Right Vely?" Sonaia said as she suddenly turn to Vely.
Vely's eyes looked kinda distant when Sonaia's voice brought her attention back.
"Hm? A-ah yeah!" Vely said as I chuckle.
"Is it really that bad? Huhu." Juwan said while badly acting as if his feelings are hurt.
"WAHAHAHHAHA!" His expression turned my chuckle from Vely into a full on laughter.
His face--! It's so funny!
"You fucker! Is my sad face really that funny?!"
"It's not really convincing when you're using your hands like that." Sonaia said.
"What?! I'm just wiping my tears off!" Juwan said when there's not a single fucking teae in his eyes as I fall back down to an empty seat while laughing.
Vely laughs as well as she watches Juwan's shenanigans. I saw Juwan's eyes flicker towards her as a smile forms in his face. Sonaia sighs but it's clear that she also found it amusing.
"We should probably go down to the cafeteria if we want to eat." Juwan said as I wipe my tears off from laughing.
"I brought lunch for today." Sonaia said as she puts her big ass lunchbox on the table.
"Oi, you've laughed enough you jerk!" Juwan said to me as I wheeze.
He puts his lunchbox on the table.
I followed his lead, also putting my lunchbox on the table as the three of us have lunchboxes with Vely being the exception.
"Aight, let's go down and--."
"Let's just eat here." Juwan said, cutting me off.
Before I could even wonder why he said that, he pulled his lunch from the lunchbox and gave it to Vely, even handing her the utensils.
"Eh?!" Vely uttered.
Juwan stood up, grabbing his wallet as Vely just looked at him and the lunchbox.
"I'll be back. Imma be fast, promise." Juwan said as he was about to leave his seat.
I looked at my lunchbox and at Vely, feeling my heart ache slightly.
Is it because Juwan gave his lunch to Vely? Is it because he thought of giving his while all I can do is sit here. I can't help but feel jealous.
...No! Why am I feeling jealous towards him? He's my friend! I'm sure that he just cares for Vely's well-being.
"I knew it-- sit down." Sonaia suddenly said, pulling Juwan back to his seat.
"Wha--?"
Suddenly, Sonaia pulled out two lunches inside her lunchbox, two sets of utensils as well as she sighs.
"Here." She gave one of them to Juwan.
"Wait-- I can't just accept this." Juwan said, his voice flustered.
"Eat it." Sonaia said firmly, opening her lunch as her hand hovers on her utensils.
"No, seriously, Shorty I--"
"If you don't eat it now then I'll feed it to you myself."
Juwan suddenly grabbed the utensils and scooped some of the lunch, eating it. Sonaia's tone of voice sounds annoyed but she's clearly smiling.
"Is it tasty?" Sonaia asked as she watches Juwan eat.
"Very tasty." Juwan said as he keeps eating.
"Then thank me properly." Sonaia said, taking a bite of her lunch.
Juwan stopped eating, drinking some water as he looks at Sonaia.
"Thanks for the food." Juwan said to Sonaia as she giggles, her annoyed expression gone.
"Good boy."
Sonaia's hand landed on Juwan's head, messing his already messy hair even more. Juwan looked confuse as Sonaia continues to rustle his hair.
Even if theyre always fighting, I swear these two look cute together--.
Snap.
Hmm?
I turn to where the snapping sound came from as I see Vely's spoon snapped off.
"Vely, you okay?" I asked her.
She looked at me, her eyes looked blank.
"Oh umm, yes." She said.
"Do you need another spoon? I can get one in the canteen." I asked her, I can finally do something for her.
"It's fine." She uttered, turning down my offer.
"My hands were just being clumsy again." She said while smiling.
I can't help but smile from what she said. Seriously, she accidentally snapped off a metal spoon because she was clumsy? Thats so cute!
My phone buzzes, I checked it and saw a glimpse of a message from Yu. Right, their gig.
"Hey Juwan, about the gig..?"
"What's up?" Juwan replied to me.
"Oh, Yu was just asking if you in or nah."
"In on what?" Sonaia asked as Juwan
"Yu asked me to sub in for their gig." Juwan told her as he finishes his lunch.
"Join them!" Sonaia said excitedly.
Some of the students that were in the classroom looked at her but it's clear that she does not give a fuck.
"But I haven't decide--"
"Vely, he should join in right?!" Sonaia suddenly asked.
"Hmm? Well, it's up to Juwan--."
"He's gonna be the one singing."
"Really?" Vely asked, looking at Juwan.
"W-well I'm not sure yet." Juwan said as ue scratched his cheek.
"I'm really curious in hearing you sing though..." Vely said.
"He's really good at singing!" I said, joining in the conversation.
Vely didn't react to what I said. She's probably anticipating Juwan's answer so she didn't hear me.
"Fine, I'll sub for them." Juwan said, sighing as he smiles.
I noticed Sonaia clenching her fist as if she just won or something while Vely gave the lunchbox back to Juwan.
Juwan placed his hand on Vely's hair, rustling it as Vely's smile fades, her face starting to relax. I noticed as she holds his arm and hand while he pat her.
I feel like Vely isn't in the mood for a pat so I raised my hand.
"Hey dude--."
"You okay now?" Juwan asked her. What did he mean by okay now?
"...Mhmm." Vely uttered.
My hand froze midway as I felt myself getting jealous again. Seriously, he's just being a concerned friend for her, am I that insecure? Jeez.
I lowered my hand as I watch the both of them.
.
.
The bell rings again.
But this time, it's for the dismissal. Our teacher leaves our classroom as everyone started to pack up their stuffs.
I looked at Juwan as I saw him stretching like usual. He was looking at a notebook, checking it intensely before putting it back inside his bag.
"You have work today right?" I asked Juwan as he yawns.
"Mhmm hmm." He nods as he stands up.
"Just tell Yu to message me when and where we'll practice for the gig." He said as I stand up as well.
I pulled out my phone, chatting Yu as I relay Juwan's message to him. Juwan and I walk towards Vely's seat row as I put my phone back to my pocket.
Vely looks like she might fall asleep anytime now as her head gently bobs around.
Gosh, she's really adorable.
I went closer towards her. As much as I want to enjoy seeing her like this, it's better for her to sleep in her home so she's comfortable.
My hand reached out to her.
"Hey, don't." Juwan suddenly said.
"Why? It'll be better if she sleeps comfortably right?" I asked him.
"...You don't understand the fun of sleeping in school, do you?" He asked as he chuckles.
What is he talking about? I get it if the class is boring and you just sleep it off... but the fun of it? What?
I just sighed.
I watched Juwan gently lowers her head on her desk as she nuzzles on his hand.
Juwan was right, there is fun to watching her sleep. Gosh she's so cute! I got closer, not wanting to wake her up as Juwan just grabbed a seat, sitting down beside her.
I take a seat and sat down infront of her.
Her pink hair shines even brighter as the setting sun's light reflect on it.
I really do like Vely.
...But I don't know how to tell her.
I look at Juwan as he acts so natural towards her when I can't even properly talk to her since my mind keeps blanking out.
The way they're so friendly with each other made me realize that I should atleast take a step forward , atleast be able to be as comfortable like Juwan with her if I want her to like me back.
Just like Juwan.
I took a deep breath, my hands hovering slightly as I move it to her hair.
I gently pat her while she's sleeping.
"Hmm?"
Suddenly she jolted upwards. Her hand lands on her head, her eyes still look like she's not fully awake but she looks really confused.
She looked at me.
She looked at Juwan.
"Ah. Juwu..."
"Juwu?" Juwan uttered as he has this surprised and amused look on his face.
"Yes Juwu...!" Vely said again as she smiles, her hand still rubbing her hair as if checking something.
I stay silent, just watching them interact.
"Why Juwu?" Juwan asked as he smiles.
"Because Juwan plus UwU equals Juwu..." She said so confidently as I felt myself chuckle.
Juwan and I started to laugh as we continue to listen to Vely.
"What's so funny huh?! It's cutee!" Vely said as she pouts.
"Yes yes, very cute." Juwan replied to her as she suddenly started laughing cutely.
Seriously, I really wish I was this friendly with her just like he is--.
"Hug."
Eh?
"Hug!" Vely repeated herself, raising her arm as she just pouts.
"Why do you wanna hug?" Juwan asked teasingly but his arm was already raised, giving Vely access for a hug.
"Cuz I'm tired... so I'm recharging." Vely said softly, her voice muffled as she tightly hugs Juwan.
I felt my chest tighten.
Juwan smiles, placing his hand on her head as he pats her while she hugs him.
The smile on my face slowly vanish.
I'm overreacting again.
Vely's arm clutches more around his back as she nuzzles on his chest.
"That's the hand I know..." Vely uttered as Juwan caresses her hair.
I'm really overreacting.
It's not like they did something bad, just two friends hugging each other and being friendly with each other.
They're just being friendly.
"Hehe, I'm fully charged." Vely said, looking back at Juwan before hugging him again.
"You just said that you're fully charged, dummy." Juwan said as he smiles, not stopping her from hugging.
They're just being friendly... like usual!
... Right?