If I had skipped class that day everything would be different. The sky was clear and the sun shining. Of course, rumors about a transfer student coming to the school circled around, but I never thought it would be of any concern to me. Sure, we would probably greet each other but after that just forget. Of course, this turned out to be a complete lie.
I was sitting quietly at my table in the back of the class, drawing in my notebook, while the lecture dragged on. We were learning about the laws of physics. It was dull, though I suppose everything is when you feel nothing. Normally I paid some attention in class but today was not one of those days. I hadn't been able to fall asleep last night and just wanted people to leave me alone. I had even thought about skipping but chose not to. Looking back this might have been the best decision of my life but right now I deeply regretted it more than anything.
A knock could be heard before the door slid open. In walked the principal, a small man without a single strand of hair on his head, alongside someone else. Every chitchat that could be heard just a second ago fell silent as their eyes shifted. But their eyes weren't directed at the principal but the tall young man standing beside him. Golden locks slightly covered the deep blue eyes scanning the room.
I quickly lost interest and resumed drawing. What would it matter to me even if there came a new student? Even we somehow ended up interacting, he would probably forget about me right afterwards. Better just to ignore him, or so I thought.
"You can take a seat besides Kieran" said the teacher calmly. Not long after footsteps could be heard. As a shadow was cast on me - the footsteps faintly stopping - and I slowly lifted my gaze. Besides me stood the new student. I knew he was tall when he stood in the front, but he looked even taller now that he stood in front of me.
"You must be Kieran, right?" His face wore a bright smile like bright sunlight, and his tone was like a well refined silk used to hiding things. For a long while I just looked at him. To be honest I didn't want to deal with anyone today. His smile continued to linger on me as if waiting for an answer, but I just turned my gaze back to my notebook. My pencil scratched roughly the page, trying to forget about his presence.
"You don't talk much, do you?" he said after a moment. "Oh you probably didn't listen when I introduced myself, the name is Elian, looking forward to being here." His voice was warm like the sun.
"Why bother giving me your name to someone who won't matter tomorrow?" I replied without looking up.
I half expected him to just leave it at that. Most people did. But instead, a soft chuckle slipped past his lips. "Then I guess I will just have to matter, right." I frowned and finally glanced at him. His eyes - blue as the deep ocean - met my own without hesitation. Most people didn't bother looking too closely at me, as if they would be cursed if they did. But Elian didn't look away. I don't get this guy.
Whispers began to roam the classroom.
"Poor guy, stuck next to him."
"Glad that it isn't me."
"…Think he'll be okay?"
I ignored them, after all I had gotten pretty used to such whispers. Elian on the other hand showed clear signs of displeasure. His smile didn't waver, but his jaw clenched so slightly. It was only for a fleeting moment, making me wonder if I had just imagined it.
The teacher's voice broke through the tension, continuing the class if nothing had happened. I tried to return to my sketch but found myself unable to. My head fell to the desk. If you can't concentrate, then I can at the least sleep. But even after closing my eyes, laying my head on the table, wrapped in my arms, I could still feel eyes lying on me.