“Well… I’m Tristan. And…. it’s nice to meet your aquaintance…..” He took a minute from his sketching and stuff to really pay attention to Chase. He seems like he’s having a bad day… maybe it’s only gonna get worse from here. “Um…. Are you going to get lunch, or……?”
Chase took it as a dismissal, “I… yeah, I need to order lunch anyways, I’ll go, sorry for bothering you…” Chase started walking towards the lunch line, trying not to be too disappointed. It’s not like I’d have been treated any differently…
Tristan watched him leave. Sorry for bothering me….?? I’m not understanding this Chase’s mind….. yet, I don’t undertsnand anyone anyways… He glanced down at his stuff. …My guess is that he generally thinks everyone despises him….. that’s gotta be… bad…
He opened up his lunchbox and found the most generic food. Tristan sighed hopelessly. Mom never knows what I want….
Chase got his hot lunch, a group of jocks sniggering quietly amongst themselves as they bought all the cookies just before Chase could get there. He sighed, bought his food, then found a seat in the corner of the lunchroom, alone and lonely.
(:0 how could they buy all the cookies?)
At least twenty minutes went by, and Tristan glanced up and looked around. I…. I thought he was coming back….. He couldn’t find Chase, and he got a little worried. I fear for what he’s going through… He tried to think about when he said that he was pulling him into getting teased. ….Maybe I can do something to make his day a little better….
He turned to a new page in his book and began drawing a grizzly in the river, catching some salmon for its dinner. I’m unsure what kind of things he’s interested in, though, but it’s the least I can do….
(There weren’t many cookies and a lot of jocks lol)
Chase only poked and prodded at his food, only ending up taking a nibble of a french fry before standing up and throwing away his food, despite the hunger eating away at him. He just wasn’t in the mood to eat.
(Oooooo okay)
Tristan managed to drink some of his water before lunch was over— he was so absorbed in his drawing that he forgot to eat. Knowing that his mom was going to scold him, he shoved everything else down his throat before heading back to his locker. I wonder where he went… he just kinda…. disappeared.
Chase walked back to his class, a hollow feeling sinking to settle in his chest. He didn’t even realize he was walking by Tristan’s locker until he tripped and fell only too look up an day see the guy not a few feet away.
(Lol what’s that supposed to mean? Look up an day? Aaaaaaa)
Tristan flinched at the subtly of his fall. “Oh, man, that was some fall— are you alright??” With everything still in his hands he tried to help him up. Jeez, that looked awful….
(Auto correct, it was supposed to be ‘and’)
“Uh, y-yeah,” Chase stuttered, getting to his feet and staring at the ground. He doesn’t want me here, no one does, I should go… “Th-Thanks,” Chase said quietly, a feeling in his chest keeping him planted beside Tristan.
(Ooof sometimes I wonder what’s going on when that happens….)
“You’re welcome.” The feeling of being appreciated was so rare, he felt like he never said those words like that even once in his lifetime. He doesn’t deserve to be pushed around…
Tristan noticed his notebook was opened just a little, and he tried to keep the grizzly sketch hidden as he got the rest of his stuff out of his locker. “So… what class are you heading to next?”
Chase perked up slightly when Tristan asked him, “I’m going to math, what about you?” Is he… Is he trying to be my friend? No, that’s not possible… “Cool bear drawings by the way,” He added shyly, a tiny smile -such a rare expression- appearing on his face.
“Well….” Tristan was unsure what to say first. “I just had math last hour, unfortunately, so I’ll be heading to “foods and nutrition”……” A light redness appeared on his face. “And I’m glad you appreciate my bear drawings…. I love them so much, and it means something when someone else enjoys them too.”
“You’re- You’re just very good at drawing.” He replied shyly, then looked at the clock, “I gotta go, but I’ll see you around…” Chase mumbled, but smiled as he walked away to class.
Tristan watched him go until he was out of sight— which didn’t take long. “I’ll see you later…” He was left a bit flustered. He said he’d see me around…. He gathered up his stuff and headed down to his classroom, getting there a bit early.
He decided to open up his notebook and continue his grizzly picture. This one’s definitely to you, my only friend…
(timeskip?)
(Um… to what? Their next class?? Then sure)
(Maybe until after school or the next time they can interact?)
(After school— Tristan has to practice his piano…. at school… because his parents can’t afford one.)
Chase slung his backpack over his shoulder, walking down the hall but he hesitated just outside the music department. The piano was playing a beautiful melody, so beautiful that he entered the room out of curiosity.
Tristan was practicing out of his usual, worn and torn piano book that he had since he was four. Mom seriously needs to stop making me do this… I enjoy it, yet I don’t…. He struggled to reach the pedals down low at times, but he learned to adjust the stool before he sat down. …I really just wanna go home….
Chase’s eyes widened when he saw Tristan, letting his backpack slide off his shoulders to rest on the floor as he watched in awe. It’s so pretty… He sat down on the nearest chair so he could listen, if only for a little bit.
He practiced a little more, turning the page when he had a chance. I like music, but only when others do the hard work… Tristan’s fingers flew around the keys like magic, concentrating very hard to get as many right notes as he could the first time around. Maybe Mom should learn the piano to see how hard this actually is…
Chase closed his eyes, letting himself get lost in the music Tristan was making. It was calming, and it was just him, Tristan, and the music. Even if the guy didn’t know Chase was here, the only thing that matter was that Kemp and Jacob and the world were absent.
Tristan began to submerge himself into his own world, moving with every note and phrase. I know I truthfully don’t enjoy this, but I may as well make the most of the time I have away from my parents…
His fingers and feet began to ache, so he stopped at the end of the song to take a break. Good work… I guess Mom will be proud of you… somewhat…
Chase opened his eyes when the music stopped, “That was beautiful…” He trailed off, then turned red because of how creepy it must of looked- Chase sitting in the music and listening to Tristan play the piano.
Tristan flinched at Chase’s voice, swiveling around with his face red as well. “I-I didn’t hear you come in.” Yikes, that almost gave me a heart attack… “I… I’m glad you think it’s beautiful… My mom would beg to differ, though…” His heartbeat began to slow as he calmed down, reaching over to his backpack to grab his waterbottle. Why would anyone bother to listen to me?
“It sounded really nice…” Chase trailed off shyly, biting his lip, “I… Sorry I came in here without your permission, it just sounded so nice and I was curious…” Chase dared looking back up at Tristan nervously.
Tristan smiled awkwardly. "Well, sometimes it's best to spectate unnoticed…" He took a swig of water. "I always do worse when I know someone's watching. So I guess I can say stop by whenever you feel like it."
“Really?” Chase lit up, beaming from ear to ear, “How often do you play?” He asked excitedly, not realizing how stupid he probably looked. (sorry it’s so short)
