(Bro chill its fine.)
"Um…" Tristan didn't really see the question coming. "Practically every day after school. My mom makes me do it here only because we can't afford a piano." Which is dumb…
“Can I- Would you mind if I came to watch tomorrow too?” Chase asked nervously, then immediately regretted it. He shouldn’t force Tristan into an uncomfortable situation.
“Only if you want to— I don’t really mind company… Except when it’s Kemp and Jacob…” He trailed off, putting his water back. Tristan got back on the piano stool, crossing his legs as he usually did. “I mean… It’s really your choice. I’m not going to force you.”
“I’d really like to,” Chase smiled shyly, going to pick up his backpack once he saw the time. His father wouldn’t be happy. “I should go, but I’ll see you… tomorrow?”
“Feel free to come tomorrow (assuming it’s not Friday),” Tristan shoved everything into his own backpack, making sure not to mangle his piano book more than it already is. “Although, I’m not sure if I’m feeling piano tomorrow…. Might do something else…” He saddled his backpack on his small shoulders. “But sure— I’ll see you tomorrow.”
(Timeskip?)
(Kay)
Chase was just getting out of the lunch line when he decided he’d try -just a tiny hope- to sit with Tristan today. He nervously made his way across the cafeteria, trying to get a glimpse of the auburn hair.
Tristan was at his usual spot— at a high table, with his legs crossed on the chair. He was still working on his grizzly drawing with thoughts on giving it to Chase possibly after school— that was, if he was going to the practice room like he said he was.
Chase approached shyly, “Uhh… hi, Tristan,” He smiled nervously, holding his lunch tray with white knuckles he was so nervous. Why……?
Tristan saw Chase and he grinned. “Oh— hey. I….” He hesitated a little bit, but continued without much shame. “Yesterday at lunch I thought you were coming back here…. did something happen, or…?” Just his behavior kind of worries me…
“Oh? Oh that, I, uh, I dunno… I was worried you didn’t- you didn’t want me around…” Chase mumbled, ready to retreat and leave again as he studied Tristan’s reaction.
Tristan flushed. “…Why would I think that? I…. I mean…” He found himself stumbling as he fished for the right words. “It’s been the first time in a long time that I enjoyed someone’s company. I’m so sick of being alone…” He confessed. Don’t tell me he’s changing his mind…
“Wait really?” Chase breathed, eyes lighting up, “I had- I had thought I was a nuisance, I thought you didn’t like me,” Chase found himself already sitting down next to Tristan excitedly.
“Oh, no,” he shook his head. “Why would you even mention those two concepts in the same breath… you being a nuisance…..” He pulled the grizzly sketch out of his notebook and gave it to him. “Here. It’s yours.”
“Wait what?” It was so well drew(drawen? Idk)… “It’s so amazing!” He couldn’t take his eyes off the grizzly sketch, it looked perfect… “Wow…”
(Drawn, lol)
“Yeah…” He found himself turning a bit red. “You were just having a bad day yesterday, and…. I just felt like you could’ve used a little something to make your day better.” Tristan opened up his water and began to drink. Hopefully today will go a bit better…
Chase blushed himself. Not many people noticed how he was doing. “Th-Thank you,” He smiled shyly, and began picking at bits of his food, but not fully consuming anything as usual.
“….Um… aren’t you going to eat your lunch…?” It was ironic, because Tristan didn’t want to eat either. “I’m usually starving by the time lunch rolls around, but it doesn’t take much to fill me up…” My mom seems to think a bit differently though.
“Hmmmmm?” Chase looked down at his plate, “I’m just not that hungry…” Not the hungry for not eating for a few days… Chase ignored the thought, chewing on his lip.
(The hungry!! AAA!!!!!)
“You should at least eat something, even if it’s a tiny bite,” Tristan did more doodling and eating at the same time. “Don’t make me worry about you—“ He realized what he said only after it being said, and he looked over at Chase, his whole body warming up uncontrollably. Jeez… I’m such a wreck…
(Whatever…)
Chase blushed, but obliged slightly and slowly ate a fry as he said between bites, “You- You shouldn’t have to worry about me.” He felt like a field full of flowers, with butterflies everywhere. Tristan is really cute…
(Awwwww he is cute -w-)
“Well, keep on starving yourself and I will,” Tristan sighed restlessly, putting his pen down. He drank more of his water, trying to cool himself down. He wasn’t sure what else to do, let alone what else to say to him.
Chase blushed a little more, unsure of what to say and he nibbled on another fry, “I… Th-Thank you, Tristan…” He blushed even further, looking away in hopes of Tristan not seeing how flustered he was.
“There’s nothing to thank me for,” He uttered. “I’m just trying to be a good friend…” And for a first try, I’m not sure if I’m doing too good. He ate the rest of his food that he wanted to eat and closed his lunchbox, glancing over at Chase. “…You doing alright?”
“I’ve just… I’ve never h-had a friend before,” He said quietly, a tiny twinkle in his eyes. “Most people think I’m a freak because of my synesthesia and my-“ Chase cut himself off before he finished the statement. My sexuality. He didn’t want Tristan to leave.
Tristan shook his head, a bitter taste to the word ‘freak.’ “I suppose people don’t see what’s underneath you synesthesia and your what??” He wasn’t sure if he didn’t say anything or if he didn’t catch it. “I mean, whatever it is, people shouldn’t judge you on that.”
“I- People should judge me, I’m a freak.” Chase said again, the words Kemp and Jacob hammered into his head long ago. “I’m a freak that doesn’t even deserve to go to the same school as you,” Chase stood, grabbing his lunch tray and muttering, “I go to go throw away my lunch.”
….I’m still not understanding him…. Tristan watched him leave. He deserves every right to be here… He began to pack the rest of his stuff away with a heavy weight pressing on his shoulders. It just isn’t fair… So what if he’s being called a freak..? Kemp and Jacob are just arrogant asses who don’t see past the surface…Yet… I don’t really think I can help…
Chase walked back, still staring at the ground as he mumbled, “See you after school again today?” At least he had one good thing to look forward to today, listening to Tristan play.
