Our Fragile Hearts (A Short BL Story)

Chapter 2

It was a crisp morning in 2012, and I found myself in the bustling lockers area of our high school, preparing for another day of classes. The scent of freshly polished floors mingled with the energetic chatter of students, creating a familiar atmosphere that carried a hint of nostalgia.

As I fumbled with my locker combination, trying to retrieve my books and neatly arrange them, I heard familiar voices approaching. Ike and Thor, my closest friends, appeared by my side, their backpacks slung over their shoulders.

"Hey, Andrei, have you seen the math test results yet?" Thor asked lazily, his sandy-blond hair slightly tousled. His mischievous blue eyes sparkled with a hint of mischief, reflecting his playful nature. He towered over me, his lanky frame exuding an air of nonchalance.

I chuckled, my gaze shifting to Ike, the more reserved and studious one among us. With his neatly trimmed dark hair and glasses perched on his nose, he exuded an air of quiet intellect. His gentle brown eyes held a depth of wisdom beyond his years, always observing and taking in the world around him. Though he was timid, his thoughtful insights were always valued in our group.

Thor shrugged nonchalantly, a mischievous smile playing on his lips. "No worries, Andrei. We'll survive somehow. Maybe we should form a study group or something."

Ike, ever the quiet one, nodded in agreement, his warm smile peeking through his calm demeanor. "That's not a bad idea, Andrei. We could help each other out and finally conquer those difficult subjects."

Our conversation flowed seamlessly as we walked from the lockers to the corridors, discussing the upcoming exams and the latest gossip circulating through the school. We recalled the recent house party at Ashley Graham's place, a social event we regretfully missed. It seemed that everyone was buzzing about the party, and we were the only ones unaware.

"Man, we missed out on a legendary party," I said, a hint of playful regret in my voice. "We should've gone, especially since we were among the first to get the invitation. What were we thinking?"

Thor's sky-blue eyes glinted mischievously as he shrugged nonchalantly. "Eh, parties aren't really my thing anyway. Besides, we had our own fun that night, right?"

Ike chuckled softly, his voice barely audible. "Yeah, painting our crazy art project until the early hours of the morning. Good times."

As we made our way towards the guidance office, an unfamiliar face caught my attention. My gaze fixated on the side profile of the student entering the office, curiosity piqued. Before the door closed, our eyes met for a brief moment, an unspoken connection that left me wondering who he was.

Leaving the mystery behind, we entered our classroom, taking our seats at the back. The atmosphere was lively, filled with the energetic buzz of conversations and laughter. Hardie Jefferson, the class clown, orchestrated most of the unruly fun, his charismatic presence captivating the attention of the classmates. Though we weren't particularly close with Hardie, we admired his confidence and charm from a distance.

The classroom seemed to have its own symphony of chaos. Desks scraped against the floor, papers rustled, and voices intertwined in a melodious cacophony. Amidst the commotion, the teacher's arrival signalled the beginning of the lesson.

Just as the noise began to subside, the door swung open once again, revealing our teacher, Mrs. Carlile. She walked in with a companion by her side, an unfamiliar student who soon became all too familiar. Mrs. Carlile introduced him as Galen Hawthorne, his striking presence commanding attention.

Galen had an aura of quiet strength, his piercing gaze hiding secrets untold. His rugged features were accentuated by a bruise on his face, suggesting an encounter that had left its mark. Tall and well-built, he exuded a sense of quiet confidence that drew the attention of those around him. His dark hair was tousled, adding to his mysterious allure.