It was serene in the morning... the sky was clear. I was on my way to my college.

Then suddenly I saw some thugs alongside the road

I took a closer look at them …

They were beating up a boy in uniform.

" Ahh… People these days 😬 …should I go and help him?? "🤔

"It's none of my business 😒 besides if I get caught then that's it ....mom's gonna kill me for getting into fight".

"Pls pls let me go ... I don't have any more money.... that's all I have" the boy's voice my piercing my ears

Then one of the thugs started stripping him...

" You don't have money ha???"...then he gave the boy a hard slap on his face.

Don't look... don't look... I kept reminding myself...

Ahh …whatever I can't 😑

" Hey ! Guys what's going on... can't you let the boy go alone... he said he doesn't have any more money"

"Mind your own business boy" one of the thugs said.

"I was ... but then you know I couldn't stop myself from coming...".

"Oho... so you think you are a hero trying to save this boy ha… What a scene "

"Guys look this boy also needs some treatment from us, I think ... trying to act smart" said another one of them.

" Look guys ... I am on my way to my college and don't wanna fight with you guys…"

"I have called the cops they will be here in any minute ...so rest assured if you don't want to be in jail, let that boy go alone"

They seemed to murmur something and the gang leader came up to me ...

"Look boy... don't think it's over. WE WILL COME BACK FOR YOU 😠 ... and at that time you won't have your so-called cops along with you to help".

And then they left....

I went up to the boy... he was lying down ,his shirt torn, crying , dirt all over the face and body .

"Hey... get up "

The boy looked up and stared at me

What are you looking at ?? 🤨 get up .. Or else you are going to be late…

He got up and said " THANKS " 🥺

"Whatever.... here take these .you can't go to the college looking like that "I said handing over my hoodie...

" I think I have an extra uniform in my locker. When we reach there I will give it to you"

"So what's your name ... I think I haven't seen you in the college "

"My name's Reggie. And I'm a freshman. I got transferred here 2 days ago..." he said straightening his eyeglasses

"So you are my junior .... Nice to meet you junior. My name's shine". I said

I don't know if I felt it or what, but the boy gave side glances at me on our way to the college.

How do I describe him?? Hmm mm... He was small , not too short, handsome should I say?? No....no... May be cute … Ya cute…

Big eyes, small nose, attractive lips…

wait wait I shouldn't be thinking about him.....

We reached the college just in time...

"Come with me" I said as I led him towards my locker .

"Here you go" .I handed over my extra uniform that I had."

"Try it on. Don't know if it would fit you..."

He took the uniform, his face still covered with his tears...

He remained silent for some time and said " thank you so much, if you hadn't intervened, then I don't know what would have happened...."

"It is OK boy ... nothing much... I didn't do anything "

"No..no ... I need to thank you properly for saving me...".

" Now if you really want to thank me then you could buy me today's lunch... what say??...are you ok with that???...."

"Ohhh!! Sure!! I would love to"

"Then meet me at the canteen during our lunchtime today"

Suddenly I saw a boy in a skating board coming towards us in full speed..

"Hey!!!! Watch out !!!!"... I pulled Reggie closer to me so that he wouldn't bump into the guy.

His face was close to my chest .... I could hear his heavy breathing..... his body felt so thin...

"Uhh .... sorry!!! I didn't mean to do that ... that guy.... he ..he was coming so fast...and ....and I thought he would bump into you....."☺

"Uhhhh Mm mm..... it's ok ....." He said avoiding my eyes.

"Ok ...ok then , see you at the canteen...☺"

With that I left him there , I sped fast so that I could avoid the embarrassment...

Why??why in the world did I do that ??

Seriously ,something has happened to me...

........

I was feeling sleepy after all those hours of lecture..... I felt listening to classes weren't my cup of tea .... I had other plans... I liked taking photos and enjoying life as it was...

It was lunchtime... I had almost forgotten about the junior…

There in the corner of the canteen, I saw him sitting alone ,looking into his phone ...

Well, I suppose he hasn't made friends yet...Hm mm... I thought

I went towards him and sat opposite to him.

"Hey junior!! What's up ?? Why are you sitting alone???"

"Uhh... Hi.... u mm.. I wanted to treat you a proper lunch, so I reserved this place for us ...""

Hhhhaaa?? Ok... Nice..... but next time it would be better if I could meet your friends too. Well, I don't know if there would be a next time I guess". I said smiling at him.

"Can I have lunch with you tomorrow also... it's just that I haven't made friends here yet "

I looked at him and paused for a moment before saying "

"Well boy , you can't have lunch with me the whole time right? You need to make friends... you need to communicate.... you need to socialize...."

It seemed like a parent giving advice to his son

His face went down....

"I didn't mean that....it's just that I wanted to know you more.. I wanted to become more close to you...."

Did I hear that right???he wanted to know about me more ??? He wanted to become closer to me??😶

I didn't know what to say to this... so I kept myself busy with the food..

We didn't talk much as we ate the food

When we were done with the food , I stood up.

"Gotta go now ... I have classes.. Bye 👋..." .i looked up and felt his face seemed unhappy...

I didn't know why ,but I couldn't leave him like that.

" Hey ,do you always come alone in the morning????. I mean ,I could accompany you if you want me to ..."

His face lit up..." yes I would love to come along with you"

"Then meet me at the round square sharp 8 in the morning...and we can come together... "

"Mmm... ok...." He said with his tiny voice

And with that I left him and walked towards my class.

I must be nuts??? Why am I getting involved with this boy again and again ?? We will be good friends... yes ,friends.... but something says not.....if this goes on .... May be more than friends...

Wait... am I having feelings for him??? What do you think????

It was late in the evening...

I was going to the club with my friends... in front of me I saw Reggie walking alone the road.

This guy seriously needs some friends...

"Hey guys! You guys go to the club ..... I need to go to the house early today. I have plans ... bye 👋"

I waved at my friends and went behind Reggie...

He was having earphones in his ears...his hands in the pocket...unbothered about others....

"Heyyy!! what's up!!" I tapped his shoulder.

"ohh!! hiiii!!"He seemed a bit excited seeing me .

u going home???

"Umhmmm I.. I have ..uhh ...yes ..I am going home..." He said with uncertainty

"then let me come with you....". I saw him smiling with his little cute face.

we went through the bridge ... the park ,the serene nature made it more of interesting to walk with him.

"do you have any siblings ??" He enquired

"uhmm no... I am the only child in my family" I answered not knowing why he asked that suddenly.

"ohhhh... I have a younger sister you know.. her name is Jessie.... "

He does know how to engage in a conversation I guess.. now why the hell hasn't he made any friends yet.

"Mmmm.... you are a freshman right? aren't you going for any tuition or anything or is it that you are a prodigy or something???"

He let out a laugh before answering " I do have tuitions but not everyday... just on Tuesdays and Thursdays...

"ohhhhkkk.....wait ..isn't today Thursday?"🤨

"yes I guess.. 😅.. Well I'm not feeling well today and I want to walk with you"

what!!!!!!!! what did he say .. did I hear that correctly?????? he wants to walk with me ??? he is skipping his classes for me??? ohh my yyy.

suddenly I felt the urge to say a lie

"I should get going... I forgot .. I need to give a book to my friend ... bye ..see you tomorrow... " and with that I ran in the opposite direction.

what was I thinking?? Will he feel bad?? I shouldn't have accompanied him in the first place. I hope he goes back to the tuition..

"heyy !!!" ... came a voice from behind

 i turned back and saw him coming towards me.

what happened now ???...why is he coming back???.

he came towards me ,nearing ... nearing ...nearer....held my face with his tiny hands and then ....BOOM

mmmnhh ....mm...before I could know what was happening , I saw myself kissing 💋 him.

mmmmhh....

his soft lips touched mine .. I couldn't see anything else but his beautiful eyes , his nose ...his cheeks .....

I was exploring his face every ,inch ....bit by bit

STOP!!!!!!!!

I pushed him back ..... I couldn't stand there with him anymore

I ran away from him as fast as I could . I couldn't just stand there like that ......

what the hell did happen just now!!!!

I reached home earlier than I thought.

I kept my bag on the table. rushed to the shower and merged in the splash of cold water....

.