Leo ... " a sudden sound echoed the school corridor . The young man turned back, hearing a familiar tone, It's John...his only dearest annoying best friend, since grade 4 .

(Leo is a tall, masculine young man with brunette hair which covers most his forehead and with big eyes. The pitch black mole on his neck always stands out. he's studying final year of his high school. Leo's mother died when he's 10, His father has raised him alone and has always been there, as a friend for him. He really feel lucky to have him. But that made him too spoiled, He is very impatient and stubborn when things are left undone.)

Leo sighed with disbelief about the loud noise that his friend made, he continued to wait for him at the same place.

( John, who is the same grade as Leo but class A, as John's subject credits were a little more than Leo's. John's is 6ft and has sleek black hair with porcelain skin. The compass tattoo behind his ear makes him more attractive. John is a very friendly person he cherish all his friends specially Leo. But he's way more possessive towards his close ones, which fears Leo the most.)

"Have you done with your lesson?" looks like you have one more class to attend. Did you miss it?" John asked as his friend walked out of class before the bell rang.

"The class has been cancelled jo, I'm so exhausted today, let's head to our dorm." Leo told as he flexed his muscles.

On reaching their dorm, Leo rushed to take hot shower to relax his body, he ate a light meal and after a few nights of not being able to sleep he could no longer stop himself so he turned in bed before 8.

~next day~

After a restful night's sleep, Leo asked, "This year went by quickly. In just two months we will be graduating soon . Did you decide your major?"

"This year's assignments, projects, and thesis were made simple to finish, I had already decided on the business administration chipmunk," John expressed his irritation with their final year of school.

"Attention class!" A grumpy voice made the whole class quiet.

"Ms. Lara is on a leave today, so the afternoon classes were cancelled. Thank you." The class monitor announced it and left the room.

As there were no further classes to both of them, John asked Leo to join him for the new game he has downloaded last week, and he can't wait to try it. Leo smiled making it as YES . he always enjoy playing games with his friend which is one his favourite thing of all the time.

When they were about to reach their dorm , They witnessed a person, stop in front of them, touching her knees, panting, and taking heavy breaths. It took her a few minutes to calm down. Both the boys were panicked but waited for her to settle. The girl gestured that she's ok, as john gave her his water bottle.

" what's the news that made you run like crazy from your school" ? Is everything alright ?" tell us, Nina. Leo asked as he felt anxious .

Nina told there's nothing to worry about and she's alright, the thing it's a big news, that she finally got shortlisted in the College Film Making Competition and she's finally participating. Both the boys felt really happy for her.

"Its not big news , it's GOOD NEWS sissy." Jo expressed his excitement.

"let have a party." Leo said.

( Nina is like an elder sister to both Leo and John. She is in her second year of post-graduation, majoring in film. Despite her shortness, she has sharp blue eyes, thin eyebrows, and fair skin. She loves filmmaking but she has failed to get selected to the Competition twice already. This is her last chance and she really wants to win for the scholarship to study in Italy.)

The trio hugged together circling and patting each other shoulder with joy and excitement. They are really happy and proud of their sister as she's finally doing what she really wants.

Flashback.........

grade 4:

" Is there anyone beside you? can I sit here?" Asked a friendly voice to the person in front of him

"Yea......yeah you can , no one there " answered the other.

" what's your name ? by the way ....I'm John, nice to meet you". The boy said in a cheery voice, trying to initiate chit chats with the newcomer.

"Leo" answered the other one.

"Do you want to have lunch with me?" John asked Leo.

He hesitated a bit but nodded YES.

John really made Leo comfortable around him so that the new school won't terrify his little buddy, he's as innocent as he looks , spreads smiles , best at drawings but worst at sports.

They both help each other during their study sections, homework, assignments etc. Their childhood was simple and sweet even though they were hard times they pulled them off together.

~ PART 2

(Continuation)__

grade 10:

" Leo! Hand me that laptop. There's some urgent mail to be sent."

"Leo ...HEY DUDE..."shouted John. He observed that his friend has been absent-minded since he returned to their dorm.

"Jo! Shit , are you going to rip my ears? Here's your laptop". Leo threw it to John's chest.

John completed his work and sat beside Leo, asking if he's okay or if he's been through any trouble lately.

" jo..I'm fine. its not what you think. It's like.. I saw a girl today at the coffee shop near our school."

John took a few minutes to understand what his friend was saying because he never heard Leo talking about girls and stuff. He gestured Leo to continue .

"Well.... I was so pissed over Rick when he stopped working in our team project and doing all the unusual stuff. You know I hate dead lines. But then came our class monitor. She was not fair in her looks, but beautiful as for a teenager, she apologized for being late and learned what was going on with our team. She gave a side eye to Rick before facing him. She was annoyed as I was. Lisa too hates deadlines as a class monitor she's a perfectionist.

Lisa warned, "Mr. Rick, I don't care who you really are, but you should have some sense of responsibility and, if you don't know what that means, I'll bring my 5 yr. Cousin to teach you. You might better be co-operative until you are in my team. So take your seat and better finish the work soon" she sounded as loud as she could, ignoring the others in the cafe. Rick seemed angry but obeyed and then everything went well with some smiles, warnings and coffee.

John smiled ear to ear, after hearing him. "oh, the class monitor again! If your are interested just go after her chipmunk, if you really want to know her, or get together."

Leo doesn't speak but he's unsure about getting know of e/o. it's just a feeling of amusement and curiosity. He couldn't define it as further.

Grade 11:

" Leo, what do you think of homosexuals" ? John asked when seeing an advertisement. His tone lowered but audible .

He feared what his friend was going to say.Cause there was never a topic like this between them. But both of them know it's not something that should be a joke or left unfinished. So Leo answered with the same calming tone .

" Well...I've not experienced it till now because I'm unsure about my sexuality, but when you ask about homosexuals ...it's like they were not criminals, right .... I'm not against them, Jo.

" Do you think....they are abnormal ?" John sounded even more calm than earlier.

"What's abnormal in your dictionary, jo?" Leo took it seriously, but he didn't raise his voice.

"Umm..." John reminded him silently. He felt a little tensed but didn't answer .

"Look, Jo! Liking something that's not similar to others won't make you abnormal." It's the term used for diagnosis purposes and some medical ones...it's not for feelings, likes and dislikes, Leo assured.

"Umm..." John remind silent. He felt little tensed but didn't answered .

"John gave a little smile and he's somewhat proud on what his friend told. Leo observed his friend, but he didn't rushed him.

"Well ....I think ...I'm......I'm homosexual Leo ! John said with hesitation on what his friend going to say even he though he believes in equality.

Leo is little stunned but taken back immediately. He hugged his friend who is about to burst any time and comforted

" look jo ! You are my friend and you will always be if you like a girl or a boy or even both. Stop with your overthinking . I'm here for you. Even the whole world judge you, I'll not, We are friends for what we have gone through and not for our common interests, likes and dislikes."

" jo ! felt happy, he has got the best buddy and always glad that he met Leo.

" Well....I know a guy ...who's not so good looking but fits enough for you " Leo said with a smile .

Oh ! Who's that ? John felt excited.

" Ace " Leo controlled his laugh as he saw the other person fuming with annoyance by that name.

" what ...that idiot ....that darn idiot ..." John anger at peaks. He doesn't believe Leo could say Ace name .

Leo doesn't know why John dislikes Ace so much , He doesn't get it till now, Even Aces presence make his mood spoiled. But he loves teasing his bestie.

John is the happiest person on the planet, cause he's not afraid of his friends or family as they were happy about him and they told him that the world always moves forward so he should focus on himself and one day all the things get in their place.

he felt much relaxed after coming out. he believes one or none policy in his love life. But always thankful to the person that made him know himself.

Leo kept running as fast as he could because he didn't want to miss his morning class. He stopped suddenly, making John (who's behind) get hit by his back. With pain and anger, he asked,

"Damn Leo! Why did you stop all of a sudden? Mann, argh... my nose!" John whimpered.

He observed that Leo was standing in place, his eyes fixated as he saw something he shouldn't.

John walked a few steps forward to see what made his friend stop. "Oh! Hi Lisa, you were late too. usually aren't you the first to class always? What made you hold back?"

Lisa turned to John, and she answered with a fake smile. John was taken back, as he already knew that's the smile he always gets when Lisa is embarrassed or unable to answer.

John kept his arms on Leo, making him come back to his senses. He gestured at his friend, and they started walking to their class.

John couldn't stand the silence between them, so he walked fast to his classroom, leaving the other two.

( Lisa , is same class as Leo who is a class monitor, she has rose skin, pretty eyes which always shine bright and kind but rude at times .)

Maybe the reason Leo doesn't want to miss his morning class is HER, she's the only girl he has a good impression. But he never tried making chit chats.....

" Leo !"....Lisa called .

"Y...ye..yes . What's it Lisa ?" Leo stuttered.

"Are you Okay with the group project that we have to do or you wanna change your team mate?"

Leo was he too stunned to speak ..he forgot that he has his last thesis to submit that too as a group

"Umm ...I just forgot about that , and yeah I don't want to change group it's okay we can work it out together tell me your free time .." Leo said as he's excited about Lisa initiating their conversation.

"Okay ...then , we will meet at library every day after class from tomorrow, bye. " Lisa told and left the place.

~ IN THE DORM ~

" Nina , you don't have to worry , it will be alright , you have already won the 1 and 2nd rounds , just cheer up and give your all at the last one too " John's soothing Nina's on a phone call

" but I'm at 5 in the top 5. Do you think I can make it ?" Although Nina's tough, she is worried most about her competitions.

"At least you are in the top 5 ! Just give your best and don't give up now." John's trying to console her, but he's as worried as Nina.

"Okay ! I'll try ..see ya ..we will catch up after things settle." Nina said.

Yeah .bye , take care sissy ...John ended his call and saw the person in front of him behaving strangely.

"You Okay bro !!" John asked with confusion, seeing Leo happier than usual and excited .

"Yes, I'm!" Leo said with a broad smile .

" Ohh ! What made my chipmunk whipped ? John asked while patting Leo's head softly.

"You sweetheart😏 ..." Leo told as he stood up and leaned close to john. John lost his words.

" LEO !!! 😳......Argh dude... can u stop joking around and tell me what made this handsome to melt just like butter cream? "Leo adjusted his posture and told John.

"Well ....Lisa.....asked me out. "

John was in shock ...He was curious about the news, "did she confessed !!!! I didn't think she was that type..broo u got some luck, let's...."Leo closed John's mouth and told him to listen completely.

"It's like we are having a group project for the last semester and she is my team mate, so we decided to hangout at the library till the submission of our work.

John's smile had disappeared, his expression went from excitement to dull but he continued...." chipmunk ! You finally have a chance to know her so take your time and ask her for a date . "

" Humph"....Leo nodded.

He changed the topic, to Nina and asked John about planning a leave for school for the final competition so that they could cheer for their sis at her college .

The night was spent like usual with studies and some fun games .