What once was, what might have been

Zaiex Axverifzor, 14 y/o, a grade 7 junior highschooler. A game geek and science nerd. Wearing glasses and what seems to be a v-neck sweater with a button up shirt underneath. Despite his personality and character, he seems to be so friendly and caring. He is much closer to girls than boys, that is why most his classmates are thinking he’s gay or at least his boy classmates. Zaiex, admits that he likes guys and gals all the same, but no one knows he mostly is attracted to guys. He likes some of his classmates, but most of them are a bully to him. They’re teasing him, making jokes about him and sometimes touch him or get close to him in an uncomfortable way. Because he is mostly a pacifist type, he tries to avoid conflict as much as possible, he also doesn’t want others close to him to be affected by his problems so does his best to keep all his problems all to himself.

It was his first day in high school. All new faces and new friends. Zaiex will attend a school called Polytechnic Higschool and College Institute. A famous school for having wide variety of sports and academic activities. Zaiex never cared which school he goes to as long as he gets to read and play instruments and secretly play soccer as well. He’s not that athletic but playing soccer was one of his dreams to play for sports. His parents chose this school since one of his 2 childhood friends are going there also. It may be the best school for him, but little did he know it’s a school that will change his life after graduation.

“I’ll be going now.” Zaiex shouted to his grandmother and mother. “Take care. Don’t forget your umbrella okay? You always tend to forget them.” Her mother exclaimed. “Ugh! I know. I won’t. Bye!” Zaiex replied scurrying off. He then arrived at school, it was just a 10 minute walk from his house. As he arrived at the front gates of the school, he then met up with his friends.

“Hey Zai! Good morning.” A chubby girl with a beautiful voice and face, and funny as well, wearing the school’s uniform, checkered skirt and u-necked sweater with button-up shirt underneath with a small red necktie, came up to him. The girl’s name was Lily Mifleur, she is her friend since 4th grade. Accompanying her is another girl, quiet, but really smart, and sometimes is bullied as well. Her name is Asche Jeoyun. “Hello Zaiex. Did you enjoy the music video I sent you yesterday?” Asche asked. “It was great! The lead vocalist was cool, but I liked the pianist better. No hate ofcourse.” Zaiex laughed. They kept on talking about music and bands. Students hustle and bustle about the school grounds, and as the three are about to enter the school gate, a person rudely bumped into him almost pushing him down. Zaiex looked up and saw his former best friend, Aiden Auvern, bulky, a bit taller than him, has a spikey white blonde hair. Has a thuggish look on his face with a scar on his cheek. Even though he looks like a thug, he still wears school uniform but he is wearing a dog tag and with a small earing on his left ear. Aiden approaches them, towering over him. “Watch we’re you’re going next time.” Said Aiden with a stern and intimidating stare. “Let’s go, we don’t have time for this loser.” Aiden ordered his friends leaving Zaiex and the others. “The nerve! You should be the one watching to where you’re going.” Said Lily with an annoyed faced. “Are you alright? Let us help you up.” Asche said while pulling Zaiex up.

“I’m alright. It was nothing. I’m strong as a dense rock!” Zaiex laughed and he flexed his right arm. “There you go again.” Lily and Asche grinned. “Let’s get go the classroom now. Homeroom is about to start.” Asche exclaimed with a hurried expression. In Zaiex’s mind, he can’t help but feel terrified of Aiden. They were once good friends in grade school but something changed between them that were too sensitive for Zaiex to remember. Clearing his mind, they continued to go to their classroom.

The bell rang and it’s time for their home room. Their homeroom teacher, 24 y/o major in Physics, tall and handsome with a blue neck tie and a button-up dark blue shirt and a black coat, with matching black slacks and sienna colored loafers. He also wears a pair of reading glasses and a well-groomed swept up black hair. The teacher started speaking. “Good morning class. I’ll be your adviser for the rest of your first year. My name is Leo Thornhart. But you can call me Sir Leon” With a deep but soft voice, he enraptured almost all girls within the room. Mutter is stirring up within the room. Zaiex avoided staring at him for a long time. “He’s so handsome… Huh? Hey, I know he’s your type.” Lily shoves Zaiex on his side with a teasing face. Zaiex replied nervously, “N-No! Shut up Lily!” Leo cleared his throat, regaining the class’ attention. “That’s enough. I will hand out your schedules now. Review your schedules, after that, we’ll get each other acquainted.”

After a few minutes… “Okay. Let’s start with the young lady on my right.” Pointing at Lily, she stands up with excitement on her face. She stands upfront and writes her name on the board. “Hello everyone. I’m Lily Mifleur. But you can just call me Lily” She started to sing out her name. Everyone in class laughs by her sense of humor but was admiring her beautiful voice too. “Thank you for that… sound display of an introduction Lily. Next please.” Leon said. Next up is Zaiex. He stands up and as he gets in front, he saw Aiden at the back of the class staring out the window with solemn expression. He turned away his attention, then composed himself and started the introduction. “Hi. My name is Zaiex Axverifzor. You can just call me Zai.” Everyone started muttering, “He looks so nerdy, look at his glasses.”, “Yeah. But he does look cute too.”, “Man, that guy is getting attention. He’s so annoying.”, “I bet he’s lonely” As he looks down the floor out of embarrassment, he saw slightly that Aiden took a small side-glance at him, but it was too quick he just shrugged it off and went back to his seat. “Thank you Zaiex. Next up please.” Next was Asche, and then the rest of the class made introductions successively.

Finally, it reached Aiden. He went in front and uttered his name. “I’m Aiden.” Looking at the class and quickly making a glance at Zaiex. He started to go back to his seat. Taking his seat, he let’s out an annoyed sigh and continued staring out the window. Making a back glance at Aiden, Zaiex seemed troubled by him but in a worried expression. The teacher clears his throat. “Now that’s the last of the introductions. You can now go to your classes. We will discuss about who will be the officers tomorrow. That’s all.” With a cool posture, he leaves the class.

Everyone began to stand up and started preparing for their next classes. “What’s your next class Zai?” “My next class is General Science, how about you Asche and Lily?” Zaiex replied to Asche. “Well mine is Social Studies” Lily replied. “I have Music class.” Asche said. “Awww! You have Music as your first class. So lucky!” Lily exclaimed with a pouting cute face. “Hahaha! It’s all right Lily, we all have the same classes, but in different times and classrooms that’s all. Well, I have to go. See you guys later!” They dispersed and went to their respective rooms.

“Let’s see room 105. Room… 105… Ah here it is” Zaiex opens the door, and then suddenly fell down with a thud. “Man! I seem to be clumsier than usual today. Agh.” Zaiex muttered while holding his back. A tall guy hovers over him and offering his big calloused hand to help him up.” Wincing in pain, he accepts the help and stands up. “Are you all right? I’m sorry! I didn’t notice you coming in.” With a worried husky voice, he touched Zaiex in his arms trying to look for any injury. “I-I I’m all right. Sorry I was not looking where I was going.” He looks up and saw a handsome person with dark blue eyes and dark brown hair. “Thank… you…” Star struck, he can’t help but stare at him. Then he noticed the man was still holding him. Feeling embarrassed, he looks away and pushed him slowly. “Wait… Is that you Zai?! It’s been a long time! How’ve you been?” Confused, he looked at him once again and tried to discern his face. “Don’t you remember? It’s me, Damian Landor. Your classmate during grade school.” “Damian?” Thinking hard, he finally remembered. He is a cool and goofy person. He likes books, not much of sporty person. He was also the Student Council Vice president during their time. “Right! Damian. I’m sorry, I forgot” “It’s no biggie! I know you have a bad memory. Hahaha” Damian smiled. “Shut up! You don’t have to rub it in.” Zaiex grumbled cutely. “I see you’re as cute as ever even when complaining! Hehe.” Damian chuckled.

While trying to catch up with each other. Aiden appeared behind them. “Get out of my way you annoying little pricks.” He passed through them while bumping his shoulder onto Zaiex’s. “Was that… Aiden? He has changed. Why is he like that to you all of sudden aren’t you guys close before?” Damian said. “Yeah… Well it is something I am not keen on talking about. Let’s just… sit for the class.” They slowly sat on their seats, having Damian sit beside Zaiex. While Aiden goes at the back of the class with his other friends that looks so intimidating and scary. He tried to avoid looking at them and just talked with Damian. The teacher then arrived. “Hey everyone! I’m expecting good things from this class. I am Hannah Pearl Blithe. You can call me Mrs. Hannah” The teacher said with a bright smile but with stern look and a hint of strictness into it. “Okay, to start off… Can anyone tell me what General Science is?” Then the class started.

The subject lasted for 2 hours and then it’s time for… Recess! “Hey Zai! Wanna have some snack together? I saw earlier that the school canteen is having a triple chocolate espresso with croissant combo. I know how much you like your coffee!” Damian jumped with excitement. “Hahaha! I see you still remember that much huh? Sure let’s go. Oh and I saw on my way to our classroom, there are some benches at the back of the west side of the school with few trees for shade as well. We could have it there!” “Sounds like a plan! Let’s go.” Damian started to drag Zai, holding him by the arm with a big grin on his face. “Hey! No running in the hallways. You irresponsible highschoolers!” A teacher screamed. “Sorry sir!” Both exclaimed with such enthusiasm. As they left in a hurry, Aiden and his friends went out the classroom, Aiden looked at them with serious yet annoyed face, it’s as if he looks at them feeling disgusted. Not taking a second look, they left as well.

“Uh oh! Looks like there’s a big line forming already. Zai, you go on ahead and get a spot on one of the benches. Leave the ordering to me. My treat!” He winked at him while giving thumbs up. “You sure? There are a lot of people here, you might need help.” “I’ll be fine! I am a black belter in Taekwondo after all” Damian showed with confidence and flexed his muscles. “Hahaha. What does that have to do with getting in line? ... Well if you’re serious. I’ll be waiting there then.” Zaiex went on ahead at the back of the west side of the school to reserve a bench.

When he arrived, there was group formed near what seems to be like an apple tree. With curiosity, he went closer and closer then he heard a faint violin playing. He tries to squeeze in and then he saw a guy about his height and age, but a little pale in skin color and a soft silky long purple hair. When he’s almost out of the crowd, he lost his footing and then fell right in front the student violinist. With expert hands, he caught Zaiex within his warm and soft embrace while still holding the violin and bow. The stranger asked with concern and gentle tone. “Are you alright?” “I’m fine. Sorry for stopping your performance.” Zaiex stands up and then the crowd screams “Hey man! You interrupted his performance!” And it was getting good too!” The stranger calmed the crowd down and told them he is done for the day. The crowd scattered with sounds of disappointment. “Again, I’m sorry for disturbing your performance. It was clumsy of me." “It’s alright, if I hadn’t caught you, you might have injured that cute face of yours.” The student smiled brightly. “C-cute? Hahaha funny you said that. I get that a lot” Zaiex replied in shyness. “Hey Zai. You seem to be well contented there. Hehehe” Asche teases him. “Wha… Asche?! How long have you been there?!” “Oh! Long enough to see you fall into his arms.” Asche chuckled. “By the way. My name is Fafner Mezzart. And you must be Zaiex. Asche here told me about you. Guess she was right” Fafner grinned. “Wait, What? How… Oh! you guys must be on the same class then. Wait… Right about what?” Fafner closed in on Zai, where he can almost feel Fafner’s breath on his cheeks. “You know what I said before… You, being cute” Fafner whispered under his breath. “Wha… wha... Asche! Why’d you have to say that to him!” “Well he is right isn’t he? Also… How long do you plan to be in his arms Zai?” Asche said with teasing look. Zaiex instinctively moved back quickly while still holding a shy and embarrassed expression. Both laughed because of his cute response.

While they’re still talking, Damian finally arrived. “Zai! There you are, the combo almost ran out, I was able to snatch the last one, Aiden almost spilled the coffee tough, good thing I caught it expertly. Wait… who are these people?” Zaiex introduced the two of them and the scene that just happened. “I see… I’m glad you’re all right, Zai.” Damian smiled while tapping his back. “Yeah, thanks again Fafner.” “It’s no big deal. I will always catch you if you ever fall… For me that is.” Fafner replied while winking and smiling back at Zai. Damian reacted with a bit of annoyance. He just smiled back at him to respect him for saving Zaiex.

They started to eat their snacks together. After talking for a few minutes, they leave to go to their next subject. “Well it was nice hanging out with such lovely people, especially you Zai. I bet we’ll see each other again soon” Fafner winks and smiles at him. “Yep! I’m sure we will. Let’s go Zaiex, we’ll be late for the next class” Damian smiles back while wrapping his arms around Zaiex’s shoulder it’s as if protecting him. Fafner and Asche waved goodbye. As they turn their back Damian made a stern and determined expression and said in his thoughts… “I won’t let you go all buddy-buddy with Zaiex. You’d better watch out Fafner.” While in Fafner’s thoughts… “It seems I have a contender… No matter… Let’s see who wins him first. Damian…” With that, both are now aiming to get closer to Zaiex. While Zaiex is still blissful from what could potentially be a love competition.

“Well Zai. This is where I leave you. My class is on the second floor. It was nice to catch up with ya. See you later!” Damian waved. “See ya! Okay… Next class is Social Studies. That’s where Lily was. I wonder if she just finished. After all, we have different schedules so her recess must be after ours.” Zaiex muttered. As he was walking down the hall, he noticed Lily coming out the Social Studies room, when he was about to call out to her, he saw that he is with someone. A guy with goldenrod hair and white skin with great posture. With critical eyes still attached to his features, he remembered that he was one of the people that was hard to approach because he’s a rich and famous guy during their grade school, and was considered as the most liked guy within the whole school. Zaiex wondered why Lily was talking to him so casually and in a fun tone at that. He hid behind the corner of a room still trying to look at them. He didn’t bother to follow and greet them because he was ignored by that guy before. Instead, he just silently tiptoed into the Social studies room without giving them another glance as the two disappeared down the stairway. He then entered the classroom for his next class. Although he can’t help but remember all the things that has happened before. He spent the rest of the class worrying, unable to focus on the lecture. Alas, lunch has arrived. Zaiex texted Asche and Lily if their classes are over as well. Both replied that they would not be able to come to lunch early as it overlaps. He wanted to contact Damian as well, but he forgot to ask for his number. Alone, he went to the cafeteria and ordered a cheesy bacon with garlic rice and mushroom soup on the side. Seeing that all the table are occupied he decided to do take out and eat back in their own classroom.

Alas he finally arrived their home room classroom. The room was not fully occupied so he slowly entered and taken a seat that is near the windows, not paying attention to any of his classmates. After sitting down, he ate his food quietly and enjoyably. In the middle of his meal, he began to stare out the window.

The sun shining down on him and the wind flowing through caressing his hair. While still and quiet, on the other side of the room is Aiden looking at his phone with a disgruntled expression. He slammed down his phone atop the table with a loud thud. “Damn it! Why can’t she freaking understand. Argh!” Aiden exclaimed angrily. Everyone was shocked and a bit scared of his sudden outburst; however, it would seem that Zaiex was unfazed, still blissfully looking out the school grounds. Aiden stood up, made a back turn and saw Zaiex across the room. What seems to be an unbreakable growling expression that Aiden was wearing, suddenly turned into a wide sinister grin, it’s as if he wants to mess with him. He slowly approached him. And when Zaiex was about to take another bite, Aiden appeared in front of him and ate the cheesy bacon off from his fork. “Waah!! What the…” Startled, he was unable to mutter any words, he looked at Aiden, then started to sweat and blush a little cause Aiden was so close to Zaiex’s face. Aiden was chewing slowly trying to savor the food he just took from Zaiex’s fork. Zaiex made a big gulp and then he avoided his intense gaze, still afraid, he asked Aiden. “Uh… umm what do you… w-want... A-Aiden? Can’t you see I’m eating.” “What?! Can’t I enjoy a meal with my most ‘precious’ friend? Did you really think I was going steal all your food?” Aiden said with a condescending and sarcastic tone. “I.. It’s not that… It’s just that you didn’t ask if you wanted some.” Zaiex replied while still looking away. “Tsk. Look at me nerd.” Aiden stood up as he slammed both his hands atop the table then slowly inched his face closer to Zaiex. Using Aiden’s right hand, he held Zaiex’s chin to make him look up. “You think I didn’t notice earlier? I now you’ve been taking a looking at me like a whimpering dog, asking for a treat from his owner. After all isn’t that what you’ve been doing back in grade school? You always followed me around like an obedient little pup you are.” Aiden said with a straight and unwavering stare at Zaiex. Unable to control his emotions he spurted out his frustrations with a loud voice as he stood up. “What do you mean? I was your best friend! That’s why I was always with you! Besides, aren’t you the one who was always getting in the way of everyone when people are trying to hurt me? Why did you change so much huh? Was I not a good friend to you? Tell me Aiden, what did I do to you for me to deserve this kind of treatment!” Zaiex cried, trembling in his arms and legs, unable to break his intense and yet crying gaze at Aiden. The atmosphere turned glum and suffocating, students inside the room gradually left the room trying to avoid the fight between the two. After a few seconds of silence, Aiden replied in a quiet and angry tone as he looked down the floor and clenched both of his fists. “Hmph, yeah right... What DID you do… Tsk.” Aiden started to leave the room without another word while kicking a few table around because of his frustration. Zaiex started to look away as he was leaving then started tearing up, still shaking from anger and fear. In Zaiex’s thought… “Why did you turn out to be this way Aiden. Was my kindness not enough for you? I cared about you so much. But then you were the first one who started to avoid me back then. It made me hurt so much having to lose my only best friend… You didn’t know Aiden. You…. freaking didn’t know…” Zaiex started to cry harder for what he was trying to avoid reliving, which suddenly became a burning arrow that pierced his heart once again. “You didn’t know Zaiex. I’ve done all those things for you, you were the one who truly understood me among what I thought was my ‘friends’ You didn’t know how I was hurt back then when I saw you with... with... Argh!!! Leaving you was even harder. Why is it different now? You don’t freaking understand. Zaiex.” Aiden clenched his fists harder almost making his palms turn red, and then a few tears started to fall down his face

Zaiex didn’t managed to finish all his food. Trying to collect himself, he looked at his watch and he noticed his next class was about to start. Clearing his face from all the tears, he went ahead to the next classroom. He directed all his focus to the class in an attempt to forget all that has happened.

The school day has ended and the sun started to set. Zaiex collected his things and went out the school grounds to meet with Lily and Asche. “Hey Zai! How was your classes? Mine was tons of fun. And I made lots of friends too.” Lily ecstatically expressed. “We both know that it won’t be hard for you to befriend almost everyone you meet Lily! It’s no brainer really. Hehe” Asche chuckled. “Yep what Asche said. Well mine was okay I guess. I wish it went better though.” Zaiex sighed heavily. “Aww.. Well tomorrow is another day. I’m sure it will go way better.” Lily comforted him. “Yep! Besides, you said that you’re strong as a dense rock aren’t you?” said Asche. “Hahaha! You don’t need to remind me!” Zaiex laughed. The three of them began to leave school. As they reached outside the gates, Zaiex stopped midway and took one more look at the school as if expecting someone to appear outside the school entrance. “Hey Zai! What are you doing? Let’s go! I still have some piano practice.” Lily shouted. “Sorry! Wait up.”

The day has ended, for Zaiex it seemed so long and tiring just because of what has happened at school with Aiden. After brushing his teeth and short hot bath, he turned off the lights, and plopped down his bed and hugged his pillow tight. Atop his nightstand, he noticed his picture with Aiden where they are crossing their arms behind each other’s back while smiling brightly together. Zaiex couldn’t take much more of the painful past he had experienced, he covered his face with the pillows and he started to utter under his breath with sad and longing feeling… “Aiden… I missed you… Please… Come back…” He closed his eyes, and a rush of tears came gushing out. The night went cold and from his shivering cries, Zaiex began to finally fall asleep, while still carrying the burden of his best friend hurting him.

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