Episode:2(A glance across the room)

Victor jogged back into the school building with a towel slung around his neck, his jersey clinging to his skin. He’d stayed on the court a little longer than planned—he always did. There was something about the rhythm of the game that cleared his mind. It was his escape, his place.

As he entered the hallway, the bell had already rung, and the classroom doors had started to close. He didn’t rush—he never had to. Victor had that aura about him: part confidence, part reputation. People made space for him without him having to ask.

He turned into 11B and walked straight in. The teacher hadn’t arrived yet.

The buzz in the room dimmed for a moment. A few students greeted him casually, and he nodded back, tossing his towel onto his desk—the second row, center seat, perfect view of everything.

That’s when he noticed him.

There, by the window. A new face.

Victor had been in this class for two years. He knew everyone. But this guy was new. Small frame, quiet presence. His brown curls framed his pale face, and those round glasses gave him an almost scholarly, old-world look. He sat with his elbow on the desk, chin resting on his palm, completely lost in the view outside. There was something so still about him, like he was holding his breath and waiting for the world to forget him.

Victor’s eyes narrowed slightly—not in a mean way, just... intrigued.

The new kid hadn’t looked at anyone. Didn’t seem nervous or eager to impress. He looked... tired. And kind of sad.

Victor leaned slightly to the side and whispered to Jordan, the guy beside him, “Who's the new kid?”

Jordan shrugged. “Transfer student. Peter something. Scholarship. Heard his mom passed away. Bit of a genius though.”

Victor’s eyebrows lifted just a little. Smart. Quiet. Tragic past. That explained the faraway look.

He glanced back at Peter again, more openly this time.

There was something oddly... cute about him. Not in a flashy, look-at-me way, but in the way a lost song makes you pause. Fragile, soft edges. The kind of face that didn't belong in noisy places. His fingers tapped gently against the side of his notebook, a rhythm only he seemed to hear.

As if sensing eyes on him, Peter suddenly turned—and their gazes locked for a brief second.

Victor didn’t look away.

Peter’s hazel eyes widened just slightly behind the lenses, golden flecks catching the morning light. His lips parted like he was about to say something but didn’t. Instead, he quickly turned back to the window, clearly uncomfortable under the attention.

Victor smirked, just a little.

Shy.

Interesting.

The classroom door creaked open, and the teacher finally entered, breaking the moment. Victor sat back in his chair, stretching his arms behind his head, but his eyes drifted back to the window seat more than once.

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