Seven

The next morning, I arrived at school expecting everything to feel normal but as soon as I entered the school grounds, I spotted Alex, Sophia, and the others.

They immediately called me over. “Mateo!”

I walked toward them. “Where's Niko?” Alex asked.

“I haven't seen him.”

Alex raised an eyebrow. “You didn't come with him?”

I shook my head. “I haven't seen him since last night.” I almost added that I would have gone to his house to check on him, but I stopped myself. Why would I say that?

Alex tapped my shoulder. “Come on. Let's go to class. I'll meet up with him later.”

We headed inside. When we reached the classroom, Daniel and Sophia were already sitting together.

A few students turned to look at us as we entered. Some waved, I waved back before heading toward my usual seat.

Daniel leaned toward me. “So you're finally hanging out with them?”

I shrugged. “Niko introduced them to me.”

Daniel nodded. “I see.”

Sophia, meanwhile, kept staring at me. I noticed.

“What?”

She didn't answer, she just continued staring. I sighed and gently pushed her face away with my hand. “Stop looking at me.”

She laughed.

The first period began, Niko still hadn't arrived. I tried not to think about it but my eyes kept drifting toward the door then, sometime after the lesson had started, the door opened. Niko walked in.

I immediately noticed something was different, he looked tired not his usual energetic self. He quietly walked into the classroom and went straight to his seat beside Alex.

I watched him without realizing it, Niko suddenly looked up. Our eyes met and he gave me a small smile and raised his eyebrows as if asking, What?

I quickly turned toward the front of the classroom and pretended to be interested in whatever the teacher was saying but I could still feel the warmth in my face.

And somewhere in the back of my mind, one thought remained. Why does he look so tired?

During break, we sat on the field while other students played around us. Niko was sitting with Alex and the others, talking and laughing as usual.

I tried to focus on my own conversation but my eyes kept drifting toward him. He looked so comfortable around everyone. Laughing, joking and talking to people like he'd known them forever.

For some reason, I felt annoyed. I frowned at him then I quietly hissed and looked away. Why am I even bothered?

I turned toward Sophia. “How do you know Nia?”

Sophia looked caught off guard. “Umm... she's my senior from middle school.”

“Oh.”

“We've known each other for a while. We hang out sometimes.”

I nodded. Sophia suddenly smiled. “Actually, you guys should come over tonight.”

“Where?”

“My house. Movie night.”

Daniel shook his head. “I can't. I've already got plans.”

Sophia looked at me. “What about you, Mateo?”

I hesitated. “Sure.”

“Great!”

She smiled. I looked toward Niko again, he was still talking with Alex. Something about it bothered me. I didn't understand why, I suddenly stood up.

“I'm going inside.”

Daniel looked at me. “Already?”

“Yeah.” I walked toward the classroom.

I sat down at my desk and stared at the board. A few moments later, the classroom door opened. Niko walked in.

“Mateo.”

I looked up. He stood there for a moment, seemingly unsure of what to say.

“What's wrong?” I asked.

He hesitated. “I noticed you left.”

I frowned.“So?”

“I was worried.”

I stared at him. “Shouldn't I be the one worried?”

He blinked. “What?”

“You came late today and didn't say anything to me.” His expression changed immediately.

“Oh.”

He looked genuinely apologetic. “I'm sorry.”

I crossed my arms. “What happened?”

“I had some problems to deal with at home before I could leave.” I watched him carefully, je didn't look like he was joking.

“You could have told me.”

“I know.”

He lowered his eyes. “I should have.”

I sighed. I couldn't stay angry with him for long. “It's fine.”

He looked up. “Really?”

I nodded. “Yeah. I forgive you.” His usual smile slowly returned. “Thanks.”

I turned toward the window, trying to hide my own smile. For some reason, knowing that he'd been worried about me made the strange feeling in my chest return and I still couldn't figure out what it meant.

A question had been sitting in my mind for a while. Eventually, I gathered enough courage to ask. “Why are you so close to Alex?”

Niko smiled slightly. Instead of answering immediately, he pulled out the chair beside mine and sat down. “Our story is kind of complicated,” he said.

I waited. He looked toward the classroom door before continuing. “Alex and I were childhood friends back in Russia. We grew up together.”

I nodded. “That explains why you two already knew each other.”

“Yeah.” He smiled faintly. “We were really close.”

There was something different about the way he said it then he added, almost casually, “We actually dated for a little while back in middle school.”

I blinked. “You... dated?”

Niko nodded. “Yeah. It didn't last very long, though.”

I didn't know what to say. I had never really thought about two boys dating each other, I wasn't sure what I was supposed to think about it.

“So you and Alex—” Before I could finish, the classroom door opened.

Alex walked in. “Hey, Niko. It's time for practice.”

Niko stood up. “Already?”

“Yep.”

Niko grabbed his things and looked at me. “I'll see you later.”

I nodded. “Yeah. See you.”

He followed Alex out of the classroom. I remained seated, staring at the doorway.

My mind was still on what he'd just told me. They dated. For some reason, I couldn't stop thinking about it.

I didn't understand why the thought bothered me. I shook my head and looked down at my desk. It's none of my business. At least, that's what I told myself.