Three

MATEO 

Monday morning finally arrived. I hurried toward school, keeping my head down as I walked through the alley.

For some reason, I hated telling people that I was a priest's son.

People always assumed that being the priest's son meant I had no freedom and honestly... They weren't completely wrong.

I couldn't do half the things my classmates did. Parties, hanging out late, going places without permission—things I secretly wanted to experience but there was always that expectation hanging over me.

You're the priest's son. So I kept to myself, I didn't usually talk to anyone on my way to school then I felt a hand land on my shoulder. I stopped and looked up, it was him.

Nikolai.

“Hey, boy,” he said with a grin. “You're my neighbor, right? I saw you the other day, but I couldn't talk to you.”

I nodded and that was it, just a nod. I had absolutely no idea what else to say. I'm so awkward.

Nikolai didn't seem bothered. “I'm new here, and it's my first day,” he continued. “So I trust you to take care of me.” I raised my head and looked at him. “Wait, I”

Before I could finish, he had already walked over to another boy.

“Alex!”

I watched them greet each other. Isn't he new? How does he already know Alex?

I shook my head and continued toward school. When I entered the classroom, I immediately went to my usual seat beside Daniel.

He smiled when he saw me. “You disappeared after the service yesterday,” he whispered.

I simply smiled. Before I could say anything else, voices started coming from the doorway.

Alex walked into the classroom with Nikolai beside him, one arm casually resting across Nikolai's shoulders. The room immediately became noisy.

“Who's that?”

“Is he new?”

“Where's he from?”

Everyone was looking at him. Alex eventually cleared his throat.

The classroom became quiet. “Everyone, this is Nikolai. He's my friend, but you can call him Niko.” A few students murmured greetings.

Alex continued. “He was my childhood friend back in Russia, so don't make him feel like a stranger. Feel free to talk to him.”

Niko smiled and gave everyone a small wave then his eyes moved across the classroom and they stopped on me, those blue eyes.

He smiled. I quickly looked away then Alex suddenly pointed toward me. “Mateo, he's your neighbor, right?”

The entire class turned toward me, my stomach dropped. Of course, I hated being the center of attention.

A few students smiled and I gave an awkward little nod. “Yeah.”

Niko's smile grew. “So it is you.”

I looked at him again. Before I could respond, the classroom door opened.

Our teacher walked in. “Good morning, everyone. Take your seats.”

Everyone quickly settled down. I looked toward the board, trying to focus but I could still feel Niko's presence somewhere across the classroom and for some reason, I had a feeling this was going to be a very long day.

Time seemed to fly by. Before I knew it, the bell rang for break. I left the classroom with Daniel. He was pretty much my only close friend at school, so we usually spent breaks together.

We were walking down the corridor when we suddenly bumped into someone.

A girl stumbled and fell to the floor. “Oh, sorry!” Daniel and I said at the same time.

We quickly helped her back up. She brushed herself off and smiled. “I'm okay. Thanks.”

She looked at both of us. “I'm Sophia. I'm in Class C.”

“I'm Daniel,” he said. “Mateo,” I added quietly.

Sophia smiled. “Nice to meet you both.”

“Nice to meet you too,” Daniel replied.

She glanced toward the cafeteria. “Are you guys going to lunch?”

“Yeah,” Daniel said.

“Mind if I join you?”

“No problem.”

The three of us headed toward the cafeteria together. We ordered our food and found an empty table. I was about to sit down when I noticed someone across the room.

Nikolai. He was sitting with Alex and a girl I recognized from school. 

Nia. She was the only girl on the school's basketball team, and she was really good. She was also one of those people who seemed to know everyone.

I looked at Nikolai, he's been here for one day yet somehow, he already knew half the school.

Alex was talking animatedly while Nia laughed at something Nikolai had said.

Nikolai looked completely comfortable like he had been here for years. I couldn't help staring for a moment. “How does he already know everyone?” I muttered.

Daniel looked at me. “Who?”

I quickly looked away.

“No one.”

Daniel followed my gaze anyway, his eyes landed on Nikolai. “Oh.”

I frowned. “What?”

He shrugged.

“Nothing.”

Sophia looked between us, confused. “Do you two know him?”

I hesitated. “He's our new neighbor,” I finally said.

Sophia's eyes widened. “The new Russian student?”

I nodded.

“Yeah.”

She glanced over at Nikolai. “He's pretty popular already.”

I looked back at my food. “Apparently.” but I couldn't stop myself from looking over at him one more time.

We eventually finished lunch. I stood up and picked up my tray, ready to return it, I had barely taken a few steps when...

 Thud. A huge guy slammed into my shoulder, I lost my balance and fell to the floor. Pain shot through my wrist as I caught myself.

I winced. The guy didn't even look back, my first instinct was to get up and ignore it.

That was what I usually did. Don't cause trouble or attract attention just let things go but before I could stand, Sophia stepped forward.

“Hey!”

The guy stopped.

“You knocked him down. At least apologize!”

He turned around, looking annoyed. “It's not a big deal.”

“It is when you hurt someone.”

I stared at Sophia, she didn't look scared at all. She stood directly in front of him, refusing to move.

The cafeteria had suddenly become quiet, the big guy looked at her for a few seconds before sighing. “Fine. Sorry.”

Sophia crossed her arms. “Good.”

He walked away while I remained on the floor for a moment, staring at her. I couldn't believe she had actually stood up to him. Daniel came over and helped me to my feet. “You okay?”

“Yeah,” I said, rubbing my wrist.

Sophia crouched down and picked up my tray. “You should be more careful,” she said.

I gave her a small smile. “Thanks" She smiled back.

Daniel helped me gather the rest of my things, and we left the cafeteria together. Once we reached the corridor, Sophia stopped. “My classroom is this way.”

She pointed down the opposite hallway. “See you guys later.”

“See you,” Daniel said.

“Bye,” I added.

Sophia walked away, I watched her for a moment. There was something about the way she had stood up for me.

She wasn't afraid or worry about what anyone would think, she simply saw something wrong and did something about it. I wish I could be like that.

Daniel suddenly tapped my shoulder. “You coming?”

I turned toward him. “Yeah.”

We started walking again. After a few steps, he spoke. “Are you coming to the basketball competition tomorrow?”

“No.”

Daniel groaned. “Come on.”

I laughed quietly. “Daniel, I said no.”

“You're always saying no.”

He wasn't wrong. Daniel was a Christian too, but somehow he had more freedom than I did. He could stay out later, attend school events, and do things without constantly worrying about disappointing his parents.

“Please come,” he said. “It'll be interesting.” I sighed. “I'll think about it.” Daniel smiled. “I'll take that as a maybe.”

I shook my head. “You're impossible.” He laughed. “See you tomorrow, priest boy.”

I rolled my eyes but secretly, I wondered if I really should go.