Chapter 2: The Boy with the Loud Eyes
643 Words
The second morning at Lunaria Highwas worse than the first.
Zayn Aster adjusted his new tie in the mirror of the empty restroom, sighed, and ran a hand through his styled hair. No matter how straight he dressed or how confident he walked, he always felt the same—like a spotlight was burning a hole through his chest.
This school was cleaner than his last. Sharper uniforms. Colder halls. People smiled here, but none of them smiled with you. Just at you. He had already counted three whispers behind his back.
New kid. Weird vibes. Hot, but quiet. Probably gay.
He took a deep breath and stepped into class.
“Hey,” a soft voice called out as he passed Row 3. “There’s a seat here.”
Zayn paused.
Teo Lunare.
That boy from yesterday. The one with messy silver-tinted hair that glinted like steel in the sunlight. The one with sharp eyebrows, tired eyes, and lips that curled like secrets. His uniform shirt was slightly untucked and his blazer hung over the back of his chair like he couldn’t be bothered.
The seat beside him was indeed free.
Zayn walked over, careful not to show hesitation. He sat down and glanced at Teo’s desk—covered in tiny sketches and a broken mechanical pencil. Nothing special, and yet Zayn couldn’t look away.
“You draw?” Zayn asked.
Teo hummed. “Only things I can’t say.”
That made Zayn smirk, just a little. “That many things to hide?”
“Maybe,” Teo said, tapping his pencil. “You look like someone who’s hiding something too.”
Zayn stiffened. “You don’t know me.”
“I don’t,” Teo said casually. “But I want to.”
That one line knocked the breath out of Zayn’s lungs. He didn’t even notice the teacher had begun speaking until the chalk screeched across the board.
---
Lunch Break
The cafeteria buzzed with students laughing, trading snacks, snapping selfies. Zayn sat under the tree in the courtyard, headphones in, pretending to scroll through music. Anything to feel like he wasn’t waiting.
A shadow blocked the sun. He looked up.
“You didn’t sit with anyone,” Teo said, holding two juice boxes.
Zayn raised an eyebrow. “You stalking me now?”
Teo shrugged and handed him one. “You looked lonely.”
Zayn didn’t take it. “I’m used to it.”
“You shouldn’t be.”
They stood in silence for a while. Not awkward. Just quiet.
Then, without warning, Teo sat beside him, shoulder brushing shoulder.
“You're the kind of guy who disappears into the background but leaves fingerprints on everything,” Teo whispered, voice low, not looking at him. “I saw the way you looked at that teacher this morning.”
Zayn’s heart skipped. “What teacher?”
Teo turned to him, his gaze sharper now. “The one with the navy suit and long lashes. You looked...hungry.”
Zayn’s throat dried. “Don’t say that.”
“I’m not judging,” Teo said softly. “I’m the same.”
Zayn’s eyes met his—and for a second, the whole world slipped sideways.
The bell rang, breaking the moment.
Teo stood. “Sit with me again tomorrow. You don’t have to hide from me, Zayn.”
And just like that, he walked away, leaving Zayn with a racing heart and a half-finished juice box.
---
Later That Night
Zayn couldn’t sleep.
He lay in bed, the moonlight casting soft shadows on his walls. His phone buzzed once.
Unknown Number:
"You can run, but I’ll still find you tomorrow. — T"
Zayn covered his face with a pillow and groaned.
He didn’t know what Teo Lunare wanted from him.
But something deep inside him—something scared and curious—wanted to be found.
- Writer
