We Found Love Lost Under The Shade

After running into Jaime, Vic made his way into his English class, feeling out of place. He looked towards the back to find Tony sitting alone, which was strange. He walked back and sat down next to him and gave him a confused look. Tony just shrugged and focused his attention to the teacher once again. Vic was still worried, it was unusual for Austin to miss school and not let anyone know. Maybe this had something to do with why he was upset the other day? He decided to not worry about it too much and try listening to the lesson.

Jaime walked to U.S. History feeling embarrassed about running into Vic. He couldn't help but think how stupid he was to not watch where he was going. He always got worked up about the stupidest things. Jaime walked into his class just in time for the bell to ring and to have all eyes on him. With his head down, he walked to the back of the class like usual.

Both of the boys had something on their mind all of 1st period. For Vic, he was concerned about Austin, but his mind kept switching to Jaime. He couldn't help but think about the somewhat mysterious boy; Vic felt like he was such an interesting person, though they've only talked for such a short amount of time. But he was determined to learn more about Jaime.

Jaime was in the same state as Vic; he was constantly staring off into space thinking about him. Not in the dreamy kind of way, but in a curious way. What made Vic talk to him in the first place? Jaime thought that Vic was popular and attractive, while he was a lonely, average kid that sparked no interest to anyone, at all. Whatever it was that made Vic talk to him, he was hoping it would lead to something more than just a partner in French class.

~

First period was eventually over and the halls were filled with kids heading to their 2nd period. Jaime tried making his way through the crowd as quick as he could; though he felt stupid for feeling this way, he was a little excited to see Vic. While Jaime pushed through crowds of people, Vic took his time and walked with Rachel, talking and laughing.

Walking towards the stairs, Rachel turned to Vic. 'So, what class do you have? French?'

'Um, yeah; it kind of sucks. What do you have?' Vic replied. 'You're lucky! I have Chemistry,' she said with a pout. 'I'd rather have French with you.' Rachel said, smiling and touching his arm.

Vic slightly blushed and nervously laughed. He's always liked Rachel, but she's never had feelings for him; why was she being so flirtatious now? He kind of liked the attention he was getting from her but didn't want to take it the wrong way.

'Uh, I'm going to, go to class. I'll see you at lunch,' he said quickly. 'Okay, I'll see you at lunch, Vic,' Rachel said, smiling. She looked at him a bit longer before walking away.

~

French class was boring and uneventful; Mr. Daraban had a video for them to watch, so Jaime and Vic didn't get to talk to each other. Throughout the period, Jaime and Vic continuously glanced at each other for one reason or another. They only met the other day and it seemed like they were dying to talk to each other, even if it was about their project.

After two hours of watching a video on the French Revolution, second period ended and it was time for lunch. Though everyone was half asleep during the period, they were woken up and quickly walking down to the cafeteria to eat.

Jaime walked slowly down the hall, hoping to waste enough time. He hated having to sit alone all lunch period, it was boring and he felt like everyone was staring at him. Vic, on the other hand, loved going to lunch. It was his favorite part of the day; being able to eat, seeing his friends, not to mention he didn't have to do any work.

Vic walked down the hall to find Matty and Tony talking, waiting for Vic to come over so they could go to lunch. Stephanie walked up to Tony around the same time, causing him to smile wide.

'You guys ready to go?' Vic asked.

'Yeah, dude, I'm starving!' Matty replied. Vic laughed and began to walking, taking lead with Matty while Tony and Stephanie walked behind, talking and unknowingly flirting. They found it surprising the two haven't closed off from the group completely.

After 5 or 10 minutes of waiting in line, they all got their food and headed towards the designated table for their group of friends. Jack and Gabe sat towards the end of the table, laughing hysterically and being immature as always, and Alan and Maddie sat next to them, talking and flirting. Vic and Matty sat down a few feet over, Tony and Stephanie following suit.

'So Tony, asked Steph out yet?' Vic asked teasingly. Tony's face turned red and he shook his head shyly. 'Come on, Vic, we're just friends.'

Matty joined in and they were teasing him, like usual. But Vic stopped and turned his attention to the other side of the cafeteria, noticing Jaime. He was sitting by himself, writing in his notebook like he always does. Vic had an inner conflict of whether or not he should go talk to him. He sat for a few minutes before getting up and walking towards Jaime.

'Vic, where are you going?' Alan asked. Maddie gave him a confused look, as well did Matty. 'I'll be back, I gotta go do something.'

He slowly walked over and sat down in front of Jaime. Vic sat for a minute before Jaime noticed him, raising an eyebrow and wondering why the hell he would come over to him.

'Uh, hey Jaime,' Vic said. Jaime hesitated but replied. 'Oh, hi Vic.' Both of the boys were so awkward around one another, Vic questioned his decision, wondering if it was a good idea.

'Um, I was just wondering, do want to like, sit with me and my friends?' Vic asked with a small smile. He was usually an outgoing person that made friends easily, but talking to Jaime seemed so hard. Vic felt as if Jaime had built a wall around himself and that just talking to hi required breaking down that wall.

'No, that's okay. I'm fine just sitting here.' Jaime grew embarrassed. He wasn't the type of person to have people feel pity for him; he didn't like that kind of attention. If he was to potentially embarrass himself by talking to other people, hoping to make friends, he'd rather sit alone.

Vic gave him a concerned, somewhat sad look. 'Come on, it's not that bad, really,' he persuaded, once again smiling. Jaime couldn't stop the smile growing on his face. It was that smile that Vic gave him; it was almost contagious. And Vic himself is just so cute, it's hard not to smile. Reluctantly, Jaime got up and Vic began walking to his table, expecting Jaime to follow.

They say down at the table, having Vic's friends give Jaime a strange look. Jaime could feel their stares and he looked down at his hands, feeling embarrassed all over again.

'So guys, this is Jaime, he's in my French class, so we talk sometimes.' Vic said, introducing him.

Jack and Gabe were the first ones to speak up, obviously. 'Hey Jaime!' they said in unison. 'I always see you sit alone; why? Don't you have any friends?' Jack asked. He was never the one to have good manners. Vic shot him a dirty look, warning him to not be so rude.

'Oh, um, I just, I moved here last year, so. I haven't really made any friends, I guess,' Jaime answered quietly. The other friends started to take interest in him and asked questions.

'Where'd you move from?'

'Why did you move here?'

'I like your hair, it's different.'

'What's your schedule?'

Jaime was growing nervous and wanted to leave, and Vic could tell. Luckily the bell rang and Jaime immediately got up and began walking out of the cafeteria. Vic caught up to him, feeling kind of bad about his friends.

'Hey, Jaime. Sorry about that. I didn't think it would be so awkward...' Vic said apologetically. Jaime nodded. 'It's okay. Sorry, I'm just kind of, like, weird..' he said, with a small laugh.

Vic smiled and bit his lip, thinking of something. 'Um, do you want to, I don't know, hang out after school? We could play some videos games or something? It's okay if you don't..' he said, trailing off. Jaime grinned, excited that he he had plans to hang out with someone, and out of all people, Vic.

'Totally, sounds awesome.'

'Okay, cool. I'll just meet you outside after school then? Oh, just in case, here's my number,' Vic said, pulling out a small piece of paper and pencil, scribbling down a number. After he was done, he handed it to Jaime. 'Alright, I'll see you after school,' Jaime said.

Vic walked away and Jaime stared at the small scrap of paper in his hand. He probably looked stupid smiling at a piece of paper, but he honestly didn't care. Jaime was excited to have made a new friend, but at the same time was growing increasingly nervous; he was hoping this wasn't some trick.