p r e s e n t

"Okay, I want you to think about this scene and try to interpret it." Zon looked at his class and smiled. He liked getting his students involved in discussions, try to make them think out of the box. Sometimes it was hard and they were reluctant to speak up, but this year he was quite happy with the group he was working with, even if it was just the beginning.

"Remember," he continued, "it doesn't matter what your friends think or what the Internet says about it. I want each of you to think how you feel, just as it is. Without any context. Anything is fine and there's no wrong answers. Well, at least not with this exercise." He waited until the laughs calmed down and added: "Just remember to read it and prepare yourself. Maybe come with some notes, okay?" Zon closed his notes and nodded, as the bell rang. "Class dismissed."

The tumult of students rushing out of the class rose, as he started gathering his things; the scraping sound of the chair and cheerful chit-chats hit his ear with double force. The school year had been on for a few weeks already, and Zon had finally started feeling good about it. It was different than his previous workplace, different in a lot of aspects, but it didn't mean that it was worse. Actually, because of that slightly bigger pressure on the kids here, he felt more confident about his methods than ever before. It was like they matched better with the students' needs and he could easily see some progress already.

"Mr. Zon?" he heard behind his back, when he shoved the last papers inside his satchel.

"Yes?" He turned around and smiled at Blue, one of his students.

"I just wanted to thank you," he said shyly. "That last book you recommended to us was really good. I finally feel like I can understand things better and not fall asleep during class."

Zon arched his eyebrow, but he couldn't stop corners of his mouth stretching in an even wider smile. "No problem. I will think of something else and bring it to you next week, okay?"

It was quite surprising for him to hear this from Blue, however. The boy was one of his best students and even before, as far as Zon remembered from the files, his records were actually exemplary. He was like that perfect student every teacher would wish for, so Zon could not imagine him sleeping in class.

But the compliment made him feel so lightheaded that he didn't even care; if his passion for literature made someone interested in books even just a little bit, he felt like his job was done. This thought kept him joyful for the rest of his day and he couldn't stop smiling even when he entered the canteen.

"Good afternoon, everyone," he said as he sat down at the table occupied by Saifah and Pear, one of the few teachers their age.

If he was to be honest, these days he felt more confident not only in the matters of education, but also simply around other teachers. Finally, for the first time in his career that was longer than half of a decade, he felt like he belonged somewhere. Which was quite surprising, considering that in his previous school everyone just minded their own business and he managed to befriend only one of them.

Which reminded him that he should call Zen and apologise for not talking to him enough these days.

"Did something good happen today?" asked Pear, seeing his good mood. Saifah and she peeked at each other, bemusement written all over their faces. Was he that obvious?

"Well, nothing much." Zon propped his chin and drank his soda, but there was a smug shine in his eyes that he was not able to hide. "I'm just happy with my students, that's all. And," he added after another lazy sip, trying to keep them in suspense, "I got praised today by one, so there's that."

Both Saifah and Pear chuckled. It seemed that they both understood and were ready to join him in his "glorious" moment. It was always nice to hear a compliment, regardless of who said it, but knowing you're appreciated by the students just hit differently.

"So?" Pear took a bite of her food and raised her eyes to Zon. "Who was it?"

"Oh, that boy from third year, Blue."

Saifah and Pear exchanged looks once again, but this time it felt different. The woman murmured something indistinctly and dug into her food, packing her mouth with more than she should, whilst Saifah tried his best to avoid Zon's eyes.

That sudden change in mood was way too obvious for Zon to ignore. "What's wrong?" he asked, glaring at both of his colleagues.

"Nothing, really." Pear shook her head, but the smile she sent was pretty suspicious. "I...I'm gonna go, I have this thing I need to do before the break is over, y'know, that one I said to you about before. Enjoy your meal, guys."

"Wait, Pear, don't-" Before Saifah could finish his sentence, she was already in the middle of the canteen, taking overly quick steps in her pumps.

With a heavy sigh, Saifah turned his head back to Zon and smiled sheepishly. If he thought it would make Zon let that case go, he clearly did not know him well enough.
"What's wrong?" repeated Zon with pursed lips. At this point his curiosity took over and he felt quite uneasy, which he truly hated. What could it be about? Why did Pear dash out so quickly?

The worst was that he did not have even the slightest clue about what it could be about.

"It's nothing, really..." Saifah tried to escape the topic, but it was not easy. At least, not under Zon's intense stare, which he had mastered to perfection.

"Sai. Just tell me."

Saifah blinked rapidly at Zon's firm voice. Something elusive shined in his eyes for a second, but in the end he just sighed and gave up. "Okay. But remember it's all just rumours, okay? And it's really just stupid, I'm not even sure, why I'm-"

Zon pointed at him warningly. "Don't even try changing the subject."

"It's about Blue," he started with a shadow of guilt playing in his eyes. "I know he is a good student and all, but...He's quite well known among the teaching staff due to other reasons than his grades." He swallowed and changed his seat to sit across Zon. The guilt was gone from his eyes, when he leaned onwards, and his voice lowered as well.

Suddenly, his face was so close to Zon's and his gaze so intense, that it took Zon aback for a few seconds. He quickly came to his senses, however, and focused fully on the story.

"He is kinda problematic, if you wish. His grades are perfect and he is good to other students too, but there were numerous times when he came up with something to...Well, make some trouble. He's like a devil in angel's shape."

"How come?"

"I don't remember many examples, but he made some teachers quit. Oh, and last year there were those rumours about one teacher having an affair with him." Saifah cleared his throat, his jaw tense. "I doubt he would pull that again, but please, be careful around him."

"An affair? With a teacher?" It sounded so unbelievable, that Zon started laughing. "Come on."

"I'm serious." Saifah chuckled too, his face softened. "I have no idea if it was true or not and to be honest it didn't look like Blue actually wanted Dew to be fired, but well..." He shrugged. "He's no longer here."

"Why would he do that, though?" asked Zon, still shaking his head with a doubt.

"His parents. They don't really care about him no matter what he does. Before, he used to have really bad grades too, and it didn't change a thing. His mother wouldn't even come to school. But his father is on the board, some high figure, I'm not sure. Anyway, any scandal that can threaten his reputation seems to be the only way Blue can make them react."

Now Zon understood the seriousness of the situation. Both of them sighed heavily, a matching rhythm of a silent agreement.

"Like I said," Saifah gulped, looking him in the eyes, "he's changing his methods often and we never know what else he will come up with. I'm not saying he's not a good kid, but...Be careful, okay? I just don-" He bit his tongue and smiled. "Just be careful."

Zon nodded. The last thing he wanted was Saifah to worry about him, so he promised himself to be careful enough not to fall into any trap, whether set by Blue or himself alone.

p a s t

Zon put a grape into his mouth and leaned on his hand, the tasty smell of coconut milk filling the kitchen of Saifah's house. They were already a few weeks into the school year and he was getting a headache every time he thought about assignments pilling on his desk. Free time shrunk way too rapidly, leaving him with the feeling that the past summer was just some ancient dream he had dreamt and the time he shared with his boyfriend felt never enough; a clock constantly ticked at the back to remind him of the limitations of their time together.

Almost as if the summer was never to come again.

"So Zon, tell me, how do you like the university so far?" asked Saifah's mom peeking at him over her arm. "You know how my boy is, he never tells me anything, only that it's fine."

"Because it is!" Saifah burst into laughter and filled two glasses with orange juice. "What else can I say?"

"Some details!"

Zon smiled at their bickering. Although he usually felt stiff around his friends' parents, Saifah's mom was different. She was always able to engage him in a conversation in a way he felt comfortable and he truly loved seeing her scolding her son in that joking manner. It was easy to feel the love between them and he liked to be part of it, even if he never felt any less in his own home.

"So?" The mother stirred in the pot and looked at Zon with a smile again. "Any cute girls, maybe? Maybe you've asked someone out already?"

But before Zon could even say anything, Saifah barged in again, his voice cocky: "Mom, please. Who would want to date someone like him?"

"Saifah!" his mom was baffled.

However Saifah never averted his eyes from Zon's, when saying that. Not even for a second. He made it clear that it was not what he meant, even if he didn't have to. Zon knew perfectly well that it was just another one of his innuendo, a secretive message that only Zon was able to understand. It was always like that around people and Saifah seemed to live the best time of his life, whenever he could tease Zon.

And Zon had to admit that he started loving that cocky smirk, too; all those meaningful looks and smiles they had shared making their relationship feel even more special.

"He's a fine looking man and he's your friend," said his mom, tsking in a disapproval. "Don't you say things like that!" When Saifah sat down, she turned to Zon and apologised for her son's words. "And you, don't listen to him. I'm sure there is someone who would love to date you."

"Yeah, maybe there is one weird person that does," admitted Saifah caressing Zon's hand under the table and trying to hide his amusement.

***

Saifah pushed doors to his room and opened the window. The fresh breeze swooshed over him, as he turned around and saw Zon pouting at him with a playful twinkle in his eyes.

"So..." started Zon, "no one would want to date someone like me, huh?"

Before answering, Saifah sat on the bed and turned on the Playstation, a small smirk tickling his mouth. "Well, I don't want to sound like an ass, but I kinda hope so, yeah."

He reached his hand to pull Zon on the bed next to him and winked at him.

He didn't understand his feelings well, but the way he felt about Zon was different than he had ever felt before and it was more than surprising. Even with Fai he had never cared that much. Yes, it was nice to have a girlfriend, he liked kissing her and stuff. But when they broke up his life didn't change much, it was still exactly the same. He had shrugged his sadness off the next day, feeling more heartbroken about losing someone to fool around than about her herself.

With Zon, he did not even want to think about it, feeling uneasy at the mere sprout of an idea of a breakup. He would never admit to it out loud, but he was not sure if he would be able to go back to being just friends with him after all they did. It was not about the physical part of the relationship, but the fact that going back to a purely platonic version seemed impossible considering his urge to have Zon next to him all the time.

And he couldn't imagine seeing someone else with Zon, either.

Saifah cupped his boyfriend's face and smiled, looking him in the eyes. "I'm not sure if that one weird person is ready to share you with any cute boys or girls that are on the campus yet."

Zon wrinkled his nose in disgust. "Blah. Cheesy."

"But you like it," reminded him softly Saifah. "Otherwise, you wouldn't be into me."

He moved on the bed, making more room for Zon to sit comfortably and grabbed the joystick.

"And who said I am, hm?" Zon's elbow poked him on the side, but a moment later he ruffled the taller boy's hair and kissed him on the nape of his neck. "So what are we playing today?"

A/N: I'm yet not sure if Blue's role will be any big, but I hope this chapter showed not only this, but also a growing easiness in relations between present Saifah and Zon.
As always, I would be delighted if you would leave your opinion about it and I hoped you enjoyed that chapter.

I must say, that the next one (or the next-next one, I'm yet not sure) is finally one of the three I like the most and I'm getting excited about it T^T