Help A Guy Out

“You will choose your mom, right Finn? You are not choosing dad, right? Tell me, FInn...”

…

The third of my five alarms finally dragged me out of sleep.

6:20

After waking up, I just there for a while, staring at the ceiling.

A few minutes later, I got up.

After making my bed, I stepped into the bathroom and took my sweet time.

Then I walked into the kitchen to make my lunch...
Peanut butter on one slice, mixed fruit jam on the other. Sandwich them together and––

“Gotta love PBJs!”

After I was done with the breakfast, I started dressing up.

7:22

“Huh? Strange! I did everything as fast as I could… and I’m still late? Guess I’ll have to take the last possible train, heh. I swear I didn't delay myself deliberately.”

Near the door, I slipped on my shoes, picked up my school bag, and stepped outside.

The station wasn’t far––a mere 6 minutes’ walk.

Let’s see…It’s currently 7:27, and the train arrives at 7:33––

SHIT I WAS TOO SLOW!

I picked up my pace, then broke into a run.

7:32

I made it…the train… should arrive… any second now.

On the platform, I caught my breath, checked my reflection using my front camera, adjusted my hair…and paused.

I leaned in slightly.

Smells fine. Yep. I’m all good.

The train arrived on time.

It wasn’t much packed; mostly office-goers.

I was the only student. That is, me and…

...

I don’t see her…

I glanced around discreetly, looking for one specific face.

Guess she’s in another carriage, huh?

“Looking for me?”

“Whuh––“

I was startled.
But more than that, I was overjoyed.

“N-No. No, I was just…looking… here and there.”

“Aw, you weren’t?” she puffed her cheeks. “Because I was looking for you, you know.”

“Is-is that so? I uhh…”

She was looking for me?? Did I hear that right??

“Well, no worries.” She shrugged, then continued, “You know, I woke up late today and because of that I missed breakfast. I’m already feeling lightheaded.”

“That sounds rough.”

“I know, right?” She sighed, “And if that moron misses the class again today, then I’m seriously gonna crash out.”

Her crush, huh?

“If you don’t mind me asking, what’s your crush’s name?”

“Huh?”,

There it was again––that smirk.

“Hey, what’s this, are you interested?”

“N-no, it’s just, uh…curiosity, you know.”

“Not telling.” She turned away slightly, “It’s a secret.”

“Ah…okay.”

We arrived at our stop around 7:49.

From there, it was just a 3 minutes’ walk to the school.

“Well, Finn,” Kayla said, as we reached the corridor, “see you later! Enjoy your day.”

“Yeah, you too!”

And, there I was again, in front of my classroom.

Well, none of them seemed to care the other day, so it’s easier to walk in now.

I slid open the door and walked in.

Yep, as expected. They’re all busy in themselves.

I walked to my seat.

That’s right. The one in the very first row.

I hope Ms. Beatrice assigns us our seats soon, I hate sitting near the podium.
It feels like the teacher’s entire attention is on me.
It sucks.

There were still a few minutes before the class started, so I pulled out my phone and started scrolling.

“I still can’t process that Chainsaw Man has ended” I said to myself, “…and just like that. Not that I’m complaining. But…”

I was lost in my own world until…

“Hey, dude with the side part,”

I lifted up my head.

“Do you happen to–“ he stopped mid-sentence, staring at me, “Oh––wait, are you the transfer student?”

…this is just crazy.

“Sorry, sorry,” he scratched his head, “I wasn’t present in the class yesterday, but Ms. Betty did tell us that a new student will be joining us.”

“I-I see.”

I might be able to talk to Kayla just fine, but truth be told, I suck at communication.

“I’m Alice.” He extended his hand, “My friends call me Al. Nice to meet you.”

“I’m Finn.” I shook his hand, “Nice to meet you too, Al––ice.”

I don’t think I should be calling him Al. We just met.

He laughed.

“It’s fine, you can call me Al. No worries.”

“Oh, okay then, I will.” I paused for a moment, noticing his hair, “Hey…your hairstyle is really cool.”

“Really?” his face lit up instantly, “You like it? It’s inspired by my favorite character––“

“Yuta Okkotsu.”

He blinked in surprise,

“You know him?? That’s so cool.”

“Yeah,” I nodded, “He’s my favorite character. I tried copying his hairstyle myself…” I ran a hand through my hair, “but, as you can see, I failed miserably.”

“Haha,” he laughed, “That’s okay, It took me a bunch of attempts to get this too.“

"Did you watch the 12th episode?" I asked.

"YEAH!" he replied, leaning over my desk, "The highly anticipated Triple Domain Clash was so good! I watched the episode twice back-to-back."

"Tell me about it." I added, completely absorbed in the conversation now, "I'm going to watch it again once I get home to––"

The bell rang.

“Aw, looks like the class is starting.” Alice said, stepping back, “We’ll talk later, Finn––wait”

He closed in again.

“I forgot to ask you; do you have stapler?? I really need it.”

“Ah, yeah, I do.”

I reached into my bag and took it out.

“Thanks, Finn. See you!”

“U-Uh, yeah, sure.”

Another Yuta fan, huh? That’s so cool.

The class went by without much happening.

Notes. Lectures.

The usual.

Before I knew it, it was already breaktime.

During the break, the students scattered across the class in small groups.

I stayed at my seat.

Alone.

I opened my bag and looked inside.

…Great. 
I packed my lunch but forgot to pick it up...

I stared into my bag for a second longer, hoping it would magically appear.

...

Maybe I should go to the canteen.

I checked the bag again.

…

I’m going to crash out. I forgot to put emergency money!! I cannot survive the rest of the day like this.

I looked around.

Everyone was eating.

It feels awkward being the odd one out.
I should take a walk and take a look around.

I stood up and made my way towards the door.

“Hey, Finn,” a voice called out, “You are done already? That’s fast.”

“Ah, h-hey, Al––ice.” It still feels a little weird calling him Al. “Yeah, I eat fast.”

“That’s crazy.” Another guy who was near Alice spoke up, “it takes me, like, 30 minutes to finish my lunch. Sometimes I have to continue eating in the class to finish it.”

...30 Minutes is insane.

“Anyway, where are you going, Finn?” Alice asked.

“No where. Just…looking around.”

“That’s gotta be boring, dude.” the 30-minute guy said, “if you have all that time, help me finish my lunch.”

“Huh? N-No, I can’t. I’m full, you see." I said quickly, "I can’t eat anymore.”

I couldn’t exactly say I forgot my lunch. 

“C’mon, dude,” he insisted, “help a guy out, would you? Just half, please.”

“I think you should eat, Finn.” Alice added, “Nat’s mom’s cooking is super tasty.”

“I can confirm.” the third guy chimed in.

Refusing anymore would’ve been rude, so I gave in.

“Fine then,” I sat down, “I might have a little more space left.”

“So, Finn…” the third guy began,

I could feel another ‘why did you transfer mid-sem’ question coming my way.

“…what do you prefer: ass or tits?”

…

“Huh?”

My brain stopped.

“Stop it, Carl,” Alice meddled in, “You are embarrassing the guy. See, he’s all frozen.”

“What is it, dude?” Carl shrugged, “I just want to get to know him better, that’s all.”

“There has to be better ways to get to know someone, big guy.” Nate said.

“Finn is a man, I know it.” Carl insisted, “He can answer. Right, Finn?”

...

I’m never forgetting my lunch ever again.

“I…” I muttered, “Ass…I guess…”

“I KNEW IT!” Carl shot up like he won a lottery or something, “You are my best friend already, Finn! These guys here have bad taste. I don't even want to hang out with them.”

“Good for you, huh, Carl,” Alice sighed, “you finally found your soulmate.”

I was almost done eating.

There wasn’t much to fill both of us, but it was enough to last me until I got home.

The bell rang.

"Thanks again, Finn," Nat said, "Help me out tomorrow too, ok?"

"Maybe try bringing less food tomorrow, Nat." said Alice.

"Al-Alright, guys, see you later." I said and returned to my seat.

The remaining classes passed by quickly.

No attention drawn. Just time moving forward.

Perfect.

When the final bell rand, I packed my stuff and stood up, half-expecting––

No.
That’s stupid.
Why would she be waiting for me today too?

She'd be with her crush, obviously.

I walked into the corridor and couldn’t help but look around.

…

Yeah, right. She’s not here.