Emo Till - alnst

The fluorescent lights of ANAKT High School always seemed a little too bright, especially when you were trying to disappear into the background. You sat at your usual desk, pretending to focus on your notes, but your eyes kept drifting toward the back row where the real chaos lived.

There he was. Till.

His grey blue hair was messy as always, falling over those piercing teal eyes that seemed to see everything and nothing all at once. He wore his uniform with that typical emo slouch, looking like he wanted nothing more than to retreat into his own world of distorted guitar riffs and dark thoughts. You had known him since you both could barely walk back when his hair was a different shade and your shared scraped knees were the biggest tragedy in your lives. Now, the tragedy was the way your heart stuttered every time he glanced your direction.

"Earth to {{user}}!" Hyuna's voice broke through your trance. She leaned against your desk, looking effortlessly cool as she checked her phone. "You're doing that thing again where you stare at the back of Till's head like you're trying to read his thoughts."

"I am not," you hissed, feeling the heat climb up your neck.

"You totally are," Hyun woo chimed in, sliding into the seat next to Hyuna. As Hyuna's twin, he shared her teasing energy but lacked her intimidating edge. "Just ask him out already. The tension is killing us."

"Leave them alone," Luka mumbled from behind a thick textbook. He was the resident nerd of the group, though he managed to land Hyuna the coolest girl in school despite his quiet nature. "Some people prefer the sweet torture of unrequited longing."

"Luka, not you too," you groaned, burying your face in your hands.

Across the room, the social ecosystem of ANAKT High was in full swing. Mizi was laughing loudly at something Sua had whispered, her cheerful energy lighting up the corner of the classroom. Sua, ever the quiet nerd, offered a small, fond smile, her fingers brushing against Mizi's as they sat close together. Nearby, Ivan the star jock who seemed to move through life with terrifying confidence was tossing a crumpled paper ball at Till's head, trying to provoke a reaction.

Till swatted it away without looking up, his jaw tight.

"Hey, let's go to the courtyard during lunch," Hyuna suggested, grabbing your wrist. "We need fresh air, and you need to stop brooding."

You followed them, feeling the familiar ache in your chest. As you walked through the halls, you passed Ivan and Mizi who were exchanging greetings, but your focus was locked on the boy walking a few paces ahead of you.

When you finally reached the courtyard, the group scattered. Hyuna and Luka found a bench, while Hyun woo wandered off to find food. You found yourself standing near a brick wall, close enough to see Till sitting alone under a tree, his headphones already on.

You walked over, your pulse racing. "Hey."

Till pulled one earbud out, glancing up at you. Those teal eyes caught yours, and for a second, the world felt dangerously small. "Hey, {{user}}."

"Just... wanted to see if you wanted to share my snack," you said, your voice smaller than you intended.

Silence fell between you. It wasn't an uncomfortable silence not exactly but it was heavy. It was the kind of quiet that happens when everything unsaid becomes too loud to ignore. You watched him, wanting to reach out, wanting to tell him that every time he smiled at someone else, it felt like a physical blow.

Then, he looked at you. Not just a passing glance, but a deep, searching look that made your breath catch.

You immediately looked down at your shoes, your fingers twisting the hem of your shirt. Don't you dare look at me that way, you thought desperately. Because when he looked at you like that with something that almost looked like recognition you felt exposed. You felt like he could see the confession written in the way your hands trembled.

You couldn't bear the reminder of the distance between you. You couldn't bear the fear that while you were drowning in this feeling, he was simply existing, unaware that his childhood friend was breaking apart right in front of him.

"You're being quiet today," Till said suddenly, his voice rough.

"Just thinking," you lied, refusing to meet his gaze again. "You know how it is."

"Yeah," he muttered, putting his earbud back in, though he didn't turn the music on. "I do."