They had math class together and it was the only class they had together. They were deskmates, but never talked to each other; except the occasional ‘hellos’. He never stayed put in his seat for too long; always getting up and walking around the classroom towards his friends. While she would either work on the math homework, read a book or go on her phone. Even when they had to work together, he would still go work with his friends while she had to do the work by herself. She preferred to work by herself, less arguments or confusions. They were both doing exceptionally well in the class so there was no reason to ask for help on any of the papers. 

Soon the teacher got annoyed with the boys wondering, so he decided to give him a time limit. The teacher knew that they were all good friends and that the boy would sometimes help them out; so instead of forcing him to stay in his seat, the boy had a 15 minute window out of the 50 minute class time to sit with his friends. The rest of the time he had to sit at his assigned seat. 

When this arrangement first started they didn’t speak to each other but focused on something else. He would either doodle, do his math work or be on his phone while she did her own thing. 

While he was doodling on his paper, she was reading but took a break and looked over at what he was doing. 

“That’s pretty.”

He looked up at her confused then glanced back down at his paper. He had drawn random designs that almost filled up the entire page. 

“Uhh… thanks.”

“Do you take an art class?” she asked, closing her book. 

“No I don’t but I-ummm...I do graffiti with a group of people.” He admitted. 

“Are you going to do that? Like do you plan out your artwork before you spray paint it?”

She had completely glossed over the fact that he does graffiti. Which doesn’t happen. Everyone he told had scolded him about it one way or another, but she didn’t even question it. 

“Only sometimes, if it's a big spot that we’ll spray at then yes but I’m just bored so I started drawing.”

“I think it’s neat.”

“Thank you.”

With that she went back to her book, leaving him with a smile on his face. No one complimented him on his work except the people he graffitis with. The first conversation they had, she complimented him right away. The short conversation made him happy for the rest of the day. 

These short little conversations wouldn’t happen everyday but when it did they each learned a little more about each other. Their likes and dislikes, what they would do if this or that happened. It was good to talk with each other and he wondered why he never tried to talk to her in the first place. The more they talked with each other the more he slowly started to fall for her. She’s sweet, caring, smart, and shares his sense of humor; on most things that is.

He wasn’t having a good day, well not a good week in general. It was a mess at home and he hated being there, so he left early. He skipped breakfast that morning and didn’t have any money to go out and buy something. Math class rolled around and his stomach growled every few minutes, depending food. He was the first one into class, slumping down into his seat and laying his head down onto the table. As the bell rang, the other students started filing into the classroom, his friends came to check up on him. They had a general idea of what was happening at home and knew not to ask too many questions or he would go completely silent. 

Seeing her walk into class made him feel a bit better, especially when she was the first one to say ‘hi’ this time. She brought out her book and started reading, waiting for the teacher to start the lesson; all the while he was sneaking glances at her. 

The class started and they hadn’t exchanged a word, which was normal but he wanted a distraction from his stomach. Math wasn’t a good distraction. When he had the free time to go sit with his friends he decided to stay put and take a short nap. 

She had noticed his unusually quiet behavior, wanting to ask what was wrong but also not wanting to butt into someone else’s problems; she was trying to figure out what to ask him. As if on cue his stomach growled, loudly. He groaned, throwing his hood over his head. She hesitated for a second. 

“You okay?” She finally asked. 

“I’m fine.”

“You sure?”

He was getting annoyed with her, in the beginning he wanted to talk with her but now he just wanted to sleep. He looked over at her, wanting to tell her to leave him alone; but he saw that she was really concerned about him and seemed taken back by his sudden attitude. 

“I’m just hungry is all.” He admitted, placing his head back down on the table. 

She immediately stopped doing the math work and picked up her backpack. She started rummaging through it and took out a bag of goldfish. She placed it next to his arm, and poked him. 

He looked up.

“What’s this?”

“You said you were hungry, so goldfish.” She put her backpack back down.

“No it’s okay.”

“You said you were hungry so eat something. I’ve always got extra food so if you’re ever hungry just ask for some.”

“I-

“If you have a preference for something just tell me and I’ll go and buy it for you. Skipping a meal isn’t healthy.” She started going back to the math work.

“No but-

“Plus you’re normally all sunshine and funny so seeing you be all misrealby and quiet is really strange. It doesn’t suit you. Need any help just ask me and I’ll be here, okay?” She interrupted him. 

“Okay, ummm thank you.” 

He took the goldfish, he opened it and started snacking. His stomach finally settled down, he felt so much better. He was thankful. She didn’t ask him what was going on, what was wrong. He said he was hungry and she gave him food without asking why he didn’t eat anything. She didn’t stick her nose into any of his business but instead made him feel better despite all the shit going on at home; also with his artwork. She had made him feel happy, he hadn’t realized how sad he actually was until she came along. They barely knew each other long and she was already offering her support, a shoulder to lean on.