NiorElegant

Evan has always been the easy target, soft-spoken, slightly overweight, and never quite fitting in. After years of bullying and bouncing between colleges, he arrives at yet another new school with just one hope: to finally be invisible. No more whispers. No more cruel jokes. Just peace.

Lucas, the school's tennis prodigy, is everything Evan is not, tall, confident, admired. But beneath his perfect image, Lucas is quietly shattered after being rejected by the only girl he ever loved. Emotionally distant and no longer caring about his golden reputation, Lucas begins to drift through the school year with a broken heart.

When the two unexpectedly become classmates, Evan assumes Lucas won't even notice him. And at first, he's right. But over time, something begins to shift. A silent curiosity. A quiet glance. A shared moment between two people who never thought they'd connect.

(BL) The One I Underestimated

Evan walked slowly through the corridor, his steps light and unsteady, as if the floor might collapse under him at any moment.

His throat ached from holding in what might've become sobs if he hadn't swallowed them back.

He had been careful. So careful. Always keeping a polite distance, never crossing lines. Mikael was just... kind. A friend. Someone who never asked for anything, never pushed.

So why had Lucas acted like Evan had betrayed him?

He reached his classroom a few minutes late, stepping inside as quietly as possible. His eyes flicked across the room..

He quickly dropped his gaze and made his way to his seat, not daring to glance in that direction again.

He sat down. His mind still spinning.

The lecturer was talking, but the words barely registered. Evan kept replaying the confrontation in the restroom. The accusations. The insults. The way Lucas had looked at him like he was… nothing.

Evan didn't understand. He never tried to chase Lucas. Never asked for more than kindness. And with Mikael, he didn't even hope, he just enjoyed the company in silence, grateful for once not to feel hated.

Still, the words rang loud in his ears.

"You're soft. Weird. Nothing about you is attractive."

By the time the final bell rang, Evan barely realized it. Everyone around him was packing their bags, chatting and laughing, already halfway out the door.

He stood up slowly, still lost in thought, placing his lunchbox back into his backpack.

Mikael stood at the classroom door, smiling easily like always. Still in his casual jacket, with his soccer bag slung over his shoulder.

"Want to walk back together?" he asked. "Our blocks are close, right?"

Lucas was still in the room. Still by the back window, packing his books into his bag. He had turned, subtle, but watching.

The weight of Lucas's stare. The judgment. The tension still hanging in the air.

Evan's chest tightened all over again.

He gave Mikael a small, hesitant smile, then shook his head.

Without waiting, he quickly brushed past him and toward the door.

He just rushed down the hall and disappeared around the corner.

At the back of the room, Lucas stood frozen, gripping the strap of his bag.

He had expected Evan to leave with Mikael. He had wanted to watch it happen, so he could feel justified in his anger.

Mikael was still standing near the door, staring after Evan, clearly puzzled.

Chapter 16 : Too many questions