Delicate

Chapter Ten

"Where's Milan?" Leo asked.

"With Ms. Peters, he had to talk to her about some assignment," Quinn answered.

"He's missing lunch for that?" Leo raised a brow, and Quinn shrugged.

"Is it really that big of a surprise?" Quinn retorted.

"I suppose not," Leo muttered.

"So, Leo," Quinn paused, "what's your deal?"

"My deal?"

"Yeah, your deal," when Leo didn't reply, probably confused as to what Quinn meant, they continued, "everyone has one. What's yours?"

"I... I don't know?" Leo tilted his head, still puzzled.

"I just want to get to know you," Quinn said with a slight pout.

"Why?" Leo asked.

"How else are we supposed to become friends?" Quinn questioned back.

"We're friends now?"

"Well, we're having lunch together. And talking. So, I suppose that makes us friends," Quinn answered.

"If you say so," Leo mumbled, before taking a bite of his sandwich.

He missed the days when he used to eat alone. Those days of solitude were long gone, as now he was joined by Milan and Quinn, sometimes even Delilah and Jai. Leo could just not go to the cafeteria, and eat somewhere else alone like he used to earlier. But a part of him didn't want to do that anymore.

Quinn was about to say something when their phone rang. They picked it up with a grin, and told whoever was on the other side that they were in the cafeteria with Leo. It wasn't hard to guess that the person calling was Milan.

"Was that Time is Running Out?" Leo asked, recognising Quinn's ringtone.

"You listen to Muse?" Quinn asked, a smile on their face as they looked at the boy eagerly.

"Yeah, they're one of my favourite artists," Leo said with a nod.

"Mine too! What about System Of A Down?"

"Aerials is one of my top ten songs this year," Leo stated.

"Oh my God, I still don't know what your deal is, but good music taste is definitely a part of it."

Leo and Quinn continued talking about music, and the conversation soon shifted to movies and web series. Leo couldn't remember the last time he had such an effortless conversation with someone about things that he liked. Never in a million years did he imagine himself voluntarily talking to a person as loud and extraverted as Quinn, but he couldn't deny that he was enjoying it.

A few minutes later, Milan walked over to them, a suspicious look on his face as he watched the two converse. His expression changed to surprise when he heard them talking about Batman, and not about something that Milan would need to interrogate Quinn about later.

Milan joined in the conversation, it excited him to see Leo talk so openly about things. They were all talking like they were friends, something Milan had never expected.

They all parted their ways once lunch was over, Quinn and Leo walked together since they had the same P.E. class. Milan watched their retreating figures with a smile, seeing Leo and Quinn being friendly made him happy.

The rest of the day passed by painfully slow, like it always did whenever Milan had his tutor sessions with Leo. He couldn't wait for the time to pass, and it seemed like the universe had something against him and was torturing him by making time go slower.