Reverse Rivalry

A Interlude That Reveals Paradise

Jale had many words to describe his life but the word, "peaceful" had never been included.  He was sitting in the English classroom on the east side of the building where he could see the sunset perfectly on the horizon through the open window. The semblance of calm washed over him like a cool breeze.

Detention wasn't meant to be peaceful or enjoyable but how could he not feel anything but happy with this atmosphere. Skylar was sitting in front of him with his chair tilted on the wall. He was talking animatedly with this cheeky smile on his face. His hands were moving with every word that left his lips and his eyes reflected so much excitement.

Jale couldn't tell you what the boy was saying. He could only focus on his happy pretty face and infectious smile. He was more staring in admiration and awe than paying attention.

It was Friday, and he had gotten his phone back but he had to attend two days of detention. He had to write the rules of the handbook a hundred times over the two days he was sentenced. He wanted to write them in a day, get it over with, and ditch detention,

But, that plan already went up in flames when Skylar crashed his party and took over his entire detention space with his presence.

It was the second day of his detention and Jale only got thirty lines down in his book. He was fucking screwed but he wasn't complaining. He had no complaints for the first time in his life.

A knock on the desk snapped his train of thought and intuitive dark eyes stared at him closely.  Jale hadn't even realized that he zoned out but the moment his vision cleared, Skylar Lain's face was right there staring at him with a soft smile. He had turned the chair around from the wall to lean over the desk. The boy proceeded to knock on the desk again with his knuckles and lifted his hand to flick the bangs in Jale's face.

Jale blinked.

"Are you even listening to me, golden boy?"

"Didn't hear a thing you said, Skylar, you can repeat. I'll listen this time," Jale answered leaning closer and flicking Skylar's bangs out of his face too. Skylar's smile widened. His eyes formed the luscious slits they always did.

The tingle in his fingertips down to his toes from seeing him smile would never get old.

"I was saying the way you carry yourself sucks,"

"Now that's a lie and you know it," Jale laughed leaning back into his chair and crossing his arms. The breeze blew his hair out of his handsome face. He assumed Skylar's trademark smirk and his habit of leaning his head to the side.

"I carry myself just the way you like it,"

Skylar laughed. His head dropped on the desk through his laughter and it rolled. He didn't hide the snort that he let out. He was thoroughly amused by Jale's words. When his head lifted, tears were leaking out of his eyes and his hair was slightly messed up.

It warmed Jale's chest to see the boy so happy because of him. He wanted to frame this expression forever.

"Okay, it wasn't that funny," Jale said arching his eyebrows at the overdramatic display but smiling too. He felt a chuckle bubble from his chest.

"Babe, you're hilarious, but you're right," Skylar blew out while standing up. He walked towards the teacher's desk in the room. He took up the marker on it.

"You do carry yourself great but the populace of this school disagrees,"

"Are we talking about my popularity now?"

"Your popularity with girls doesn't count," Skylar drawled while writing something he couldn't make out on the board.

"I'm not popular with girls,"