Travelling through worlds to heal hearts

The bell rang, signaling the end of class. Joey looked across the room and spotted Rael, still gazing out the window, his expression unreadable. Rael never seemed to engage in class discussions, always keeping to himself. Joey had quickly realized that the distant demeanor wasn't just a personality quirk—it was a way to protect himself.

Joey picked up his bag, hesitating for a moment as he watched Rael quietly pack his things. The other students, chatting and laughing as they left, hardly noticed the solitary figure at the back. Joey, however, felt compelled to change that. It just didn't feel right to leave him like this.

Taking a deep breath, he walked over to Rael's desk, offering a friendly, casual smile. "Hey, Rael," he said, trying to sound relaxed. "You heading to the cafeteria? I'm starving. Want to join me?"

Rael didn't respond right away. His fingers lingered over his notebook, the only indication that he had heard Joey. Then, with a glance that felt icy, Rael replied in his usual flat tone. "I don't like crowds."

Joey smiled, undeterred by the rejection. "That's fair," he said, leaning against the desk. "I'm not a huge fan either. But I hear lunch today is particularly terrible—so bad it might be worth it just to see the chaos. You could be my fellow 'victim.'" He gave Rael a playful wink.

For a brief moment, Rael's eyes flickered, revealing a hint of something—perhaps amusement or curiosity. But he quickly concealed it, his expression returning to its typical indifference.

"I don't need to see that," Rael said flatly, standing up and collecting his books.

Joey's smile remained. "I guess I'll have to eat it all myself, and you'll miss out on the fun. I'll be sure to fill you in later." He turned to leave but paused, glancing back over his shoulder. "Hey, don't be a stranger, okay? I'll catch you later, Rael."

Rael didn't say a word as Joey walked away, but Joey felt the weight of his gaze. He smiled to himself, unfazed by the silence. This wasn't the first time Rael had ignored him, and Joey had grown accustomed to it. He was determined to break through those barriers—no matter how long it took.

Later that afternoon, Joey sat alone in the school courtyard, picking at his lunch. As he absentmindedly chewed, he scanned the area for Rael. He spotted him across the courtyard, sitting alone on a bench, his face unreadable as he stared off into the distance.

Joey's heart ached for him. Rael always seemed so isolated, as if he didn't fit in among the noisy, lively teenagers around them. There was a tug in Joey's chest, a desire to reach out and offer Rael some support, even if it wasn't welcomed.

He took another bite, his mind drifting back to the rare moments when Rael had caught his eye. Those fleeting instances when his stoic facade cracked, revealing a glimpse of something—something human. Joey believed that Rael wasn't as cold and distant as he seemed. There was more beneath that surface, something that had been hidden for far too long.

"Hey, Joey."

Joey turned at the sound of his name and saw Maya, a friend from his history class, approaching with a curious expression.

"Hey!" Joey replied brightly. "What's up?"

"Not much," she said, sitting down next to him. "I noticed you talking to Rael earlier. That's... different."

Joey shrugged, glancing back at Rael, who remained still. "Yeah, well, he doesn't seem to be a fan of crowds. Thought I'd try something new."

Maya raised an eyebrow. "You really think he'll open up to you?"

Joey shrugged again. "Maybe not today, but I believe there's more to him than just the quiet loner vibe. He has his reasons for keeping people at arm's length. I just want to understand him better."

Maya paused for a moment, then shot Joey a sidelong glance. "You do realize he doesn't really talk to anyone, right? He's kind of a... tough nut to crack."

"I get that," Joey replied quietly, "but that's exactly why I want to befriend him. People are so quick to judge, but they don't see how much he might have gone through." His voice faded, and he let his gaze drift back to Rael, lost in thought.

Later that evening, after school let out, Joey found himself exiting the building without a clear plan. He was about to head home when, to his surprise, he noticed Rael descending the school steps, alone as always.

This time, Joey didn't hesitate. He jogged up next to him and matched his pace. "Hey, I'm going that way too. Mind if I walk with you?" he asked, keeping his tone light and casual.

Rael glanced at him briefly, then looked away without saying anything. But he didn't quicken his pace, nor did he tell Joey to leave him alone. To Joey, that felt like progress.

As they walked in silence, Joey kept his eyes forward, but his mind was racing. He sensed the tension in the air, yet there was something else—something warmer than Rael's demeanor suggested. Joey had been around long enough to recognize it. It was hope, buried deep, just waiting to be brought to light.

By the time they reached their separate destinations, Joey felt he had made a small breakthrough. Rael wasn't exactly welcoming, but he hadn't pushed Joey away either. And to Joey, that was a win.

As he watched Rael turn the corner, Joey's heart filled with determination. He knew it would take time. But he wasn't about to give up. Not now, not ever.