It was Saturday morning at Lincoln High, and the campus was unusually quiet. Most students were either still asleep or slowly dragging themselves toward the day's weekend study programs. Brandston, however, was already up—tired eyes and hoodie on, walking aimlessly near the school's open courtyard.
Joel had stayed back in the dorm, claiming he needed "a spiritual recharge" after five straight days of classes and Vanessa's over-the-top Friday antics. Brandston didn't blame him. The previous day had been too much.
Vanessa had not let him breathe.
She had shown up at lunch, asked to sit beside him in class, brought snacks again, and even called him "B" out loud like they were some known couple. The class had burst into little whispers. Joel kept grinning, nudging him the whole time like they were in a comedy show.
Now, Brandston just wanted some peace.
He sat by a quiet bench near the school's running field, watching the sky while chewing on gum he'd grabbed from his pocket. His mind started to drift. Not toward Vanessa, but Audrey. Even though he had promised himself he wouldn't, he still wondered how she was doing… and whether he really blew it for good.
"Brrrraaaaandston!" a familiar loud voice came from behind.
He already knew who it was.
Joel ran up, wearing his sweats, holding two chocolate bars. "Bro! It's Saturday. Why you out here moping like a dumped anime protagonist?"
Brandston smirked. "You're loud, Joel."
"And you're boring. I brought snacks. Eat one, live a little." Joel flung one bar at him. "So, did Vanessa text you last night?"
"No. She called."
"Whaaaat? What did she want?"
"She said she was 'worried about me'… and that I should stop ignoring her because she 'can make me happy.' Whatever that means."
Joel's eyes widened. "Bro… she's applying pressure. Heavy pressure. This girl wants your soul."
Brandston laughed lightly. "Well, she's not getting it."
Before Joel could say more, a few upper-year students walked past them. One of the girls turned her head a little too long at Brandston and giggled. Joel noticed.
"There goes another one. I swear you need a bodyguard. Not because people want to fight you—but because they wanna date you."
Brandston gave a small chuckle and looked away, trying to stay calm. "I don't want any of them. I just want peace."
Joel leaned back on the bench dramatically. "Then you're in the wrong school, buddy."
Just then, his phone buzzed. A message.
Vanessa: "Good morning ☀️ I made pancakes. Want some? I can bring them to your dorm."
Brandston stared at the message. He didn't reply.
Joel, noticing his expression, peeked. "She's still at it?"
Brandston locked the phone and shoved it in his pocket.
"Let's just walk."
They got up, deciding to circle the campus track for a bit. The cold wind blew gently across the field. The silence was welcome.
As they walked, Brandston finally said it. "Joel… you ever feel like… people like you for reasons that have nothing to do with who you really are?"
Joel blinked. "Deep question for a Saturday."
"I'm serious. Sometimes I think… if I wasn't quiet, or didn't have this face, or whatever… people wouldn't care. They just… latch on to the idea of you."
Joel nodded thoughtfully. "Yeah. I feel that. People expect me to be the funny guy all the time. But sometimes… I just wanna shut up. Be alone. I get it."
That made Brandston smile.
It was nice, for once, not feeling completely misunderstood.
As they walked back to the dorm, Joel suddenly said, "But listen… if Vanessa shows up again with food, I'm claiming it this time. You ain't wasting good pancakes, my guy."
Brandston smirked. "Deal."