Chapter 2
Juno had basically slept through history, science and math. He walked into English, and immediately wanted to leave. Sitting in the back row, next to the only available seat, was the boy whose locker was next to his. Juno shuffled to his seat, hoping to be ignored, but a little gasp as he sat down assured him that that was not an option.
"You again! Can't say I'm disappointed. Sure will have something to look forward to in fourth period."
He was met with stony silence.
"Well, I'm Peter Nureyeav. Nice to meet you..."
"Steel. Juno Steel."
"Well, classy introduction there, Juno. You certainly do strike me as a James Bond type. Maybe a bit more nuanced however. Like a detective. Juno Steel, the detective. Has a certain ring to it, don't you think?"
"I don't know, detective would require me to actually...talk to people. Horrible thought."
"Well Juno, you're talking to me."
"Yeah. A mistake on my part."
"Ooh a feisty little detective here."
Before Juno could respond, the teacher spoke.
"I'm going to call role. Just say here. Try to be funny, I kick you out."
This resulted in two mutters from the back of the class.
"Hardass."
"You certainly do have one Juno."
The completely monotone way Peter had said it made the blush on Juno's cheeks deepen.
The entire class went that way, Juno making some snappy remark about the class, and Peter turning it into some thinly veiled sexual metaphor. By the end of the period, Juno wanted to crawl in a hole and never look at anyone again, much less Peter Nureyeav. The bell finally rang, and Juno bolted from his seat, out the door, and to his locker. He leaned against it, catching his breath and trying to make his mind think about something, anything other than-
"Juno! You certainly left in a hurry."
He didn't respond, only threw open the locker, and tried to stuff his books in as quickly as possible.
"Hey, my good detective, would you mind if I ate lunch with you? I did so enjoy your commentary in English."
"Just go eat with your other weirdo friends."
Peter's confidence dropped, only for a moment, before he regained his posture and spoke.
"Well you see Juno, a boy who wears eyeliner and earrings doesn't exactly have many friends in a school like this."
Juno looked Peter over again, this time really noticing the earrings and perfectly winged eyeliner. He hadn't noticed it before, simply took it as part of Peter Nureyeav, just as much as his jacket and hair.
"How about it? Lunch?"
Juno faltered, then remembered Rita and her...interesting personality. She would drive Peter away for sure.
"Yeah, as long as you're fine sitting with my other friend."
"By all means. Any friend of yours is a friend of mine."
A few minutes later, Juno's plan was torn to shreds. Peter had laid some smooth line on Rita, who was now giggling softly in her seat.
"This is the quietest she's ever been, and I've known her for fourteen years."
"I do have some skills Juno. I'd be happy to showcase even more of them for you, later, at my house."
"Have some decency. At least take a lady out on a date first."
"Is this not a date?"
Juno couldn't help it, he laughed at Peter. He actually laughed. Rita snapped out of her daze when she noticed.
"Oh my GOD! Mista Steel you're laughing! Oh my god oh my god oh my god!!! You made him laugh didn't you?! Oh, you are soo made for each other! I have got to tell everyone about this."
She walked away, headed to another table, blabbering the whole way. Peter stared after her, chuckling.
"She's very excitable."
"Believe me, this is calm Rita. You should see her when she's really excited."
"She seemed pretty excited to me."
Peter's gaze got more serious for a moment.
"A friend of fourteen years, and yet she was shocked to see you laughing. Why is that?"
Juno looked around, unsure how to answer the question, unsure how to even begin. He went for the easy way out.
"Just don't laugh a lot I guess."
Peter leaned in, and Juno could smell his cologne. 'It's stupid for a highschooler to wear cologne' he used to tell himself. In this moment, he didn't care. In this moment, he was focused on the scent of Peter Nureyeav.
"I think you should laugh more. Your laugh is beautiful Juno."
He said it with absolute sincerity, and Juno could feel Peter's warm breath so near his lips, until he pulled away. The second he did, Juno missed the warmth and the closeness they had only moments before. As he sat, transfixed by Peter, he barely noticed when the bell rang.
"Juno? Juno? Time to get up Juno."
He shook his head, and brought himself back to reality. As both of the boys got up and began heading to their classes, Peter blew Juno a kiss. Juno just stared after him as he walked away. And the second he entered the hall, he was approached by a kid he had known since pre-school. Almost everyone hated him, as he gossiped constantly and knew dirt on everyone in the school. Cecil Kanagawa.
"Juno! Did I just see Peter Nureyeav flirting with you? Are you two a thing now?"
Juno glared at him.
"Cecil, I've saved your ass from a nasty beating more than once. If you want me to continue doing that, I'd suggest you mention nothing about this to anyone, much less your family."
"But Juno! It's such a big piece of news! Our very own Juno Steel, in love with-"
"Don't say it. Here."
Juno shoved a few dollars into Cecil's waiting palm.
"Know what? Maybe I can forget about Peter and you. For a little while anyway."
"Wait, a little while? What the hell does that-"
"Ta ta Juno!"
Cecil practically skipped away through the halls.
'Asshole.'