Hallway run-ins

HALLWAY-THE NEXT MORNING

It’s the fifth official day of school. Students bustle through the halls—some lost, some loud, and some already regretting their course choices. Leo walks like he owns the corridor, cold, confident, and distant. Klaus trails behind, a human hurricane of curiosity and bad decisions.

*KLAUS*

(grinning)

"Okay, hear me out—what if I joined Drama Club?"

*LEO*

"No."

*KLAUS*

"You're right. They’re not ready for this level of talent."

*A group of girls walk by, giggling when they see Leo.

*GIRL 1*

"Who is he? He looks so tall and handsome, sadly l can't see his face because of the half-mask and his hoodie, ahh"

*GIRL 2*

"ah l heard he's from the Lawrence family one of the richest school donator and his father holds a high position on the school board of members "

*GIRL 3*

"l would do anything to be his girl friend " she said that with a dreamy look.

Leo gave them a cold and nonchalant look and Klaus noticed.

*KLAUS*

(teasing)

"Wow. Still single, huh? Or are you just rejecting them all to maintain the mysterious brooding aesthetic?"

*LEO*

"Dead men talk less."

*KLAUS*

"Dramatic much? Fine, I’ll shut up. But don’t say I didn’t try when your soulmate walks right past you."

Suddenly, Leo stops walking. His eyes catch KAI—a boy with moonlight eyes and some hints of gold, walking with a body guard, lost on his phone

He looked so domineering, giving off a mafia like aura , commanding respect.

Kai seemed to notice Leo's intense gaze on him, so he looked up only to see a pair of obsidian eyes hidden in a half-mask and a hoodie staring at him.

He raised his trimmed and pierced right brow as if to ask Leo what he staring at him for.

Klaus bumps into Leo.

*KLAUS*

"Dude? What’s with the—ohhh... someone caught your eye, huh?".," But l advise you not to go for him"

*LEO*

"WHY"

*KLAUS*

" Because he's known for being ruthless and cold, more like you but he's on a higher level. Let me tell you, last year he skinned someone alive because she touched him".

Whispered Klaus in a gossipy tone.

*LEO*

"Where did you learn that"

*KLAUS*

"Social circle my friend, you know l can take you in as a disciple, so that you can learn how to socialize, even though you barely meet my standards for a disciple". Said Klaus while patting his chest.

*LEO*

"Fuck off and walk".

Klaus smirks but says nothing. They move on. But Leo’s mind lingers.

*CLASSROOM – MINUTES LATER*

Leo took his sit at the back and took out his notebook.

Then out of the blue, time seemed to have been stopped. All the noise and chattering of students became lower and lower until the room was completely silent.

Everyone turned to look at the door that had swung open. Loud gasps could be heard as students stared at the door in reverence as if a god had graced them with his presence.

*Student 1*

"OMG!!!!!, isn't that Kai Draven"

*Student 2"

"The most feared,respected and mysterious person in this school".

*Student 3*

"l had never thought he would come in this classroom"

Kai's eyes roamed to each and every student in the classroom .

His luscious red perfect lips parted to speak, everything went silent..

Until....

A deep, soothing and magnetic voice was heard.Not sounding like someone who's fifteen. The sound drew people into a wonder land, enticing people to think forbidden thoughts.

"Oh this is a wrong class" came the voice of Kai, his brows furrowed into a frown.

Then....

"Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh" a shrill scream that could pierce heavens boomed in the classroom.

Chaos followed as people scrambled to reach the door to touch Kai. Students stepped on each other, tripped, some even lost a few front tooth. They forgot that there were in a lesson, it was as if there was spell casted on them.

Kai's face twisted into a knot of irritation and then he vanished but before doing that his eyes met with Leo's with hints of confusion in them.

RIIIIIIIIIIIIIIING!!!!! The school bell rang signaling the end of classes.

Leo took his backpack slung it on his shoulder then walked out of the class

*Few minutes later "

Klaus jogs up beside Leo, slinging his backpack over one shoulder, his usual grin plastered on his face.

*Klaus:* "Yo, L! What’s for lunch today, huh? You look like you’ve already planned a five-course meal in that cold brain of yours."

Leo doesn’t slow his pace. Hands in pockets. Face unreadable.

Leo: "Food."

Klaus: *laughs* "No kidding, genius. But what kind? I’m starving. Don’t tell me you’re doing that 'mysterious loner’ thing again and skipping lunch."

Leo: *glances at him* "If I did, it’s still one less voice I have to hear chewing."

Klaus:"Ouch. You wound me, cousin." *dramatically clutches his chest* "Fine, fine. I’ll take the lead. I saw a food truck out front. Smelled like grilled heaven."

Leo: "You mean grilled heartburn."

Klaus: "Says the guy who eats plain rice like it's some ancient ritual."

Leo: *finally cracks the faintest smirk* "At least I don’t talk to my burger like it’s a long-lost lover."

Klaus:"One time, Leo! One time!"

They walk off together, Klaus still grinning and Leo pretending not to enjoy the banter.

Klaus and Leo sit under a shaded tree, trays in hand. Klaus has a towering burger with fries. Leo has plain rice and grilled chicken, eating calmly like the world isn’t buzzing around them.

Klaus:*mouth half full* “Mmmph, bro—*swallows*—you seriously need to live a little. This burger is life.”

Leo: *without looking up* “That burger has more drama than your love life.”

Klaus:“You say that like it’s a bad thing.”

Leo: *calmly sips his water* “You tried to date three girls in the same week and ended up hiding in the janitor’s closet for 3 days.”

Klaus: *waves a fry* “Correction: I was *strategically retreating*. There’s a difference.”

Leo: “Yeah. One involves shame.”

Klaus sighs dramatically and leans back on one hand, chewing thoughtfully.

Klaus: “You know, sometimes I wonder if you were born with actual emotions or if you downloaded them from some silent ninja app.”

Leo: *dryly* “If I did, you’d be the ad I keep skipping.”

Klaus laughs loudly, earning a few curious glances.

Klaus: “You love me.”

Leo:*smirking faintly* “Only when you’re not speaking.”

A brief silence falls. Birds chirp, wind rustles through the leaves. Klaus looks over at Leo.

Klaus: “You ever get tired of being alone, though?”

Leo’s chopsticks pause mid-air. His gaze doesn’t shift.

Leo: “No. Silence is loyal. People aren’t.”

Klaus studies him for a second, then shrugs.

Klaus: “Fair. But one day, someone’s gonna break through that fortress you built.”

Leo:*quietly* “Then I hope they know how to fight.”

The scene fades with Klaus munching fries and Leo finishing his rice, both cousins side by side—one loud, one cold—but slowly syncing in their own chaotic way.

* Dorm Room – Nighttime | Leo’s POV*

The dorm room was finally quiet—Klaus’s obnoxiously loud playlist had faded, replaced by the hum of the night bugs outside our window. The moonlight pooled through the half-open blinds, casting silver bars across the floor. Klaus was on his bed, still munching on some leftover fries he smuggled from lunch.

I was lying on mine, hands behind my head, staring at the ceiling.

He was still chewing.

Of course.

Klaus: “So... what are we having for lunch tomorrow?”

I didn’t answer immediately. Not because I didn’t hear him. I just needed a second to not lose my mind.

Leo (thinking):He’s been asking about food since we *left* the cafeteria. I swear this guy has the stomach of a black hole.

Leo: “Food.”

Klaus: “Wow. Thanks for the gourmet description, Chef Iceheart.”

I turned my head slightly, just enough to glance at him. He was lying sideways, fries in hand, looking like some overly chatty puppy that never shuts up.

Leo: “You’re the one always complaining about cafeteria meals. Pick a place. I’ll go if it’s not crawling with noise and humanity.”

Klaus: “So... the rooftop?”

I didn’t hate that idea.

Leo (thinking):At least up there, people are too lazy to climb all the way.

Leo:“Fine.”

Klaus: “You know, for someone who acts like the world annoys him, you’re actually easy to get along with.”

I raised an eyebrow, staring at the ceiling again.

Leo: “You talk enough for ten people. I don’t need to do anything.”

Klaus: *laughs* “That’s the Leo way, huh? Say less, intimidate more.”

He wasn’t wrong. But I wasn’t going to admit that.

Leo (thinking): He doesn’t get it. Silence isn’t just peace. It’s protection. Words give people room to twist, break, or leave. Silence can’t leave.

Klaus tossed his empty fry box on the floor like the chaotic beast he is and groaned, rolling over in bed.