Without them realizing it, from behind the building that faced directly toward the back garden, a pair of sharp eyes was quietly observing their every move. The figure stood still, leaning against the wall with arms crossed, as if analyzing something from the serious conversation between Alvano and Theo. There was a glint in those eyes—whether it was deep curiosity or suspicion, it was hard to tell.
Moments later, the recess bell rang, marking the end of the break. Theo and Alvano stood up at the same time, straightening their posture before leaving the garden bench. Though brief, their conversation had meant a lot to both of them. What was usually just a short time to relax had turned into a moment that set a new direction for Alvano.
The next class was Modern Arts—a subject that always sparked excitement in Alvano. There was a deep fascination within him toward the world of art; he felt it was one of the best ways to express his emotions. Theo enjoyed the subject too, though not as passionately as Alvano. For Theo, art was simply an escape from routine.
For this lesson, they had to move to a special classroom provided by the school. Some subjects, such as art, music, and lab experiments, had their own dedicated rooms.
Theo waited outside the class, leaning against the wall, while Alvano packed his books and stationery into his bag. Joshua, the class representative, made sure everyone had left before locking the classroom door—a habit that often earned him praise from teachers.
"All set, Van?" Theo asked casually, raising an eyebrow.
Alvano nodded. "Let's go."
The three of them walked side by side down the hallway toward the modern art room, unaware that their earlier conversation was still being watched by that mysterious figure.
On their way, Joshua started a small conversation. Although he was fairly close to Theo, his relationship with Alvano was still rather stiff. Alvano was known to be quiet and hard to approach, something Joshua had noticed from the start. Still, as class president, he felt it was his duty to build good communication with every class member—including Alvano.
"By the way, Van," Joshua said, glancing at him, "do you prefer painting or music?"
Alvano paused for a moment before answering briefly, "Painting."
Joshua smiled, even though the answer was short. "That's cool. I personally like art installations, though half the time I don't even understand what they mean."
Theo chuckled from the other side. "That's because you only like how they look, not what they say."
Joshua laughed too, keeping the conversation going. "Well, at least I'm trying to appreciate art. It keeps me from being too serious all the time."
Theo shook his head slightly, amused by Joshua's efforts to talk to the ever-calm Alvano. Yet behind that quiet demeanor, Alvano actually felt a faint warmth—he was glad someone was trying to reach out.
When they arrived at the modern art room, Alvano went in first and chose a seat near the window. The soft morning sunlight streamed through the glass, creating a calm, warm atmosphere. He looked perfectly at ease there, as if this was the one place where his mind could finally breathe freely.
Theo and Joshua followed behind, chatting casually. Grinning, Theo nudged Joshua's arm. "Hey, since when do you talk to Alvano using 'I' and 'you' like that, Jo?" he teased. "You don't usually talk like that. Don't tell me you're trying too hard to get close to him, huh?"
Joshua chuckled, a little embarrassed. "Hahaha, I'm just… trying to sound more natural. It'd be weird to talk too formally all the time. Besides, Alvano's not exactly the easiest guy to talk to."
Theo nodded with a smirk. "Fair point. Still weird hearing you talk that way, though."
Joshua shrugged. "Hey, I'm just making an effort. I want all of us to get closer. He doesn't have many friends in class, after all."
Theo smiled faintly, quietly appreciating Joshua's sincerity.
The modern art class began in a cheerful atmosphere. Their teacher, Ms. Clarisse, was known for her laid-back style and for encouraging freedom of expression. That day, she assigned a simple but interesting group project: create a collaborative artwork on the theme of "Change."
"Form groups of three," Ms. Clarisse said warmly. Without hesitation, Joshua turned to Theo and Alvano. "Come on, let's team up," he said enthusiastically.
Theo sighed, shaking his head with an amused smile. "Not giving anyone else a chance, huh?"
"Gotta build chemistry fast," Joshua replied casually.
Alvano nodded slightly, accepting the offer without protest. Though he wasn't much of a talker, it was clear he was starting to open up. He even began responding to Joshua's comments from time to time—something that would've been unthinkable before.
The three of them started brainstorming, sketching ideas, and exchanging feedback. Before they knew it, the atmosphere had become genuinely fun. Theo cracked jokes every now and then, and Joshua eagerly played along, making the group dynamic lively and easygoing.
The most surprising moment came when Joshua showed a rough sketch that looked odd yet amusing. Alvano looked at it and laughed softly—not his usual faint smile, but a real, warm laugh.
Theo froze, eyes wide. "Dude, did you see that? He—he laughed!" he whispered dramatically to Joshua.
Joshua grinned, satisfied. "See? He's human after all."
Theo chuckled quietly. "If this keeps up, semester two's gonna be fun."
The second break finally came. The loud bell signaled another recess, and students rushed out toward the cafeteria. Theo, Joshua, and Alvano strolled side by side, chatting lightly as they went.
They chose a quiet corner table and enjoyed the food they had just bought. The day felt peaceful—no noise, no trouble, just simple, pleasant moments.
The biggest surprise of all was Alvano himself. He started talking more, sharing his thoughts, even slipping in a few light jokes. Though he wasn't as expressive as Theo or as upbeat as Joshua, the change was undeniable.
They shared stories, laughing about funny teachers, cafeteria food, and even their dreams for the future. Small bursts of laughter echoed from their table, wrapping the moment in an easy warmth.
Joshua looked at Alvano, a bit astonished. "I just realized… you actually have this side to you, huh, Van?" he said softly.
Theo laughed. "Told you—not everything's as it looks on the outside."
That day felt light and full of laughter, as if marking the beginning of something new between the three of them.