Jaden walked around, looking for the lunchroom. "Where is it…?" he whispered to himself. "I feel like I'm walking in circles…" This was evidently the case. He stopped in his tracks after a few minutes, looking up at the ceiling while rummaging his hand through his hair. Did I really forget my way around the school and I've been here for a full year?

Just then, his good friend Chumley strode down the hall and greeted him. "Hey, Jay, where are you off to?" "Well...I want to say the cafeteria, but I'm nowhere near it," he replied, laughing nervously.

With a sigh, Chumley escorted Jaden to his said destination. "When you see a big room filled with ladies passing food trays, you know you're there," he explained like he was talking to a three year old.

"Harhar, very funny," said Jaden sarcastically. Walking in, he whiffed the different aromas floating from the tables. "Can't wait to chow down," he said greedily. Taking a place in line, he got his food. He then walked down the aisle so he could go toward his designated seat in the back. When he picked up the pair of chopsticks and began eating, he heard a familiar voice from the far side of the cafeteria.

"Hey, shrimp! Come sit with me," Chazz exclaimed. He then stretched and pulled Syrus toward him in an embrace. "Leave me alone, Chazz! I'm not in the mood," Syrus yelled as he tried to escape Chazz' grip. "Are you trying to run to your boooyfriend?" Chazz inquired as his group was laughing.

"While I'm not his boyfriend, I'd say he would rather sit with me than you."

"And what do you want?" Chazz asked, narrowing his eyes.

"What does it look like? I want you to take your arm from around him," said Jaden evenly.

"I don't have to take some punk Slifer telling me what to do. I run this place, so back off!"

"You back off! Shouldn't you be off flirting with someone that doesn't want you?"

An extended "Ooh" could be heard from Atticus' lips.

"Shut up! Everyone knows Alexis wants me!"

An audible "No I don't" could be heard from deep in the crowd.

"The point is—leave my Syrus alone!"

"Fine, I had my fun anyways. See you, geeks later." With that, Chazz pushed Syrus. He stumbled, but was caught by Jaden.

"You alright, Sy?" Jaden asked.

"Yes, I'm fine." Syrus replied.

Just then, the lunch bell rang. It was time to move on to another class. "Aw man! I didn't get to eat!" Jaden ran to see if his bowl of ramen was still on the table, but as he reached his table, he saw the janitor scoop it up into the trashcan. "NOOO!"

He then heard Syrus giggling to the right of him. "You're so silly, aniki," he said, grinned up at Jaden. "Yeah…I guess I am…" Jaden blushed. Gosh, he's beautiful. Especially now. Wait—what am I saying?

"Well, we have to go, aniki. We might be late."

"Yeah…hey, Sy, do you want to hang after school?"

Syrus smiled. "Of course, I'd love to."

A bright red tinge came across Jaden's face. Why does he have to be so…so…lovely? Ahh! There goes that thought again!

As both of them reached class, they took their seats. While Syrus was listening to Professor Banner lecture, Jaden couldn't help but listen to the sound of his heart beating through his chest.