Chance at Love

ls embellished with cheerful yellow patterns. While these colors

a study area. The fan he owned was notorious for its chilly breeze, capable of giving him a cold even durin

s 6 AM. There was no chance of sleeping in today; i

to shake off the remnants of sl

ent the previous night engrossed in vlogs and fan-created YouTube videos

, he yearned to immerse himself in

relatives, and even his entire school. At the tender age of thirteen, just before starting at this boarding s

not designated for students. His grandparents owned the school and had constr

sure why, but he assumed it was their way of being overly cautious since he had come ou

niform-a crisp white long-sleeve shirt paired with black trousers-and stepped outside. Even though he lived in the ap

to both genders, the school enforced strict rules that all students had to follow. The boys' and girls' dormitories were loc

e students still foun

mplaining and chatting among themselves. The food was scheduled to be served at 7 AM and would be available for an hour and a half

he was particularly obedient, but simply beca

y and Girl, Punctuality Prefect, Food Prefect, Social Prefect, and Neat Prefect. The school encouraged students to help enforce the rules and regula

s who barely acknowledged his presence. He quietly e

roups formed in 7th and 8th grades would last until graduation. This

nversations and maintain friendships. His situation was compounded by the fact that he did

iet demeanor and his frequent confusion about their conversations. Over time, he found himself i

rt to contribute to discussions when he was hanging out with his second frien

their school, homophobia wasn't an issue, so the situation didn't create too much of a stir. However, when the senior began

ry if the senior had reciprocated his feelings. Instead, the senior had eyes for Ben's cous

r off on his own. He resolved to make a friend, but this time,

and still, Ben found hi

as all alone. With an odd number of students in the class, he was left without a partn

he teacher entered, signaling

«»«»«

washed over him. He had just returned from the reading hall, where students gat

ctable day in his life. Wake up, have breakfast, attend class, grab lunch, scroll th

as one day closer to graduation. College was on the horiz

developed a liking for seniors, and it was one of them who approached him without any

n him for quite some time. Caught off guard but delighted by the attentio

oping feelings for him. Initially, he felt the gaze of other stud

r to see Jay, he made his way to the boy's dorm. Lucky for him, he en

ed on his lap, wrapped in his embrace, as she listened int

way and dashed back to his room. Later, Ben learned that Jay was in a relationship with a girl named Mabel, and they were experi

, "You really thought he liked you, didn't you?" He averted his gaz

ting rumors circulating throughout the school. If he had been mo

he opted to watch YouTube videos instead. He longed to escape i

st another o