The rooftop was quiet. Always was.
Ian liked it that way. No judgmental looks. No conversations where he was expected and needed to actually talk back. It was just the wind, the golden sky, and the grape-flavored juice box he set aside on the ledge.
He paced around like a headless chicken, mumbling under his breath.
"Hey friend, do you wanna hang out after class?"
He paused, wrinkling his nose.
"No, too straightforward. Okay. Um... 'You look nice today... wanna be friends?' Agh. No. You sound like a creep."
He sighed as he stopped and stood near the edge, looking at the rest of the students sharing stories and laughing with each other.
"I'm pathetic." He thought.
It was. Ian was already seventeen, in third year of high school, and he still didn't know how to make friends.
He wishes he could be more like Iko, his younger sister. She ranks high in the popularity pyramid. Her extroverted and outgoing personality would often bring smiles wherever she went.
Honestly, the only flaw she has is her older brother.
The sun was setting, and it was already time for students to go home. But Ian just stayed, rehearsing every laugh, every movement, every response. But what's the point? It's not like he'll actually do these things in reality.
He looked down again, his feet near the edge.
If only a miracle just suddenly happene—
Before he could finish that thought, his foot slipped.
He gasped as his balance tumbled. In that moment, time—just stopped.
It's over. He was going to die before he even made a proper conversation with someone.
But then—
A hand grabbed his wrist.
Cold and firm fingers, locked around him and pulled him back with no effort. Ian stumbled and crashed onto the rooftop, panting for air, eyes wide. He looked up and saw him.
A boy—no, another student—kneeling over him with a sly smirk. His face looked like it was sculpted by a god. He had snow-white hair, tousled and caught in the wind. His golden eyes glowed like the sun.
"Jeez," the student drawled, still holding Ian's wrist. "You really don't value your life, huh?"
Ian, still panting, blinked up at him. "Wh-who..."