me later, once he had calmed down

eft the hall to go back to classes, and Aubrey and Haru were alone. The others had been reluctant to leave Haru

d you' Haru said awkwardly,

eplied uncertai

g ahead now, though not looki

me' Haru began, 'I...

Aubrey asked tentatively,

t wasn't something you said....' And then he broke

akly, eyes g

ce. 'You are...an incredible...ah....' He scratched

couraged. 'Tell me

ttle tense. He hunched h

self to speak. 'You rem

his. But he did not interrupt H

wed the lump in his throat, breathing slowly and deeply, calming his beating heart. 'I was always a weak

en't changed muc

hen, but when he looked at Aubr

y said, 'I was

the shoulder, sha

o learn to

.. s-

arn to stop apologi

e off then, sto

ubrey smiled with him. Ha

, 'for being kind to me...fo

prob

Aubrey then, keeping his hea

g his head away. 'I'

ubrey said

se of that I missed a lot of days of school when I was young. I stayed at home a lot, but my mother was always there to look after me wh

tched him

ir own group of friends, and I was always an outsider... because I spent so long out of school when I was sick... but my mother was always there to help m

rey realised, 'the wor

spered. 'A story about love and loss... bro

favourite plays'

ogether before him, s

t took just one push, one act of bravery. I was able to

d as he could to stop hi

....' Aubrey ask

imself, 'I mustn't...I have to be s

as Haru turned to face him, gasping, froz

bleeding' A

d going to his mo

Aubrey told

urning seconds later

the tissue to Haru's lip

u' Haru m

him. 'I want to help you like she did, you have friends now.' He smiled warmly at Har