At 17:00, the end of the day had finally arrived, and it was time for Tora to go home, but the idea didn't excite him either. Of course, he wanted to be in his room, but the journey was so long and complicated that it was enough to spoil his enthusiasm. As he left the classroom, it was Zayn who crossed his path first, and he immediately noticed that something was wrong.
— Are you okay ? Why are you shaking like that ?
— Ah... it's nothing, I just got cold all of a sudden.
— Here, take my jacket.
Zayn handed him his jacket, which Tora hurriedly put on.
— I already feel better, thanks. Uh... hey, do you take the train too ?
— Are you kidding ? Everyone takes the train here! There's no housing around the school, and it would cost a lot, WAY too much, to come by car… assuming you have one. Anyway, the forest blocks the way. Don't tell me you didn't know all this ?
— Yes, yes ! It's just that I hadn't thought about it in the moment !
— Hmm… Zayn looked him over, disbelieving.
Tora rarely left his house, so he had no idea what was going on outside of his home and the small store at the end of his street. He wasn't used to paying attention to his surroundings. On the other hand, he had always struggled with thinking in general. His learning was slow, and he often failed his exams, only passing them with just enough points in the retake. He needed much more time than others to absorb information.
The train station was more than a kilometer away from the school. Fortunately, Zayn's foot had recovered a bit, which made the journey to the station a little easier. After a few breaks, they managed to get there on time.
— I'm really sorry, you've been helping me move around all day. That must have been exhausting.
— Look at your hands and arms. Let me remind you, you protected me today at the risk of your own life. Carrying you is nothing compared to that.
— Still, thanks ! The train's here, let's hurry !
Tora and Zayn rushed into the train at full speed. Being the last ones to board, they found that all the seats were already taken. They had no choice but to stand, facing each other, between two cabins, near the exit doors. They weren't alone in this situation; over six people were crammed into this small space of barely a square meter and a half.
Tora didn't look well, and his breathing was uneven, which worried Zayn. Although he felt the urge to ask if he was okay, he knew the answer was obvious and refrained.
When the train stopped at the first station, the doors opened, causing a jostling between those trying to get off and those already in front of the doors. Zayn, determined, pushed a few students to make his way through and grabbed two seats that had just become available. Others had the same idea and were about to sit down, but he was faster and sprawled across the seats to make sure no one took the second one.
Several disdainful glances converged toward him during the brief moment of chaos, but he paid them no mind. Once the commotion settled and the doors closed, Zayn gave a Calebious wave to Tora, signalling that the seats were theirs.
Once seated by the window, Tora already felt much better as he watched the landscape pass by through the glass.
— You don't like confined spaces ?
— It's not exactly that. I just don't like transportation in general. It feels like the air is unbearable, and when there are so many people, it's just... weird. But when I look out the window, I feel much better. So, it was smart of you.
— I see… Good thing a hero was there to come to your rescue !
— If only that was all… And you're years behind.
— Come on, don't sulk. Playing the damsel in distress doesn't tempt you a little ?
— Spare me your sarcastic jokes, I'm too tired to come up with a clever comeback.
Tora rested his arm on the window sill and used it to support his chin. Without turning his head, his eyes fixed to the right, he murmured a faint "thank you" into his hand.
— What ? I didn't hear that well.
— Thank you, he repeated in an indifferent tone.
— …
A silence settled between them, slightly heavy. Sensing the discomfort, Zayn tried to lift Tora's spirits in his own way.
— Oh, look, I've got chocolates if you want, and, um… let's see…
Zayn frantically rummaged through his bag, causing an infernal racket. From the sound of it, he seemed like a street vendor carrying an absurd amount of trinkets of all kinds. What could possibly be in there to make so much noise ?
— the chocolate.
— Huh ?
— I'll take the chocolate.
Zayn complied, pleased, but Tora still seemed distant.
— Your mind seems somewhere else. You alright ? Zayn finally asked.
— Ah… It's nothing important, Tora sighed, tired from overthinking.
— It seems like it's something, given how you look. It's like you've disconnected from reality for the last five minutes.
— …