Closed Not So Silent Communication

[Nikko Blackwood]

Nikko had staked out his favorite spot in the courtyard. It had the perfect amount of sun and shade, and still provided a good view of the who place. He had liked to come out here and read or just sit, and even on the rare occasion do his homework. For a while it seemed like no one knew about it except for him, until one day he noticed another boy had seemed to join him out of no where. He didn't know his name but recognized him from some of his lessons and knew they were in the same year. They never spoke but instead just seemed to coexist and silently come to the agreement to share the spot. Now, as the weather was starting to warm up, Nikko wondered if he would remain alone out here as he pulled out his book. It was a fantasy book his aunt had gotten him for his birthday over the break, and he was excited to finally start it.

 

[Theodore Hoshino]

To say that Teddy did not have a lot of friends was an understatement, but he had never really been much of a people person and therefore couldn't miss what he'd never had. The other boys in his dorm were a little bit terrifying and he didn't know how to fit in with them, so Teddy spent a lot of his time alone in the library. Possibly too much time, as being inside was beginning to feel suffocating, so Teddy headed for the courtyard to get some fresh air. Another boy was already sitting where Teddy had planned to set up his easel and he almost grinned as he recognised the other boy's face. Teddy didn't know anything about him, apart from his house and year, but his silent company was not unwelcome and had become almost a routine for the two of them. Teddy set up his small easel in a patch of light, and unbuttoned his bag to get his painting supplies. Bringing a sketchbook and pencils would have been easier to move around, but today felt like a painting day and he wanted to make the most of the sunshine. Glancing over to where the other boy sat, Teddy decided to be brave. Making eye contact with the boy, he nodded once in greeting before returning to unpacking his brushes.

 

[Nikko Blackwood]

Nikko had only made it a few pages in when he realized he was not alone. He looked up, surprised but was then was immediately relieved to see it was exactly who he had hoped would join him. He sat quietly as the other boy took out his things, and a few seconds later Nikko caught himself staring as he put together quite an elaborate set up with a small easel and set of paints. Glancing back between the paints and his book, he took a moment to look at the boy who just so happened to be making eye contact with him. He nodded back after a second of hesitation and being unsure of what to do. It was the first time they had ever really acknowledged each other and it seemed to be over just as quickly, as the other boy fiddled with his paint brush. Nikko figured he should probably say something but was at a loss for words. He cleared his throat but somehow managed to swallow wrong in the process and he started to cough uncontrollably. Once he was able to catch his breath his face felt hot. “Uh, sorry.” he mumbled before going back to his book.

 

[Theodore Hoshino]

Teddy blinked rapidly as the boy started coughing, hoping maybe he could change the scene if he opened his eyes at the right time. Oh no, I've killed him and I'll be stuck sitting here alone forever, he panicked. This was his fault for committing the grave sin of eye contact. He was even more thrown when an apology was thrown his way. Objectively, Teddy knew that people had voices and spoke to each other, but that was not how this particular arrangement worked. There wasn't an actual fixed contract of sitting silently and minding one's own business, but Teddy was certain it had been implied somehow and now it was shattered beyond all repair. Or something. He hesitated a moment to long to respond and the boy had already returned to his reading. "Mhm?" Teddy murmured, nodding towards the book, before realising that his attempt at speech must be incomprehensible. "Is it a good... Book?" he tried. He could feel his face beginning to burn red and immediately regretted his decision to engage in conversation.

 

[Nikko Blackwood]

Nikko sat staring at his book unable to really process any of the words that his eyes seemed to follow. Somehow he turned a perfectly peaceful routine into an uncomfortable silence. He felt like an idiot but couldn't help his head from snapping up when the other boy made a sound that could pass for communication. Nikko looked at him inquisitively and blinked. When he asked him a question, it took him a moment to register and respond. “Oh, yeah!" he said too enthusiastically, almost out of instinct. When in reality he had barely made it past the first page "Well I actually just started.” he admitted. “But I think it’s supposed to be.” Nikko said with a shrug. He realized it was probably his turn to say something but his mind became alarmingly blank. “My name’s Nikko by the way.” he ended up blurting out.

 

[Theodore Hoshino]

"Oh, er, right," Teddy spluttered, cursing his idiocy. If he'd been a little more observant, he would have noticed the boy had barely had the time to start reading before Teddy had interrupted him. He didn't know if asking any further about the book would be too forward, and he was sure the polite thing to do around people reading a book was leave them alone, so Teddy was conflicted. He nodded in acknowledgement of Nikko's introduction, looking away quickly. "I'm Teddy," he said, in a rush as he stared resolutely at the canvas in front of him. He hadn't consciously decided what he wanted to paint, but his hands gravitated towards the blue and began applying colour to the canvas, while his brain turned into a swarm of very confused bees.

 

[Nikko Blackwood]

Nikko nodded as the other boy introduced himself. After a moment he looked down at his book to try and actually get some reading done. He only ended up reading a few more pages before he glanced up again to see what Teddy was doing. Nikko watched as he started to paint the canvas blue. "What are you going to paint?" he asked, curious to know what he had in mind. It was kind of a dumb question since Teddy had barely started but his curiosity got the best of him.