Chapter Text
Waking up wasn't your favorite. It was a struggle that never gets easier, but you've known that. You always have. Ever since you were kid you've known something was wrong, but your parents never knew, or maybe they didn't want to see it. Now that you were older, you saw a psychologist. You were prescribed a healthy dose of antidepressants and were on your way. Today hit your 6th month on the drug, so you celebrated with taking it with hot coco.
Getting ready for the day was easier now with the drug, so you brushed your teeth in the shower and combed all the knots in your hair, ready for the day ahead. It was chilly in Stockholm as you started your term in January, so you bundled up in your favorite hoodie and headed out the door. Luckily, the train station wasn't far, and you got there fairly quickly. The train was packed full of businessmen, people of various ages, and, thankfully, no screaming children. It was 6am after all, so you doubted anyone with a child would be awake at the time. The ride went without incident and you walked to your new favorite coffee place in town. Well, you've only been in Sweden for a month now and you haven't explored much, so that doesn't mean much.
"Good morning, _____! Just your usual, yes?" the warm barista smiled at you. You were fond of the young gentleman as he was bright in the early AMs. You replied with a warm smile and he went to making your drink. Soaking in the beautiful morning as the snow melted on the pavement, you went through the day in your head. "Go to your classes. Eat lunch. Go to the shop. Get on the train. Do homework. Sleep." You grab your coffee from the gentleman and warm your hands with the hot drink.
The walk to school was a short one thanks to the cafe's placement. Not only was it a bit away from the train, but around the corner from the school. You were thankful it was just "hole in the wall" enough that you wouldn't see anybody from school there. It would be a great way to make friends, but it'll be bad if said friend became your enemy. You didn't want to be in the same place as them.
You snuck a peak at your phone and saw the time was only 7:00. "School starts in an hour. I might as well explore for a minute," you thought as you walked towards a building with a public roof. It was designed by the college to give students a chance to work in fresh air, which is an idea you wished happened in your country. From what you could tell, the ground level was a coffee shop, which was filled with students, and inside there was an elevator/stair set that lead to the roof. Stepping into the warm, lively coffee shop gave you a feeling of anxiety. There too many people for you to manage. You quickly walked towards the elevator before things got worse. The chime of the elevator was a sweet sound to your ears, it then lead you to the roof. Stepping out you saw a small fountain in the middle of the roof, surrounded by fake patches of grass. There was a small path leading to an area that had benches, tables, and picnic benches. To the right of you was a bathroom and drinking fountain.
Something else caught your attention: a guy in a gray hoodie. He was draped off the side of the rails, smoking a cig. You recognized him as your classmate, which if you recall, his name is Simon. Noticing your presence, Simon turned around and faced you, eyes sunken and full of sleep. You tip your coffee to him with a warm smile. He nods and turns back towards the city; a good interaction overall. You mindlessly scroll on your phone, your feed full of your favorite games and interests. Smiling and chuckling in all the right places, your mood began to lighten. The dread of school still in the back of your mind, but the seemingly positive interaction with your new classmate gave you hope that things might work out.
xxx
You snapped out your daze when you heard a quiet voice. You took out your earbud and looked at the direction of the voice. It came from Simon. You cocked your head, but the gray hooded man was already by the elevator. You hurried towards the elevator, praying that he would wait for you. The doors opened and you two headed inside. The ride down was quiet and quick, the comforting silence calming your nerves. You dreaded having a conversation. Simon pulled out two gloves from his pockets, putting them on away from you view. You assumed he took them off so they wouldn't catch fire from a stray bud.
You both walked out and headed towards the school, walking side-by-side. This surprised you since you barely knew each other, walking side to side meant you two were friends, right? Simon held open the door for you and you went your separate ways for now. Hoping to see him at least at lunch or the like, you gave him a smile as he headed off, him returning the gesture with a faint smile. Simon never really smiled. While the only time you saw him was in one of your classes, he didn't seem like a smile person. This in the back of your mind made your heart happy. You made someone who didn't seem like they smiled smile.
Time passed and lunch was already here. You packed your bag and headed towards the lunch room, seeing Simon sit with some girl. You've seen this girl sit with Simon before, but you never really cared because you didn't know Simon. You walked passed their table quickly, not wanting Simon to invite you to the table and interrupting their moment. For all you knew they could be together. It would be awkward to come in-between them. Sighing, you put your bag down on the table next to the exit door and ordered a quick sandwich to eat before class. You pulled out your laptop and stuck the sandwich in your mouth, eating as you typed in your password.
You spent your lunch with your earbuds in, watching a random video on youtube or finding new deals on videogames. You looked at the time and saw that it was two minutes till your next class. Packing up your bags, you saw Simon walk up to you. "You're in the next class with me, right?" You nod. "I heard we were having a paired project. I've noticed you don't speak that much, so I wanted to ask if you wanted to pair up with me?" You were shocked by his forwardness. His demeanor didn't seem like the type to walk up to someone, but you were happy that he did so. You nodded your head and threw your bag over your shoulder. Simon told you he'd be there in a minute, walking up to the girl he was sitting next to.
"See? I knew you could do it, Simon!" the girl spoke. Simon sighed and said," You said I have to try to make more friends, so I have to hand it to you." Simon caught up to you and you both walked inside your class, sitting together. Thankfully the seat next to you was usually empty, so there wasn't any awkward confrontations. "_____, I'd like to speak to you after class..."
xxx
You walk up to your teacher and place your hands in front of you, fidgeting, "Is there something wrong?" You muster. "Sorry, did you say something?" You shake you head, your voice was too quiet after all. "I was wondering if you were okay working with Simon. He isn't the most talkative with others, and certainly not welcome to new company. He hangs to another one of my students like a puppy. I just wanted to know if he makes you uncomfortable," you teacher continues to go on a ramble about Simon, but your mind drifts elsewhere. "Why does Simon have a bad reputation? He seems so nice, just shy. I can't fault him for being quiet and unwelcoming if people think of him this way." You shake your head and above a whisper wish the professor a good night.
Your thoughts swirl as your interaction with the teacher pokes at your mind. You never have been talkative, more so now that you've moved to another country. You're afraid that you'll say the wrong things at the wrong time, as your experiences in the past have hurt you. You relate to Simon in clinging to your only friends, which at the moment is no one, but in the past you were pushed away by your own clinginess. If you could go back in time and be able to be alone for more than a few minutes, you would. You definitely would.
You break out of your thoughts by the sound of the train coming to your station, pushing the cold night air into your way. You sigh, walking on the barely empty train. As the doors started to close, a gray hooded man rushes in. Simon. He spots you in the crowd and nods, walking towards the back. He passes you a slip of paper, numbers on the front. He continues and finds a spot to sit, placing his face on the cool glass. You input the number on your phone and send a sticker.
[Simon: *reacted ♡*]
Achievement Unlocked: First friend in a foreign country!