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

ome' Haru began, 'I…

Aubrey asked tentatively,

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

akly, eyes g

oice. 'You are…an incredible…ah….' He scratched hi

couraged. 'Tell me

ttle tense. He hunched h

elf to speak. 'You rem

his. But he did not interrupt H

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

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

m, 'for being kind to me…fo

prob

Aubrey then, keeping his hea

g his head away. 'I'

ubrey said

f 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 when

tched him

their 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

ubrey realised, 'the

hispered. 'A story about love and loss… b

favourite plays'

ogether before him, s

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

d as he could to stop hi

r….' Aubrey ask

himself, 'I mustn't…I have to be

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 H