I glanced at the watch on my wrist. Only ten more minutes.

The detention room was silent, only containing Mr. Rodgers and myself. I sighed and pulled out a sheet of paper and a pencil to prepare to draw.

I'd already done all my homework, including the extra credit that I didn't even need to do, and studied for all upcoming tests. I'd run out of things to do.

Nobody really knew, but I really liked to draw. And I was mildly good at it.

I twirled the stubby pencil around with my large fingers until inspiration struck me. I began drawing the outlines. A circle here, two lines there, half circle there... I had begun to start on the details when I heard a loud crack in front of me.

Mr. Rodgers, a chubby, balding man, was standing in front of me, ruler in hand.

"Sir?" I asked quietly. He looked at my sketch and raised an eyebrow.

"You like drawing?" I nodded my head.

"Da."

I suddenly became worried. Was that wrong? I couldn't know, I'd just moved here from Russia a month ago. I swallowed.

"Briganski, you may go." I let out a small sigh of relief and leaned down to grab my things.

"But first..." I froze.

"Why don't you let anyone know about your drawing skill?" I slumped my shoulders.

"People will make fun of me. More than they do now, anyway..." I mean, a huge, Russian man drawing? It was weird. Mr. Rodgers put a hand on my shoulder.

"I understand, son. But be proud of your talent. Join the art class, at least." I sighed sadly.

"Da, sir. I'll try." He gave me a weak smile and walked back over to his desk.

"I hope you learned your lesson, Briganski." I silently rolled my eyes. Wasn't even my fault. He started it... But I kept my mouth shut and gathered my things and shoved them into my bag.

"Goodbye Briganski. Be good." I hooked my backpack and threw it over my shoulder.

"Bye." I said simply and wrapped my scarf around my neck.

Even though it was nearly summer, I still wore my scarf. Nobody could see my neck.

I exited the tiny classroom and made my way down the hallway. I yanked the cell phone from my pocket as soon as I left school grounds. Twenty new messages. Damn.

I sighed. Why did I even have a dad? It's not like he ever takes care of us. Yekaterina does all the work. Dad is going to kick my ass when I get home...

Suddenly, I crashed into something. I reeled back, not knowing what I even hit.

"Ow! Watch where you're going, aru!" Was the respose for me.

A small, Chinese man with his long silky hair pulled into a ponytail, was seething at Ivan.

"O-oh! I'm so s-sorry! I-I wasn't paying attention!" I quickly apologized. The small man visibly relaxed and huffed.

"Just watch where you're going. No need to apologize." He leaned down to pick up some bags that he'd dropped when smacking into me. I crouched down to help him.

"I'm so sorry sir, my dad was-"

"Yao. And stop apologizing." I nodded, picking up a package of frozen mixed vegetables.

"Yao. You see, my dad was blowing up my phone, and I just didn't see you, da." He shrugged.

"Most people don't. My short body makes me hard to notice, I guess." I glanced at him at that. He was wearing a red longsleeve with sleeves that came way past his hands. His lithe body made those tight pants look so good... I snapped the thought out of my mind.

"So, what's your name?" Yao asked me. I blushed. How did I forget to tell him my name?

"Ivan. I go to school down the road there." I pointed at where I came from. He nodded.

"I know. I go there too. I'm a sophmore. Aren't you a freshman?" I gulped. He must think I'm really stupid and weird and queer because everyones hates me at that goddamned school.

I nodded slowly.

"Why are you so shy?" I froze. Nobody's ever asked me that.

"Everyone hates me." He picked up the last package and stood up. He looked at me and raised an eyebrow.

"I don't hate you."

I blushed and fought for words. "B-but we just met and y-you can't know, especially since-"

"Oh would you just shut up for a minute?" Yao interrupted.

I pressed my lips together. I'm surprised he's even talked to me this long. Most people are afraid of me because of my large build and scary accent. Yao continued.

"I have no reason to hate you right now." He stated simply.

"But I'm gay!" I blurted out. I immidiatley clamped my mouth shut. That's why everyone hates me. Because I'm gay.

Yao bursted out laughing. I frowned. Did I say something funny?

"Oh, boy you're clueless." I pulled my eyebrows together. Did I miss something?

"It really doesn't matter if your gay or not. Especially to me. You know that guy Alfred? Yeah he's definetly gay. Probably lets that English weirdo suck him off every weekend..." Yao said, still smiling a bit.

Alfred. He's the guy that put me in detention. Suck off? Isn't that..? My eyes widened and I blushed.

"O-oh. I'm sorry." Yao rolled his eyes.

"Enough with the apologizing already. Will you help me carry these?" He gestured towards the bags in his arms. I nodded quickly.

"Da, of course." I grabbed a couple bags from his arms and held them.

"I only live down the street, aru." I nodded and followed the small man.

When we arrived, we were in front of a small apartment. Yao set down his bags and fished out his keys from his pocket. When he opened up his door, inside revealed a comfy looking room. Red was everywhere.

I followed Yao inside to a kitchen island and set down the bags.

"Thank you for your help, Ivan. I'm not sure I would've gotten it done without you. I appreciate it." I quickly nodded.

"Da, of course I'm glad to help." Yao pulled out a notepad and ripped out a page and scribbled something on it before handing it to me.

"This is my number. Call or text me when you want." I blushed. Nobody's ever given me their number... I blinked and nodded.

"Thank you." Yao nodded and showed me to the door.

"See ya around, Ivan." He said before shutting the door.

I stood outside for a second.

I smiled happily for once in a long time.