The next time they saw each other, there was an audience between the two of them.

"We're very proud of Mathias Køhler for earning such an award at such a young age. That's not the only reason we've gathered you here. Mr. Kirkland has promised us that we would have Mathias recited his awarded poem to us all." The very excited principal said, trying to show how big of deal this is.

Mathias was hiding off to the side and trying not to think about throwing up. His hands sweating and he wondered if people would see the marks on the piece of paper that he would be holding during his, what he hoped, very short performance.

"With nothing more to say, I welcome you Mathias Køhler to the stage."

There was a thunder of polite clapping as Mr. Kirkland gave him a shove when he felt like his legs wouldn't move. Stumbling slightly, he clutched the piece of paper to himself as he walked to the center of the stage towards the microphone and music stand. He suddenly felt extremely hot and knew that he would end up dying right then and there from both heat and his nerves.

That is, until he saw Lukas in the audience, patiently sitting and probably wanting this whole thing to be other with. This thought may have made him a bit sad, but it also calmed him, knowing somebody in the audience would like his poem either way.

The music stand stood there as he put the piece of paper on it. Without having to adjust it to his height, he carefully grabbed the microphone and held it close to his mouth. Clearing his throat, he said the title of his poem and then took a deep breath to gather more courage.

That's when he said the rest of his poem, as if he was reading out loud to Lukas and not to the whole high school.

"Late night conversations

Tired eyes and ink stains

Beautiful poems that are never written

What do I owe?

Does the pay really matter?

How can I keep those things

When all is never written down

Royal of colour and still a common blue

How do I not love you?

Secrets of my past along with hope

Dreams have gone and past with you

Can my love reach you

Through all my sorrow?

Is there a price?

Will it even matter,

My common blue

Royal Blue

You'll never die

As long as you feel my love in each letter I write

Prices rise and fall

As will love

Tired eyes and ink stains fade

Still beautiful poems are never written

My common blue."

When he said the last word, a mixture of polite and genuine clapping echoed in the auditorium, especially from the writing club. As the principal congratulated him, he started to inch away from him. His nerves started to come back and he wanted to get far away as possible before something happened.

When the principal gave him the signal to leave the stage, he went as fast as he could. Rushing past Mr. Kirkland and others from the club, he just made it to the bathroom before he started to throw up.


Lukas wasn't sure what it was about Mathias, but when the tall boy stood on stage, looking like he would run away at any moment, it was a complete surprise to hear such great emotions after he said the title.

Honestly he felt captured in the performance, even if it was a bit weird for the school to go such lengths to show off a prized student. Tino did say he was a good writer, but he never imagined he was good enough to make even the school proud and brag about him. He listened intently, wanting to soak up everything that the tall blond was giving.

Soon the performance ended and the nervous looking boy from before returned. After being praised once more for both his work and performance, it looked like he ran like the devil was chasing him.

A group of people from the audience went to the backstage, he decided to go along with them. His next class was only study hall after all and didn't have any homework that was due the next day. Chatter from everyone filled the silence around him, as they went backstage.

A very tall and concerned girl stood outside the boys bathroom. Turning her head to see the incoming group, her eyes widen.

"Where's Mathias?" Somebody from the group asked her.

The girl nervously glanced around before answering "It seems that Mathias's nerves….got the best of him. He's not feeling well."

A few people murmured their concerns and Lukas felt a sudden sympathy for the blond. The group had unanimously agreed that they should head back to class and he was left with the girl still standing near the door of the bathroom.

"Should I go in there to check on him?" He asked, slightly nervous the girl would say no.

"I'm sure he would appreciated that Lukas. He's a very nervous person and doesn't handle stressful situations very well by himself."

She grabbed his shoulder pulled him towards the door. Pushing the door, he heard the soft sound of whimpers of somebody in pain. Walking up the the only closed stall, he wondered what he should say in this situation.

"Irina, you don't have to come in here. I'm fine." Mathias groaned from the stall.

"Wrong person and gender." Lukas said.

There was a pause before some sort of laughter echoed in the bathroom.

"Just my luck."

"You alright?" Lukas asked.

"Yes. Just my nerves. I hate performing in front of people. Makes me nervous beyond hell."

"Well if it helps, I liked your poem. It was really good."

There was another silent filled paused before the sound of somebody standing up.

"That means a lot to me." Mathias said, as he came out of the stall.

Going over to the sinks to wash his hands, Lukas watched silently. The way the guy carried himself and how nervous he seemed around people, it made him feel some sort of sympathy. The guy just wanted to be liked and Lukas guessed was filled with some sort of guilt if he didn't get somebody to like him. Lukas may never act that way for people's affections, but understood why the guy did it.

Mathias splashed some water on his face before glancing at Lukas through the was a gentle smile from the blond before he looked away.

Something about the smile made his heart leap in joy. He looked down at the ground, heat racing through his body. This was something new and he wanted more. The only problem is that he didn't know what he should do to get more of it.

"Well I guess we should get back to class now that I'm feeling better." Mathias said, heading towards the door.

Lukas followed and in his mind he wondered which way he should get Mathias to make him feel like he was floating on air again.


Hope you like this chapter. Also the poem is a creation of mine, I hope you like that too.