Chapter 10: "No use crying over broken glass"

A/N: ***DISCLAIMER***: I would like to remind all readers that I am NOT Danish and have NEVER been to Denmark, so it can be assumed that I have definitely never been to Copenhagen. This means that some of my information could be skewed. I have done my fair share of research, but some things were more difficult to find out than others. Some things I could find virtually no information on. Some things are inaccurate and I am aware of their inaccuracy, but I thought it would benefit to the plot to write what I know instead of what I am completely unsure about.

That being said, if you would like me to point out the errors of each chapter due to my lack of knowledge on Copenhagen, I will. Just ask and I'll start putting notes at the bottom. (EX: Halloween isn't commonly celebrated in Denmark.)

Thank you!

Lukas couldn't even look at Mathias for the next couple weeks. Whenever they had to work together, he said as little as possible and was careful to keep his distance. Mathias wasn't happy about it at all. He tried to get him to talk more, but he failed every single time. But he still kept trying. In class, during recess, during lunch, during art, music, and orchestra. He managed to either shrug, shake his head, or nod, but no more.

It was so painful to see Lukas like that, too. He didn't smile, he didn't laugh, and his eyes were always downcast. He had no clue what to do. He even tried to talk to his own mother about Lukas, but she didn't give any advice. She nodded and then answered her phone after one ring. Not that he expected her to do any better. He considered going to the school counselor, but she was so busy and he didn't really care for her after she yelled at him in second grade.

So he and Lukas both suffered in their own ways. Lukas wanted so badly to speak to Mathias, but he couldn't talk to someone who thought such mean things about something a person couldn't control. There were times when he almost broke and spoke to him, but he'd always find a way to keep his emotions under wraps, as always.

This day was no different, either. They had just finished their book and were asked to do a visual representation of any moment in the book with a reason as to why they picked that moment. Lukas was scribbling out his picture and Mathias was leaning over watching. "Why'd you pick that moment?" He asked curiously. Lukas just shrugged, as expected.

That little shrug was it. The straw the broke the camels back. Mathias couldn't take it anymore. He turned to face him completely and sighed. "That's it. I didn't even DO anything! I don't know why you're acting like this! Do you know how awful it makes me feel?"

Lukas slowly put his pencil down and stood up. Many people had turned their heads at Mathias' outburst, but now everyone was staring in their direction. And Lukas just... couldn't find it in himself to care. "I know what it's like to feel awful," he said apathetically. Mathias stood up, too, knocking a glass jar full of coloured pencils onto the floor by accident. The glass shattered loudly and Mr. Vainamoinen was staring at the both of them.

"Please sit down, Mathias. You too, Lukas," he said, walking over to their desk. Mathias was the only one who sat down, though it was mainly because he couldn't risk being expelled. Lukas, on the other hand, ran out, leaving his things behind.

Mr. Vainamoinen stared at the door and called someone quickly, then hung up before calling another person. "Everyone please keep working!" He said, looking anxiously at the door. Finally, the janitor showed up. Mathias watched him walk over to the pile of glass and begin to sweep it up. He had to pick up a few of the trickier pieces with his hands, but it didn't seem to be a problem until he got a small cut.

Mr. Vainamoinen watched over his shoulder, noticing the tiny cut. "Oh, let me help you!" He grabbed the mans hand and pulled him over to his desk. He dug around for a bandage, finally pulling out one with Mickey Mouses on it. The teacher shrugged a little and let out a giggle.

Mathias was watching the entire display with great curiosity. Why was Mr. Vainamoinen smiling like that? And why was he holding his hand like that? And why was he looking at him like that? Were they friends? But friends didn't hold hands like that. It reminded him of Lukas. A lot.

Then it hit him that the entire thing was like how his parents acted when he was little. It was like love. But they were both men. I mean, Mr. Vainamoinen could have been gay. But he was really nice. He couldn't really tell. But he looked really happy, too.

Mathias looked anxiously at the door and stood up. Before anyone could stop him, he ran out in search for Lukas, and he knew just where to look.

Lukas slid down one of the bookshelves and buried his face in his arms, just wanting to go home at this point. He felt like a freak and he couldn't stand it. At least the librarian wasn't saying anything.

"Have you seen Lukas?"

"Oh, him? Yes, he's right over there."

Old witch, ratting me out like that, he thought, squinting at her counter. Mathias came and sat by him. He tried to get up and leave, but Mathias grabbed ahold of his wrist and pulled him back down. "Wait a second! I believe you," he whispered. Lukas rolled his eyes and scooted away as far as he could.

"About?"

Mathias smiled a little. "I don't think it's a choice. You're right. I think there are really nice gay people and I am really sorry. I was just being stupid and I didn't know I was being mean." He scooted up next to Lukas, who didn't move. Thank goodness.

"Really?"

"Yes. I think Mr. Vainamoinen might be gay. But I don't really know, he was just acting really weird around the janitor. Like he had a crush on him or something. And he's really nice and he's super smart."

Lukas nodded and actually scooted a little closer to Mathias, really having missed him over the past two weeks. "I'm sorry I cried. That was stupid," he admitted sheepishly. Mathias shrugged and said, "Everyone has moments, right? Your mom said you'd been feeling kind of bad lately."

"I'm okay."

"Is it because you're gay?"

Lukas nearly jumped and his face burned. He immediately scooted away, his eyes feeling like they were going to melt out of his head from the increase in heat. They were almost watering. Seriously. And he couldn't look at Mathias. "No!" He replied, hugging his knees to his chest.

Mathias laughed a little. "But you're red! And liars like to blush!" He scooted closer again and tried to look at his face. "It kind of hit me, you know? And I don't care. You're a really good friend and I like you a lot," he said as he stood up, offering a hand to Lukas, who just stared at him.

"So you... wouldn't care?" Lukas took his hand and stood up. "Really?"

Mathias nodded happily, glad that this was all that was wrong. Lukas smiled faintly and just stood there, wanting to give him a hug, but not having the bravery it took to make a move. The taller blond could sense it, though, and he hugged him tightly. "If anyone is ever mean to you about it, just tell me, okay? I'll beat them up," he said with a little laugh. "But seriously, I will."

Lukas closed his eyes and smiled a little wider. "You don't have to. Just don't tell anyone."

Mathias nodded in agreement and finally let go of him. "Come on, we should get back to class before we get in trouble."

Lukas nodded and they both walked back together.

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