It was an early afternoon like any other, and Sabo found himself staring out of his classroom again, eyeing that one person that never failed to catch his attention. He knows exactly when this person will emerge from the school right next to his, probably after countless weeks of noticing. Before he knew it, it had already become a second nature to him, to let his eyes wander around and finally lay on that one person whenever he appeared.
To Sabo, he always appeared small, since Sabo's classroom was on the third level and their schools had a good distance between them, but Sabo took pride in his perfect eyesight. He could easily pick out the features of the boy, like his unruly dark hair, that had a certain wild charm that draws him to it, or his big round eyes, that sparkles adorably under the sunlight, or…!
Shit. Sabo was grinning like an idiot thinking about how cute the boy was. Again.
But this boy, he was like Sabo's sunshine or something, his wide grin always cheering him up, even though it was not directed at him. He was content with that, just by being able to see the bubbly boy almost every day.
Yes, they had never met face to face before. Yes, Sabo did not know what his name was. But still, Sabo felt drawn towards him, like, like he was some sort of human magnet. Well, that would pretty much explain him never being alone, or rather he would always be with a group of friends whenever Sabo saw him. Sabo had a longing to go up to the boy and talk to him, get to know him, become friends with him or something, but it would just be awkward if he suddenly appeared in front of the boy with his group of friends around. Plus, whenever the boy was released from school, Sabo would still be having lessons. It really sucked that their timetables differed so much.
Well, talking to sunshine boy was a great dream and it would probably stay that way, right? Nope. The next thing Sabo knew, he was facing the very same sunshine boy, with said boy on the ground and his bags scattered everywhere.
Wait a second, Sabo, I know your heart is beating like crazy, but take a moment to process what had happened. First, he watched sunshine boy leave his school with his group of friends. Second, he resumed listening in class (not really). Next, after his lessons were done for the day, Ace and the gang invited him out to the arcade in which he gladly accepted. It quickly turned late in the evening and they decided to go home, and Sabo was on his way home when… he knocked into something mindlessly, and…
Oh god. Sabo's heart was thumping at an unbelievably fast rate, he felt like his chest could explode at any given moment. The boy that he had his eyes on was right in front of him. And he was also alone. The world spun around him, as Sabo tried to calm himself down to rationally decide what was the best course of action.
"Ow…" The boy rubbed his ass as he got up and patted dust off himself. Sabo was then brought back to Earth as he swiftly picked up the boy's bags and smiled sheepishly at him. Keep cool, Sabo. Don't mess up.
"I'm sorry I bumped into you. I wasn't looking where I was going," Sabo let out a small nervous laugh.
The boy blinked at him before giving a grin that Sabo knows all too well. But gosh, it was just so different up close. Sabo felt his cheeks heat up before he quickly averted his gaze onto the bags. Keep calm, Sabo! Don't let your blush show!
"Here, your bags…" Sabo trailed off because his heartbeat was too damn loud.
"Shishishi! You're an interesting guy. I was the one who ran into you because I was in a hurry, and yet you're the one apologising!" The boy chuckled, taking the bags from Sabo's hand. The boy's hand momentarily brushed over Sabo's and, oh god, it was warm and soft, and Sabo felt his chest tighten. Hearing his laugh and voice was already enough to make Sabo think this was too good to be true.
And yet, he wanted to talk to the boy even more. This was a golden chance and he wondered how he should go about befriending this sunshine. He had many fantasies about it in class, forming all sorts of plans and excuses to get to know the boy, but executed none of them. He shouldn't mess this chance up. He can't mess this chance up. He has to find the perfect way to ask the boy for his name, or his number, leave a good impression of himself so the boy would be more than willing to talk to him. But he can't take long or…
The boy was about to rush off again, and without thinking, Sabo grabbed his wrists. They locked gazes before Sabo spurts out.
"Can I have your number?"
Yes, that was totally the plan, the boy would totally give his number to a total stranger, it totally wasn't creepy or anything, it was totally the perfect way to befriend him. Holy shit, Sabo wanted the earth to swallow him up and hide him from the embarrassment he just landed himself in. If there was a reset button he would slam it a hundred times, and he would prefer if it took away his memories with it.
Sabo was about to take back what he said when the boy laughed.
"Sure!"
Sabo stared at him, eyes wide open and his mouth agape. Did he hear him right?
"Give me your phone, I'll type it real quick. I've gotta be somewhere!"
Sabo unconsciously pulled out his phone and handed it to the smaller boy, who happily typed his number before handing it back to him. This was just going too fast and Sabo could not believe that just happened. How can this boy be so trusting?
"You sure? You don't even know me!" Sabo exclaimed as he received his phone back, hands shaking as he viewed the number on his screen.
"You're really an odd one! Aren't you the one who asked for it?" The boy laughed again, harder this time. He then looked at his own phone and then shouted, "Oh shit! I'm gonna be late! You're interesting and I'd love to talk to you, but I've really gotta go before my brother kicks my ass! So, see you around!"
He dashed off and Sabo tried to yell after him.
"Wait! What is your name?" Sabo's voice was more of a desperate plea.
"It's Luffy! Nice to meet you!" The boy yelled back.
So, Luffy it was… now that was a nice name.