I tried my best to ignore the heartbreaking feeling and faced the boy.
-Hi, I'm glad to see you're doing fine – I greeted him.
-Me? I'm the one who's glad you're alive. Back then I thought you were going to lose your leg or something. Hi, I'm Benny Weir.
He smiled and offered me a hand to shake. It was warm. Smelled of coffee.
-I'm Liam Hemingway. Pleased to meet you, Benny. (Benny, Ethan and… Sarah. So many names I learnt today)
-Um… Benny? – whispered Ethan – is there anything you want to say to Liam?
-Jeez, I know. It's my first time saying this, so I don't know how to say it and not make it sound like it isn't a big deal.
He scratched the back of his head and sighed.
-Look, Liam Hemingway. Apparently you saved my life this morning so I want to ask you not to do anything that dangerous again, because you could die and everyone around you would be sad. And maybe the person you don't know and try to save would turn out to be a serial killer or the general of an alien army or…
-Benny…
-Let me finish E. But the thing is that you've already risked your life to save me, so I want to say thank you. Thank you so much for saving my life.
While saying this last part, he stared deeply at me. I could feel his worry and his gratitude.
-It's alright, really. It does not hurt that much. Besides, I felt you were someone worth saving.
-Aww, come on – he laughed – save that line for the ladies. I don't know how to react to that coming from a guy.
I could see that he was embarrassed and felt sorry.
-Anyway – Ethan said – I've never seen you around at high school.
-That's right – Benny added – You look about our age, and we got hit in front of the school, so I don't think that you actually take classes in other place.
-Well, actually… it's supossed to be my first day today.
-Oh, sorry dude – said Benny with a serious tone.
-It's cool, really. I mean, I didn't think I'd make friends even before setting a foot inside the building.
-Friends? – Benny raised an eyebrow.
-Oh, I'm so sorry – I quickly answered – it's too soon to call each other friends, right? We don't even know each other. Sorry, I got a bit ahead of myself.
-Well, it's not like we care, but…
-Yeah, we're not the type of guys people like to hang out with – explained Ethan – we're more like… the geeky trash that will never be popular.
-I don't mind geek stuff – I said – in fact, I kinda like it. You know, I'm a graphic novel freak and also watch anime so…
-Then you're more than welcome to hang out with us both at school – Benny smiled – If you don't mind not getting a date to the prom.
-It's cool – I smiled – I think I'll get along with you guys.
-Really? – Ethan smiled – Then be our guest. Aw man, I'm so sorry you had to go through this on your first day.
-It's cool, E. Girls love scars, so I'm sure that Liam and I will do just fine. I mean, look at this forehead scar, it's just like Harry Potter's!
-If they knew you did it with a street lamp – Ethan laughed.
-I like Harry Potter – I said – Any Ravenclaws here?
-High five, fellow Ravenclaw!
-Say what you want Ethan, but you'll always look like a Hufflepuff to me.
-Shut up, Slytherin.
We all laughed.