Hanschen was a fool, Ernst thought, not to notice the looks he gained during his classes. Ernst didn't think he hid the fond gazes particularly well. Still, Hanschen was a charming fool; otherwise there would be no reason to look at him. It was a little pathetic, granted, when Ernst couldn't sleep because every time he closed his eyes he saw that face smiling down at him, not allowing him to even consider dropping off, but what was he to do? Under that gaze he was like a child again. He was completely bewitched, but it bothered him to be so, and then every time his classmate acknowledged his presence he stumbled and tripped, completely bewildered. He'd lost his heart to someone so cold, someone who didn't even know he existed. And if Hanschen did know, he probably laughed about it. Oh well. Ernst would be glad even to rate somewhere in his mind, even if it was just as the butt of a rather cruel joke.
"Ernst? Ernst?"
Ernst turned around to see the very face he'd been dreading looking down at him. He swallowed as the cold blue eyes stared into him, seeming to penetrate his very soul.
"Are you quite alright?" the whisper mocked. "You seem very distracted"
Ernst bit his lip. This was most peculiar. Hanschen had never given him a second glance, and certainly not in such close proximity.
"I am quite fine, Hanschen, th-thank you for asking" he blurted as quickly as possible, anything to keep the blood from rushing to his cheeks. Hanschen smirked, and leaned away, focusing his attention back on their teacher. Ernst gasped in a gulp of air. This was not good. He needed to at least learn to control his emotions. He was acting like one of the girls did when they saw Melchior. Dear Lord, he was acting like Thea. He knew what all the boys thought of Thea. He'd gone with them down to the river once, with the rest of his class, and all of them found it hilariously funny when Melchior purposely walked by her, to see her blush and stammer. He'd laughed along with them, of course, but he felt bad for her, really. She was so young, so naïve. A little like him, to be honest.
Well, it was his mistake, wasn't it? He'd fallen for Hellish temptation hook, line and sinker. He knew his feelings were wrong, and he had tried to repress them, before realising it was hopeless. He was in love with Hanschen Rilow, and nothing could be done about it any more, not now he'd sunk too deep.
"Ernst?"
"Yes?"
"I wish to meet with you at the vineyard later, at six. Shall you be available?"
"Y-Yes. Yes, of course"
Ernst inwardly cursed himself. If only he didn't sound like such a stammering idiot!
"Good. Now, look sharp, Herr Sonnenstich is coming your way"
Ernst felt Hanschen's presence move away from him, and he felt his cheeks burn. It was silly, really. Hanschen probably only wanted to meet with him to talk, to discuss schoolwork, like last time they'd walked together. Still, he wasn't being ignored anymore, and that was a start. After all, only good could come out of this, couldn't it?
Maybe, if nothing else, he would stop feeling so bewitched, bothered and bewildered all the time.