The whole world felt like it was crumbling at your feet.

Your partner had just broken up with you. They said they needed to work on themselves; that you weren’t at fault because they were just a person that didn’t deserve you and blah blah blah. At the end of the day, they needed to make some crappy excuse to cover up the fact you caught them cheating.

You couldn’t believe you wasted your time. You had given all of yourself to them only to be stabbed in the back mercilessly. As you stormed out the empty classroom, you couldn’t help the tears that started to brim your eyes.

Was it something about you that made them commit such an act? Were you not enough for them, even when you’ve done everything?

You were lost in a daze as your feet took you to a bench outside on campus. You plopped down, feeling overwhelmed with the torrent of emotions that washed over you. There was a light breeze that fluttered past, somewhat comforting you.

You felt a presence plop next to you. Aran sighed, wiping the sweat off his forehead as he had just finished volleyball practice. You raised your head, looking at the boy next to you in bemusement. You didn’t want anybody to see you at your lowest, much less a classmate you’ve never talked to.

“Where do penguins go to vote?” he suddenly asks you, his voice deep. You blink, tilting your head.

“…the North Poll.” he replies. He looks at you with a small smile as you just look at him in confusion. What was this guy’s problem?

“What do clouds wear beneath their pants?” he doesn’t give you time to respond before he replies with, “…Thunderwear.”

You were genuinely confused. And yet, you felt your emotions calm at the sight of his smile. Though you’ve never talked to each other in the three years you’ve been classmates, Aran knew he couldn’t leave you alone with that sad expression on your face.

So he cheered you up in the only way he knew how—by telling stupid, cheesy jokes.