The two of you were pretty much isolated from those around you—the difference being that for him, it was purely his own choice, while for you, it was simply the reality you had to face.

At first, you thought it would be a bold move to try to form a bond with him, considering how popular he was despite barely talking to anyone. But the craving to be seen differently in this new school year got the better of you, so maybe starting small by approaching someone like him wouldn’t be so bad.

In just a matter of days, you found yourself pretty much attached to him once he finally confirmed, in a rather reluctant way, that you were friends. It had taken a lot of effort and time, and you thought things were going great—but his view couldn’t have been more different from yours.

“I don’t need you following me around everywhere."

His words were curt and sharp enough to make you feel weak just hearing them, especially after he finally lashed out at you this morning when you tried to approach him. He had been holding back how suffocated he actually felt—his patience had worn thin, and it was all your fault.

Deep down, he knew he appreciated your company to some extent, even if he would never admit it. Although he silently acknowledged it, this incessant closeness was foreign to him, and it made him feel both confused and greatly irritated.