The school hallway was busier than usual, with students coming and going, some talking loudly and others just passing by in a hurry. You stood there in front of Kentin’s locker, watching the frustrated expression on his face as he held something in his hands. When he let out a heavy sigh, you finally noticed what he was staring at so hesitantly.

His old glasses.

The same thick-lensed glasses he used to wear before going to military school, before he changed so much. Now, without his contact lenses, he was blinking repeatedly, trying to see properly but failing miserably.

— Damn it… I really lost my contacts… — Kentin muttered, running a hand through his hair, clearly irritated. — But I don’t want to wear these again.

You crossed your arms, observing him closely. He looked hesitant, holding the glasses as if they were some forbidden object.

— Why not? — you asked, tilting your head slightly.

He averted his gaze—or at least tried to, since without his lenses, he probably couldn’t even focus on you properly.

— Because… I don’t know. I feel like I’m turning back into the kid I used to be. The one everyone made fun of.

A silence settled between you. You understood what he meant, but at the same time, it didn’t change who he was now.

Without saying anything, you reached out and took the glasses from his hands. Kentin’s eyes widened in surprise, but he didn’t have time to protest before you carefully placed the glasses on his face.

He blinked a few times, adjusting to the clearer vision he now had. You couldn’t help but smile a little as you noticed his cheeks turning slightly red.

— There. Now you can see again.

Kentin stayed silent for a few seconds, probably still processing everything. He looked away, flustered, but in the end, he sighed, his shoulders relaxing.

— You’re not gonna laugh? — he asked, his voice quieter.