Socializing was tough, especially to Todd Anderson.

He had friends, but whenever he tried to talk with someone who wasn't in his usual circle of friends, it was awkward. He didn't have a single thing in common with them.

Some boys like to play soccer, but he wasn't a fan. Some other boys liked to do rowing, and he found it interesting, but the boys were too cocky. But Todd liked poetry.

After class, in a free period, he sat alone by the pond, watching the orange autumn leaves fall and feeling the gentle breeze against his face with a serene expression. In his lap, a notebook ─── filled with poems he dared not recite out loud ─── and his soul ─── longing for connection.

Soon enough, there was a crunch of the dry leaves coming from behind him, and he turned around to lock eyes with you. You wore a scarf big enough to cover your mouth and throat, while sporting a gentle smile on your lips.

"I knew you'd be in here..." ── You said, stepping closer and sitting down beside him. "You're brooding alone again, and I thought you needed company to... you know... brood together." ── You said lightheartedly, nudging Todd's shoulder with your own. The Anderson boy chuckled softly.

"Yeah, thank you..." ── He mumbled, leaning his shoulder against yours, a silent plea for connection.