Wednesday, January 21 2026

Eye Contact

—

Micah sat in his usual spot at the library, head buried into his computer. He was “tutoring”. Again. When the list came out for the week he made sure to snag the days that were notoriously known for being slow because he didn’t think he could handle the awkward silence of a dozen unmotivated faces.

Somehow, a crowd of people made the quiet a lot more suffocating.

On the contrary, tutoring one person meant he’d have to hold unnecessary eye contact.

Both options were just as bad. But luckily, he was told to expect nobody today.

Micah’s eyes scanned the Google Spreadsheets that AJ was actively working on for the Alex Rivera case. So far, he’d already input the data Eli gathered about Chase on scene. If anything, his messages were probably blowing up with status updates from the other two in their group chat.

He sighed. Even if Micah wanted to check it, he couldn’t. Phones weren’t allowed out while tutoring.

Ugh, why am I even here…

This a bad time? A voice called out. Too close to be talking to anyone else.

Hello, Jesus.

Micah’s eyes widened, shutting his laptop a little too quickly. Gosh, I’m so sorry. No, it’s never a bad time.

Nate quirked an eyebrow, studying him.

Sorry, I’ve just been busy. Here, take a seat.

The taller one dropped his bag next to the chair Micah had motioned to before sitting down just as he had done last time.

Micah dropped his head, barely meeting the other’s gaze. So, how can I help you?

You doing something for the Broadcasting Club?

Wha—what, how did you?—

He nodded his head towards the computer, dark strands falling to frame his face. Didn’t look like you were doing much work otherwise.

Micah hadn’t noticed before. Or maybe he did, but just didn’t choose to acknowledge it. Nate had really pretty eyes. He stared at them before turning away.

Well you’re a lot more talkative today, Micah said clearing his throat. Can’t exactly do work when there isn’t anybody here to help though, am I right?

Nate shrugged. Guess that’s why I’m here?

Micah offered him a lopsided grin. Guess so.

Micah reached down towards his bag to retrieve a pencil while Nate fiddled with the hem of his sleeve.

Hey, I was just thinking… Nate hesitated before continuing. What I said about your club last time? I meant it. I’m interested.

Micah paused.

But, what about your hockey?

Just consider me as an unofficial member. I’ve been looking for something to do outside of it, anyway. I’ll drop by when I’m free.

Micah’s eyes widened, a small spark igniting within dark irises

Well, unless you don’t want me to, Nate quickly added. Micah thought he saw that athletic confidence falter for just a moment.

A smile tugged at the corner of Micah’s lips.

No—no that’d be fine. We were looking for more people anyway.

Cool, cool.

Yeah, cool.

They both stared at one another for a few seconds until they realized they had both been looking for too long. They turned away at the same time, suddenly finding the 20 something-year-old books on the shelves, or the motivational posters on the walls a lot more interesting than each other.

Micah never liked eye contact.

But… he supposed it wasn’t that bad. He could get used to this.

#notproofread

nick knew that after lunch nate had math. ( they had each others schedules memorized, obviously )

and while nate was frustratingly good at everything ( hockey included ).. nick knew that math was one of his weaknesses.

nate silently passed over the study guide he had been working on for the past 10 minutes in order for nick to look it over.

nick’s brows furrowed more than a few times while looking over the paper, erasing every now and then, which caused a pit to form in nate’s stomach. their unit test was today.

“dude, i don’t wanna be mean but… you might be cooked.”

nick said it sincerely enough, brows furrowed that nate couldn’t find it within him to throw a quip back. he simply sighed.

“but hey, its okay. you still have test corrections. and you can always pay a visit to the tutoring center.” nick said cheerily, attempting to fight off his brothers sadness.

nate scoffed, “i thought you said you were going to tutor me?”

“well the last time i tried, you started crumpling up balls of paper to throw at me. i think you need someone else to explain it to you.”

“and… soon, because… if you don’t get your grade up, coach isn’t going to let you play in the next game.”

nate just nodded in reply. he needed someone to make him understand all these numbers, and quick. he was determined to pay a visit to the library after school… even if it meant humiliating himself by begging one of the nerds to tutor him. their practice was delayed until tomorrow morning anyways.

but the next game was a big one. they were going against their rival…. AHS. nate knew that his brother couldn’t function without him on ice, and vice versa. they needed BOTH of their wings, not just the right one.

the bell rang loud enough to rid nate of all his thoughts.

nate tucked his study guide back in his folder, placing it in his backpack before getting up.

“good luck in english, weirdo.” nate said, ruffling his twin’s hair before walking to his doom ( class ).

݁˖ ❀ ⋆｡˚

micah sat at one of the uncomfortable tables in the back of the library, ready to sit for an extra hour after school he could’ve spent doing ANYTHING else.

he just hoped that no one would show up so the librarian would take pity on him and let him leave early.

he needed to get back on the research about alex rivera, and he couldn’t if he was stuck in this too bright room, with too uncomfortable of chairs.

he pushed his glasses back up on his nose, rereading the same line of his textbook for the 8th time, when someone came rushing in.

it was… not who he had expected.

micah wouldn’t know which of the starr twins it was if not for the letterman jacket plastered with the name “nate” on left shoulder.

he only knew the twins by word of mouth anyways, the school was always talking about them in some weird freak-ish way—like they were in the midst of some breakthrough scientific discovery just because two boys were born on the same day and had mirroring features. but he couldn’t deny the two were obviously gorgeous.

additionally rae would talk about them sometimes, so he had gathered the information that they were 1: loaded, and 2: loaded enough that they didn’t mind lending some of their parent’s expensive vodka for the parties thrown.

the boy before him turned his head in confusion before his eyes landed directly on micah.

a shiver ran through the boy, it felt like nate could see right through him.

he swallowed before saying, “hi! are you looking for a tutor?”

“uh, yeah, actually.”

his voice was deep, with a raspy like quality.

“well, how about you sit right there.” micah replied, pointing to the seat directly across from him.

nate shuffled towards the chair, before placing his bag down unceremoniously. as he sat down, he stretched out his legs. they were long enough that they were poking micah’s feet.

stupid athletes, always taking up space.

“well… what can i help you with?”

“just math.”

wow, this guy wasnt much of a talker. oh well, it was better than a complete yapper, micah supposed.

“uh…. okay… do you wanna perhaps show me something you’re having difficulty with?”

nate nodded before taking out a worksheet.

eventually, nate started to open up ( not much, but at least he was speaking in more than 3 word sentences ).

at one point he even asked, “hey, aren’t you the guy from that poster? the broadcasting club?”

micah felt put on the spot, but he lit up in excitement. “yeah! i am!” .. ( before realizing that this guy was a jock, and could be making fun of him. he quieted immediately. )

much to micah’s suprise, the boy before him smiled a little, tilting his head

“that’s cool. i would join but.. you know, hockey.”

micah decided then and there that maybe, just maybe… the starr twins could be cool. he didn’t know the other one yet, but he knew that this one was at least civil.

as the boys packed up and nate made a quick goodbye, micah actually felt a lightness in his chest he hadn’t felt all day.