Burning an Eyebrow [Cecil]

Break Time. Probably, the most favorite time in school by everybody. This is when they eat with their friends and talk with them. or, just hang around in different parts in school. For Kevin, break time is also studying time since he doesn't eat much and he also doesn't have friends to eat with. So, he spends his break time at the library. Plus, he has a long quiz tomorrow that's why he needs to study. But, first he has a business with the librarian. He needs to return the book that he borrowed.

"Hello. I'm here to return this book I borrowed" Kevin said as he handed the book and his library card to the librarian. The librarian fixed her glasses first before taking a look at the book. After that, The librarian put the book in a small box right beside and stamped Kevin's library card. "This book is overdue" the librarian said as she returned the card to Kevin. "Aaah yes, it was a pretty good book so I was prepared for it" Kevin replied as he handed his money and took his library card. The librarian took the money without saying a word. Now that's done, he went to the reading section of the library to study peacefully.

To some, it would be surprising that nobody really uses the library to read. Many use it as a quiet place to work, or an out of the way place to do all the things they really shouldn't be doing, if they came by at all. But few actually went to read just for the sake of reading a damn book, and that was kind of a shame considering Seven Stars was turning out to have a damn good library.
Oh, it had been a while since Cecil had gotten about to reading like this, but that wasn't to say he didn't enjoy it. He just...well...hadn't done it. But having a voice in your head constantly insisting on productivity was a lovely motivator. Sure, this may not be the best he could do in some regards, but it was nice, and it did help.
So, he sat there with a book in hand and his earphones in...
As well as a mean looking mark on his head from when he'd fallen.

Kevin closed the book he was reading and sighed. He already knew what he was reading and it bores him. So, he returned this book to its shelf and went looking again for an another book. Maybe, a book that has new knowledge for Kevin's hungry brain. While looking for a new book, he recognized a familiar person. He passed through them at first, but he took a second look. The person was Cecil Erinforth, the boy he bumped with in the other day. He seems to be fine now that the bandage is gone. Kevin was relieved to see that Cecil was doing okay. He also remembered that he owes Cecil an apology for just suddenly leaving him. So, he approached Cecil slowly.

"Hey, Cecil... It's nice to see you here" Kevin said. If Cecil didn't notice him, Kevin would notice that he was actually wearing earphones so he might not hear him normally. But, noise is restricted in the library. Instead of screaming out loud so Cecil can hear him even with the earphones on, Kevin tapped him on the shoulder. "Yo..." he greeted him. "Umm... It's nice to see you're doing okay. Oh... I'm actually sorry for leaving you all of a sudden."

Lost in his reading Cecil doesn't notice Kevin as he speaks up at first. Following the tap on his shoulder, he does finally take out his earphones and hear what's being said to him...after he's done being startled by the event.
Spacial awareness, after all, requires awareness of the surrounding space to be a factor. And that aside, he would have never expected anyone to be after his attention.
"...oh! Uh...one moment." He sets his book down, and fishes out his music player, cutting the music. It was one thing while they were in, but his earphones would definitely let the sound drift through the air while they were hanging off him, and this was not the place for it.
It was also a way to stall while he got his thoughts together, but not even he knew that's what he was trying to do as worked through the task in silence.
Once he was done, he pauses briefly before turning his attention back to Kevin. "Don't...don't worry about it. I was able to call up dad, and he was able to get me back home. Though...he was none too happy about the injury. Pretty sure I worried the hell out of him..." Which...wasn't really surprising.
Being stuck out, unable to get home by yourself? That would be a bad situation for anyone, but his dad had more reason to be worried about him being in that scenario than many other people. Admittedly, he could protect himself if he really had to, but...still. It was a good thing they were able to get back together.
"...why, ah...did you go off like that...?"

Kevin blushed from the question, blush of humiliation actually. He didn't know what to answer. But, there's no point lying to Cecil, though. "I... became anxious all of a sudden" Kevin answered with his head down, not making any eye contact with Cecil. "I am just not used to being with a person. I thought I was boring you out and stuff like that. That's why my anxiety kicked in." Kevin let out a deep sigh, that was really dumb. At least, Cecil got help from his father in the end but still, Kevin can't stop thinking about if something bad happened to him. He would regret that for his entire life. "Still, I would be responsible if something bad happened to you after I left." Kevin let out an another deep sigh again. He didn't know what to say, now.

As Kevin visually expressed his feelings of embarrassment and humiliation, Cecil...didn't react to them, showing a lack of recognition altogether of them. He hadn't even noticed the blush. His focus was on the words said over the actions undertaken, and as such, the signs flew past his notice as he deal with this unfamiliar individual, a small section of what he was told floating around his head. "You...were more worried about boring me than how I was doing...?"
There's no judgement. Just sheer, blatant, bafflement. Of all things, he just couldn't imagine being worried over whether he was being interesting when there was a person right there that couldn't walk.
...I guess these things aren't supposed to make sense, though. It's brain stuff. Hell if I don't know that stuff gets illogical.

"...don't worry about it. That was then, this is now. Not like I don't know people stuff is hell." He chuckles weakly. "Not that I ever imagined someone else would be the one struggling most in a social situation with me in it. Always figured I'd be the most socially inept person in any given room."

Wait, what did he just said? He is not the only socially inept person in any given room? Does that mean? He is also someone that sucks at socializing? "Really? I thought I am like the weirdest person in this universe" Kevin said with a faint laugh. He got cheered up a little knowing that he isn't the only one. "I am not really good at people. Only me and my pa, my whole life. Never had friends, just people that I get along or they just never bothered to bully my lack of social skills and some people that I just get to know. Other than that, I spend most of my time being alone" He raised his chin up, finally making eye contact with Cecil. He never felt somewhat comfortable to someone. Is it because Cecil is someone that Kevin can relate to? "I am glad that i'm not the only one who is socially inept."

Cecil gives Kevin an incredulous look, smiling wryly. "Come on. There's always someone better...or, well, worse. It works both ways." He shrugs. "People are hard. Don't act like how they think you should, and it bothers them. Depending on what you say, do...don't do...they'll come up with all sorts of stuff to excuse you away in their mind. Stuff that...tends to make you look bad..." Cecil sighs. "How the hell does not talking to people make you a school shooter in the making...?"

He shakes his head, layering on a more relaxed look, right up until the moment where Kevin looks him eye and tells him he's glad not to be the only inept person out there. Probably meant to be a heartfelt sentiment, but...even to him that felt weird.
Not important though.
Cecil's lips quirk as a thought strikes. "Funny way of saying you're glad you're not alone."

He let out a chuckle from Cecil's remark. "Oh i'm sorry, did I offend you?" Kevin asked with a mischievous smile. "Anyways, you're right. People can be pretty hard to deal with most of the times. And I don't want to deal with those shite. That's why I prefer being alone, most of the time." he added. Looking back again at Cecil with a smile, "But you, I think you're different Cecil. I mean we wouldn't be having this conversation if you have that judgmental mind like everybody does and tag me as the weirdo for what I did. Then, they would suddenly stop talking to me." Kevin crossed his arms and let out a small sigh. People are indeed stressing. Before Cecil could say anything, "Yes, it's a compliment." Kevin said, if Cecil was gonna ask that or not, Kevin really means it as a compliment.

"Come on, I said it myself. It'd be stupid to get annoyed over you pointing it out afterwards." Sure, it's not the best thing, but if you took yourself too seriously it was only going to make things worse in the end. All things in good faith.

...
Uhhh...
"Okay...?"
He wasn't going to ask that, no.
He didn't even know what Kevin was on about. What was a compliment?
...I guess it doesn't matter as long as it is one...?
He was confused. It showed.

"Um...nevermind that. What was I gonna..." Cecil pauses, unfocused eyes looking to a point on the ground as he finds himself deep in thought.



"Do you really prefer to be alone, or just prefer to stay away from people that cause you problems?" Cecil's only seems to focus back on Kevin after he says the words, looking at him curiously. "Because there's kind of a difference."

Kevin thought about the question for a while. For him, that was a broad question. "It depends I guess." He answered. "If people are getting toxic, I prefer to stay away with them unless dealing with them would be ,somehow, worth it. When they're really toxic that it gets on my nerves, that's when I prefer to be alone." He added. All of a sudden, the school bell rang reminding the students that break is over and they should go back to their classes right now.

What a bummer that he has to leave. He was having fun at the conversation they're having. "Cecil, that was a nice talk. Never talked to someone like this, it was a good change of pace. But unfortunately, I have to cut our conversation for now. We don't wanna be late for our next class." He put his phone back to his pocket and waved at Cecil, "Goodbye, I guess I'll see you again in school... or somewhere." Kevin said goodbye and took a few steps. "Ohh... uhh.. take care" He said before finally leaving the library.

~Exit

It wasn't so broad a question to the one asking it. It was clear, and precise. And the answer he got was just as clear to him.
He snatches up the book he'd been reading as the bell rings, and nods to Kevin as he leaves. "Yeah. See you."

Putting the book back and hurrying to his next class, Cecil finds himself thinking, the result of asking a question he didn't know the origin of in the first place. He didn't know what drove him to come out with it, but it had been informative.
He just doesn't want to be around people that give him problems, but...he thinks that's preferring to be alone altogether.
From within, a second body of thought, separate and yet not spoke up.
Why is that a point of interest to you?
It...just doesn't feel right. I mean, I just can't people, but...
What if they can? Can, and don't so they don't chance finding someone that bothers them?
What if that was the case? Do you intend to do something?
...can I?