Number one and only. [Nicholas &team]

Chapter 6 - Least Interested

By break time, Ava had changed out of her basketball jersey into the crisp Northbridge High uniform — the fitted white shirt tucked neatly into the navy skirt, blazer hanging open, and her ponytail still perfectly in place. Christine trailed beside her as they walked into the canteen, laughter from their conversation spilling into the room.
The second Ava stepped through the door, the noise shifted.
Students subtly straightened in their seats. Some slid their trays aside, making room beside them. A few outright waved her over. Entire benches seemed to “just happen” to open up in hopes she’d choose them.
Ava glanced around, smiling faintly but not committing to any seat — until her gaze found the farthest corner of the canteen.
Two boys sat there.
Nicholas and Harua.
Without hesitation, Ava hooked her arm through Christine’s. “Come on,” she said, tugging her toward them.
Gasps followed their path like a ripple through water.
They stopped at the corner table. “Can we sit here?” Ava asked.
Nicholas didn’t look up from his tray.
Harua, however, nearly choked on his drink. “Uh—yes! Yeah! Absolutely! What a… what a lucky day.” His words tumbled over each other, and he scooted over quickly.
Ava and Christine slid into the seats across from them — Ava directly in front of Nicholas, Christine across from Harua.
“So…” Ava started, folding her arms on the table. “Tell me—”
Nicholas’s eyes stayed on his food.
“—about yourself. You’re new. You should introduce yourself. Make some friends.”
Nicholas stood abruptly, tray in hand. “Least interested,” he said flatly, and walked away from the table.
Ava sat back, blinking. Then a slow, amused scoff escaped her. Interesting… First time a guy’s not showing any interest in me.
She pushed her chair back.
“Where are you going?” Christine asked.
“I’ll be back in a bit,” Ava replied, already moving. The canteen door swung shut behind her.

Inside, Christine turned to Harua. “What’s with the newbie?”
Harua frowned. “I don’t know. I just met him today.”
“You should befriend him,” Christine said. “He seems… lonely.”
Harua tapped his fingers on the table. “Yeah. I will.”

In the hallway, Nicholas walked down the corridor, steps steady, not looking back.
“Nicholas, wait,” Ava called.
He stopped, but didn’t turn.
“At least turn and face someone when they’re talking to you,” she said.
Nicholas turned slowly.
The harsh fluorescent lights overhead caught the slight sheen in his black hair, neatly parted but falling just enough to touch his forehead. His black rectangular frames sat perfectly aligned on his straight nose, framing sharp, deep-set eyes that seemed unreadable. His jawline was clean, expression calm to the point of indifference.
Ava swallowed. “About this morning—”
“Thanks,” he said.
She blinked. “What?”
“Thanks for saving me from getting hit.”
Her lips curved slightly. “So you do know how to talk. Why were you ignoring me just now?”
Before he could answer, another voice broke in.
“Ava? Why are you outside? Did you eat?”
Maki stepped into view, standing beside her like it was the most natural thing in the world.
“Oh, I was…” she started.
“Here. Your favorite,” Maki said, pulling a Snickers bar from his pocket and handing it to her.
“Oh, thanks,” she replied, taking it. Then, with a small tilt of her head toward Nicholas, she added, “By the way, this is Nicholas. First day at school.”
Maki’s eyes shifted to him. “Oh, you’re the one Ava crashed into before.”
Nicholas gave a small nod.
“Hope we get along, bro.” Maki tapped him lightly on the shoulder, then looked back at Ava. “Let’s go.”
As they started walking toward the canteen, Ava glanced over her shoulder. “See you in class, then.”
Nicholas stood there, watching until the door shut behind them again.