Game Over, Pretty Boy. ♕ || STGOPB

♕ Chapter Two ♕ - Knock Knock...

For a second, I just stared at him, the absurdity of the moment catching me off guard. Then, despite myself, I let out a laugh. Not because the joke was particularly funny—let's be honest, it was the kind of joke that only someone like Milo would think up—but because of how earnest he was in his delivery. The way he genuinely thought this might make me smile, even without knowing what was bothering me, touched me more than he probably realized.

"Really, Milo? A physics joke?" I shook my head, still chuckling.

He gave me a sheepish grin, shrugging as he said, "I figured it was worth a shot. Besides, who doesn't love a good subatomic particle pun?"

I laughed again, the heaviness I'd felt earlier starting to lift just a little. Maybe it was silly, and maybe Milo's joke was more nerdy than hilarious, but in that moment, it was exactly what I needed. He didn't know what was wrong, but he was trying to make me feel better in the best way he knew how. And for that, I was grateful.

As our laughter faded into the gentle rustle of the leaves, I took a deep breath, feeling lighter than I had in days. The tension from the past few weeks, the unease from the night before, all of it seemed to slip away for a moment.

I glanced over at Milo, who was still smiling to himself, clearly satisfied with the effect of his joke. It was these small moments that reminded me how lucky I was to have friends like him.

"You know," I started, glancing at my watch, "we still have a few hours before our class. How about we head to the library? There's that paper for Professor Jenkins that I've been putting off, and I'm sure you could find something to critique in the latest physics journal."

Milo's eyes lit up at the mention of the library, his natural habitat. "The library? Sounds perfect. I've been meaning to go over some new research on quantum entanglement theories, anyway."

I smiled, shaking my head slightly at his enthusiasm. "Of course you have."

As we made our way towards the library, the morning sun slowly began to warm the cool air, casting long shadows on the sidewalk. The campus was just beginning to wake up, with a few early risers crossing the quad, coffee cups in hand. It was a peaceful time of day, one that I often took for granted.

"So," I asked as we walked, "quantum entanglement theories, huh? Is there something new that's got you all excited?"

Milo launched into a detailed explanation, his voice animated as he discussed the latest papers he'd read. I listened, half-following the technical jargon, but mostly just enjoying the sound of his voice and the way his passion for physics made his eyes light up. It was in these moments that I appreciated how unique Milo was. He might be awkward, and he might not always understand how to navigate social situations, but he was genuine. He cared in his own way, and that meant more to me than anything else.

As we approached the library, I could already feel the day settling into a comfortable rhythm. We'd spend a few hours working, maybe grab lunch later, and then head to class. It was a simple plan, but after everything that had happened recently, simple was exactly what I needed.

As we entered the library, the familiar scent of old books and polished wood greeted us. The quiet hum of whispers and the occasional turning of pages created a soothing atmosphere, one that I always found comforting. Milo, however, seemed to be on a mission.

He scanned the room with a critical eye, his brow furrowing as he looked from one table to the next. I knew this routine well—Milo was notoriously picky about where he sat in the library. It had to be the right spot, with just the right amount of light, the perfect angle to the window, and, of course, a minimal amount of foot traffic nearby.