This is the revised version of the original chapter 5 (part 1).
Even if you have already read the original chapter, I would love to know your opinions on this version.

(for those who commented on the original: don't worry, I didn't delete the chapter, it's just not public anymore)

Please don't forget to vote and comment :)

Everyone made mistakes here and there, and it was important to embrace them as part of being human. That was, except if the blunder was the reason Blake was sprinting across campus first thing in the morning, trying not to trip over his own feet.

The night before, Blake had stayed up late to study until he couldn't keep his eyes open anymore. So, he put down his books and set the alarm on his phone, ready for his first day of work. Or so he had thought.

That morning, he had awakened to Finn getting ready. He took his time, stretching out his limbs like a cat before sitting up in bed, rubbing his eyes. His blurry vision slowly focused on the clock on the wall. He blinked once, twice. And then leapt out of bed.

He dashed past his brother, cursing and nearly tripping on his own feet as he raced towards the bathroom. In a flurry, he fumbled to gather his belongings, including his useless phone. Why hadn't the alarm gone off?

His eyes met the screen, and Blake wanted to punch himself. - How the hell did I set the time in the calculator?

And so, Blake was late for his first day on the job.

Entering the car park, he noticed a sleek silver car pulling into a spot. Dean emerged, dressed in a light camel button- up shirt tucked into his tailored black pants. He acknowledged Blake with a brief, polite smile.

- Hey, - Blake huffed out once he reached the car, struggling to catch his breath and steadying himself with his hands on his knees.

- Good morning, Blake. - Dean looked down at him, eyebrows pulled together. - Are you alright?

- Yeah, yeah. - He swallowed, waving a dismissive hand. - Just give me a sec.-

He took a deep breath, rubbing his sweaty neck with his hand until he regained feeling in his scratchy throat.

- Sorry for being late. - He faced Dean, scratching the back of his head. - I over- slept.

Before Dean could reply, the tinted car window rolled down and Blake smiled at the man in the driver's seat.

- Hi, Mr Abe.

- Good morning, Mr Blake. - He returned the smile with a tip of the head and then shifted his attention to Dean. - I'll be leaving now. Have a good day and call if you need anything, sir.

Dean replied with a small smile, yet there was a slight twitch at the corners of his lips, almost undetectable. They watched as Mr Abe pulled out of the parking spot and drove off.

- Let's go? - Blake turned to Dean. - I was thinking of grabbing breakfast on the way to your class if that's okay with you. Have you eaten?

- I have. - Dean glanced at him before going back to looking around like a soldier dropped into the middle of the jungle rather than a student on a university campus. - If you like, we can schedule a better meeting time, so you don't have to rush.

- Don't worry about it. - Blake smiled at the genuine concern in his voice. Dean was obviously not used to student life. - I just can't mix up the alarm with the calculator.

- The calculator? - Dean blinked. - I'm... I'm afraid I don't understand.

- Welcome to my world, - Blake joked, fishing his phone from his pocket to check the time. - We should go. Let's introduce you to your department.

They walked side by side, keeping a safe distance between them, and Blake couldn't help but steal occasional glances at the guy beside him. Dean gawked at their surroundings, his expressions a mixture of wonder and unease. The sun shone down upon him, highlighting the green in his hazel eyes; kissing his pale cheeks, giving them a rosy hue.

- When was the last time you left the house?

Dean stopped contemplating the buildings and turned to him.

- Hm... About three weeks ago, I believe.

- Wow, really? - He walked a couple of steps ahead and turned on his heels so he could face Dean while walking backwards. - That's a long time.

Dean's gaze fell. - I guess it is.

- I'm not making fun of you. - Blake rushed out. - To each their own. Maybe I'm just too extroverted for my own good.

Dean's lips curved slightly at the corner. - I don't think that's possible.

- Believe me, it is.- Blake adjusted the strap of the backpack on his shoulder. - Last year, there was a girl in one of my classes who had an amazing bike. One day, I was talking to her about it and her boyfriend showed---

- Watch out! - a warning cry echoed in the air.

It all happened in a flash.

His head snapped to the side, to the cyclist careening towards him. He braced himself for impact, squeezing his eyes shut. A violent tug on his backpack yanked him to the side as Dean grabbed his bag and pulled him back, only for Blake's body to go hauling in his direction. Dean jolted back, tripping over his own feet and landing on the ground. Blake stumbled over him but managed to stay on his feet, narrowly avoiding falling onto Dean.

- Are you okay? - Blake blurted out as soon as his brain finished rebooting from the shock.

Dean nodded, grimacing as he sat up on the dirty pavement. The cyclist hadn't even bothered to stop, already disappearing in the distance.

- I'm so sorry, I wasn't paying attention. - Blake offered his hand. Dean looked at it and then up at him. - Right, my bad. Force of the habit. - He stepped back to give Dean space. - Are you hurt? -

- I'm not. - Dean stood up, brushing the dirt off his pants. - How about you?

- All good, thanks to you.

- It was nothing.

Blake raked a hand through his hair, frustration crawling up his chest. - It's my first day and I'm already blowing it.

- That's not true. - Dean's eyes wrinkled at the corners with genuine amusement. - These few minutes have already been more interesting than my whole month.

It was an obvious attempt at consoling him, yet it was also the first sign of honest levity Dean had shown him. It was impossible not to return the smile.

- Do I make you feel normal in comparison?

Dean pressed his grin into a line. - Perhaps.

- Good, - Blake laughed. He then gestured towards the path with a nod of his head. - Come on, let's go. We don't want you to be late on your first day.

The rest of their walk to the Economics department was thankfully uneventful. Blake decided against stopping for breakfast, as there would probably be many people in line, and he didn't want to risk making Dean uncomfortable.

As they reached the department, the newly renovated building came into view. Its fresh paint and updated installations stood out against the older, shabbier buildings around.

- You're lucky to have enrolled this year, - he told Dean. - They renovated it during the summer.

- Sure, - Dean muttered, looking up at the tall white walls, - lucky.

- Let's find your classroom.

He started towards the entrance, only to halt a few steps ahead. He turned to look at Dean, still rooted in the same spot, figure taut, jaw tense, and gazed fixed on the front door. The colour had drained from his cheeks, emphasising the faint dark circles under his eyes, and his hands were closed into fists at his sides.

Blake stepped closer.

- Dean?

Dean didn't respond. His chest heaved, wide eyes losing focus like a deer in the headlights. Blake followed his gaze inside, where a sea of students crossed the halls, climbed the stairs, and milled about. Realising what was happening, Blake stepped into Dean's line of sight.

- Dean, - he called again, this time with a stronger tone. Dean's eyes shifted to him, still dazed and panicked. Blake stepped forward, not to crowd him, but enough to fill his field of vision. - I know you barely know me, but please trust me, okay?

Silence hung between them. He watched Dean swallow, his gaze becoming clearer as it rested on Blake's face. With a shaky breath, Dean gave a hesitant nod.

It was a start.

Blake put on his best reassuring smile. - Then trust I won't let anything happen to you. It's going to be okay.

It took a little while longer, but eventually, Dean let go of some of the tension in his jawline and unfurled his fists. He winced, and both looked down at the half- moon shapes his nails had stamped into the palms.

- That looks painful.

Dean put his hand down, dodging Blake's gaze.

- It doesn't hurt.

- Don't believe you.

He studied the way Dean's hands opened and closed, trying to relax. If he kept that up, he would end up drawing blood one day.

A thought struck him.

- Wait a second. I think I have something that can help.

Under Dean's puzzled expression, he swivelled his backpack to the front and scavenged the front pouch for a few seconds. - Ah-ha!

Blake pulled out a set of keys, adorned by a small and squishy rabbit keychain, and held it up between the two of them. The rabbit's round, white body matched the tiny round tail, short ears with pink accents, and a little snout with black dots that resembled eyes.

- It's an anti- stress toy. - He swayed the bunny from side to side. - You can squeeze it when you're feeling nervous. Here, keep it.

- I...- Dean eyed the keychain and then Blake. - I can't accept it. It's yours.

- I want you to have it. - Blake plucked the keychain from the bunch and held it up next to Dean's face, which wasn't so pale anymore. Dean looked at the trinket, scrunching his nose in uncertainty. Blake felt his grin grow. - You even look alike.

Dean sent him a sceptical look.

- C'mon, - Blake urged. - I know you want it. Don't fight it.

He moved the bunny between their faces, making it hop across the imaginary path. A smile finally broke down Dean's defences, spilling into a wide grin.

- If you insist. - Dean sighed.

- I do. Hold out your hand.

Blake dropped the bunny onto his palm. Dean pressed it with his thumb to watch it return to its original shape.

- Thank you. - Dean smiled up at him. - I appreciate it.

- Don't mention it. - Blake looked around the space. - There are fewer people now. Are you ready?

Dean glanced back at the entrance. He took a deep breath, put the keychain in his pocket, and gave the go- ahead. Blake led the way, blocking Dean from the other students as they made their way into the classroom. A few students already had taken their seats and chatted in small groups.

Dean peeked inside, Adam's apple moving in a dry swallow. Blake leaned against the door; arms crossed over his chest.

- Do you know where you want to sit?

- I do. - Dean pointed to a free desk at the back of the room. - With a wall behind and beside my seat.

- Got it. And what about classrooms with shared desks?

- I asked Dr Pam to check the number of students and there should be enough free space for me to place my bag on the chair beside mine.

- You got everything planned out, uh?

Dean gave a reluctant smile. - I don't have much control over most things, so I try to be cautious about what I can.

- You'll have to teach me some of that. I'm just a mess, - Blake chuckled. Peering over Dean's shoulder at the approaching group of people, he added, - We should get you seated before you lose your spot.

They hurried inside, Blake walking a few steps behind Dean as they crossed the length of the room. Dean kept his head down most of the way, only glancing around the room until they finally reached the desk. Instead of sitting, Dean stood rigidly by the desk, his back straight as a pole as he surveyed the room.

Blake leaned on the table, watching Dean skim the room.

- We have permission to have lunch in the classroom, right? - He already knew the answer, but Dean could use the distraction.

Dean's attention returned to him. - We do. That shouldn't be a problem.

Minute by minute, more people entered the room and, as the number of voices grew, tension wrapped around Dean's shoulders yet again.

- Why don't you take out your stuff? - Blake motioned to his bag. - Your professor will probably be here any minute now.

Dean's expression turned pensive for a long moment as if that simple decision could make or break his semester. It was endearing how obvious his overthinking was.

In the end, Dean agreed and took a seat at the desk. Blake watched as Dean carefully took out his stationery and placed it down with precise movements, like a game of chess. When he checked his phone to put it on silent, his head shot up.

- Won't you be late?

Blake shrugged. - I'll wait for the professor to arrive.

- There's no need to. - Dean put on a fabricated smile. - I'm not that nervous.

Blake just looked at him, sceptical. The stare- off lasted a few seconds until Dean finally broke eye contact with a sigh.

- Perhaps I am nervous, - his voice was low. - But won't you be late for class?

- Yeah, but I don't mind it if it helps you.

- You don't need to. Part of the agreement is that this job shouldn't interfere with your classes.

- People skip classes all the time for work. I can be a little late for a friend.

Dean blinked at him. - Friend?

- Sure. - Blake smiled. - We're going to spend a lot of time together, so why not be friends?

Something sparked in Dean's eyes. - I... I would like that.

Blake felt the smile grow on his face. It was like he was back to being a young boy, making a new friend on the playground.

- Awesome.

Around them, the sounds of people sitting at their places filled the room. Blake glanced over to the door, where the professor walked to his desk, briefcase in hand.

- That's my cue. - He hopped off the desk.

Dean sat rod straight in his chair as his eyes flicked from the professor to Blake. Despite the twitch of his lips, the tension in his jaw betrayed his nerves. He nodded with a hum, but Blake's focus was on Dean's hand, which had slipped from the desk and into his pocket. The fabric of his pocket bulged as Dean's fingers closed around what Blake suspected was his keychain.

He shot a quick look at the professor and then back at Dean, leaning in ever so slightly.

- You got this, - he whispered. - One text and I'll be here as fast as I can.

- I don't want to bother you during class.

Blake rolled his eyes into a smile.

- Friends, remember?

This time, the tug at Dean's lips seemed genuine.

- Friends.

It wouldn't take long for the professor to call out Blake for delaying class, so he reminded Dean they would meet for lunch and headed towards the door. Before stepping out of the room, he looked back over his shoulder. Every muscle in Dean tensed, his gaze fixated on Blake.

- You got this, - Blake mouthed under his breath, giving him a thumbs-up. And as unconvinced as Dean looked, Blake truly believed his new friend had much more to give than he thought.

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