[ Zephirin leaves it at that, lapsing into silence while Francel remembers his lunch. Of course, Francel's usual differs from Zephirin's, lonelier — no wonder the student librarian expects to be out of place in a group of friends — and Zephirin perceives the impact of his seemingly small gestures.
It wouldn't surprise him if Francel were to take his remark for nothing more than token, throwaway politeness, but he finds that he means it, honest and earnest, that the prospect of watching the younger boy emerge from his shell like this, little by little, holds genuine appeal.
Halfway through his lunchbox, he takes a break from it, turning to his bag for his study notes and a water bottle. He checks the clock on the wall. ]
If we run out of time today, you can take these home. [ Zephirin lays his hand atop the folder set down on the table between himself and Francel. ] Who teaches your math class this year?
no subject
[ Zephirin leaves it at that, lapsing into silence while Francel remembers his lunch. Of course, Francel's usual differs from Zephirin's, lonelier — no wonder the student librarian expects to be out of place in a group of friends — and Zephirin perceives the impact of his seemingly small gestures.
It wouldn't surprise him if Francel were to take his remark for nothing more than token, throwaway politeness, but he finds that he means it, honest and earnest, that the prospect of watching the younger boy emerge from his shell like this, little by little, holds genuine appeal.
Halfway through his lunchbox, he takes a break from it, turning to his bag for his study notes and a water bottle. He checks the clock on the wall. ]
If we run out of time today, you can take these home. [ Zephirin lays his hand atop the folder set down on the table between himself and Francel. ] Who teaches your math class this year?