Chapter 1: The Math Chat

Winter sat at his desk, pencil hovering over the math workbook. The numbers on the page seemed to blur together, mocking him. He groaned and slumped back in his chair. With a sigh, he pulled out his phone and opened a chat he had been avoiding all week.

Winter: Hey… did you finish the math homework? 😅

Scar: Hey. Yeah, I finished it last night. You?

Winter: Not yet… I’m struggling with question 5.

Scar: Oh, I can help. Send me a pic of it.

Winter: Thanks! You’re a lifesaver 😭

He snapped a quick photo of the messy worksheet and sent it. Almost immediately, Scar replied.

Scar: Okay, so you… just need to apply the formula we learned yesterday.

Winter: Haha… why do you explain it like that? You make it sound so easy 😩

Scar: Because it is easy 😎

Winter smiled. Scar always had a way of making him feel better—even about something as boring as math.

During lunch, Winter couldn’t help but glance at his phone. Scar had sent another message.

Scar: Btw, I added a little tip for question 7. Check it out when you can. 😉

Winter: You’re literally a genius 😭

He felt a warmth spread through his chest, and he caught himself grinning at nothing. His friends nudged him, asking why he was so distracted.

Friend: Yo, you okay? You’ve been spacing out all morning.

Winter: Huh? Oh… yeah, just… homework stuff. 😅

Over the next few days, chatting with Scar became Winter’s favorite part of school. They shared jokes, memes, and little secrets. Winter found himself laughing more, even during boring classes, just thinking about their conversations.

Winter: Scar… can I ask you something personal?

Scar: Hmm… depends on what “personal” means 😏

Winter: Uhh… do you have someone you like?

Scar: Someone? Maybe 😶 Why do you ask?

Winter: Just curious… I think I like someone… not sure if they feel the same way 😅

Scar: Hmm… interesting…

Winter’s heart raced every time Scar replied. He didn’t even realize he was smiling in class. The way Scar texted was so… effortless. Funny, supportive, teasing just enough to make him blush.

Winter: Scar… can I tell you a secret?

Scar: Sure… spill it 🫣

Winter: I… think I like someone… a lot 😳

Scar: …oh? Like… really like? 😳

Winter: Yeah… it’s confusing.

Winter stared at his phone, hoping Scar wouldn’t think he was too weird.

Scar: Don’t worry… feelings are never simple 😌

Winter: Yeah… thanks, Scar. You always know what to say.

He glanced around the classroom. Everyone was absorbed in their own work, but Winter felt like he was floating above it all. For the first time that week, he actually looked forward to class—and maybe, just maybe, to every message from Scar.

When the final bell rang, Winter’s phone buzzed again.

Scar: Hey… want to go over the homework after school? I think we make a good team 😉

Winter: Absolutely 😁

Winter grabbed his bag, a smile stretching across his face. Little did he know, this friendship was about to become the most important thing in his school life.

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