You Shall Notice Me

[Michael Miller]

“Now that’s a cute one,” Michael whispered to himself when he saw the boy sitting at the table. He had really hoped he wouldn’t have to head back here for the day. In fact, it was more for the week. But, as he went looking for something in his bag, he realised how he left some of his work back at the study room and not wanting to do it all over again, he went back. He actually worked this time and not simply copied from another or paid for a cheat sheet. There was no way someone would end up on his paper and use it as their own. Not after all the work he put in it.

And so Michael had been forced to return to the library and head for the study room, only to find it occupied. By a cute one, as he told himself. Whatever force reigning over the world must have decided to give him something good in his misfortune. “Don’t mind me,” he said to him, not too loudly to disturb anyone else. “I was there earlier and I dropped something,” he explained, giving the boy a grin. Did he bother to listen? Michael didn’t know but if he chose to ignore him, he’d find a way to get him to notice him. For now however, he had another business to tend to.

There was a cart with a few books on it, books borrowed by those in the study room and meant to be put back on the shelves of the library. Michael knew he took some books and placed them on it so he headed to the cart and started looking for the ones he borrowed. Michael didn't leave the paper in it but the action actually helped him find it, as he had to lower his gaze. His grin came back, with something mischievous, almost devilish in it.

He moved to the boy he previously talked to and sat on the table next to him. “What’s your name?” he asked him, his smile still on, with the same amount of mischief in it.

TAG: Dominic Rowe

[Dominic Rowe]

Dominic was just trying to get some homework done and he was sick of spending so much time in his room, so he figured the study hall would be a nice and peaceful place to get things done. He wasn’t really good at any of his subjects, so getting through it was a struggle, right not the problem was math, he let out a sigh in frustration.

He glanced up at the guy who had just spoken, at first not sure if he had spoken to him “Huh? Oh, no worries” He looked back down at his books and tried to figure this out, why did it all have to be so freaking difficult? He needed a break, so he pushed his books and his pen away and brought up his phone to pass some time and clear his head, he let out another sigh, dropping out was so tempting but he knew that he’d just regret it.

He glanced up from his phone as he was spoken to again, same guy again too “What? Oh, I’m Dominic, anything I can do for you?” He wondered what he wanted from him, he didn’t recognize him from anywhere. He looked back at his phone, checking up on sports news and results. The other guy did have part of his attention, but he figured he probably just had a question or something.

Dom did have his guard up a little, something about the way this guy seemd to carry himself and the mischief in his face, he felt slightly uneasy, but didn’t think too much of it.

[Michael Miller]

Michael loved attention and took every opportunity to get it. Even when he entered the study hall and everyone around had far more important things to do then to pay attention to him. When such a situation occurred, Michael had no choice but to create the occasion. And he had no problem doing so.

Take that kid for example. He looked pretty cute, Michael almost wanted to make him his pet. He could have plenty of fun with him, for the time he’d interest him, which he assumed wouldn’t be too long. The poor kid didn’t even know what he got himself into. He was busy looking at the screen of his phone and didn’t seem to notice at all the devilish grin Michael had while looking at him. He couldn’t have that. He wanted to have some fun with the kid. Dominic.

Michael grinned some more as he answered him. “Well, Dominic...” Michael leaned forward until his mouth was close to the boy’s ear. “You’re sitting on what I’m looking for.” No, he was not talking of the chair, or his ass. He pointed a finger to the ground and the piece of paper that slid there and Dominic stepped on after sitting where Michael sat earlier that day. He pulled back to study his face. He really hoped to get a reaction out of him from their proximity.

[Dominic Rowe]

Dominic felt like he was getting stared at, he glanced over at the other guy, yup he seemed to be watching him, why? What did he want? He did feel slightly uncomfortable by the attention he was given, not because of anything he had done, at least not anything he had done yet, it was just something about him.

He frowned and leaned back as he got all up in his personal space, speaking into his ear “Uh huh?” He looked down under his chair “Okay” He uncomfortably got up from his chair and bent over and picked it up for him “Here you go, sorry about that, didn’t realize it was there” he handed it to him, still with a bit of a weird look on his face.

“Who are you?” He asked, wanting to know who this person who had taken interest in him was “What do you want?” He probably sounded a little defensive, he just wasn’t used to attention like this, he was barely starting to get used to normal social interactions here, but this was not normal social interaction. He assumed he was messing with him somehow, trying to poke fun or something.

[Michael Miller]

Michael loved the shy ones. The way he could make them uncomfortable with just one glance, make them look down then back up to see if he was still staring, that amused him greatly. Thanks to that, the other guy would find it hard to focus on his phone, which was just what Michael wanted. Then he could redirect his attention onto him.

He also invaded his personal space on purpose. If that guy could just hold his breath or flinch ever so slightly, that would make his day. Watching him kneeled down in front of him amused him too, of course, even if he would have preferred to see the guy just lean from his seat and realise just what it looked like with Michael nearby. Still, a devilish grin showed as Dominic was on the floor for him. He leaned forward again as he picked up the paper. “Thank you. You didn’t need to get on the ground for me, I could have done that,” Michael told him.

Now, he technically had what he came here to get, but he had no intention to leave it at that. He found something interesting in Dominic and didn’t want to stop this just because he got his paper back. He looked at it first, just to be certain it was what he’d been looking for. It was. But that gave time for Dominic who he was in return and, more importantly, what he wanted. With something defensive in his tone. It made Michael smile. “My name’s Michael. And I told you, I wanted to get this back. You know how much work I put in this? Didn’t want to start all over again.” he said, waving the sheet of paper in front of the boy’s eyes.

[Dominic Rowe]

Michael was just, too smooth, he was doing... Something, Dominic didn’t know what he was doing but he was doing something and he decided he didn’t like it, he was acting weird, it made him feel uncomfortable. It hit him what Michael reminded him of, he was almost acting like some predator stalking a prey, like a wolf or something. He had a strange feeling about this.

“It’s no problem” Dominic had a mental image of Michael getting between his legs to get under his chair, he almost had a feeling that this was the kind of thing this guy might have done and that was not okay, especially not in a public place. He wondered what was in the floor bellow, what would happen if he just... phased through the floor?

“Uh... Nice to meet you Michael” He said politely “Well, good thing you got it back then, you probably have much to do huh?” He didn’t want to be rude and tell him to go away “Guess I’ll see you around” How could he not? They both lived here, so he was sure he’d see him again, which wasn’t necessarily a good thing, not if he was the way Dominic was starting to assume.

He picked his phone up again, trying his best to seem as uninterested as possible, maybe he’d just go away if he showed no interest? He felt a little nervous, was gaydar a thing? Because if it was a thing, Dom’s seemed to be going off and if Michael was gay and he had one too, was it going off too?

[Michael Miller]

Michael was pretty sure the boy didn’t have some kind of mental ability allowing him to read his emotions or thoughts. He looked nervous, but he was certain he’d get more otherwise. At the same time, it could have been funny to send the boy thoughts to make him even more uncomfortable. But Michael wanted him to squirm a little, not make a scene. He knew he had to control himself. It was just too damn funny for him to do so with ease.

He was trying to remain polite, to keep Michael at bay. It amused him even more. In a way, had Dominic been friendlier, Michael would not have found this as amusing and might have left him alone already. Might, since he was kind of cute after all. It wouldn’t be as amusing, that was for sure. “Getting rid of me already?” he let out, his tone half-amused, half-hurt. He couldn’t quite hide his grin however, so it was easy which half was predominant here. “What are you working on?” he asked as he took the book in front of him to read the cover. Mathematics. He could have figured with what was written on the page, but he chose to look at the cover. It also gave him a fairly good idea in which year he was. A high school student. Figures. Not a problem though.

He didn’t have the time to comment on it, Dominic was already dismissing him, looking at his phone instead and likely meaning to keep his gaze there until he was gone. A wish Michael was not ready to fulfill just yet. “You mind I sit down a minute? I was looking for it to check if I got everything, might as well do it now, right?” he said, not really giving Dominic the choice as he sat on the seat next of his, even pulling it just a tad closer to the boy than it previously was.

[Dominic Rowe]

Dominic shook his head a bit “Oh no, you’re free to stay of course” he said hesitantly, he didn’t mean it of course, but he didn’t want to be too obvious about wanting him to leave because he didn’t want to be rude. “I’m working on-” He didn’t have time to say more before Michael had taken the book and figured it out himself “Math” he said after a short pause, well just grabbing his book like that had been a bit rude, Michael was really rubbing him the wrong way “And that’s mine” he snatched the book back.

He thought Michael might finally leave him alone, but nope, him trying to make him leave seemed to lead to the opposite, making Dominic wonder if Michael was really going to keep doing the opposite of what Dominic tried hinting at, maybe he should ask him to stay forever and that would lead to him running away? “Uh... Sure” He said hesitantly “I mean, there’s room over-” He stopped for a moment as Michael moved over to the seat next to his own “Okay then” he wasn’t even trying to hide that he felt uncomfortable by the tone in his voice.

He put his phone on the table and went back to try focusing on math, maybe this could get so boring he’d be left alone? Of course, focusing on math was a bit difficult thanks to Michael’s presence and how bad at math Dominic was in the first place. He rubbed his forehead while trying to figure out how to deal with both problems at the same time, maybe he should go to his room and work on this? Though that felt like he’d lose, as if him leaving would give Michael some satisfaction, if he was playing some stupid game like Dom thought he might be, he really seemed to be doing this on purpose.

[Michael Miller]

Michael expected that answer. People were far too afraid to sound impolite, even towards strangers, to dare say what they really wanted to say. No doubt Dominic didn’t want him around, that much was clear. He was too nervous around him somehow. It didn’t get any better as Michael picked up his book to check out which one it was. It gave him a good idea how old the boy was. High school, for sure. “Alright, no harm here,” Michael said as Dominic took his book back from him. He gave him another smile, with clear hint of amusement in it. “You need to relax. I’m not going to jump on you or anything,” he assured him. Yet, there was something in his voice that suggested he could. Or maybe it was just the fact he was purposefully giving the boy this mental image as he could now think of this while he claimed it would not happen. “I did that class. I always got lost with all those equations and the different ways they want us to solve them.”

Michael dropped the matter of mathematics after that. It was boring anyway. He wouldn’t mind helping the boy if he had trouble studying it, but they probably both knew it was only meant to lead somewhere else should he do that. Well, he knew, Dominic might not, but Michael believed he did, if only because he was so tensed by his presence near him. He heard him as he tried to suggest he sat elsewhere, only giving up as Michael was faster. “Do I make you nervous?” he asked, letting just enough concern pierce through his voice. He laughed softly at that thought. “Calm down. I mean, do I really look that threatening?” And Michael pulled back to allow Dominic to look at him for a second. With his small frame, no one could really find him very menacing. He knew he was dangerous in other ways however, but Dominic didn’t need to focus on that.

[Dominic Rowe]

Dominic did not feel assured at all that Michael wouldn’t jump on him, though he was sure it wouldn’t work since his reaction would be to instantly phase, so he’d just go right through him “Uh huh, sure” he said, visibly unconvinced. “Yeah, math sucks” He said, not being too overly interested in starting a conversation about it “It’s pretty hard when I can’t concentrate on it” he said, trying to hint at Michael to leave him alone.

“Nervous? Why would you make me nervous?” He said, possibly a bit too quickly, he knew he probably came off as too defensively, he wished he was better at hiding his emotions than this “I mean, okay let’s be real, you’re acting weird and I feel like you’re trying to mess with me on purpose or something. No you don’t seem threatening, you just seem...” He wasn’t sure how to put it so he paused for a moment to figure out how to word it “you seem like you like watching people squirm and enjoy making people feel uncomfortable.”

He crossed his arms and looked at him, it did feel good to get out what he was thinking, it may have been a bit too blunt, but he didn’t like being messed with. “You’re acting really gay, if you’re that into me, just watch from afar okay?” He knew that might have sounded a bit harsh, but he was genuinely scared his secret could be revealed by this guy, he started thinking it was time to be a bit of an ass if he wanted him to leave him alone “I’m not in the mood for your games, I’m trying to get my homework done, I suck at math so it’s hard and I need to concentrate, it’s due tomorrow, so please just stop.”

[Michael Miller]

Michael got the hint of course, but he simply stared at Dominic. He almost wanted to dare the boy into telling him plainly that he wanted him to go away. But, again, he was certain the risk to appear rude would stop him. Michael didn’t quite get that. Or perhaps he just had a shorter fuse than anybody else. Clearly he didn’t want to talk about math which suited Michael just fine as he too was not all that interested into it.

He asked why he’d make him nervous. “ Exactly, which is why I don’t get why you’re so nervous.” That was not quite true, he knew very well why he felt this way. Just the way he said it proved he was nervous despite his attempt to show otherwise. He widened his eyes, faking surprised while his actions were called weird. He let him finish, even when he paused, looking for words. He actually liked how he was fighting back. At least it was with words and not his fist, so Michael still considered he had the advantage here. “What? I don’t, I promise. Uncomfortable? Trust me, I prefer them to be very comfortable.”

He was even more amused when being called gay. No, really gay. That was even better. His grin only grew at this. No, he was not offended, but, sadly for Dominic, he was not going to go away just yet. “Well, it may be because I am gay,” he pointed out. He chuckled though as he let that notion sink in. “I’m not sure how into you you think I am. I’m not going to rip your pants off, if that’s what you’re scared of. But you are kind of cute, I’ll give you that. Like a pet,” he told him, resting his head on his hand as he turned his face to look at him. “Take the compliment, even if you don’t want the rest.” Dominic did say he didn't want any of his games, then pointed out his homework he had to do. Michael pointed his free hand at the book. “I can actually help you with that, you know. And if you think I’m playing a game again, I can pull out my old grades, show you I’m not messing with you here.” He did sound more serious when he suggested that, so perhaps Dominic would take it seriously.

[Dominic Rowe]

”I’m not nervous at all” He was denying it, he didn’t have a problem with saying he was uncomfortable, but nervous just sounded so weak. “Sure you don’t” he said dryly, of course he was enjoying this and of course he was doing it on purpose “Trust you my ass” He muttered, he felt like he was probably starting to act a bit too defensive and too confrontational, he didn’t like this at all.

Dominic visibly flinched and he looked around almost to make sure nobody else was listening as Michael told him that he was indeed gay “Well I’m not” He said quickly. “Cute? Pet? What the..?” He couldn’t avoid blushing slightly at that, this was even worse than when Toby had called him adorable, what was up with guys calling him these things? “You couldn’t even touch my pants or anything else if you wanted to” He was on alert and ready to phase at the slightest hint of any kind of touching.

“No, I do not need your help” He was not about to give Michael even more of an excuse to stick around, of course he could need the help, but his pride would not allow it. “I don’t care about your grades, you just came here to be a jerk and to mess with me, you’d probably just ruin my grades on purpose or something” He was half joking, but not really, he did not trust Michael at all.

[Michael Miller]

Dominic kept insisting he was not nervous. Michael did not argue with this, his smile was evidence enough how little he trusted that statement. If Dominic didn't want to admit the clear discomfort he was going through, Michael would stop pointing it out. His brows arched up at the words muttered under his breath. “Really? What the kids say these days!” Michael retorted. He knew he should probably tone it down. No matter how cute a little dog was, it could still bite at some point and Michael wanted a chance to play with him again.

His attitude as he admitted being gay was just so cute. Well, not really, but definitely entertaining. Was he really afraid someone caught their conversation? Poor kid, must be scared to get out of the closet sooner than he intended because Michael was out and proud of it. “What’s that face for? There’s nothing wrong in being gay you know.” Dominic claimed he, himself, was not. Michael shrugged. “So? I told you, take the compliment. Even if you’re not interested, it still means someone finds you adorable.” He was not surprised that Dominic would be shocked by the pet comment. But he really was just like one you wanted to cuddle. Besides, he saw him blush to that. He arched an eyebrow up at his comments about the pants however. “If I didn't start to know you, I’d say it sounds like a challenge.” Michael waved his comment off, knowing full well how that would affect him. “Don’t worry, I won’t. I only do this to guys who want it. Besides, gay or straight, I don’t think you’re ready for something like that just yet. Wouldn’t be good to scar you for life when you’re still at holding hands.”

He was not surprised that Dominic didn’t want his help but he didn’t expect him to lash out so much. Now that he started speaking his mind, he just couldn’t stop. “Jerk? Have I done anything of the like to you? And I believe I had a genuine reason to be here,” he pointed out, showing the piece of paper he came to pick back that just happened to be under Dom’s seat. It was not his fault it was there, it was not like he shoved it there on purpose to talk to him. “Suit yourself if you don’t want my help but if I were you, I’d recheck what you’ve written so far. You made a little mistake in your equation,” he told him, ready to stand up and leave him at that if he wanted to take it that way, but still wanting to show him he was not the jerk he thought he was. At least, not right now.

[Dominic Rowe]

”Kids?” He shook his head “I’m no more a kid than what you are” Michael was short and while his age was hard to place, him being here probably meant they were at least close in age. Maybe he was a little older, he hadn’t really studied him closely, he wasn’t unattractive at all, but Dominic refused to think further about that, what if he was a mind reader? That was something that always kept him paranoid enough.

“What face?” He frowned “Nothing wrong? I mean, no but I mean..” He didn’t want to talk about this, not with somebody who was actually gay and what was even his thing? Why was he bothering him like this? Was it a coincidence or did it he because he knew? What if somebody had found out somehow and people were talking? Was there rumors he didn’t know about? Dominic’s anxiety levels and nervousness was rising. “Can you not call me stuff like that?” He was whispering now, his face wouldn’t stop blushing.

“It’s absolutely not a challenge, I’m just saying you couldn’t” he let his hand phase through the table, waving his hand through it a few times before stopping, to show that if he didn’t want to be touched, it wouldn’t physically happen. “Um excuse me? Holding hands? I’m not ten” He protested “Not saying I’d want to do anything because like I said I’m not gay” He kept glancing around, he couldn’t take it if anyone appeared and overheard this conversation “Why did you come to me like this? Is anyone saying something about me? If anyone is saying something they got the wrong guy or they are lying” He probably seemed a bit paranoid at this point.

“You know what you’re doing and it’s not very nice” He said, he figured the reason was probably true, but he had chosen to stick around for one reason or another. He glanced down at the equation, not able to see what was wrong with it, as Michael stoop up he let out a sigh “Wait.. What’s um... What’s wrong with it?” He asked, he didn’t want to fail his class, but he didn’t really want Michael to help either, he just didn’t want him to leave without telling him what the mistake was, at least that was what he told himself.

[Michael Miller]

Dominic didn’t seem to take well being called a kid. “Well, you’re definitely younger than I am, since I’ve done this class before. I’ve even graduated from high school, so you’re definitely a bit more of a kid than I am,” Michael pointed out. It was hard to guess the boy’s height while he was sitting. Michael guessed it was about his. He hoped it was not taller, but he more often than none had to deal with the fact he was the shortest guy around.

Michael grinned as he got him again. He wanted to tease him about this sudden stutter but Dominic was squirming enough already. He’d lose it for good if Michael kept pressing like this and he didn’t want the boy to go away already. Somehow, Dominic even appeared a lot more nervous now, almost panicked. Michael frowned at this, finding it suddenly a tad less funny. “Hey, you okay?” But Dominic was already begging him not to call him cute or adorable anymore. “Oh,” Michael let out in a whisper, his head moving up. He started to get what affected him so much. Or thought he could. In truth, he didn’t think Dominic was gay. More like he could be gay but was not sure yet himself. He must have been questioning this and Michael was not helping him if he was trying to deny that part of him.

He at least was right when he claimed Michael wouldn’t be able to reach him. He saw how he could phase through the table as though it wasn’t even there. That wouldn’t be very fun to try to do something and hit the ground because the guy used his power. That would definitely work better than a cold shower though. He chuckled silently as he argued he was not a child once again. “And again, stop saying it like it would be bad to be. No need to justify yourself.” Michael had dealt with enough people against homosexuality in his life for Dominic’s possible questioning to reach something within him. He had an amused smirk though at his argument about holding hands. “I didn’t want to mention kissing and find out you’re a virgin in that area too,” he explained, using that term on purpose to make him nervous again.

He showed fake surprise once again. “I didn’t even know who you were, remember?” He did ask for his name. And he already justified his presence with the paperwork he had left here earlier. “And what exactly are you afraid people could be saying?” Michael loved a good gossip but he doubted Dominic could give him any. However, he was far too afraid of something getting out for him not to ask.

Only Dominic didn’t want him around. He was about to kick him out and stopped only because... Because of what exactly? Pride? Skepticism? Whatever it was, he now demanded that Michael showed what error he might have done. Michael leaned towards him and pointed at an equation. “You forgot a minus there,” he explained, showing how the sign suddenly disappeared later in the equation, thus changing the result. Michael was not quite sure what the right answer was, he wasn’t good enough to calculate all this in his head, but he could tell it wouldn’t give the same answer with or without that minus sign.