Page 35 of Spoonful

“Aditi,” Jaylin said automatically, mind racing. He didn't want to lose Saturday mornings with Aditi. Even if he hadn’t needed them as much for actual studying lately, Aditi was… Aditi was his friend. It wasn’t time Jaylin wanted to lose with her.

He didn't want this to be another thing Brent took away.

“Aditi’s pretty much the reason my grade is where it is,” Jaylin said in a rush. “I don’t–I don’t want to lose the help and then have my grades slip–”

“Oh, pet.” Brent sank his hand into Jaylin’s hair and tilted his face up, giving him a smirk. “You really can’t do it on your own, can you?”

Jaylin broke eye contact, biting his lip. He didn't have to pretend at shame. Not because Brent’s words were true, because Jaylincoulddo it on his own.He wasgoodat math when he was able to do it his way. But this was what people like Brent thought of him.

What they’d always think of him.

“Oh well.” Brent sighed. “Certainly, we can’t waste my tuition by letting you fail basic college math.”

Fine.Jaylin would take it. Brent could think whatever he wanted about him. Jaylin just needed to keep getting by.

***

“Okay,” Hiro said after he and Jaylin had their drinks and pastries in front of them at the cafe. “You have to let me explain.”

“Explain what?” Jaylin asked dubiously.

Hiro grinned at him and held out a medium-ish flat box, wrapped in non-descript brown paper.

Jaylin took it, confused. It wasn’t very heavy. “What’s this?”

“See,” Hiro said, eyes twinkling. “First you open it, and then you let me explain.”

“Um, okay.” Jaylin obeyed, carefully peeling back the tape and removing the wrapping, to reveal a very colorful tin.

A 72-pencil pack prismacolor tin.

Jaylin stared at it.

Hiro rubbed the back of his neck. “I had a therapist suggest I try those meditative coloring books a while back. You know, those ones for adults with the teeny tiny squares?” He grinned ruefully. “Turns out they drive me nuts. And so I’ve just had these sitting around collecting dust, and well, since you like to draw…”

Jaylin still didn't know what to say.

“I’m sorry they’re not, like, artist grade or anything,” Hiro said, actually soundingapologetic.“I could get you those, if you wanted–”

“Hiro,” Jaylin cut him off, trying not to choke at the absurdity. “No–what? These are great. Thank you. I–”

Jaylin didn't have any art supplies at all. It never occurred to him to spare the cash for it. He sketched with regular old pens and pencils and, as Hiro knew, improvised with highlighter on occasion.

He swallowed back the feelings. “This is—really nice. Thank you.”

“Of course,” Hiro said. “I wasn’t sure if they’d be up to standards, because what do I know about art? When I was buying them originally at the store I just asked one of the sale’s associates there what was good and she pointed out these, and in hindsight it might have been an upsell because what did I needseventy-twocolored pencils for? But I’m glad to give them to you.” His smile was bright and warm and everything about Hiro was socharming.Jaylin didn’t know what to do in the face of it. “I hope you enjoy using them.”

“I’m sure I will,” Jaylin said, maybe hugging the tin to his chest the way he wanted to hug Hiro right now. “I’ve never hadanything this nice. I don’t remember the last time I even used colored pencils. Thank you for thinking of me.”

“You’re welcome,” Hiro said. And then, quieter, “I like thinking of you. And I like thinking of things that’ll make you happy.”

Jaylin’s breath caught.

“You deserve nice things,” Hiro continued, still quiet as Jaylin hung on every word. He looked right at Jaylin, and his expression was soft, but it charged the air between them. “You deserve being happy.”

“I…” Jaylin wet his lips. “I am,” he said. “I’m—I’m a lot happier. Since meeting you.”

Hiro leaned forward. “Jaylin—”

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