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Sarad glanced over and couldn't help but stare. Dale's cheeks were rounded as he tried to eat more and more cookies, barely breathing between each bite. his statement is what pushed Sarad over the edge. he snorted, his hand quickly covering his mouth, but he couldn't hold back as the snort turned into a laugh. "Y-You don't need to go so far," he managed to say, laughing harder as Dale ate more cookies. Sarad turned away, unable to watch anymore, as he tried to stop his laughter, but it refused to end. tear filled his eyes and his stomach and cheeks started to hurt. Sarad didn't laugh. he would smile when something funny happened in a book or anime, but he hadn't really and truly laughed since the day he lost his parents and here he was, crying from laughter, at such a simple thing. "oh, mercy, mercy," he begged as the laughter slowly died off and he was left gasping for breath.

Sarad wiped his eyes with the plam of a hand, "not really. oh, my sides hurt-" he held his stomach and lay his head on his desk, "i haven't laughed like that in-" he couldn't remember the last time he laughed at all, let alone that hard, "years. i'm glad you liked them so much." he sat back up and shook his head before putting his books away, "i think i should go to bed, it's been an-eventful day." that and he needed to think about what had just happened. he'd laughed, freely, with practically a stranger. he'd known Dale for two days and yet felt more comfortable with him than he had with anyone else in his memory, and he had a very good memory. Sarad got up and moved to his bed, but he paused before softly saying, "Dale?" he didn't look back at him, he found he couldn't, "thank you. for everything, you've already helped me more than i could ever say, so-thank you. i'll try to make it up to you somehow, and if that means bringing you baked goods every week, then i'll do so." he smiled shyly at his roommate before moving to change, unable to stay in that moment for long.

Sarad nodded, "alright, once a month, then." he slipped into bed, turning off the lamp on his side, "thank you, again." he replied, yawning softly as he put his head down onto his pillow. he was happily tired, something he hadn't felt in a long time. he fell asleep quickly and just slept. no bad dreams, no startling awake at small sounds. he slept deeply and woke up rested, feeling like himself for the first time in months. he stretched, his back popping, and got ready for class with a small smile on his face. today was going to be a good day. they were starting actual classes instead of doing introductions, and he had a full night's sleep. he knew exactly who he had to thank for his mood as well. he hadn't changed, it was Dale's caring and kindness that had him settle down so quickly. he'd finally found a friend and, Sarad hoped at least, they would be friends for a long, long time.

Sarad had been growing more and comfortable with Dale. he was friendlier than anyone Sarad had met before and seemed to be ok with touch, something Sarad had forced himself to get used to. A hand on his shoulder, or sitting right next to him when they watched anime so their shoulders were touching, such casual things were foreign to him and it took a few months for him to grow used to it. He had grown to be one of the top chefs in his cooking club. he had been voted as the vice president and was the person the other members came to when they couldn't get something to work. when he had free time, he found himself pouring over cookbooks, learning new recipes and techniques. surprisingly, YouTube had become an irreplaceable resource in his search for more knowledge in cooking and different styles. he still kept his straight A status, he didn't dare get a point below perfection, but he found himself having fun this year as well.

his classes were challenging and his club soothing. all in all, he was happy, really and truly happy. He was reading a cook book, looking for a new recipe to try, when Dale announced it was a three day weekend.

Sarad looked up when he felt his bed shift under Dale's body and smiled, "you've been working hard. it's good to have a break from all of that." Dael shifted and suddenly his head was in Sarad's lap. Sarad blushed, but held still, telling himself it was just Dale's way and to calm down. that didn't stop his heart from racing a mile a minute. "maybe a movie?" he suggested, glad his voice didn't betray any of his panic. "or go to one of the restaurants?"

Sarad chuckled, shaking his head a little. "if that's what you want, i'm not apposed. I didn't bring my tuxedo, though. never thought i'd need it at school." he slipped off the bed and went to his dresser when the phone on the desk rang. Sarad glanced over curiously, Dale had one put in because of his weekly calls with his mom and occasionally she had called him, but only on Saturdays. It was Thursday. He looked at the ID and felt his blood run cold. "it's for me," he said a little shakily when Dale moved for the phone. his aunt had never contacted him while he was in school before. he dreaded to find out why that had changed. "go ahead and take your shower, i'll be done by the time you get out." he gave him a weak smile before picking up the receiver and hitting 'call'. "This is Sarad," he answered formally.

"Sarad," his Aunt said coldly, "i assume you are doing well in your studies?"

"Yes, ma'm. I'm maintaining a 4., as is expected."

"Of course," there was never a question of that. a member of their family simply did not receive any less. "I have, however, a matter to discuss with you. Firstly, i believe you have an explanation for me. Is there something you need to tell me, Sarad?"

Sarad's hands started to shake. she knew. she knew that he'd been cooking. oh gods. "Aunt?" he asked, trying to keep his voice level.

"Don't try to weasel you're way out of it, boy. You're studies aren't a priority anymore, are they? did you really think i wouldn't notice? I just received a note requesting your a fee for some club that you've joined."

Sarad was almost in tears, "I'm sorry," he whispered, his head bowed, "please forgive me, Aunt."

"Better to ask forgiveness than permission, hmmm? You always have been a little sneak, moving about in the shadows and hiding like some thief in the night. now you wish to take even more of my money for this club of yours?" she huffed, "an orphan like you should be grateful for what he gets, not grasping for more at every chance. your family has gone to great lengths to provide you with a good education and upbringing and this is how you repay us?" he voice grew louder the more she spoke until she was finally yelling into the phone, "I will not stand for it! you will quite this club immediately! what kind of club demands payment? of course you would choose one that costs your Uncle and I money."

"I'm sorry, Aunt," Sarad pleaded, "the money must be for the ingredients. i didn't know they would charge you. please, forgive me."

"Ingredients?" She asked, her voice suddenly soft and Sarad's eyes widened.

"I-I didn't mean, it-" he scrambled for an explanation, "it is a science club. ingredients for the experiments."

"You dare lie to me? first you steal my money and now you lie?"

"N-No, I-" but he was lying. he couldn't deny it.

"You're Uncle Akash shall hear about this." and with that she hung up.

"No! Please!" but it was too late. she would already be calling his Uncle Akash, his mother's eldest brother and technically his guardian. Sarad had spent very little time with his Uncle and what time he'd spent with him had never been pleasant. the man was set in his ways, to him men and women had specific roles and that was how things were always meant to be. he'd even looked at Sarad's mother with contempt for working at an equal level as a man. He was quick to anger and heavy handed with his punishments. Sarad slowly slumped down onto his bed, his arms wrapping around his torso as he tried to stop shaking. tears filled his eyes as he wished he would just disappear right then and there. now it was just a matter of time until he heard from his Uncle Akash and he knew he wasn't going to be coming out of that intact.

Sarad sniffed and tried to hide his tears when Dale came back inside of their room, but it was no use. he'd already seen. "Sorry," he murmured, taking the towel and wiping his eyes. "She-she found out about the club." he smiled weakly, looking up at Dale "it was only a matter of time. i should have known better than to disobey." his lower lip trembled and he had to drop his eyes, "I have to quit," he confessed, his voice shaking hard. "my aunt is furious, she's calling my Uncle Sarad to inform him of what i've done." he felt cold, goosebumps standing out on his arm as he hugged himself again and rubbed his hands up and down to try and warm himself, "i don't know what he's going to do to me when he finds out..."

Sarad closed his eyes and leaned into Dale's touch. he'd never known how good it felt to be touched until he'd become roommates with Dale. now he feared he'd miss it when the summer holidays came and he was forced back into his isolation. "i can't. my aunt won't pay the club fees, and i can't get a job to pay for them myself. they really would kill me if i did that." he sighed and turned towards Dale, underestimating the distance between them and accidentally curling up against his side. his instinct was to pull away, but it felt nice to have that warm body heat against him and he figured that Dale would pull away if he didn't want it. "getting a job would indicate they are not providing for me and would dishonor them. i've no other way to pay the fees," he felt like crawling under his covers and never coming out again, "but-but even if i have to quit, i had fun. these past weeks have been fun and i'll have that much at least." he smiled a little, "memories of the good always help you through the bad, right?" and he had a precious few memories that were good.

Sarad took a small breath to steady himself before he pulled away, "i don't know, she didn't say. I just wish they had told me before they contacted her. i could have figured something out, at least." he ran a hand through his hair and stood up, "forgive me for ruining the mood. i'll change and let's have that dinner, ok?" he smiled as much as he was able at Dale before picking out a nice outfit and starting to change. he kept his face pleasant while it was in Dale's sight, but as soon as his back was turned, the pain and fear slipped back into his eyes. he just prayed his Uncle would write or call like his Aunt had. god forbid he come to the school himself. Sarad shivered a little at the thought before he placed the smile back on his face and turned around. "ready when you are."