Love and Red Coloured Ties

Chapter song: Dreaming - NCT DREAM 

Both Julius and Amélie were startled by Silas' outburst which made the boy who had been eagerly waiting for Julius' response burst out in laughter. 

"What the hell Silas, you scared me!" Julius exclaimed as he clutched his chest, his heart beating like crazy. 

Amélie was equally flummoxed as she watched the tall red head keel over in laughter. 

"Who the hell is this asshole Julius? Scaring the shit out of me." She mumbled. 

"Oh sorry, this is Silas, my roommate." He said while introducing the two. 

Silas, who had finally calmed down, leaned over Julius' shoulder and gave Amélie a charming smile. "Hello beautiful, I'm Silas, you must be the infamous Amélie I've been hearing so much about." He said in his usual playful voice. 

Amélie gave him a pointed look and Julius shrugged in response. "I don't know what he's talking about, I only mentioned you once." And that was to Agares not Silas. 

Amélie's expression turned into that of disappointment. "What? You only mentioned your best friend in the whole world once? How could you man?" 

Julius rolled his eyes, not bothering to entertain her shenanigans. He was starting to see the similarities both Silas and Amélie had to each other. 

I guess I have a type when it comes to friends, he realized. 

The three chatted away as Amélie talked to Silas about how they met and the kinds of trouble she would get them into back in Westwood. It wasn't until he hung up with her that Silas gave him an accusatory look. 

"Why didn't you tell me you used to go to Westwood High?" 

Julius shrugged, "I don't know, I guess it never came up?" 

Silas rolled his eyes. "All those times I asked you about your life, you never once thought to mention the last school you went to?" He asked incredulously. 

That guilty feeling he thought he was imagining resurfaced. Silas was right. Why hadn't he said anything? It's not like it was something he needed to hide. 

"I guess I didn't see the point in telling you since I figured I'd be moving soon anyway." He admitted. 

The playful expression on Silas' face vanished and was replaced with a look of concern. "Moving? Why would you think that?" 

Julius sighed. The cat was already out of the bag anyway, he might as well confess. 

"I've switched schools so often because of my dad's job," Julius said. "I never really saw the point in getting close to anyone since I'd just have to leave. That's why I didn't tell you—just didn't see the point."

"Okay, but what about Amélie? You two seem pretty tight, and it looks like she knows about your past," Silas asked.

"Yeah, Amélie's the first person I've really opened up to," Julius replied. "Westwood was the longest I'd stayed anywhere, so I made some friends, but Amélie and I really clicked. We actually went to the same elementary school, so that helped us get close quickly. She gets how I feel because she's moved around a bit too."

Silas nodded, a thoughtful look on his face. "I've always wondered about you. You're friendly, but there's this wall you keep up. Now I get it. You're a great guy, Julius, and even though we've only known each other for a week, I want to be a good friend for you."

Silas finally broke into a wide grin and gave Julius a big hug, catching him completely off-guard. "W—What's happening?"

"It's a friendship hug," Silas said with a playful wink. "This is the start of our genuine friendship."

Julius was a bit flustered but also felt a warm happiness he hadn't experienced much before. Aside from Amélie, he hadn't really had any close friends, and despite Silas's quirky nature, he felt oddly comforted. He was glad to count Silas among his friends.

A huge weight seemed to lift off his shoulders.

"To friendship!" Silas laughed.

"What are you two up to?" Artemus asked, peeking his head through the door. He'd been on his way to the bathroom and was curious about the commotion.

"Friendship hug!" both Julius and Silas declared in unison.

"Huh?"

"Oh, let me join!" Kiyo called out as he appeared in the hallway, drawn by the scene.

Reese and Kairo quickly followed Kiyo's lead, and soon all five boys were huddled together in a group hug. Artemus watched, bemused.

Reese nodded toward Artemus, inviting him to join in. Despite his initial reluctance, Artemus eventually stepped in, becoming part of the hug.

As Epaphras walked by, doing his rounds to ensure everyone was settled in, he stopped dead in his tracks at the sight.

"What on earth is going on here?" he asked, bewildered.

All six boys turned their heads in unison and chimed, "Friendship hug."