Classmates

Sunlight and science labs

Test tubes and microscopes

Zoom in. Look through

look hard.

There

A boy in the corner.

Do not approach

Do not ask

He is the shortest,

Most nervous

Fledgeling.

Words will be used

You will be teased

He will be

There.

The boy in the corner

Until a newer one.

Turn your eyes

Convex lenses,

The other love.

Distortions convulsions... distractions.

Is he crying?

Oscillation.

Approach.

Hi.

A tear.

Where are you from?

Another.

Recede.

A group of boys

Haughty.

You like him eh?

Your eyes widen.

You leave.

May I go to the washroom Mam.

Lunch.

Break.

They come again

Unopened tiffins

Haughty boys

Burning cheeks

Convex lenses.

It'll be funny to see you married

To that little thing

Laughter

Marriage, love, girlfriend

Early adolescence

Amateur vocabulary.

He was upset, cut it.

Sure, you'll know. Wifey.

Laughter.

I do.

Aha? So how does it feel?

Convex lenses.

Paper.

Sunlight.

Burns.

Thumbnail.

Recede.

I share my tiffin

He doesn't cry.

We share our tiffins

He lends his tissue

Mine burned.