Theo blinked for a moment, then nodded a little. "Yes, I suppose that's true. For me it's…it's a connection with my mother, is all." He didn't know quite how to explain and had no idea if Oliver would understand what Theo was saying. He knew that those in the Shadow Society knew that his mother was dead, but…he didn't know what else to say.
Oliver nodded his head slowly. “A nice sentiment.” He set his cup down on the saucer in front of him, picking himself up from the table. “If you’ll excuse me, I must gather my belongings and make my way to class. No doubt I shall see you before tonight.” his gaze lingered on Theo, a wry smile curved on his lips. “Until then, enjoy your day.”
Tobias’ eyes softened as he watched Oliver walk away from the table, and glanced over at Theo. His eyes shifted to the table while he twirled a lock of hair around his pinky finger. “What a strange man.”
Theo blinked slowly at Oliver's words. "I…yes, I'm sure. You as well." he replied, watching Oliver go for a moment, then looked to Tobias, more than a little confused. "…yes, I…suppose he is." he said slowly, letting out a breath and setting the book aside, taking a bite of food and shaking his head a little bit.
“So what brought you to this school?” Tobias asked, his eyes still fixed on the table. He knew the general gist of how each student came to attend Hawthorne, but it was always interesting to know exactly how each person got there, especially the ones who were part of the Shadow Society.
"Oh. My father came here when he was a child, and he wanted me to do the same." Theo replied, eyes flickering around the room. He sighed faintly, closing his eyes for just a moment, then looked at Tobias.
Tobias nodded, that seemed to be the same case for most students. He met the boy’s eyes for a moment, tucking his fringe behind his ear. “Do you think you‘ll settle in? First days are… tedious to say the least.” he paused, smiling warmly. “Hey at least we won’t be completely alone. Assuming you’re okay with having me as a friend?”
He smiled back. "Yeah, I will." he replied. "And…I'd be okay with that." he wasn't quite sure what that would really entail, since he had so many secrets he couldn't really let out, but he could try to be a good friend, and hopefully he would succeed.
The bell rang out through the halls to signal that the boys needed to start making their way to classes, resulting in a sigh from Tobias. "I completely forgot to grab something from my quarters before leaving. I'll see you in lesson, yes?" Without waiting for a response, the boy got up from his seat and briskly walked out of the dining hall, glancing over his shoulder at Theo with an apologetic smile.
Oliver was on his way to classes when he had passed the dining hall, just as Tobias was leaving. Thankfully the younger boy hadn't see him so he didn't have to engage in any unnecessary conversation, but that didn't stop Oliver from poking his head into the hall where Theo was. there was something strange about that boy, though no matter how hard he tried he couldn't place his finger on it. Perhaps it was just the fact that Theo was still an unknown individual to him–there was always that air of uncertainty with new people. He shook his head and carried on his way to lessons, knowing that he would have the undesired pleasure of talking to Theo later on.
Theo packed up his stuff quietly, and got up to head to class after taking care of the plate from his food. He slipped down the hallways quietly, before sitting down in his first class. He got out all the stuff he would need for said class, laying them all carefully out on the desk in a neatly arranged group, ready for the lecture to begin. He didn't talk to anyone; he didn't usually, and he saw no reason to start now. If someone struck up conversation he would, of course, respond, but he wouldn't start the conversation.
Tobias came running towards the classroom, skidding at the door and almost falling. "Sorry I'm late!" he managed to breath out, scrambling into the room before the teacher could scold him. He took his place in class, grinning like an idiot as he waved to Theo before setting out the equipment needed on the desk. He hadn't missed even a moment of the lesson by the time he had arrived, though no doubt his tardiness would reward him with an afterschool scolding. During the middle of the lesson, he leaned across to Theo and whispered. "Do you understand any of this?"
Theo shook his head a little. "No, not really." He whispered back, dutifully taking notes in a neat cursive hand, pencil scratching lightly across the paper as he wrote down as much of what the teacher was saying as possible. He did his best to just absorb the information, letting it sink in while he tried to make sense of what exactly they were being taught.
With a pout and a gentle sigh, Tobias turned his attention back to the professor and continued writing things down. He wasn't the quickest writer so no doubt he had missed out some key points of information; nothing he couldn't ask Theo for the notes of.
The hour seemed to drag forever, until finally the bells rang out to signal the end of the lesson. Tobias smiled as he looked at his schedule and found that he had a free slot, one he was planning to use for reading up on what they were just learning about so he wasn't likely to fall behind. Hopefully.
He started packing up his things and glanced over at Theo. "Are you free now?"
Theo blinked at him. "Oh– yes?" He replied hesitantly. "I believe so. Why?" He ran a hand through his hair, packing up his things and sliding his bag onto his shoulder, raising an eyebrow at Tobias questioningly.
"Well I was wondering if you would be able to help me catch up on the notes I might have missed?" It sounded like such a pathetic request, but Theo looked like he had actually done the majority of the work. "Or we could just have a moment to, I don't know, get to know each other a little more. Since we don't have much time to talk during–" he glanced around to make sure no one was listening before he whispered. "The meetings."
Theo considered the question for a moment, then shrugged a little. "I suppose that's alright." He agreed. "We can compare notes. I'm afraid I don't really understand the subject, though, so I may not be much help." He offered up an apologetic smile, closing his eyes for just a moment and hoping the conversation would go well. It could be disastrous if he was found out.
"Brilliant!" Tobias grinned brightly and tucked his hands into his pockets. "I think the Library would be a good place, don't you?"
Perhaps he was finally making a friend for himself, a friend that hadn't been there from youth like Oliver. It would be good to actually socialise with someone his age for once, and learn how to work a friendship on his own. "Just let me know if I become too overbearing, yes?"
"Yes, the library sounds good." He agreed. "Let's head out, shall we?" He started walking, heading down the halls and to the library. The halls were rather quiet, only a few hushed conversations between students audible, along with the soft brush and click of shoes against the floor. Theo was quiet as he walked, eyes flickering around the halls.
Tobias tucked his hands into his pockets and followed after Theo, his hair bouncing into his eyes as they walked. He noticed how the other boy seemed to be constantly looking around as if trying to look for something—or perhaps spot something out of the ordinary. “Hey, Theo, are you okay? You look slightly on edge.” His voice was hushed so as to not indicate their conversation to busybodies who took any chance they got to blow something completely out of context. “You looked nervous yesterday too, do you have some sort of issue with schools?”
"Hm? Oh, no, it isn't important." He waved a hand faintly. "I just get a bit anxious sometimes, that's all. It's nothing to be worried over." He gave Tobias a faint smile. "It was kind of you to ask, though, especially since you barely know me."
“Well, you know,” Tobias shrugged nonchalantly, “Love thy neighbour and all that. Besides, it puts my mind at rest knowing that I’ve at least asked if my company is feeling well, even if they turn out not to be.”
It wasn’t long before they reached the library, with only a few other students mulling around the shelves and desks with homework they had decided to complete during their free time. Tobias gestured for Theo to join him at a table, promptly setting his things out in front of him as if preparing to actually work. “Perhaps collecting a couple of texts may help us understand the topic clearer? I’ll pick some up, if you think it’s necessary.”
Theo smiled a little. "Sounds good. I think I know where to look." He bounced on his feet for a moment, looking around the library to get his bearings, and then headed over to the section where the texts they needed would be.