Ears pricked as the final bell sounded and slate blue eyes flicked to the front of the classroom, zoning onto the teacher and waiting for her signal. She waffled on for a minute or so more, but, after realising the class was becoming restless, dismissed them with a wave of her hand. The more robust, lively pupils had packed their bags long ago and had sped through the door at such a speed you would have missed them if you were to blink. Others lingered for a while, waiting for friends or taking their time to put their books and stationary into their schoolbags. Said others consisted of Zacharias Cain. He never liked to rush, it was too hetic, fustrating and you often made mistakes which, considering how Zacharias thought, was unacceptable. Even though he would never admit it, he still wished to gain a simple 'well done' from his parents. He only asked for what a parent should give yet they couldn't seem to manage this and, just like his brother had done so before him, Zacharias believed the reason was him and he hated part of himself for it. He shouldn't have to care about his parents as they never cared about him. All the same he craved praise and this is why he couldn't make mistakes. Mistakes didn't earn you praise. Zacharias cared not whether it was his parents or his teachers or his friends or even his enemies, he just wanted some. His body ached for it.

Zacharias paused to fluff up his chocolate locks before filing out behind the rest of the class. He slung his satchel over his shoulder before lifting the flap and rummaging around for his phone and the headphones that connected to it. The search didn't last long and soon enough, Zacharias had an ebony headphone in each ear, both allowing the bouncy tones of Alphabeat to seep into his head. The nineteen year old didn't really know where he was heading for he was just allowing his feet to carry him, not to mention he had his head down so even if he did know, he wouldn't have been able to see. It was a miracle he hadn't crashed into anyone yet. Perhaps everyone else was on the ball today, huh?

Those feet of Zach's just kept walking. Kept carrying him wherever they wished to go. Just kept him intune with reality. They took Zacharias away from the hustle and bustle of the main building complexes, away from the noise and away from the vast crowds. It was when the number of feet began to disperse into nothing, Zach finally looked up. Ah, the lake, what a good choice. Zacharias did so love the lake. The sounds, the sights, the smells; all were wonderful. Like the cafe and the solitude of his house, Zacharias spent a lot of his time here. He'd either be studying or reading or even just sitting; watching and waiting. It reminded him of his home back in Scotland for he used to live near Loch Ness and it was at Loch Ness that his brother taught him the basics of fishing. Thanks to his sharp memory, Zach could remember all his brother taught him and, as he scanned the undisturbed surface of the lake, decided he should put the theory to practice sometime soon. A faint smile flickered across Zach's lips as he remembered how he'd grown bored of his brother's lectures about rods and fishing hooks and waded into the water for a paddle. He'd managed to drag Jeremiah in a little later and they had returned home late that day drenched yet content.

Suddenly, something caught Zach's eye. It was an ever so subtle movement and even that only just flickered into his view yet, being the observent young man he was, Zacharias saw it. The magician snapped his head round, gaze settling on a boy probably a little younger than him, but with that baby face of his, it was hard to tell. Zacharias cocked his head as he watched the boy tie, untie and retie his laces a multitude of times. Hadn't someone in his class made fun about a guy a year or so younger than them who repeated his words and actions a lot? Yes, Zach was sure of it and this kid therefore, must be the boy. Zacharias just stood there, watching and as he watched he began to feel an odd sense of attatchment forming. How strange, he'd never ever felt so drawn to someone and yet this quiet male intruigued him. Perhaps it was because Zacharias prefered people who were quiet and somewhat shy or perhaps it was because the boy looked so terrified and so alone. Perhaps it was because the boy reminded Zacharias of his younger self.

"Would you like some company?" he asked quietly, approaching Leighton slowly, a pleasant smile upon his lips. "You just look....somewhat lonely."