June 25, tuesday
6:00 AM

"This damn alarm!"

I force my eyes open and shut my alarm off, noticing that I was still wearing the dress my mom gave me. Making me recall yesterdays events before I got home.

We split ways with Sylvie. Then me and Theo went to the bus station and arrived for the bus just in time. After that we took our seats and I closed my eyes for a moment. Then...

Uhm, what happened after that? I can't recall exiting the bus and entering my house.

I jolted up from my bed and dashed out my room. My mother who was sitting by the dining table turned her head to look at me then smiled cheekily.

"Mom!? How did I get home last night?!!"

She giggled.

"Mom!!" I furrowed my brows.

"A guy brought you here hehe."

"What!??"

"He was a timid fellow."

Timid? Must be Theo.

"Did he wear glasses?"

"Yes! Is he your boyfriend? Hehe." My mom giggled.

"No! Mom I do not have a boyfriend! Goodness." I emphasize the words 'do not' and roll my eyes. "I'm going to go get ready for school now."

"Okay! I'll be cooking some french toast." My mom responds.

"Oh and Lydia?" My dad speaks. As he was sitting on the sofa, probably reading some news related to politics.

Why does he even bother to read anything about politics-

But hey, it's better than dad jokes.

"Yes dad?"

"No dating till you're thirty."

"Mhm." I sigh.

I bet the only thing I'm going to be marrying is some figurine of one of my favorite game characters.

I might take Dread into consideration. If I ever meet him, that is.

---

8:10 AM

"Lydiaaaaaaaaaa!"

"Hey Ari..." I say tiredly. I was resting my head on the table, looking teary eyed. I'm still sleepy.

"So how was it?"

"Meh... It went better than I thought it would." I answer her and slowly lift my head up and yawn.

"That's good! Did you learn anything about Theo?"

"Yeah... Yeah I did." My mind slowly drifts off to last night's events.

If I fell asleep on the bus, he must've carried me back. The thought didn't really faze me. I would only be fazed if it really had meaning. But it was only a simple act of kindness.

"well, I learned that he had a really bad fear of crowds."

"Was he ok?"

"Ahh... Not really."

Ari frowns.

"Hey, you should really go and have a proper conversation with him!" I say in attempt to cheer her up. "He's really friendly and quite the gentleman you know."

"Hehe... It's always easier said than done though." She responds.

"It is."

The two of us go silent for a few moments. Till such silence was broken by the voice of a friendly green-eyed classmate.

"Gooodmorning you two!" Maia greets.

"good morning!" Ari greets her back with the same amout of enthusiasm, while I just lifelessly lift my hand to say hello.

"You look tired Lydia."

"Yeah, I am."

"The other day must have been extremely tough on you hehe."

"Mhm. Anyways, did I miss anything yesterday?"

"Yeah, but Mrs. Diaz told me that you're exempted from all the activities yesterday."

"Aww lucky!" Ari pouts. "You got excused from classes and you got to spend a day with Theo!!"

"Yeah... I honestly would've preferred being at school though." I have to admit. I did still slightly enjoy yesterday.

Maia finally puts her bag down then takes her seat. The door opens afterwards and Mrs. Diaz enters.

"Beautiful morning class!"

And the murmuring of my fellow classmates die down as they greet Mrs. Diaz in return. And so our classes finally began for today.

Finally a normal day.

"Ms. Hill!" Mrs. Diaz calls.

"Mrs. Diaz?"

"Did yesterday go well for you?"

"Better than I thought it would."

She smiled then gave me a light nod. "It better have."

"Ahh- haha..." I laugh awkwardly. I knew I did alright, but I was just hoping that Mrs. Diaz wouldn't bring out her whips on Theo. I feel bad for the boy!

"Huh." Mrs. Diaz raises her brow, then turns her attention back to the rest of the class. "Okay class. Pop quiz!"

"What- no!"

"Coming from Mrs. Diaz, pop quizzes really don't suprise me anymore."

Ari and Maia both remark. The two being seated at each side of me. While the rest of the class groan and make remarks too.

Heck, I don't even know what the lesson yesterday was!

"Mrs. Diaz? Am I going to be excused from this pop quiz?" I ask.

"Of course not! You're present now, right?" She answers cheerfully and takes out the quiz papers from one of her folders.

Oh boy... I can't have a bad mark!!!

Oh boy oh boy oh boy oh boy oh boy....

"Lydia are you ok? You look pale." Maia asks me.

"Y-yeah! I'm totally fine! Hehe..."

Maia frowns and gives me a soft 'okay'. While Ari was giving us a clueless look.

"Goodluck with the quiz!" Mrs. Diaz says and begins handing out the quiz papers.

To hell with this!

---

10:30 AM

"Earth to Lydia? We're heading to the cafeteria! You coming?" I feel a finger softly poke at my shoulder, bringing me back to reality.

The pop quiz has really killed the chill in me. Like all of my answers were stalk knowledge!

"Yeah, of course Maia." I smile at her and stand up. The two of us and Ari head over to the cafeteria and get in line to buy snacks.

Then afterwards taking our seats at an empty table.

"Hey Ari! Look over there!" Maia tilts her head to the left and teasingly wiggling her brows at Ari. "Shush Maia!"

"Go talk to himmm!" Maia nudges Ari while I just watch the two.

A few tables left of us, Theo was seated alone listening to music and sipping some sugary drink again.

"Why don't we go join him?" I suggest. "I mean, he's alone right now."

"Yeah! We should!" Maia gets up excitedly.

"F-fine!" Ari stammers and the two of us get up. And with I taking the lead, we head over to Theo's table.

"Mind if we join you?" I ask.

"Sure." Theo responds.

Me and Maia look at each other. As if we were communicating telepathically. Then the two of us quickly take the two seats facing opposite of Theo, leaving Ari to sit beside him.

"H-hey! You two!" Ari pouts at us and takes her seat, fiddling with small strands of her hair awkwardly.

For a few moments I could hear the invisible crickets echo around us as the silence was choking me and the extreme awkwardness in the air was thick.

Do I really have to be the one to start up the conversations all the time?

"So Theo. How are you feeling today?" I ask him.

"Much better than yesterday. Still a bit tired though."

"Same here."

I look over at Ari then lightly cough. Signaling her to speak. She furrows her brows in return then shakes her head negatively.

Oh come on Ari! Nothing is going to happen if you don't talk to him. I sigh.

"Anyways, thanks for last night Theo. How'd you know my stop by the way?" I continue to ask.

"Oh, I saw your address on the school register. And, you're welcome."

"Ooooh~ What happened last night?" Maia asked cheekily.

"Apparently I fell asleep in the bus."

"Pfft!" Maia laughs. "Theo, did you carry her all the way back to her house then?"

"Yeah, it wasn't too far from the stop though. It was alright."

"Cuteee!" Maia squeals.

"Hmph." Ari pouts.

"Oi we're only friends guys. Don't think anything else of it." I tell them. I don't want Ari to get upset again or anything.

I sigh once again and the bell finally rings. Signaling the end of our recess.

Heh... Recess is done already?

The three of us girls get up and wave our quick goodbyes to Theo. Then head back to class.

"You sneaky Lydia!" Ari nudges me. Still pouting.

"Oh come on Ari! He was just being nice!"

"But still!"

"Come onnnn! I'm sorry Ari!"

"Hmphh!" Ari crosses her arms.

"I'll treat you to anything on the weekend then. How does that sound?"

Ari's face suddenly lightens up and she nods happily.

Bribery at it's finest!

"Me too!" Maia says.

"Fine fine."