"Dusk falls too vexing
When we search too hard for light
Slumber eats away."

           Class was awful. It usually is, but today was extraordinarily worst. I got grouped with a bunch of classmates I've barely spoken to before for a school project and the dude who just suddenly decided he'll be our group leader had us stay two hours past dismissal to begin working on it.

And the due date is still in two weeks!

Instead of my usual route, I skipped the salmon and went straight to the narra tree. I had planned to take a nap but smiling at me is this brunette weirdo who won't return my favorite place.

"We meet again salmon; this must be fate!"

"No, I come here every after class." Unwilling to argue, I casually sit down beside haiku girl and rest my back on the tree. If I could simply ignore her presence, I would be able to fully indulge in this nap enticing atmosphere.

Dusk is in its final moments for today, the sky taking a dreamy mix of pinks and oranges almost completely enveloped by the murky night sky.

"Your class ended later than usual then?"

"Yeah, we had stuff to work on. And you? You're here often, even earlier than I am. You don't have school?" I shift my gaze from the sky to her face.

That's dangerous.

My inner thoughts lead me to quickly looking away from her.

"I'm homeschooled."

"Oh. Isn't that lonely?"

She shrugs. I can sense it was a question she isn't too eager to answer. Luckily, I'm not the type to pry.

"You must be tired from your classes; do you want to rest your head on my lap?" Haiku asks. This time, looking away from me.

A blush laces her somewhat fair skin and all I respond with is a stutter. If blushing was obvious on my skin like it was with hers, then I'd be looking feverish.

"I mean my thighs are a bit thick so I was thinking uhm... they would be comfier for you to rest your head on than the tree bark."

"I'll take up on that offer."

We probably look stupid talking to each other while facing opposite directions. But mutual embarrassment is present, and such an offer coming from a pretty lady is too menacing to my touch starved self.

I reluctantly lean my head down, resting on her lap. From here, I can smell the zesty yet gentle scent of perfume on the soft fabric of the skirt she is wearing.

"This is totally normal for friends right?" She asks, her speech a bit frantic.

"Uhmm, yeah." Too tired to think, I answer briefly. I do have friends, but I'm not too touchy with them. I see other friends that are super close though.

We both fall into silence, and my eyelids start feeling heavy. Haiku's lap, which felt warm, and soft, beckons me to sleep.

"If I fall asleep, could you wake me up in half an hour? My parents would end up nagging at me until my ears fall off if I come home too late."

"Ok."

With the reassurance she gave me, I close my eyes and let myself drift to sleep, feeling the warmth of a hand caressing my cheek. The fatigue makes it too difficult for me to distinguish if I'm just imagining things.

"You're really adorable, Lilena."

But I swear, I heard her say my name for the first time. To think the day would come where my heart would skip a beat over someone calling my name for the first time.
  
  
   
   
   
         Since then, I've had that girl on my mind an unsafe amount. Crushing on someone can give these cringy, silly thoughts. I believed love was making me blind, literally. Turns out my eyesight was getting worst and now I need glasses.

"Come on Len, it doesn't look too bad." My mom tells me. It didn't make me feel any better because my brother stands beside her laughing.

"Don't act like you don't wear glasses either." I scowl at him.

"The difference is that they look good on me. You look like a nerd version of Dora."

Yeah, my small face with mid length hair and bangs isn't helping. He's right. That ego of his can go frick off though.

I make a face at my brother, mocking his cocky expression, stopping as soon as I notice my mother glaring at the both of us.