Irene II

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"Where have you been?" her friend Tracey asked.

"Just outside," Irene replied as she sat down beside her.

"You've missed the important topics."

"I don't mind. I'll catch up when I bounce back to my old self."

"Silly."

Then their other subject started. It had only been a few minutes but she wanted to go out again. She felt confined in the room. She can feel the pressure that everyone is going through, the burden of having to prove themselves that they can pass the last exam they might ever have in their lives.

She really needed a change of scenery.

Time passed and it was time to go home. She fixed her things quickly and talked a bit with her friends. She needed to go to the restroom so she excused herself.

She did what she had to do and briefly looked at herself in the mirror. She looked tired and sad. She patted her cheeks and forced herself to smile. She can't give up anymore. Only a few months to go and this stressful life will end soon.

Her friends were waiting for her and they were still talking. She didn't join in, though, as she was checking her phone for messages.

Out of nowhere, someone called her name. She looked around and saw Walter. He was even waving at her and grinning. She was about to smile back when her friend Joanne spoke. "Do you know him?" She didn't like her tone.

"N-no," she said as she looked away from Walter.

--

It's Friday and she can't wait for the weekend. She wanted to not attend her classes but her mother has way too high expectations from her. She can't break her heart.

She went to school earlier than usual. She wanted to roam around the premises so she'll know where to stay when she didn't want to be in the classroom.

She thought she'll be the first reviewee to be in school but there was someone already there. He was looking over the bulletin board, checking the names of those who scored the highest in their exams.

She left her things in their room and sat on a couch outside. She took out her phone from her pocket and put on her earphones. She closed her eyes and enjoyed the music.

She was mouthing the words of the song with emotions when somebody tapped her. It was Walter.

"Hi again," he said with his usual grin. He sat beside her. "You looked like you really like the song."

"Yeah, actually," she replied shyly. She felt guilt rushing over her about yesterday so she wanted to make up to him. "Here. Do you want to hear it?" She gave him the other earpiece.

He took it and was silent for a few moments. She took the piece from him, thinking he didn't like the song.

"Hey. I was listening," he complained.

"Yeah, but you didn't like it."

"I did! I was listening to the lyrics."

"Fine." She stopped the music and kept her phone away. She leaned on the wall and gave out a long sigh.

"Hey, Irene. I just want to thank you for talking to me. You know, you were my first friend here," Walter said. "I don't know, I admit I'm weird sometimes. A bit hyper, too. That's why people don't really talk to me."

"You're not that bad. You're easy to talk to. You're always smiling. You got this happy air around you," she said. She tried to focus on the poster in front of her. She wasn't used to this kind of conversation.

"Really?" Walter sounded cheerful. "Can I ask for your number?"

"Okay. One thing, though. I don't usually reply to text messages. I rarely have prepaid credits."

"I'll just call you, then?" Walter was really giddy.

"Then, no number for you. Don't ever call."

"Fine. Can I just have it? I promise I won't call."

"Let me put it in your phone."

Irene I

She was feeling down the whole morning so she left the room. She needed to breathe, to think, to be alone. It's been a few days since she felt this way. She tried to hide her sadness, as usual, but it was consuming her too much already.

She stayed at the cafeteria even though she didn't feel like eating. She just sat there, staring blankly.

Lost in her thoughts, she didn't hear the guy sitting beside her. She shook her head and looked at him.

"Hey," he started.

She just smiled as a reply.

"You're one of the topnotchers in the exam, right?"

"Um, yes." She stretched her arms in front of her.

"Sleepy, huh? We're from the same room, that's why I kind of know you."

"Oh." She wanted to slap herself. She sounded so bored talking with him.

He might have noticed it so he tried excusing himself. "I'm sorry, I think I've disturbed you." He stood up and went to the vending machine.

Feeling ashamed, she stood and went to where he is. "I'm sorry. I was just thinking about things. By the way, I'm Irene." She tried to look cheerful and even extended her hand.

Picking up the can of soda he bought from the machine, he took her hand and shook it. "I'm Walter." He smiled. He then asked, "Are you going back to class?"

"Honestly, I'm not in the mood to be in that room. Wait, are you? Alright. See you later," she said and started walking past him.

"No, no... I mean, if you need company right now, I'm here. I'd like to stay--er, if you want me to stay."

She wasn't that stupid to not notice he wanted to be with her. But she also wasn't that stupid to take advantage of the situation.

"If you want to stay, well, thanks, I guess. But, don't blame me if you miss a lot of lessons," she sat back where she sat earlier. He followed.

Maybe all she needed was a distraction.

He was acting weird, staring at her as if she wasn't in front of him. She started to feel uncomfortable so she spoke.

"S-so, how'd you know I did well in the exams?" she asked.

"I did some... research." With that, she felt the hair on her arms raise.

"O-okay," she intentionally told it in a longer manner.

Then, from a straight face, he suddenly grinned like a child. "I was kidding. I always hear your name whenever you and your friends spend the break outside the room."

"Are we always loud? Sorry." She was examining her nails for any dirt.

"If you don't mind, can you look at me while we're talking?" He said in a serious tone.

She did. She knew she was being stubborn. She never liked talking, especially with the opposite gender.

"There. I always wanted to see your eyes because you're always looking down," he said then showed her that wide smile again. "And there's one thing more, before I forget. I know we only just talked but can we be friends?"

Friends? She knew where this is going. But observing him, he might not be a predictable one.

"Of course."

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