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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