It was an unsuspecting start to the day. Right until Vy saw Dee at the south gate. Seemed like she was waiting for him. He walked over, at a quickened pace, and with a fond smile. Greeted her. And froze at her reply.
"I don't know why, but I don't feel very good."
"What do you mean?"
She stared at him helplessly, as if unable to answer. But that was more of an answer than any she could have voiced.
"Come," he said, taking her hand.
Back out the gate they went. She pressed his hand in gratitude. Their eyes met, and all that was needed to be said was said. They hadn't gotten far, when they found themselves facing Annie's questioning gaze.
"She's not feeling very good," he explained.
"Physically?" Annie asked.
Vy wanted to say no, but Dee beat him to it. She was embarrassed as she shook her head, and glared at Annie.
"What?" Annie asked, looking genuinely confused, but with a glint in her eye. "It is a genuine question."
"Shut up," Dee scolded.
Annie laughed. Vy was lost. Annie hugged Dee's free arm, and asked in the voice of a child demanding to be spoiled.
"So, what are we doing?"
"I was thinking we'd go out somewhere," Vy answered. "Maybe watch a movie. Eat out. Cheer up."
"Movie sounds good. We can munch on chips and popcorn and soda while watching the movie. But no eating after. We'll drop you off wherever, and head off to our pizza."
Annie beamed. Dee shrugged. Vy agreed in sad silence.
They rode the bus to the nearest cinemas, which was quite popular with the students. It was a popular joke that for big releases, it was almost entirely the students, making it seem like it was a special show for the university. It was a short discussion at the ticket counter. A new horror movie had released. And when there was a scary movie, would they possibly watch anything else?
Dee sat in the middle, because she scared the easiest. Annie was more interested in the popcorn and the movie itself. Vy had his attention divided between the movie and scaring Dee. It was an okay movie, with a few good scares that had Dee screaming out. Annie didn't react, like she neither knew Dee nor heard the screams. Vy was too busy laughing in merriment to care about how they might be disturbing others. Luckily, there weren't many in the theatre. As they walked out, Dee was properly cheery.
"Alrighty," Annie announced. "I'm hungry for pizza. You know what that means? Goodbye Vy. See you tomorrow."
"What are you going to do?" Dee asked him.
"I'm thinking of going back to the university. Want to go to the library. Some reading."
"Oh," Dee replied. "Then we'll come along too. We'll drop you off at the gate. We'll have pizza at the parlour. We'll need an hour and a half at least. Which is less, trust me, considering dear Annie. Finish up your reading by then. We'll go back together. Sound good?"
Vy shrugged. Annie was gushing like a fangirl, making the couple blush.
At the parlour, Dee sat at the same table. She gave Annie the menu, while she stared out the glass wall feeling restless.
"What's with you?" Annie asked, sharing her eyes between the menu and her friend.
"I don't know," Dee answered. "I just don't feel very good."
"Explain."
Annie dropped the menu, and stared intently. She waited patiently for Dee's explanation.
"Remember that movie we saw last year? About the woman who had visions about what was going to happen. I feel like she did when she woke up to ominous music, seeing nothing but knowing something was going to happen. I don't understand myself. I just know, I don't feel very good. And I hate that."
"Forget about her. You don't have the gift. What you do have, is the intuition. The intuition of a woman. And what that intuition is telling you, is that something is definitely going to happen. And it concerns you and dearest Vy. Or maybe just Vy. Listen to your intuition. It is never wrong. My intuition is telling me, four cheese. What do you think?"
Dee smiled as she nodded. This was one of the reasons she loved Annie. The girl could make her laugh so easily, could have her feeling much better no matter the situation. She decided to follow Annie's advice. She would listen to her intuition. But first, she would enjoy pizza with her best friend.
Vy walked through the empty hallway to the library. Pleased at not crossing paths with a professor or any student he was familiar with. The library was the same. Greeting Ms Nancy, the librarian he shared a friendship with, he walked into the depths. The book he was seeking wasn't one that was popular with the majority of students, for it was at the same time unnecessary and distant from the syllabus. It was an old book on algorithms. He knew it was there because he had once discussed it with Ms Nancy. And he knew it hadn't once been issued by a student. He intended to be the first. But he would do some reading in the library, while waiting for Annie and Dee to finish their feast.
He sat at the furthest seat and began reading. Because it wasn't aimless reading, he knew exactly which chapter to turn to. He could hear the author's voice in his head, helping him see through his doubts. He was distracted enough to not notice someone sit by his side. He didn't feel the minutes flow by as she sat staring at him. Finally, it was her who broke him out, by calling out to him in a whisper.
"Hey."
He looked at Li and froze.
"What?" She asked.
"Nothing," he answered. "Sorry. Hi."
"We need to talk," she said.
"Sorry?" He asked, dumbly.
"We need to talk," she repeated. "Keep your voice low, so Ms Nancy won't hear us. Actually, I need to speak. I'll keep my voice down. So keep your ears open."
He was flustered. He didn't know what to say. He wanted to leave. But she wasn't giving him the opportunity. She had come prepared, and she wasn't letting him escape.
"I have questions," she said. "You don't have to look so scared. I promise, I won't scold you. I won't even be harsh. Remember what you said? That night? In that message? You like me. Could we go out, you asked. What happened then? Why did you just go silent?"
Looking at her from so close, he couldn't turn away. He looked into her deep brown eyes, and saw himself. He felt her satin like hair in his fingers. He felt her soft lips brushing against his. He felt her arms around him. Her hands holding his, their fingers intertwined. He felt overwhelmed by his emotions. Joy from seeing her innocence. Sorrow from thinking about the pain he will cause her. Most of all, the crushing guilt and the frightening emptiness, after she was gone. He sighed, and gave in.
"I do remember," he answered. "Your silence was your answer, wasn't it? Clearly, you hated that I said what I said. And over a message too. Who does that? Who asks the girl he likes out over a message? I knew that was why you were quiet. We were friends. That was all we were to you. That was all you wanted of us. So, that is all we will be. Since you wanted me away from you, I gave you that. Until you forgave me, and came to speak to me yourself. Like now."
"Yeah," she answered, surprised and confused at the answer.
He continued, without giving her the opportunity to speak her mind.
"I take it I'm forgiven. Thank you. I am truly sorry. I don't know what happened that night. I guess I was in an amorous mood, and I was feeling impulsive. Allow me to correct myself now. I feel the same as you. We are friends. Very good friends. Let's remain what we are? I promise you, I will never act like that night, ever again. So, friends?"
He gave her his best smile as he offered his hand.
She sat looking at him blankly a whole minute, before finally smiling and accepting his hand.
"Yeah. Friends. Of course."
He heard the confusion and the hurt in her voice. And he felt terrible. But that was the best he could do.