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Change was a strong word and a hard one to attempt. Alan had changed from his normal self. The reserved with a bit of anger outbursts Alan was gone. When it was time for counseling we sat round on the chair as we had to wait for Madam Jane.
Strange enough he made sure everyone got a chair including the boys he sat around and he managed to put a smile on the boy's faces. I felt the change, as much as I wanted to believe he was bipolar or faking it but there was never a time I caught him with his former behavior.
A few minutes later Madam Jane walked in and the attention was on her. She was a woman with good poise and seemed to know what she was doing. The confidence she exhibited made it clear that she was a professional at her job and have handled a lot of situations like this.
Her pink peach sweater and cream dress on her delicate figure made it calming just by looking at her and her infectious smile.
"Hello everyone!" She started as soon as she grabbed a seat and sat behind the circle we formed. We all greeted back taking mental note of her position.
"Today we will be focusing on introductions of ourselves. Consider the chance to introduce yourself as a description of yourself from your own point of view. It's normal for people to misjudge you at first sight and an introduction, most of the time could change it."
πΆπ ππ! πΊππ πππππ ππ ππ πππππ πππππ πππ ππππ π° π ππ π'π ππππ π ππππ, ππππ ππππ.
"Eva thank you for the lovely β¦ introduction" Madam Jane told Eva whom sat next to me.
I was the last one to speak. I could feel everyone's gazes on me. From their looks it felt as if they were judging me and if I introduced myself I would look like a bigger fool than what people thought. I looked at madam Jane for maybe sympathy. But I noticed she looked at her papers with her glasses hanging on the hook of her nose.
My fingers dug deep in my hands as much as they could. For a moment everything was hazy and I could feel giggles behind me.
"We can skip your introduction" Madam Jane already cut in before I could embarrass myself even further. I looked at her and all she gave me was a smile. I felt a relief and sat down immediately.
Today's class was about interaction. And most had a lot to say. I was too worried to ever get to hear Alan's introduction. As I looked around, seeing everyone's cheery face I caught Alan looking at me.
His face had this serious expression like he was trying to read me but when he noticed I caught him looking at me, he returned back a silly smile, his perfect teeth all out.
Before the classes ended, we were given a special card which had emoji faces behind for all emotions. Madam Jane instructed us to return the card next week even if it's empty but she encouraged us to write something.
"If you prefer, you can leave the card anonymous or add your name. Just write anything that bothers you. Now that's all for this week's session. Have a nice week! " she gave a smile to everyone enough to make you feel calm about pouring your thoughts on that paper.
π«π π° ππππ πππ ππππ ππ πππππ ππππ π° πππππ? π·ππππππ π° πππ'π
After classes we walked home with Jaya and parted when she reached her home. When I reached mine, I found my mother asleep and knew that she had a lot of work that kept her up yesterday night.
'π° ππππ ππππ ππππ πππ πππ'π πππ πππ ππππππ' a voice in me said
I freshened up for work and strode to the bakery. I was looking forward to work with Angie something that made me feel useful for a while. When I reached at the bakery, madam Angie approached me with a confused face.
"What's up? "
"Alan has been acting strange lately since he returned. "
"Yeahβ¦"
"Although it's very strange for someone to change all of a sudden⦠I like the new Alan !"
"Yeah⦠it looks like you do."
π° ππππ πππ π ππππ'π πππππ π° ππ π πππππ πππ ππππππ πππ ππππ πππππππ πππππππ
She soon picked up that I didn't like conversations and continued to serve the customers and note down orders. I had the work of giving out pastries; takeaway or orders coming from Angie. Most of the customers liked the cinnamon buns and chocolate donuts. Although all the pastries was wonderfully prepared by Angie
Sometimes I can't help but to think that there was something more between Brown and Angie. Maybe.
As I was serving the usual orders from my customers I caught Alan staring at me(again) with the same intense and suspicious gaze. When he noticed I caught him again he returned the same silly smile. I frowned and continued my work.
I was guilty too for staring at him but I couldn't control myself from not looking at him. His tender smiles and light smiles he gave every customer like he meant it from deep within his heart confused me.
πΎπππ πππππ ππ πππ ππππππ ππ πππππππ ?
When 7pm reached I packed up and left Angie and Alan to continue with the shift. I walked home considering it wasn't that late to take a walk to home. The walk was silent except for the sounds of my heartbeats and my breathe.
When I reached home, I opened the door slowly and tip toed to the kitchen. I was famished from the long day. As much as the pastries looked delicious staying around the aroma made it hard to eat. I walked to the kitchen and saw mom prepared some chicken soup. I looked at the countertop where I left the pancakes and I noticed the plate was empty
A smile crept on my face and I felt better.
I grabbed a bowl of soup and tip toed to my room. I opened my class notes to read as I enjoyed the soup. As I opened the book I saw the card from therapy class slip out.
π»πππ ππππππ ππππ ππππ ππππππ
I raised my brow and thought it wouldn't hurt to write inside it even if I didn't submit it, she would never know considering there would be multiple anonymous submission.
I looked back at the card and I saw a toothy smile emoji. That smile reminded me of Alan's silly smile. I picked up the pen and jolted down those words that hit my mind from that emoji
[ You won't figure me from the intense gazes alone, all my senses couldn't]