It's still our first day so the class is more in getting to know each other and the subjects. It's already lunchtime and as usual, I will be eating with Deirdre. The cafeteria is packed so we both eat at the garden just behind the gymnasium of our school. Each table in this garden have two benches and an umbrella in the middle to shade us from the heat of the sun. Sometimes we eat at fast food chains near the campus but right now, I'm not in the mood to do so. This day is already pissing and I don't want to add more hassle to it. Good thing we already bought food during our morning break. I only ordered pasta and mango juice while Deirdre have steak and a can of coke, her favorite soft drink. We are about to start eating when another tray of food was placed on our table.
"May I join you?" Did I just say that I decided to eat here because I don't want any more hassle? Well now I'm taking that back. I feel like I want to eat outside the school because the hassle himself is here.
"No you ca-"
"Of course," Drei cut me off.
"Are you sure? Your friend here seems like she doesn't want me here," he said in a playful tone.
"Don't mind her, she's just really grumpy in the morning."
I rolled my eyes and proceeded to eat. I'm pretending that I'm alone here while I can hear the already trying to get to know each other.
"So, what's your name"
"I'm Deirdre but you can call me Drei. This is Alina, my best friend", and pointed me with her fork.
"Oh, great. As I've said earlier, I'm Tristan but you can call me Tan. I'm a basketball player and I transferred here because of that. The school offered me a scholarship to be part of the varsity here. I'm hesitant at first but yeah, I guess some things are worth trying."
"That's nice", Drei seemed so amazed with him that she even clapped but that doesn't end there. She nudged me and pointed at Tan. "Hey Ali, did you heard that? He's a basketball player!"
"So?"
"Isn't he your type?" She whispered to me. "Tall, fair skinned, and basketball player. You actually look good together,"
I shook my head in disbelief and to exaggerate, I even clap my hand to my mouth and pointed my finger at her.
"Oh my gosh, who are you? What have you done to my best friend?"
"Silly hahaha."
I laughed along with her but stopped when I heard the guy also chuckling.
"I didn't know you have a funny side within you,"
"Wait, you know each other?" Drei asked.
"No."
"Yeah."
We answered at the same time which made Drei smiled at me maliciously.
"Hmm, I smell something fishy," she said dramatically while wiggling her eyebrows.
"I really don't know him. Just bumped into him this morning, that's all."
"Is that why you're late?"
"No. As I've said earlier, I couldn't find our room immediately."
"Alright, as you say so." Drei still have that malicious smile plastered on her face.
"I'm done eating. I'll just go find something in the library, catch you later", and kissed Drei on the cheek.
"Oh, alright then. Bye."
I stood up and left without even looking at Tristan. I was catching my breath when I arrived at the library. Seriously, the garden should just be right behind this library so I won't have to walk this far. This library is located in front the huge gymnasium but there is still a very large and spacious soccer field in between them. Our building, together with the third years, is at the right side of the the gym while the first and second years are in the building on the left. Behind the library is a children's playground and the elementary building.
I immediately went to the fairytale section of the library and looked for the book that I want to read. As soon as I got it, I pulled out the jigsaw piece I was holding earlier. I placed on the part of the book cover where it belongs. Yes, the puzzle I am working on is the same as the image on the cover of this fairytale. I smiled before going to my spot here, a single sofa at the farthest end of this section in the library. I am playing with the jigsaw piece on my hand while reading and as I am closing the book, I know that I will also be able to finish my puzzle with this last piece that I'm holding. I looked at my wristwatch. 10 minutes before my next class. I walked towards the shelf to put back the book but I can't reach it a once so I tried again when a hand snatched it from my grip. My brows furrowed and I am about to turn and lash out at Tristan, yes I know it's him because of his smell, but his other hand immediately held on to the shelf just above my shoulder, preventing me from moving. He leaned forward to whisper on my ear.
"I can see that you are quite jolly, opposite to what you are showing when it's only the two of us. I wonder why. Hmm?"
What the hell. Why is he so concerned about this? I glanced at my watch. Six minutes before the time.
"Let me go,"
"Let's see. Was it because I saw you almost on the verge of death?"
Okay, that's it. He's been crossing the line and I didn't cared much but now this is too much. I pushed him forcefully and ran while glancing at my watch. Four minutes. Shit don't tell me I'm gonna be late again because of him?!
Run faster Aoibheanne, damn I can't be late twice in one day. Alrighty, I'm already at the stairs heck, why do we have to be on the fifth floor, I'm hella tired.
Two minutes.
Second floor.
Third floor.
Fourth floor.
Twenty nine seconds.
Fifth floor.
Five.
Four.
Three.
Two.
One.
"Blaag!"
The door banged when I opened it and all of my classmates' heads turned to me. I looked in front and thankfully, our lecturer isn't here yet. I smiled awkwardly and slowly raised two fingers, creating a peace sign.
"Sorry," I uttered shyly.
I sat down to drink water from my tumbler and wipe my sweat. Drei turned to me.
"What's with you? You're almost late."
"I got carried away while reading so I ran all the way here."
"You really are something, Ali", she shakes her head while chuckling.
I was fixing my things when I suddenly remembered about the jigsaw piece. Shit, where is it? I checked all of my pockets and my wallet. I was about to open my bag again to look if I accidentally dropped it there while fixing my things when the door opened revealing Tristan. My eyes dropped on his hand and there I saw what I've been looking for.