The soft rays seeped through the curtain shedding light on a figure sleeping on the bed. The luminous light of the cloak on her bedside shone showing that it was nine twenty in the morning.
A slender hand come out from underneath the quilt grabbing the phone beside the digital clock.
The phone disappeared underneath the quilt. Two seconds later the quilt was tossed away and Kilin yelled, "Fudge," as she got up only for her to trip over her small suitcase. "I am okay, I am okay," she said to herself as she hopped on one leg towards the door.
She went into the bathroom and half-heartedly did her morning routine. Twenty minutes later she was rushing downstairs with her small rolling suitcase trailing behind her. The early morning sunlight peeked through the curtains, painting the hallway in a soft golden hue. She could hear the faint sound of her mother already bustling about in the kitchen.
She thought she could sneak past her but her mother was like a hawk.
"Wait, wait, little missy!" she yelled her voice echoing through the house as she spotted Kilin rushing past.
With a swift movement, she grabbed an apple from the fruit bowl near the door, ensuring her daughter had something to eat on her way out. Kilin huffed impatiently while thinking of an excuse to tell Keele who had already called her five times. She was running very late.
"Mom, I really have to go," Kilin protested, her voice tinged with urgency. But Mary Lee, ever the caring mother, gently reached out and fixed Kilin's dishevelled shirt, her touch filled with motherly affection.
"I know I know," Mary Lee said, her voice laced with concern. "Just remember you need to be back before two in the afternoon. Promise me you'll be back on time."
Kilin nodded, her gaze fixed on the door. "I promise." She understood her mother's concern. If she wasn't ready by the time the driver comes to pick them up she would have to endure her aunt's insufferable gaze.
Mary Lee reluctantly let her go and she made her way towards the door but as soon as she stepped out her mother's voice halted her in her tracks.
"Wait! Don't forget to send me your location," Mary Lee called out, a hint of worry in her tone. She allowed her daughter to have some type of freedom but she couldn't help but worry about her.
Kilin turned back, her expression a mix of impatience and reassurance. "I'll send it, Mom. I promise," she replied, her voice softening.
She checked the street for the e-hailing ride she had ordered on the app. When she saw the license plate she rushed over.
"Kiki?" asked the lady in the driver's seat.
Kilin nodded her head as she buckled her seat belt. While the car slowly drove towards the direction of her school she pulled out her phone to write a message to Keele.
She had already sent a dozen texts complaining.
Keke: Where the f are you?
Keke: Arwen is just staring at his book.
Keke: He is kind of hot through his glasses.
Keke: I changed my mind, Take your time.
Kilin, "..."
She quickly typed out a response scolding her.
Kiki: Don't mess with him. You will probably lose interest in a week.
After responding to Keele a notification came from her bank letting her know that her mother had transferred money to her. She opened the chat with her mother as the vehicle came to a stop at the traffic light.
Mom: Just in case you need something.
Mom: (beating-heart.gif)
Kilin smiled slightly while replying.
Kiki: Thanks, mum.
It was then she recalled she had to reimburse Reckless25. She opened the app and her fingers froze when she saw at the top was a message from them with an odd message.
Reckless25: I can relate.
She opened the chat interface between them and saw that she was the one who had messaged him yesterday in a foggy haze. She bit her thumbnail just staring at it mindlessly. She had responded to her follower's messages before but it was never this personal. It was about her cosplay and sometimes about joining her team so they could play games together. She knew she should probably apologise for her mistake and move on from this but she felt something pulling her in. Feeling a little nervous she wrote a reply.
RoyalRose: I don't think so.
RoyalRose: If I tell you what she did you would die of laughter.
Kilin felt like her fingers were sweaty after sending that message. She slumped back into the car seat while locking her phone.
The car pulled up at the side of the road in front of a coffee shop a few streets from her school.
"Thank you," she said to the driver as the app loaded the payment page.
She walked into the coffee shop while on her phone tipping the driver. When she looked up Keele was sitting upstairs waving at her.
"You little liar. You said you were on your way. You had just woken up hadn't you," said Keele while balling her fist like she was going to fight.
"Let's go. My makeup will take ages," she said before turning to Arwen who was sitting there looking nervous, "sup Arwen."
Arwen pushed up his glasses and greeted her his voice brittle. For the last hour, he had been trying to find the right words to ask Keele for Kilin's contact but he was nervous. Now that he had lost the chance he could only try again later.
The group of three walked to the school. When they reached the open gates Keele learned through the window of the guard room placing a bag of croissants on the table.
"I bought the best for you," she said and the security guard yelled,
"Don't get caught. Be out in an hour."
Keele gave her a thumbs up before dragging Kilin. Arwen followed behind while dragging the small suitcase.
"What was that for?" asked Kilin and Keele shook her arm while saying,
"Bribery of course. Weekend classes haven't started yet so... I bought her her favourite."
Kilin chuckled softly before saying, "Too bad we can't bribe her to get out of sports anymore."
Arwen, "..."
He was starting to think he was associating with delinquents.
Arwen sat on the bench outside the sports locker room checking his DSLR camera settings. He could hear the two of them giggling in the bathroom but he tried not to eavesdrop.
When they came out he glanced up only for him to do a second glance. The both of them were in cosplay looking stunning. He had no idea who they were dressed as but he couldn't help appreciating their looks.
"Arwen, how do we look?" asked Keele while twirling around excitedly.