It was awkward. The two of them were walking side by side but neither of them were saying a word. Azil wanted to break the silence but he was afraid of giving himself away so he kept quiet.
They eventually stopped at the door of the building. The world outside was bathed in a soft, orange glow which was nothing like he'd ever seen. The buildings were slowly being lit up and the noises were still overwhelming.
"Rahey." The girl finally said, "What's wrong?"
He looked down at the ground, "Nothing. I just overslept." He thought he was doing a good job saying things that the person called Rahey would say but the girl didn't look convinced.
"Did something happen back at home?"
At this rate, their entire conversation would be go nowhere. Azil knew he couldn't keep lying to her but he didn't know whether or not to trust her. He didn't even know what her name was.
The sound of other college students laughing or chatting filled the air, music was playing but it was hardly noticeable. There was really no such thing as a right answer but in his case, there was a wrong answer. Guilt weighed him down as he let his mind blank out for a while.
"What's your name?" He asked at last and the girl's eyes widened. She took a step back and nearly stumbled. He reached out and grabbed her hand before she fell and that seemed to confuse her even more.
He let go of her hand and took a step back but she didn't seem to notice.
"What? Is this some kind of joke?"
Why was everyone asking him if he was joking? He knew the answer but it was still frustrating. He didn't want to be saying such things either.
"I was at the hospital this morning." He said, "I got into an accident."
The girl's jaw dropped. "W-What?" She was at a loss for words.
"I remember you but I forgot your name. I'm sorry."
He didn't even know what he was saying. Was there even a disease where you only forgot someone's name? If there is then wouldn't it be serious? Lying was not something that came naturally to him but there he was doing just that. This must be the most he had lied in his entire life.
"Oh my god." She winced, "Oh my god. I am so sorry for what I said earlier. Are you...are you okay?" Regret pooled in her grey eyes. It was an odd eye colour he noted unconsciously.
Azil lifted a hand in reassurance before she felt any worse. "I'm fine. I just feel a bit lost right now and it would help if you told me your name."
"Violetta." The girl named Violetta said sheepishly. "Did you just forget me or...?" She trailed off at the end, waiting for his response.
"No I forgot most people's names." Azil answered quickly. "But I'm sure I'll remember them slowly like I did with Professor Lyne."
Mentioning the Professor's name seemed to put her at ease because she stopped looking as worried. "Thank goodness..."
Azil exhaled, not realizing he had been holding his breath. It had been a long day. When he left the hospital, the sky had been bright blue and clear but now it was orange and covered with many clouds. He couldn't even see a single star.
He was tired and all he wanted to do was go back to sleep.
Yet, the responsibility took over again. He felt the pressing need to ask her where the library was despite not being in the mood to be interrogated any further. At the very least, she seemed trustworthy.
"Hey, do you know where the library is?"
"The library?" Violetta was back to looking at him as if he was crazy.
"Right. I forgot most of what we learned and I really need to pass the next exam so I was going to go study at the library."
Violetta's face suddenly brightened. "Wait really? You're going to study?"
"Yes, of course."
"Sorry that came out wrong." She sighed as if there was something she wanted to say but couldn't. "I'll take you there."
"Thanks." Azil smiled, still trying to pin down Rahey's character.
They walked to the library in silence which made him feel deja vu. However this time they walked with a comfortable atmosphere surrounding them. The temperature was hotter than he was used to but the breeze felt pleasant and he was starting to grow accustomed to the sensory overload of the world he was in.
Azil wondered briefly how things were going in his world as he looked up at the overcast dusk sky.