'Friends?!'
Despite initially not resolving their tensions and accepting each other's presence, Maya had started to abandon the idea of a friendship with Elena. Even though Maya desired friendship, Elena consistently rejected it, never apologizing for her harsh behaviour towards Maya.
Although they lived together, their shared presence was deceptive. In reality, they hadn't engaged in a meaningful conversation for quite some time. Elena always seemed to be in passing, usually swept away by Keith.
Unbeknownst to Maya, Elena began to consider her a friend at some point. However, was this just a fleeting whim, something Elena might refute or twist later? Even if it was an unclear sentiment, Maya felt joy when Elena referred to them as friends.
Leo, on the other hand, seemed more than a little disturbed by the possibility of Maya's death.
A while back, during the quiet moments on the road trip to Mellgrah, they discussed what it meant for Leo to be a ghost shadowing her on her journey. Although cautioning her about how insane her decision to embark on the trip was, Leo seemed secretly intrigued by the idea. Even the prospect of living as a ghost wasn't something he hated.
Perhaps he had some kid-like sentiments about his condition; after all, a ghost can go anywhere, do anything, and never have to justify themselves to anyone. Maya had accepted his conformity and never breached the subject touching on it again. Just like never asking about the event and the cause of his death, Maya rather lived in chosen ignorance than acknowledging dark and uncomfortable truths.
Though she had slowly emerged from the strange delirium of trauma that had weighed on her this summer—and wished to view her past life as some strange dream—she couldn't. A literal ghost from her past was right here with her.
Maya didn't know what to do with Leo who had become somewhat quiet and reserved since yesterday's incident. He seemed troubled and somewhat resentful Maya was more overjoyed by that devious fiend blurting out the word 'friend' than by two guys giving everything in their power to save her—one failing and the other one succeeding.
Unlike Maya, Leo didn't have the possibility to form 'friendships'. Though there were many dead spirits around, each of them was alone, trapped in their own bubbles of trauma. Rarely did they have sufficient presence of mind to do anything besides lingering somewhere between existing and not existing.
No wonder Leo grew so protective of Maya and her well-being. After all, she was the only one left for him.
'You have the whole world while I only have you…' Leo's words lingered in Maya's mind. 'So please… don't die.'
His words were somewhat sweet though more than a little sad. He smiled at the end.
'I'll be careful from now on, so you don't have to worry.'
🜺🜺🜺🜺
Maya's group of friends filled the academy cafeteria with lively chatter. The outgoing Andrea enthusiastically shared the latest gossip, while the reserved Linda listened attentively, and the intellectual Isaac occasionally added intriguing facts. Elena and Sarah were frequently absent these days.
Andrea leaned in, a mischievous glint in her eye. "So, Maya, any juicy stories to share?"
Maya blushed, realizing the news of her recent near-death experience might have spread. "Oh, so you heard."
"So you also had a chance to be swept by Keith's dashing heroism," Andrea was giggling.
Linda offered a comforting smile. "Are you feeling okay now, Maya?"
"Yeah, much better," Maya replied, grateful for the concern.
As the group finished lunch, the conversation shifted to their plans for the afternoon. Just as they were contemplating exploring school clubs, Adam approached, a charismatic smile on his face.
"Mind if I join you guys?" Adam asked, pulling up a chair. "Oh, by the way, Maya, are you feeling alright? I heard you were taken to the emergency room last night."
"You too?" Maya was embarrassed. "Does nothing go past you guys?"
"It's hard to go unnoticed when you get princess-carried down the street by the Prince of Amellan."
Maya felt her cheeks burning. It was embarrassing enough that Elena and Keith saw her in that state yesterday, but now the whole school knows of it. Even Adam.
The group continued to banter, teasing Maya. At one point, they decided to explore potential school clubs. Andrea, always the social butterfly, suggested, "How about we check out the notice board? I heard some clubs are holding a presentation to recruit new members."
Linda nodded in agreement, and Isaac added, "Sounds cool. Let's give it a shot!"
Adam, seizing the chance to spend more time with Maya, smiled. "Great idea. Lead the way!"
In the midst of the bustling academy, the group gathered around the club notice board, their eyes scanning the array of colourful flyers and announcements posted. Overwhelmed by numerous options, Isaac and Linda took some of the fliers that were of interest to them while Maya idled on the side, watching the courtyard through the window, she had many thoughts in her mind.
"Maya, have you been considering what club to join?" Adam asked, a curious expression on his face.
"Is it mandatory?"
"I don't think anyone will force you, but I've never heard of a student not joining any clubs. Even if it is something obscure as Seance and Spirit Connection Club, everyone has their name in a roster of a club or two."
Maya almost flinched at the name of the club he chose to mention.
"You do know that most of the academy runs on students' effort, right? Even the school lunch is technically the responsibility of the Culinary Club and gardens are taken care of by the Gardening Club," Isaac chimed in.
"And it's a good way to rack up merits," Adam added.
That made sense. If clubs contributed so much to the normal functioning of the academy, it was logical they win merit points for their effort.
Maya pondered for a bit. "I'm already employed as a cleaner. Does that count?"
"I guess that's still a club we do not have even with the outrageous number of clubs there is." Adam laughed.
"Name an activity and I bet you we have a club for it." Andrea crossed her arms and nodded.
"Then do you have any suggestions? I'd like something that isn't too demanding."
"Herbology and Apothecary Club?" Linda suggested. "Although I don't know how demanding it is."
"How about a social club?" Andrea proposed, clasping her hands together in excitement. "Those are bound to be fun."
"As freshmen, we're in the same boat, Maya." Isaac pointed out, evaluating the flyers he had picked.
Of course, they wouldn't know much. Clubs are open for applications from next week onward, after the Initiation and 'culling' of freshmen students.
Maya glanced over the notice board again. The colourful posts were eye-catching, but they didn't tell her much about what to expect. At the time, she didn't have much interest and requirements were unclear. Some of them could be unexpectedly demanding, and she didn't want to end up dragging members down if merits were at stake.
"Perhaps Keith would have a recommendation. As a senior student and a council member, he's bound to know which clubs are worth looking into," Maya said, but didn't feel close enough to Keith to bother him with something so trivial. She sighed, "I just wish there was a way to find information more easily. It's so different without the internet."
"Oh, but there is." Andrea's eyes lit up with a mischievous glint. "Well, Maya, it seems you haven't heard of Village at Charred Pavilion. They are also a club. Their tea parties are the best way for students to exchange all the juicy details and gossip floating around the academy."
"A gossip club?"
Andrea grinned. "Oh, it's so much more than that! Imagine having your own little corner of the internet, right here in the academy. Maureen, the so-called 'Village Queen,' is like our all-knowing internet provider. She's got a crazy amount of information about every interest you can think of, and she can find out anything you want! For a price, of course."
Maya looked sceptical. "Wait, so they earn money?"
Andrea chuckled. "No, no. You pay with information. You share a bit of gossip, and you get the scoop on something else. It's like a rudimentary version of social media but without the digital screens. You'll love it, Maya! It's a fantastic way to stay in the loop. Coincidentally, if you aren't interested in joining, you can still visit any time for advice or information."
"Oh… that sounds… interesting. But surely such a system is not reliable—"
"Oh, there's Elena!" Adam exclaimed, pointing toward her figure unassumingly lingering at the end of the corridor.
The group automatically started moving in her direction and Elena silently acknowledged them when they approached.
"Hey, want to join up? We're going to spend the rest of break time exploring clubs," Maya made her an offer, knowing Elena wouldn't initiate to join.
"Can't. Gotta run. Tell Kasper better luck next time."
"Huh?"
Before anyone managed to request her to elaborate, she had already opened the hallway window and jumped out.
Maya gasped. "This is the second floor!"
The whole squad leaned through the open window to watch Elena, having readily landed on her feet like a cat, scurry away.
"What was that about?" Andrea was confused. Of course, she would be—they all were—but to her, it especially mattered if someone was bringing up 'her' Kasper.
Not a moment later, Kasper, suddenly dropped by them still at the open window.
"Hey, guys, have you seen Elena by any chance?"
Then it clicked to Maya. "What trouble did she cause this time?"