The city's rhythm envelops them, the distant honks of car horns and snippets of conversation blending into the hum of the morning.
Mya and Obinai weave through the bustling crowd, their steps quick and synchronized. The towering buildings around them reflect the bright morning sun, scattering patterns of light and shadow onto the sidewalks. People rush past in a blur of colors and purpose, their faces focused as they navigate the morning hustle.
As they near the train station, the flow of people intensifies. The station entrance buzzes with activity—commuters tapping their cards at turnstiles, hurried footsteps echoing as others descend to the platforms. The rhythmic hum of announcements calling out train arrivals and departures fills the air.
Mya pauses for a moment, glancing at the bustling station and then at Obinai. "Wait," she says, her brow furrowing. "We're actually taking the train? Since when? We usually walk."
Obinai smirks, reaching down to tap her lightly on the nose. "Just wanted to be generous," he says casually, though there's a warm undertone to his voice. "Today feels like it's gonna be special. Now come on!" He grabs her hand, tugging her gently forward.
Mya grins, her earlier skepticism replaced by excitement as they dart into the station. The crowd thickens as they approach the turnstiles, and Obinai fishes out his transit card, swiping it quickly. Mya follows, her smaller hand gripping her backpack tightly as they squeeze through the narrow gates.
"Final boarding call for Train 6 to the central district," echoes over the station speakers, the robotic voice cutting through the chaos.
"Come on, Mya!" Obinai calls out, glancing over his shoulder with a grin. "This is where we find out how fast you really are!"
"Faster than you, that's for sure!" Mya retorts, her ponytail bouncing as she matches his pace.
They race down the stairs, their footsteps blending into the noise of the station. Obinai leads the way, his grip firm on Mya's hand as they weave through the bustling crowd. The rush of cool air from the approaching train hits them as they reach the platform, just in time to see the doors beginning to close.
"Go, go, go!" Obinai shouts, and with one final burst of speed, they leap through the narrowing gap. The doors slide shut behind them with a soft hiss, sealing them inside.
The train car is crowded, filled with commuters clutching briefcases, scrolling on phones, or chatting in low tones. Mya and Obinai squeeze into a small space near the door, catching their breaths. Obinai leans against a pole, his chest heaving as he laughs.
"We made it," he says between breaths, his grin wide. "Barely, but we made it."
Mya clutches another pole, her cheeks flushed from the dash. Her eyes are wide with excitement, and her backpack bounces lightly as the train begins to move. "That was awesome! " she exclaims, her voice rising above the quiet murmur of the car.
Obinai chuckles, ruffling her hair. "Told you today was gonna be special, didn't I?"
Mya sticks her tongue out at him but doesn't hide her smile. "Special because you almost gave us a heart attack trying to make it?"
"Hey, it's all part of the adventure," Obinai replies, shrugging dramatically. He steadies himself against the sway of the train as it picks up speed.
Around them, the buzz of morning routines fills the car—papers rustling, snippets of conversation in a dozen different tones, the faint sound of music leaking from someone's earbuds. Mya glances around, taking in the scene with wide-eyed curiosity.
"This is way better than walking," she says, leaning slightly as the train curves around a bend.
Obinai smirks. "Don't get used to it, kid. This was a one-time deal."
Mya giggles, nudging him with her elbow. "Sure, Obi. Whatever you say."
As the train hums along, their reflections in the window flicker against the backdrop of the city speeding by.
Obinai leans casually against the pole, watching as Mya presses her face close to the window, her wide eyes reflecting the blur of passing scenery. Her fascination is palpable, the city flashing by like a living painting.
"Look at that!" she exclaims, pointing at a mural on the side of a building as they speed past. "It's so colorful! Do you think they painted it all in one day?"
Obinai chuckles, following her gaze. "Probably not, kid. That's a lot of paint. Maybe they had a team or something."
Mya's head snaps toward him, her eyes narrowing as she crosses her arms. "Kid? Really, Obi?"
"What?" Obinai says, grinning as he nudges her shoulder. "You are a kid."
"You're only six years older than me! " she exclaims, dramatically throwing her hands up. "That's not even a full decade. You can't call me a kid when you're barely not one yourself."
"Oh, so now we're debating life stages, huh?" Obinai shoots back, smirking. "I'm practically an adult compared to you."
Mya scoffs, rolling her eyes. "Yeah, sure, Mr. Practically an Adult, who still eats cereal for dinner when Mom's not home."
Obinai gasps, clutching his chest as if wounded. "Wow. Way to attack a man's coping mechanisms, Mya. Cereal is versatile, okay?"
"Uh-huh," Mya replies, raising an eyebrow. "And calling me kid isn't? You're only fourteen, Obi. Fourteen. That and your barely taller than me."
"Excuse me," Obinai counters, standing up straighter and puffing out his chest. "I'm a solid six inches taller than you, thank you very much. And I'm way more mature."
Mya bursts out laughing, pointing at him. "Mature? Says the guy who tripped over his own shoes yesterday while sitting down! "
"That was a tactical stumble!" Obinai retorts, crossing his arms with exaggerated dignity. "You wouldn't understand."
"Sure, Obi," Mya says, shaking her head with a grin. "Keep telling yourself that."
Obinai leans down slightly, grinning. "You're lucky I tolerate you, nerd."
"And you're lucky I tolerate you, " she fires back, sticking her tongue out at him.
Mya tilts her head thoughtfully. "Still, it must've taken forever. I'd totally paint something like that if I had the time. Or the talent."
"Hey, don't sell yourself short," Obinai replies, nudging her shoulder gently. "I've seen your art. Way better than mine ever was."
Mya grins, leaning into the compliment. "Thanks, Obi. But I've seen your stick figures. That's a really low bar."
Obinai laughs, holding up his hands in mock surrender. "Fair enough."
The train makes several stops, the doors sliding open to let passengers on and off. The rhythmic voice of the announcer echoes through the car, calmly detailing each station. The crowd shifts subtly with every stop, the space becoming more compact as commuters file in.
Obinai glances at his watch, a quick check to ensure they're still on schedule. "Next one's ours," he says, nudging Mya.
She nods and grabs the pole tightly, steadying herself as the train begins to slow. "Let's not miss this one, okay?" she teases.
"Trust me, I'm not jumping through doors again," Obinai replies with a smirk.
The brakes hiss as the train pulls into the station. As the doors open, the two step out into the flow of passengers heading for the exit. Obinai keeps a light hand on Mya's shoulder, guiding her through the bustling platform.
The crisp morning air greets them as they emerge from the station, the sounds of the city filling the space around them. The familiar sight of Crestwood Academy, with its grand gates and ivy-covered brick walls, comes into view. Students in crisp uniforms mill about, chatting and laughing as they make their way inside.
Mya pauses for a moment, turning to Obinai with a curious look. "You're not going to school again today, are you?"
The question catches Obinai off-guard, and he lets out a short laugh, trying to play it off. "What are you talking about? You know I got this," he says, his tone light but slightly defensive. He scratches the back of his neck, avoiding her gaze.
Mya isn't convinced. She narrows her eyes slightly, her lips pressing together in that thoughtful way she always does when she's about to call him out. "Obi," she says gently, her voice soft but firm. "You could really get in trouble this time."
Obinai sighs, his shoulders slumping as he shoves his hands into his pockets. "I'll figure it out," he mutters, glancing at the ground.
Mya steps closer, her small hand resting lightly on his arm. "Don't worry," she says, her voice supportive yet tinged with worry. "I won't say anything. But you should really think about it, okay? You don't want to make things harder for yourself."
He looks at her, her earnest expression making it harder to brush her off. He forces a small smile, ruffling her hair. "You're too smart for your own good, you know that?"
"Someone's gotta keep you in line," she quips, grinning up at him.
He laughs softly, pulling her into a brief side hug. "Alright, go on, nerd. Don't want to keep Mrs. Henderson waiting."
Mya rolls her eyes but smiles, adjusting the straps of her backpack. "Fine, fine. See you later, Obi," she says, turning toward the school gates. Obinai watches her go, his grin fading slightly as his eyes wander past the gates and take in her school.
Crestwood Academy is a striking blend of modern and traditional architecture. Towering glass facades glint in the morning sun, their sleek, reflective surfaces juxtaposed against the rich redbrick of older, ivy-covered buildings that whisper of the institution's long and storied history. Wide stone staircases lead up to arched entrances, while geometric walkways connect the newer structures, forming a seamless bridge between eras.
The front lawn stretches like an emerald carpet, perfectly manicured and dotted with flowering bushes in vibrant colors. Students of all ages crisscross the grounds, some hurrying to their classes, books clutched tightly, while others linger in small groups, their laughter and chatter adding life to the tranquil surroundings. The pathways, edged by tall, elegant lamp posts, lead to courtyards filled with benches and shaded by ancient oak trees.
Obinai shifts his weight, watching as Mya jogs up the pathway, her ponytail swinging in rhythm with her steps. She blends into the scene so effortlessly, her small frame disappearing for a moment amidst the bustling crowd. He sighs, stuffing his hands into his pockets, the weight of her earlier words lingering in his mind.
But then, she stops.
Mya halts abruptly, halfway up the path, and glances back at him. For a second, their eyes meet, and her face lights up with a mischievous grin. Obinai raises an eyebrow, confused, but before he can say anything, she turns on her heel and sprints back toward him.
"Mya, what—" he starts, but she's already leaping into his arms, catching him completely off guard.
"Oof!" Obinai stumbles slightly but catches her, his hands steadying her as she wraps her arms around his neck in a tight hug. "What was that for?" he asks, laughing softly, though his tone is laced with bewilderment.
"I don't know," she says, her voice muffled against his shoulder. "It just felt right."
He blinks, momentarily speechless, before his expression softens. "You're such a weirdo," he murmurs, hugging her back tightly.
Pulling away just enough to look him in the eye, Mya grins. "I love you, Obi," she says earnestly, the sincerity in her voice making his chest tighten.
"I love you too, kid," he replies, his voice low and warm, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
Satisfied, Mya hops down from his arms and jogs back toward the gates, her backpack bouncing with each step. She doesn't turn back this time, her focus already shifting to the day ahead as she weaves seamlessly into the crowd of students.
Obinai watches her go until she disappears from sight, the bustling energy of the school gates swallowing her up. He exhales deeply, glancing one last time at the sprawling campus before turning away.