"Let's walk to school together tomorrow, okay?"
I jolted up. I remembered the exact thing she told me yesterday. I got out of bed, brushed my teeth, cooked mom food and wore my uniform. I even styled my hair a little today. I couldn't sleep at all yesterday. I maybe slept for 4 hours. I couldn't help it. I was full of anticipation today. From the time I joined college until now, never had I ever been this excited to walk there.
"Mom, I'm out." I shouted to no reply. It was expected. Other days, this would make me feel a little downcast but not today. Today I was on cloud nine. I practically skipped past the house between mine and Evana's. Then I bumped into someone.
"Hello young man. Watch where you're walking."
"!!!!" Evana's Dad. Someone I had once seen from afar. Someone I had waved to once. Someone whose daughter I was walking to college with today. I didn't know but I felt a little scared facing him.
"Dad, who are you talking to?" I heard Evana's voice. I sighed with relief.
"Benji, what are you doing here?"
"College?"
"Oops, I almost forgot. Come on, let's go~"
"Dear, you know each other?" Her father asked.
"Yes, dad. He's my new classmate. I found out he was living near us so invited him to walk to college together."
"Oh... Alright. Take care dear. And you too young man; what was your name again?"
"Benji, Sir. Benji Akihen."
"Good name. You'd also do well to remember mine. I'm Elias Rowe."
"Okay, dad, he'll remember it. Come, Benji let's go or else we'll be late." She said rolling eyes at her dad.
We were on our way. I felt her dad's gaze linger on me for a few seconds. Truthfully, it was a pretty scary experience. Why I was so scared, I didn't know myself.
"Your dad's a scary man!"
"What do you mean? He's just a normal guy. You are letting him scare you for nothing. You should see how he acts in front of my mom~" She giggled.
"Whats your mom's name, Evana?"
"It's Anya. What about you Benji? Tell me about your parents."
My heart dropped. Should I tell the truth or should I lie? Will she stop associating with me after knowing about my parents? Will she look at me the same way or have a tinge of disgust in her eyes?
"Did I ask something wrong, Benji?" She asked innocently.
I gave her a wry smile. I told her, "My mom's name is Shina. My dad's name was Akenji."
"Was?"
"Well, that's what he said his name was when he was with us. But after he left us, I question if anything about him was ever true."
"...I'm sorry."
"No, there is no reason to feel sorry. In fact, I should be the one sorry for ruining the mood. I'm sorry."
"It's fine. Don't worry. Forget that depressing topic anyway. Oh look we're almost there."
We reached college. After what felt like an instant, we had already reached our destination. We went to our classroom, talking the whole way. The other students were giving me a weird look. It seemed as if they were shocked that I was speaking with someone. That was natural. But, I had made a promise to myself the night before that I would be more sociable. So, I tried to give them a smile.
They looked away. Someone snickered. It looked like they had seen something funny. My forced smile must have been horrible. I claimed in my heart and sat down behind Evana.
I broke my promise. I couldn't force myself to socialize. It came naturally with her but with others..... it felt impossible. The day quickly came to an end and we returned together as well. She spoke of various things, what music she liked, what games she played, what movies she watched, I listened to all of it attentively.
When she asked me the same questions, I couldn't keep the same energy. After listening to my answers, maybe she took pity in me. She offered to help me. She recommended me movies, artists, singers. I promised her that I would check all of it out today. Finally, we reached her house.
"Bye, Benji. See you tomorrow?"
"See you tomorrow!"
I told my goodbyes and started walking towards my house. But then, I felt uncomfortable. I felt a weird sensation behind my back. A creepy feeling.
A feeling that someone was watching me.
I turned back and saw Evana's dad at his doorstep watching me intensely. I was terrified. But, after a moment, he waved at me. I reflexively waved back and he went back inside.
It was as if the previous interaction had never happened.