One week must pass before the midterm examinations.
Air was refreshing and calmness has taken over the streets since the sun was no longer visible.
Sylvian walked down the old road while putting his hands into the pockets.
He was supposed to study at home, but after twenty minutes of reading something he wasn't able to understand he found out that he needs to take a little walk.
Moreover, he was short of snacks.
"Maybe I should go and get something for the night…"
He looked at the convenience store that was nearby.
He needed something edible and drinkable and then he would go home and come up with some more studying.
It was that easy.
However, the car behind Sylvian was going slower than usual.
Also, looking through the window Akiel was watching.
He was just passing by.
"Should I stop?"
Akiel faltered.
"...Yeah."
The vehicle came to a soft halt.
Akiel alighted, gazing at Sylvian from some distance.
"Sylvian."
Sylvian halted.
He turned back, startled.
"Akiel?"
Akiel sidled up to him with hands in pockets.
"What are you doing here?"
Sylvian raised an eyebrow.
"I could return you the question."
"I was just passing by."
"Uh-huh."
Sylvian looked at him suspiciously.
Akiel turned away.
"...What?"
"Nothing."
"You are looking."
"Because you act suspiciously."
Akiel laughed derisively.
"Not at all."
"Sure."
For a short while they stayed silently.
Then Sylvian pointed toward the store.
"I was going to buy some snacks for studies. Want to join?"
Akiel glanced at the store.
Then at Sylvian.
"...Okay."
Moments later, they exited the shop, hands filed with multiple bags.
Sylvian has bought much more than he originally planned.
Akiel looked into his buy.
"You bought all of that for just one night?"
"I need some power."
"You will eat all of that?"
"I guess."
Akiel shook his head.
"What you are doing is crazy."
"But you still went out with me."
"I had nothing to do."
"Aha."
They sat down on a bench waiting.
The lamps illuminated the street.
They sat down in silence for some time.
It was not an uncomfortable silence.
It was more an inner peace.
Sylvian opened his snack-package and looked at Akiel.
"You are recovering, aren't you?"
Akiel's face indicated that he was unsure.
"I am fine."
"You sound as if you are minting this statement."
"I am fine."
Sylvian frowned.
"You said the same thing last time."
Akiel stared ahead.
"I told you I am fine."
His tone was strangely flat.
Sylvian lowered his voice.
"You do not have to hide anything from me."
Akiel did not reply.
"You know you can tell me when you have a problem, right?"
"I know."
"Then why do you not talk to me about your problems?"
Akiel shrugged.
"I do not have a problem."
Sylvian stared at him.
"You are a lousy liar."
At last, Akiel turned to face him.
Then Sylvian put a gentle push on Akiel's shoulder and said,
"Hey."
"What is it?"
"Let's promise each other something."
Akiel stared at him.
"What promise?"
"We will be getting through all our mid-term tests this time around."
Akiel had a blank stare on his face.
"That does not sound much like a promise rather than a threat."
Sylvian could not hold back his laughter.
"Listen, I am serious."
"So am I."
"In that case, let's promise each other."
Akiel was looking at him without blinking.
Sylvian extended his little finger.
Akiel looked at it.
"Are you a child?"
"Just do it."
"Fine…"
Akiel gradually extended his pinky finger to meet Sylvian's.
"Right! We will pass."
"We will."
Akiel was still staring at him.
"Together."
Sylvian smiled.
"You see? That wasn't so very hard."
"Don't make such a fuss about it."
"I wouldn't."
"You would."
"I wouldn't."
And they both laughed heartily.
They were chatting about random subjects.
School.
Teachers.
The enormous volume of homework they had to do.
A snack that Sylvian had bought and that Akiel claimed was very bad.
A video that Sylvian saw earlier.
And without him knowing, the real conversation slipped away.
Akiel quietly heard them.
His eyes started to fall asleep.
The heat of the evening, the sleepy street, and the sound of Sylvian's voice relaxed him a lot.
Sylvian continued with his story.
"...And then she literally told me I should..."
There was a break.
Akiel had bent a bit.
"Akiel?"
No reply.
Sylvian smiled.
"Are you listening?"
Akiel could open his eyes almost completely.
"Yes..."
"That's not true."
"What?"
Akiel opened his eyes more.
"...Something about school."
Sylvian laughed.
"That was what I thought."
Akiel closed his eyes again.
Sylvian was watching him.
"Are you tired?"
"...A bit."
"Go home."
"I realize it."
There was some silence.
"Sylvian..."
"Hmmm?"
Akiel opened his eyes slowly.
For a second his eyes were following Sylvian.
There has been a break of duration. Now—
"Sylvian..."
"Hmm?"
Akiel opened his eyelids slowly.
For the short time, his eyes fell on Sylvian's face.
Everything else began to recede into the background.
Sylvian blinked.
Akiel moved closer—
And—
A gentle and warm feeling touched Sylvian's cheeks.
His eyes became wide.
Then, suddenly Akiel jerked.
Sylvian got rooted in his place.
He touched his face.
No feeling.
The seat next to him is vacant.
The street is deserted.
And the vehicle has already gone far away.
Sylvian was gazing after it.
"...What?"
He blinked several times.
Maybe it was all imaginary.
He shook his head.
"I must be tired too."
When Sylvian got back home, everything at home was peaceful.
He straight away proceeded to his room, opened his laptop, and began to work.
One sheet.
Next one.
Next one.
His eyes became heavier and heavier.
Eventually, his head fell on his hands.
Thus, he slept without knowing it himself.
Not too long after, his mother quietly opened the door.
She was holding a bowl of fruit salad and yogurt.
"Sylvian?"
No reply.
She looked at his desk.
Then she let out a sad sigh.
"Oh, my child…"
She carefully placed the food down.
His father came out at the door.
"Again?"
"What is it?" his mother nodded.
"He slept on his desk."
He father smiled slightly.
"Let's take him to bed."
They ensured that Sylvian was moved safely from his study to the bed.
Once the job was done, his mother went back to the desk where she saw the whole mess.
She saw that there were papers, books, many wires, and gadgets everywhere.
She thought to herself,
She switched off his computer first.
She went on to switch his phone off too.
Then plugged his earbuds and other connected devices.
She took one by one everything that was there and arranged it where it should have been.
In the corner of one of the pages was a tiny doodle.
It was a simple sketch.
A familiar face.
Dark grey hair.
And those unmistakable blond ends.
Akiel.
His mother didn't notice.
She simply closed the book and placed it neatly onto the shelf.
Then she turned off the desk lamp.
The room fell quiet.
And the little drawing remained hidden between the pages..