Now I finally got to my room. She was still following me.
I suddenly got to see my advisor—our class teacher. I sighed. This teacher is seriously sick in the head.
As expected, she screamed the moment she saw me and hugged me excitedly.
"Your back my dear!"
"Yeah" I rolled my eyes
"Oh dear, don't be like that"
She held both my shoulders and looked at me
"Dear, let me introduce you to your class!"
"Ma'am, they know me already!" I said aggressively
And she pulled me, and we both entered the room.
When the door opened, an uncomfortable silence greeted us.
"What's wrong with them?" the girl whispered behind me
"I don't know too lol" I whispered back
My classmates started gossiping as I walked in.
My teacher stood in front and brought me forward, side to side.
"Good morning everyone. Starting today, Zizy, your old classmate will be joining us."
"Introduce your name again, Zizy?"
"Ahhh… okay"
"My name is Zizy. I'm 17 years old. I hope there's no conflict now that I'm here"
"Why do you have to say that?" my teacher muttered
My classmates looked like they already hated me.
(Wow. Just wow. Did I step into a lion's den? Or maybe a reality TV show?) I thought
"Okay, okay everyone. Zizy, please sit at the back, extra seat" She clapped and pointed my seat
I sat down.
(Extra seat? Oh, great. Nothing says welcome like "we already decided we hate you." Perfect start.)
Time passed.
"Ugh… I have a lot to catch up" I muttered
Then one of my classmates suddenly approached me.
"Hey, how are you"
"Why are you talking to me?" I asked
She smirked.
"So you totally forgot me?"
That's when I realized—it was the same co-worker from the café.
"What? You're the same age? And why are we in the same section!!?" I jolted
"Shut your mouth" she sat beside me
"Now why are you coming closer" I asked
"Shut up, I'm also new here"
Behind us, I felt a glare. The girl was glaring at Florence.
"Why are they sitting beside?" she whispered to me
"I don't know, they're weird. So are you" I whispered back, pushing her lightly
(Seriously. Why do all humans have to come in packs? Is there some secret "group attack" rule I missed?)
"Okay whatever, you need to catch up faster? Let's go together?" she asked
I hadn't hung out with anyone in a long time. Would it be okay…? Would it really be okay?
Suddenly, the girl whispered softly in my ear
"Yeah, it's okay!"
"Huh?"
I looked at her. She smiled faintly. I felt a warmth spread through me, but…
Florence noticed my sudden smile and frowned slightly.
"What are you smiling at?" she asked
I froze. Only I could see the girl. Florence didn't know why I was smiling.
"Nothing" I said quickly
(Yeah right. Totally normal to smile at empty air. Not creepy at all, Zizy.) I thought
"By the way, what's your name again?" Florence asked
"Oh, you still don't know me? I'm Florence. And you?"
"Zizy"
"Let's go" Florence said
The three of us walked out together—me, Florence, and the girl who silently followed me, unseen by everyone else
We walked to the library. Florence jabbered about teachers, classrooms, and how confusing schedules were.
(Why does she talk so much? Does she even breathe?) I thought, smiling a little
The girl stayed silently behind me, like always. It was… nice.
When we entered the library, quietness swallowed us. I found a small table near the back.
"Here" I said automatically. "You can sit here"
Florence blinked. She was already sitting in front of me.
She frowned and crossed her arms.
(What's with her, acting like at any time I would attack her… and saying "sit" randomly when I'm already sitting?) Florence thought
Then I realized—I meant her. The girl.
I froze. No one else could see her.
She smiled faintly at me and sat down. I felt warmth I couldn't explain.
I whispered, trying to sound casual,
"Don't take up too much space, okay? I only have so much air to share."
She tilted her head and smirked, "You worry too much."
I rolled my eyes, "I'm talking to air, remember? Air can be tricky."
She laughed softly, just enough for me to hear, "I'm not just air."
I froze. "Oh great. Now the invisible air is sassier than me. Perfect."
(Also… why do I feel like I just got called out on national TV? Calm down!)
Florence noticed my pause and frowned.
"Are you spacing out?" she asked, frowning
"Uh… no" I muttered, trying to act normal, scratching the back of my head.
Seriously, Zizy, act normal. She's gonna think you're crazy, I thought
Time passed. We studied. Florence didn't notice the girl at all.
And somehow, that made her presence even more special.
"Hey," I whispered to Florence, "you're quiet today. No mischief?"
She grinned faintly, "I save my mischief for later."
I bit my lip to stop talking.
"Are you done?" Florence ask.
"Ahhh not yet" I flinched.
The girl noticed Zizy bit his lip. She sighed.
When the bell rang, we packed up.
"See you later, Zizy! We'll have lunch together tomorrow!" Florence said brightly
"Yeah, sure" I replied faintly.
We walked out of the library together, then split paths—Florence going one way, me another.
I let out a sigh as the girl's hand gently brushed my shoulder.
"Are you guys… friends now?" she asked softly
I felt my face heat up.
"Em… yeah, I guess we are" I muttered, embarrassed
She smiled faintly at me. And that warmth… it stayed.
(Why am I blushing like an idiot? She's just asking a question. Chill, Zizy.)
I walked the rest of the way home with a strange flutter in my chest, thinking…
Maybe having her here isn't so scary after all.