The Promise We Couldn't Keep

5

TPWCK:
FIVE

…………

BEFORE I could move on from that night and put it all behind, our research teacher made us sit with our group and ran through the contents of the first chapter of a research paper before she tasked every group to start brainstorming for a topic and title, then she headed out.

While the other groups were busy and loud, the three of us remained facing each other, but no one dared to speak. Another moment passed with the silence stretching thin between us before Rinia sighed dramatically. She eyed each of us before she spoke.

“So any suggestion?”

I was about to suggest heading to the library or any place quieter than the classroom to escape the noise and exchange ideas without interruption when he beat me from speaking.

“I have,” he said.

When it appeared that he had no plans elaborating, Rinia rolled her eyes. “And what do you suggest, sire?”

He threw me a sideway glance. It wasn’t just me who caught it, as Rinia squinted her eyes at him.

“That we go to a less noisy place. The library, perhaps. I can’t focus with all these noise.”

I was pretty sure he was lying at the last part. Back when we were still whatever we were, he had no troubles focusing in both quiet and noisy places. Or maybe he’d changed. Or maybe I didn’t really know him. Maybe this was the real him and everything he showed me back then were just pretenses. Instead of pointing this out, I bit my tongue and gave Rinia a single nod, who probably thought the same thing about his excuse, if the look she was directing at me meant anything.

There was only one other research group in the library when we got there, and I could finally breathe better. The frequenters probably had classes at this time. The room wasn’t as big as the ones in the movies nor did it match the description from the books, our school was the smallest school in the municipal after all, but it was filled with books.

Besides, those who used the library always observed silence. Maybe the reason why the school needed no librarian. This place was as good as any other library even without an eye and with its little space.

We sat near a corner close to a window on the opposite side from the door. I dusted off the seat next to Rinia and sat on it after I made sure it was clean and expected him to sit on her other side but was mildly surprised when he sat on the vacant seat next to me.

Just friends, I reminded myself mentally when my breath hitched as his shoulder brushed against mine.

The wooden long table was suddenly an interesting object to me what with the awkward silence wrenching its skin among and over us. In my peripheral view, I could see him turning sideways and resting his head on the heel of his palm while his elbow rested on the table.

I traced the many tiny scratches on the table with the tip of my finger and felt its rough edges prick my skin. It couldn’t take my mind off of the man so I turned to Rinia and gave her a look.

She put the junkfood she brought on the table and looked at us, fiddling the wrapper with her finger.

“How about plastics?” she said.

“HUH,” I said as loudly as what was socially acceptable inside the library despite myself. “Plastics.”

“Sam,” she whispered, a warning in her tone.

“What? I just said ‘plastics.’ They’re everywhere, you know? And we do need to find ways to upcycle them, especially single-use plastics.”

I made sure not to move from my seat. I didn’t want to see him or his reaction. I didn’t need to. She closed her eyes for a moment then sighed before she forced a tight-lipped smile. She looked like she aged a lot in just a few minutes. Way to go, Sam.