Rats, Roses And Paper Bones

Chapter 6: Trouble in paradise

    The prep session felt excruciatingly long.

Long hours.

Awkward silence.

And an uncomfortable awareness of the person sitting directly across from me.

Those were the things I had to endure before I could finally leave for the hostel.

The session was uncomfortable mostly because I was trying very hard not to look at him.

And, judging by the occasional movement I caught from the corner of my eye, he knew exactly what I was doing.

At one point, I could have sworn I saw him smirking.

Great.

There was no doubt about it now.

He recognised me.

He just didn't want to say anything yet.

He seemed like the kind of person who would happily let me suffer in my guilt for a while before bringing it up.

And, honestly, I was grateful.

Because if he said something, he would probably start with:

“Why were you so rude when I was only trying to help?”

Then I'd start searching for a reasonable explanation.

I wouldn't find one.

Then I'd probably get defensive.

Then I might accidentally insult him.

He'd insult me back.

We'd start arguing.

Everyone would stare.

Things would get awkward.

Then...

I'd probably die of embarrassment.

So yes.

Silence was perfectly fine.

When the prep session finally ended, I packed my things and headed towards the hostel.

I was walking alone.

Dara had ditched me and sprinted ahead because she desperately needed to use the bathroom.

I wasn't surprised.

“Hey, Doyin, right?”

A voice behind me interrupted my thoughts.

I turned.

It was the girl from the dining hall.

“Hey, Miss Porridge.”

I waved.

The moment the words left my mouth, I realised my mistake.

She gave me a strange look.

Uh-oh.

She must have been offended that I didn't remember her name.

Or maybe she was wondering why I hadn't come to sit with her during prep.

I looked down.

“I'm sorry.”

She blinked.

“For what?”

“I...”

I hesitated.

“I forgot your name.”

I felt genuinely bad.