Beyond The Crash

CHAPTER 12 | [FUTURE WISE ACADEMY <PT IV>]

"Alright, that'll be all for today," the teacher spoke as he rounded up the lesson. Some students started sighing of relief that he was done.

"Finally,"

"I thought he would keep talking,"

They all mumbled to themselves, unknowing that he could hear them.
"You all are just fortunate that it's the first day or else," he warned them, and they all looked annoyed. They knew what he was capable of.

Lilley packed her things and was about to leave the class, but Axel stopped her. She turned to look at him, confused, and he just stared at her.
"Yeah?"

"Do you, no, never mind," he let go of her hand and avoided her stare. "Have a good one."

He left the class, leaving her more confused at ever.
I seriously don't get him. She said to herself.

A while later, after her other classes, she tried to make her way to the cafeteria but couldn't seem to find it.
Seriously, this school is unnecessarily huge. She said, frustrated as she rested on a nearby staircase.

She had walked 'round but still couldn't locate the cafeteria and had grown tired. She was glad, though, that all the classes she'd had distracted her from the situation she was in. As if fated, Nicky just had to be nearby. He came out of the room opposite to where she rested and walked over to her.

"Are you okay? Sick? Headache? Do you feel nauseous?" He asked all at once as she slowly looked up at him. She didn't know if it was the hunger, but she saw white light surrounding him as if he were an angel. He might as well be, considering how helpful and nice he is to her.
Maybe he's really not human.

"I'm just hungry," she said as she bent her head.

"Oh, then why didn't you say so," he chuckled a bit as he grinned. He lent out his hand for her. "I'll take you there."

She looked up at him again, and the light around him seemed to have grown brighter. She felt a sweet feeling in her stomach as she took his hand. The warmth made her shiver a bit. He pulled her up in one full swift, and as usual, he didn't break eye contact.

Yes, there's no way he's a human. She thought as he was always there whenever and wherever. Especially when she's in need.

*●|●*

They arrived at the cafeteria, still holding hands. Lilley stared in awe as she looked 'round the cafeteria. A place where first years to third years can mingle together. Nicky smiled at her reaction but quickly tore his eyes off her as she looked at him.
"There's Axel," he led the way as they walked to the table where Axel sat.

More and more, she thought. It feels so real.
"Hey, didn't I tell you to wait for me?" Nicky said, immediately they got to the table, unknowingly still holding her hands.

"There was a discount," was Axel reply as he munched on a drumstick. Nicky eyes glowed as he heard the word discount. His smile widened as he immediately made his way to order, leaving Lilley with Axel.

"Discount? I thought lunch was free," she said as she took a seat opposite him.

"They are," he simply replied.

"Then why a discount?" She asked.

Axel shrugged. "We just call it that." He continued his meal. She stared at the pink haired boy in front of her. She couldn't read him at all. Although he just ate quietly and peacefully, she couldn't help but think his mind was somewhere else. She quickly came out of her thoughts as Axel asked her a question.
"Pardon?"

"You're not going to eat?" He asked with a raised brow.

"Oh, I am. I'll be right back." She stood up and went to join a que. Fortunately for her, Dina saw her before she joined the back and called her over.

She started to Dina as she glanced back at the table. She saw Nicky was back with two trays and was already talking with Axel. She saw him smiling genuinely as he spoke to Nicky, something she thought she would never see. She took note of how nice and approachable he is when he's smiling. So why doesn't he keep on smiling? She wondered, though he need not smile all the time, she's sure it could be tiring, and then she wondered how Nicky does it.

"They're weird, right?" Dina whispered, startling Lilley.

"I can't say," she replied as she glanced one last time. If being nice and helpful to someone you've never seen before, then Nicky must be really weird, she noted.

"They've been like that since I've known them. They're practically inseparable. Brothers from different mothers." Dina commented as she shook her head with a knowing smile.

She turned to Dina. She's usually not the type to be invested in people's affairs or life. Maybe not completely, but she's aware of her boundaries and doesn't force anything, but yet, in this world that feels real, she's curious about everything. Down to the individuals.
Do they know there's another world out there? How can other species that are not human exist? Are they humans? How many worlds are there? Do these people just go on with their daily life like how she did before she—unintentionally—entered this world? What are their lives like? Is it normal to have different colours of hair in this world, or are they dyed? And so much more as she stared at Dina.

Dina saw the glint—maybe a whole lot—of curiosity in her eyes and couldn't help but chuckle. "I've been friends with them since, I think the last year of our first year in middle school. They've known each other even longer, I tell you." She laughed softly at the end as she arranged her glasses.

She felt a slight ping in her chest. She saw the connection they had through Dina's eyes. She once had those. She swallowed as she blinked, urging Dina to say more. As much as it reminds her of what no longer seems to exist at present, she felt warm seeing her talk about them, which surprised her as she never thought she had a sentimental side.

"But," Dina sighed as she irked her brow, breaking the comforting yet nostalgic silence. "Hanging out with them can really be a pain sometimes,"

Lilley blinked, stunned as she continued. "It's like taking of kids, and that's not an understatement." Her lips curved downwards into a frown as she sighed, recalling memories with them. But despite her comment, she saw affection in Dina's eyes.