𝕞𝕚𝕝𝕖𝕤 𝕚𝕟 𝕓𝕖𝕥𝕨𝕖𝕖𝕟 || 𝚅𝚒𝚗𝚗𝚒𝚎 𝙷𝚊𝚌𝚔𝚎𝚛- the sequel

1. 'i didn't catch your name.'

One year ago

September

There's nothing more heartwarming than knowing that today is my last first day of school. I don't think I've been so happy for my first day of school since first grade. I have a... feeling about this year. It's not necessarily a good feeling, but it's there. And I can't tell if it's just me romanticizing everything or if I actually do I have this feeling. I just feel like this year is going to be different. Something about this year will stick with me forever.

Gigi's mother offers to take us to school today, so we don't have to take the bus. I think it's lovely of her to offer and it makes me really happy because it means that in some ways Gigi and her mother are building their bond again. I can also tell by the sweet smile they give each other before Gigi and I get down and she drives away. I don't make any comment about it because whenever Gigi feels like there's enough progress to tell me about it, then I'll tell her just how happy I am for both of them. Instead, I just push her shoulder with mine and smile at her.

"This is going to be a good year." She says. "It has to be. It's our last. Then we're off travelling the world."

I chuckle because it's starting to feel real. The possibility that by this time next year, we'll be in another continent. "I believe in us. We're putting in our best this year."

I'm not sure when the aesthetic feeling of this being our last year is going to kick in, but it doesn't happen in the first hours. When the bell finally rings for the lunch break, I sigh in relief. It was definitely a good feeling seeing all the friends I didn't get to hang out with over the summer again and we're all equally excited, but we didn't get to catch up on anything because this isn't primary school where the teachers ask for a summary of our holidays on the first day.

I pack my bag and exit the class. I'm the last as per usual because I like to have my desk filled with pens and notebooks and anything, just to make it feel... better, I guess. So by the time I finish packing everything back in my bag, everyone has probably already gotten to the cafeteria.

It doesn't bother me though. Gigi, I and our friends have our table at the cafeteria, so we don't have to chase anyone for it. It's not assigned but it's the table just at the centre of the cafeteria and no one goes for that table because the year 13 students know it's ours from last year and the year 12 students are too shy to go for that table. The hallways are basically empty on my side of the school because of course they made my class before lunch break be at the opposite side of the cafeteria. But it's all good because I like empty school hallways.

 I'm admiring the school I won't have to see again after this year when, as I make the turn for the hallway that finally leads to the cafeteria, I feel a weight bump against me.

"Shit! I'm so sorry."

I have to move my braids out of my face to get a good look at the guy who just accidentally bumped into me. It wasn't that serious. I'm completely fine. Had we been speeding, then it could have warranted the apology he's giving me.

"It's fine. I'm fine." I smile, almost laughing, at the boy who doesn't look like he's in year 12, but I've never seen before today. 

"Are you okay?" I  ask him instead after taking in his look. He looks good, I can't lie, but he seems tired.

"Yeah, I was looking for my locker, but I found the cafeteria first," He takes a deep breath in and out, indicating he's worn out. "I'm just tired of touring the whole school to get to my locker." He sighs with a laugh.