Feather

05 - ⁿᵒᵗ ˢᵘⁿⁿⁱᵛᵃ

I arrived at the library before Sunniva, which meant I had minutes to spare for preparation. Lip gloss, perfume, hair done nicely. For her, I'd look my best. For anyone else, I'd look my worst and not care. If I was going to be near a gorgeous person, I needed to at least look a little nicer. After all, I couldn't have myself looking like the nerdy girl everyone knows me as. If I worked on my looks just a bit more, I could be popular. 

When I was emptying my bag, I realised I had left my phone at school. If there was an emergency and she had to cancel, then I would have no idea. Damn it. For having 'good grades' I really was stupid. I guess you can only be one kind of smart, and I was book smart. 

Sighing, I opened my chemistry books and began revising the questions she gave last week for the time being. I was hoping she wouldn't cancel last minute and message me. Although, I could probably lie to my parents that she was there and then I could do whatever I wanted until seven, if that would work. 

A hand brushed on my shoulder, causing me to jump and turn around. Luckily, it was just Sunniva and not a random stranger. "Hey, did you wait long?" She asked, taking a seat in front of me and putting her bag down. I shook my head. "Good, I was hoping I wouldn't leave you waiting. My mom had me do some things before I left."

"Oh. That's okay," I replied awkwardly, not sure what to say. 

Smiling, she took a pencil out of her pouch and looked up at me. "Well, let's start then." 

The last thing I wanted to do was chemistry. For studying for days on end, I was sick and tired of staring at books and writing things down. I needed a break, but if I told her that she'd get upset. I would be wasting her time if I told her I didn't want to do this anymore. "Do we have to?" I blurted out unintentionally. 

It seemed that took her by surprise. "Sorry?" 

"Study. Do we have to?" I asked again. "I've been studying nonstop for days, and I was really hoping I could just... you know, get a break. I understand if you don't want to, because this is probably just wasting your time anyway, but..." I trailed off. 

Almost immediately, she slammed her book shut, catching me by surprise. "Of course. You're a quick learner anyway, we can catch up next week." She smiled at me, packing up her things. I did the same. "What do you want to do then?" 

I shrugged. "I don't know. What do you want to do?" 

"Wanna come over to my place?" She offered.

"Sure, if you let me."

"Would I ask you if I wouldn't let you?" 

I tucked my head down sheepishly. 

Sunniva rose from her seat, motioning for me to get up as well. I did as she told and she led me outside the library and the opposite way from where I usually go. 

Light was still shining from the setting sun, which lowered beneath the horizon to say the last farewell. I clutched my backpack strap and tucked my hair behind my ears, glancing at the other girl who was walking at a fast pace ahead of me. 

Her hair was in a braid again, reaching to her knees and swaying with each step she took. Decorated with feathers, wrapped in the warm embrace of a soft, tender touch. I admired it, the way she made herself stand out broadly in a world where everyone mirrored one another. If only I could do that--but the only thing that made me stand out was my ability to study for hours straight without a break. 

Soon enough, we were in front of a large home in an empty neighbourhood. Flowerbeds planted themselves in a line across the front lawn, blooming with all kinds of plants.