Echoes of a Silent Beat

Chapter 9: Who?

The next day, we headed to campus to pick up our Transcript of Records (TOR) from Sir Jim. We planned to go around 4 PM, just in time for class dismissal. When we arrived, Sir Jim was still in class, which meant we had to wait. I suggested heading to the canteen, knowing Lexie would likely be there. I casually said, "Let's wait here, guys."

Angel, being her usual self, ignored my suggestion and started walking straight ahead. Mina, sensing the tension and wanting to avoid further conflict, said, "Come on, let's grant her wish. She's a poor thing." With a reluctant sigh, Angel and Mina followed me to the canteen.

As expected, Lexie was there with a friend. We exchanged polite greetings-just a simple "Hi"-and took our seats across the canteen. My friends and I settled down with some street food we'd bought from outside. The air felt slightly tense, a residue of yesterday's unresolved issues still lingering.

After we finished eating, I volunteered to take the garbage out. "I'll just throw this out," I said, gathering the trash from our table. As I stood up and began to walk away, Angel's voice cut through the air. "What's that about? Why did she suddenly leave without saying goodbye?"

The irritation in her tone made my ears tingle. I chose not to engage, instead continuing on my way without looking back. As I approached the trash bin, I spotted Lexie sitting alone, her friend having left. Taking a deep breath, I walked over to her.

"Hey, how's your birthday?" I asked, attempting to start a conversation.

Lexie looked up with a soft smile. "Oh, not much. We had class, so it was pretty low-key."

I took a seat beside her, my casual demeanor masking the undercurrent of frustration I was feeling. "Sounds like a typical day. Did you do anything special, though?"

Lexie shook her head, her smile still in place. "Not really. I was just glad to have some time to relax after class. It's nice to have a break from all the assignments and projects."

We chatted about random things-her classes, upcoming plans, and the latest campus gossip. The conversation flowed easily, providing a welcome distraction from the awkwardness I had left behind with Angel and Mina.

As we talked, I couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt. I knew that part of me was trying to avoid the tension with my friends by seeking comfort in Lexie. But at the same time, I also knew that I needed to maintain my boundaries and not let their disapproval dictate my actions.

Lexie's cheerful presence was a reminder of why I valued our friendship, and for a moment, the awkwardness of the situation faded into the background. Our conversation helped me reconnect with a sense of normalcy, even if it was just for a little while.

As we spoke, Lexie's friend, Nicole, returned. Lexie introduced us, and Nicole, a first-year nursing student, quickly became a part of our conversation.

Nicole's talkative and extroverted nature was a refreshing change. The three of us started gossiping about random things, and it was as if we had known each other for a long time. I felt an instant connection with Nicole.

Soon, Mina and Angel called out to me. "Trish, let's go to Sir Jim," they said. I responded with a simple "Okay, I'll follow," but instead of leaving, I stayed to continue chatting with Lexie and Nicole.

Eventually, Lexie had to head home. Nicole and I walked her to the gate, bidding our goodbyes. When I asked Nicole about her plans, she mentioned she was just waiting for a friend. I offered to keep her company, and she agreed.

We settled back in the canteen, and as we waited, our conversation flowed effortlessly. The more we talked, the more we discovered what we had in common, and an easy friendship began to form between us.