Seize A Lost Identity

Chapter 6: Laughter in the Ice

The end bell announcing time for activity began to ring throughout the school. Students leapt out of their seats, the atmosphere suddenly changing from academic attention to excited yakking. The teacher clapped and declared the day's activities.

"Group activities," Nadia whispered, leaning toward Xio. "This should be... interesting."

Xio smiled barely, however he appeared less and less interested and more and more resigned. Still, his thoughts kept returning to the previous rooftop encounter.

The teacher began dividing students into groups. Xio and Nadia were both placed on a group of four other students.

The Icebreaker

The members congregated in the center of the room and set up a loosely circular formation in sitting position. Nadia stepped in and took charge, her innate magnetic ability of attracting to herself all attention.

Okay," she grinned, "let's get this icebreaker going! "We'll go around and say something interesting about ourselves."

The first student, a tall boy named Viktor, smirked. "I've been playing hockey since I was five."

The others murmured in approval.

The next, a shy girl named Anya, hesitated. "I... I can play the piano?"

Nadia gave her an encouraging smile. "That's awesome, Anya! We should do a talent show someday."

All individuals in the group made a circle until it was xio's turn. All eyes turned to him expectantly.

Xio blinked, clearly uncomfortable. "I... don't have anything interesting to say."

"Oh, come on!" Nadia nudged him playfully. "You've got to have something."

Xio paused, searching for an answer. Finally, he muttered, "I... like snow."

The group erupted into laughter—not mocking, but genuine amusement at his deadpan delivery.

"Well, you're in the right place for it, Viktor joked. "Welcome to Siberia."

The Game

As they started to play charades. Nadia extrovert as usual tooked the lead. She acted like a bird while she flapped her arms and screeching sounds which made everyone giggle.

Xio's turn came and he hesitated, his unease becoming clear. Nadia gave him a card and in a low voice said, "Just have fun with it.

Xio stood stiffly, reading the card: A cat.

For a while, he did nothing but stare at the crowd standing before him, with an unrevealing expression. Out of all the other scenes, to everyone's surprise, he slightly bent and mimicked a cat pawing at something with his tongue out.

The party clapped its knees, not only because of his acting was good, but also because it was so different to the usual xio behaviour. Even Nadia was laughing, tears forming in her eyes because why did he took his tongue out when he was acting like a cat.

"You're full of surprises, Xio, she said, clapping him on the back as he returned to his seat.

A Moment of Normalcy

As the activity period continued, Xio found himself relaxing—just a little. Still though he did not communicate much, he seemed to listen to all the jokes circulating around him, occasionally nodding or smiling dully.

At one point, Viktor leaned over. "So, Xio, where are you from originally?"

"Far away," Xio replied simply.