Seize A Lost Identity

Chapter 9

The group wandered through the Siberian streets in the chill air following the café. It looked as though Nadia wanted to maintain a high energy level, nonstop chattering away about anything from favourite music to theories on the secret pleasures of actually enjoying giving out homework assignments.

Igor nudged Xio as they walked. "You're quiet, man. Did the sugar shock your system?"

"I'm fine," Xio replied, his voice steady.

"Fine? That's all? Nadia said, "Dude, you're like a machine" Nadia turned around in order to be facing Xio as they strolled. "You're in Siberia now, Xio! Live a little! Say something wild like... 'I hate homework' or 'pineapple belongs on pizza.'.

I'm not picky about pizza, Xio deadpanned.

Nadia came to a halt, made no attempt to change course, and flapped her arms in a most obvious manner. "This guy! No opinion on pizza? Igor, I think we've found an alien."

Igor laughed. "Nadia, leave him alone. Not everyone's as loud as you."

"I'm not loud! Nadia shot back, her voice rising a little. The group burst into laughter, and even Xio's lips twitched slightly, though he quickly looked away.

They reached the park, where a small group of their classmates had gathered. Some were playing frisbee, some were on benches, drinking hot beverages and talking. Nadia waved enthusiastically. "Guys! Look who I brought—our new classmate, Xio! Isn't he a dreamboat?"

Xio came to an abrupt stop short of a sentence and Igor jumped in, laughing. "Ignore her. She's like this with everyone. Last week it was the mailman."

"Hey, he had great arms! Nadia defended, earning more laughs.

For example, one of the members of the team, a thin, powerful boy, Dmitri, flew the frisbee as Xo" jumped in the air, etc. "Think fast!"

Xio caught it effortlessly, his reflexes sharp. He focused his eyes on the frisbee held by hand, frozen indecisively what to do.

"Throw it back!" Dmitri called.

Xio, at a moment's hesitation, hurled it. Frisbee buzzed across the air, almost touching Dmitri's forehead.

"Whoa! Okay, calm down, sniper! Dmitri laughed, holding his hands up.

"Guess we're not playing catch with him anymore, Nadia teased. "You could've taken his head off, Xio!"

Xio smiled, his expression neutral but inside he felt a strange satisfaction.

By the time evening arrived, the party settled upon a pair of sturdy benches, passing snacks and retelling the stories of the day. Nadia, the most talkative of them all, was in the middle of telling a story about a disastrous family car trip when she stopped and stared at Xio.

"Okay, your turn. What's the most embarrassing thing that's ever happened to you? she asked, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

Xio stared at her, unsure how to respond. "I don't remember anything embarrassing."

"Nothing? Even, and especially, fear of public speaking or of appearing nonsensical in front of the class.

"No," Xio replied, his voice calm.

Nadia groaned. "You're impossible, Xio! We'll make a human out of you yet. She grinned. "By the end of this year, you'll have at least ten embarrassing stories, and I'll make sure of it.

Thank you, Xio said, his flat voice, however, seemed to be punctuated with a smile in his eyes.

Approaching abreast with a body of people, Nadia and Xio walked in stride and reversed their path on the same condition to each other. New guy, uh, how are you enjoying Siberia? she asked.

"It's... different," Xio replied after a moment.

"Different good or different bad?"

"I don't know yet."

Nadia looked at him, her curiosity evident. "You're a tough nut to crack, Xio. But I like a challenge. You'll warm up eventually."

They arrived at their street and Nadia waved, as she walked down to her house. "See you tomorrow, mystery boy!"

Xio nodded, watching her go. As soon as he disappeared from view, he stood for a moment, looking up into the evening sky. Something about the day—about the café, the park, the laughter—felt strangely comforting, yet foreign.

As soon as he turned around to go back to his flat, his mind swam for a sec to the woman at thecafe. The connection he'd felt with her lingered in his mind, unexplained and unsettling.

For the first time in a long while, Xio felt something unfamiliar—a spark of curiosity about the life he was stepping into.

The morning was cold when Xio stepped onto the street, his black fur cascading down his back as he buttoned his coat. He didn't know why, but somehow, the ordinary walk to school this morning felt easier today. The group from yesterday lingered in his mind—their laughter, the way they included him despite his silence. He wasn't quite sure he enjoyed it, yet he also didn't hate it.

Each time Xio came upon the door of the school, Nadia would be waiting for her, standing against the wall with that happy smile. "Mystery boy, you're late! We've been waiting."

"We?" Xio raised an eyebrow.

"Yeah, we. The gang's all here," she said, as though pointing toward Igor and Dmitri, who were both trying to conceal their pretty close listening.

Just walked in," Xio replied, his voice flat.

Nadia gasped theatrically, clutching her chest. "And leave you to wander these treacherous halls alone? Never!"

Igor chuckled as he walked up. "She's being dramatic, as usual. However, she's right there—school is more enjoyable with a buddy.

Xio didn't respond, but he followed them inside.

Activity Period

In the day's classes time flew by, and Nadia (sometimes) threw papers at him with small notes during the lectures. Predominantly nonsense scribbles or ad hoc proposals, like Do penguins have knees, etc. Xio ignored most of them, however, one note drew his attention to the fact that it did not fit in the other two.

You don't talk much, huh? That's cool. Quiet people are usually the most interesting.

Xio did not reply, but he rolled up the note and put it in his notebook.

When activity period rolled around, Nadia was already scheming. "Okay, guys, we're gonna do something fun today. No boring studying!" she declared.

What are you thinking? Dmitri asked, sliding back in his chair.

"Truth or dare," Nadia said with a mischievous grin.

"Oh, come on," Igor groaned. "We're not kids."

"Exactly! That is, we can make it more. exciting, Nadia replied, raising her eyebrows.

Reluctantly, everyone agreed. They met in a circle at the rear of the class, out of sight of the instructor.

Truth or Dare Chaos

The game began relatively meek, with Dmitri challenged to drink a whole bottle of water and Nadia famously facing a personal embarrassment to do so about her childhood love interest. Nevertheless, the dares became deeper and deeper, and the confessions became more and more private along the game.

Every one of them looked at Xio. Nadia smirked. "Truth or dare, Mystery Boy?"

"Truth," Xio said without hesitation.

"Boring," she teased. Okay, tell me. what's the weirdest dream you've ever had?

Xio blinked, caught off guard. "I don't remember my dreams," he said honestly.

Nadia groaned. "Of course you don't. Fine, we'll go easy on you this time."

But the next round was different. Xio chose "dare" this time, and Dmitri immediately grinned. "I dare you to go up to the teacher's desk and take a selfie with their coffee mug.

Xio hesitated. "Why?"

"Because it's funny!" Nadia said, laughing.

Overwhelmed, Xio stood up and went to the instructor's desk. All students observed in silence as he nonchalantly picked up the mug, raised it, and snapped a photo with his phone. He went back into the crowd without a word and they all held their grins in.

Too good at it," Nadia said, shaking her head.

After School

The whole group agreed it would be best to go to the cafe in the afternoon. Get in, Jules was at the counter beaming—somebody's face never seen a smile like hers.

Welcome back," she murmured, her eye remaining, for a mere fraction of a second longer, than the others to Xio.

Nadia noticed. "Oh, Jules, are you checking out our Mystery Boy? Can't blame you—he's got that mysterious vibe going on."

Jules laughed nervously. "I was just wondering if he's starting to like the place.

"It's nice," Xio said quietly, surprising everyone.

Nadia gasped. "Did you hear that? A compliment! He does speak!"

The group laughed, and Jules couldn't help but smile.

Closing Time

With the others gone, Xio lingered for just a little while after the others left. He stood near the counter, hesitant. Jules looked up from wiping down the tables.

"Was there something you needed?" she asked.

Xio shook his head. "No. Just... thank you. For this place."

Jules paused, surprised by the sincerity in his voice. "Of course. Come back anytime."

As Xio walked out into the night, Jules watched him go, her heart heavy with an unexplainable familiarity.

From the time she opened the café for the first time in months, the faintest glimmer of hope appeared.