"remember to finish reading chapter 17 tonight!" mr. lee called out as he erased the whiteboard.
people began to pack up their things, and rushed out the door in the middle of his sentence.
"finally!" hueningkai sighed loudly, throwing his hands into the air.
he unzipped his bag, sloppily squishing his notebook among his folders, and then bringing out a smoothie that he had somehow managed to store with his books.
he bought the beverage to his lips.
slurp.
she followed suite; bringing out her rag of a bag from its hiding place at her feet,
and carefully tucked her notes to sleep inside, making sure the corners weren't getting bent or folded.
she didn't think she would be able to afford another notebook.
suddenly, an arm.
a soft touch.
laced within hers.
"hey, i don't have think i've anything to do! wanna hang out?"
that smile.
that bright, pearly, pure smile.
"i have work." she muttered, attempting to untangle her hand from his.
it wouldn't let go.
"you look like you haven't eaten in days!" he joked, nudging her. "haha, come on, let's get something?"
she hadn't.
but he didn't need to know that.
"can you stop?" she repeated a little louder, pulling her arm away forcefully.
she looked up.
eye to eye.
second time.
"i don't know you. please leave me alone and stop acting like we're friends."
the poor boy looked taken back; surprised by her actions.
his arm hanging aimlessly in the air.
with no purpose.
without another word, she hurriedly picked up her bag and got up.
and walked up the long, long flight of stairs.
without turning back.
and he didn't stop her.
☽
"welcome to our cafe!"
a fake smile.
the one she flashed every customer who walked through the door with.
and none of them ever realized it wasn't real.
