Night Owl

04

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NIGHT OWL
written by nathania

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A few days passed by and Rius had been acting sorrowful. He had resorted to becoming completely quiet again. Rumi noticed this, however, and tried to supply him with chocolate and sneaked in a few meals.

She also noticed how easily his mood could be lifted. The way his eyes turned buoyant on sunrise and how he yelped in exhilaration when he saw a cat from the window. Although he was dimmed, he still appreciated the little things.

Rumi was a bit endeared by it.

Her dorm wasn't much special. It was just a singular room with a bed, a desk and a small bathroom which was a huge contrast to her large house. Sometimes, she wondered how Rius would react to her home. Would his childish excitement grow?

Rumi was broken out of her trance when her business mentor, Mr. Pierre, called her. "And what does a new business have to do, Rumi?"

"They have to survive, Sir," she answered.

"Precisely. Usually, a new business don't gain profit immediately-"

Coralyn nudged Rumi's foot with hers under the table. "Any news on the curly hot stuff, yet?"

Rumi shook her head. "No, not really," she whispered, staring intensely at Mr. Pierre's
presentation.

Coralyn nodded, her lips pulled in a pout. "I was hoping you could invite him to my birthday bash."

Rumi raised her brow. "It's your birthday soon?"

"Yes, in about a week."

Mr. Pierre cleared his throat. "Please do the assignment I've posted it on google classroom, the deadline is tonight. You are all dismissed."

The class of seven packed their bags. This camp was made to give high schoolers ranging from thirteen to eighteen an experience of what college was like. It was held in a prestigious college where participants were able to choose one class of their choice and attend every day for an hour.

Apart from that, they gave activities for the rest of the day. The city was famous for its extreme activities but the activities they had done so far were mild which was upsetting to most.

Rumi, however, was pleased that they wouldn't be executing any practice that could result badly for her heart condition.

Rumi and Coralyn went out of the class. "So, basically, there's this rumor that the town would be on lockdown because of a virus?"

Rumi furrowed her brows. "What? But most of us don't even come from this country."

Coralyn nodded, perching her glasses. "I couldn't meet my parents, either. But it's just a possibility. They wanted to shut down airports and won't let anyone in or out the city but we would still be able to roam around." She bit her lip, her head bowed but instantly regained her composure.

"If that actually happened, my parents would allow me to invite anyone from camp to explore the city and try all the extreme activities."

Rumi's eyes widened "I don't think I-"

"Please? I don't know anyone as much as I know you from this camp..."

Rumi sighed. "Fine. But I won't be indulging in those dangerous shenanigans."

Rius stared at the window as he waited for his human to come home. He knew that Rumi thought he only waited by the window all day. But, he actually spent his time asleep.

He only stayed next to the window when Rumi was about to leave or come home because he had the view of the door.

His tail perked up when he saw Rumi walking home, her clothes a bit wet. She was his only companion to stop him from engulfing in his anxious thoughts. Although he hadn't talked ever since the first time, he enjoyed her presence. Sometimes, he'd watch her discreetly as she did her assignments.

Sometimes, Rius would be upset when she'd return to her friend's dorm room but he understood that she hadn't trusted him enough to be vulnerable and asleep around him.

He just needed her to come back home.

Suddenly, the door opened. Rius eyed Rumi's white attire which was drenched in lake water.

"We rode a canoe," she stated absentmindedly, as she took her clothes.

Rius nodded but she wasn't taking any heed. Ever since they've met, he never had the chance to see her properly. But now, since she was too distracted, he took the chance to watch her.

Rumi was lean and a bit more muscular than he was. Although she reached his nose, it was clear from the start on who got more strength-- or who had the will to inflict more pain.

He ran his fingers through his curls that were much softer than her long, tight ones.

Then, lastly, her elegant face that usually had a calm, calculating expression. She didn't seem cold or unwelcoming; she just seemed always at peace.

Even when he rushed towards her on the first night they met, her features weren't panic-stricken but merely shocked and she was able to handle the situation with ease.

She even pierced his thigh in the process.

It frightened him because it meant he can't frighten her.

He marveled at her body once more, a bit jealous at the smooth pecs she owned.

Rumi was aware of the fact that Rius was gawking at her but she wasn't deterred. She was confident with her image even though she was rarely complimented. She had worked for her body and taken care of it kindly so the fact that Rius was staring at her wasn't surprising. In fact, it made her amused.

After she took her tote bad for her wet clothes, she gave him a teasing look. "I'll leave when you're done staring."

Rius' ears blossomed as he turned away.

She chuckled. "I'll come back after I'm done showering."

Rumi was about to leave when she heard a sound of protest. Rumi shook her head, her smile unwavering. "So needy. Here's your chocolate." She grabbed the bars from her purse and tossed it to him, which he took greedily. "Don't forget to drink water when you're done. Your skin is turning dry." She suspected that it might be his unfamiliarity with the sun.

Rius, however, was no longer listening because he was too busy devouring his food.

Knowing that her efforts wouldn't be of no avail, she shut the door shut and locked him inside before she retreated back to Coralyn's room.

Before she could, Ms. Tana called her. "You have someone waiting for you outside."

She looked down at her drenched attire and back at Ms. Tana. "Could that someone possibly wait until after I shower?

Ms. Tana pursed her lips. "I doubt so. He seemed eager."

Rumi sighed before she thanked Ms. Tana and walked downstairs. She opened the door to find an ever so familiar face.