WMMAP - [S1] Shelter You - (愛)してる

Chapter 11: Reattached

A young man was looking at his phone, his finger tapping on the wooden desk, thinking. With one deep exhale, he searched for the contact he recently added.

His phone screen flashed, showing the exact number he was about to dial. Staring with skepticism at the name appearing on his phone, Ezekiel took quite a time before swiping his screen.

"Ezekiel? Can you hear me?"

A smile of his confirmed who was on the other line.

"Ah. Yes. Of course."

"So can you help me with that?"

"Pardon?"

"It must be the connection. Well, I should rephrase then," she said after a small pause, "I was meaning to ask whether you can pick me up tomorrow a little early or not. Like an hour before class?"

There was a slight hesitation on his side as if he wanted to ask something. Then, he pushed the thought away and said, "Anything for you, Athanasia."

"Thank you so much, Ezekiel. I will see you tomorrow."

"You are very welcome."

"Then. Bye."

She hung up so quickly that he couldn't even ask how she was doing.

Ezekiel pondered what led her to call him first and ask for such a request and if something had happened between her and his friend. He thought as he lay down on his king-size bed, longing for tomorrow to come.

-

Sunlight flooded the room gently and Athanasia was already in her uniform, sitting in the living room, and waiting. The moment she heard the doorbell, she felt her skin crawl. Her neighbor's face flashed through her head, but she knew it was too early for him to be there so she got up from her sofa and grabbed her bag.

"Lily! I'm going now."

"...What should I tell Luc—"

Athanasia marched at full speed toward the door and slammed it shut before Lilian could even finish.

"Good morning. You are looking better already."

Ezekiel smiled faithfully at the girl in front of him even though her gaze was attended to another house right next to hers.

"Ah. I think so. Let us go. I want to be there early today."

"I will have to pick up Jeannette first. I apologize in advance if this may delay your arrival."

"She is not here with you?"

Athanasia just noticed the empty seats in the car.

"We are a few hours early I'm afraid."

"I see..."

"Shall we go?"

Ezekiel put his arm on her shoulder, guiding her to his car, but she flinched, startled by the touch, and paced forward on her own.

He noticed her reaction, yet he remained silent. After all, he barely got enough time for her. No, he was not given enough time to be with her so it was obvious she was not yet used to him.

He waited patiently for her to get in the car, not knowing she was debating whether to sit in the front or the back. It felt extraneous the moment she got in the car, sitting next to the driver's seat.

Maybe it was because she was used to being at the back with a certain vexatious guy.

Ezekiel joined her in the car but did not attempt to start the engine. "You are a bit quiet today. Is it because you are still feeling unwell?" He asked, his hand extended to her face, attempting to measure her temperature.