‘Thanks for today.’ I texted Andrew later that night. ‘I mean, for keeping me company and taking me home.’ I added.

‘Don’t mention it.’ He replied promptly. ‘We should totally go home together again tomorrow.’

‘You really don’t have to.’ I typed, feeling a sudden swelling of guilt all the while.

‘I don’t mind it at all, really.’ He assured me. ‘Your place is only 10 minutes away at most. Beats having to walk home everyday.’

‘Everyday?’ I asked. ‘Well, not exactly. Obv can’t take you when I have basketball practice.’ He added.

                Whereas before I only began feeling bad about his offer, now I felt embarrassed at myself. Our interactions earlier today were not in any sense riveting or engaging. And besides, didn’t he only offer to keep me company for the day, while Erina was absent, and not indefinitely?

                If I were him, I’d definitely think I was boring. What does he even see in me anyways, to want to warm up to me so?

‘But this isn’t so bad I guess,’ I thought, ‘but does this mean we’re friends now, Andrew and I?’ Nevertheless, I suddenly found the notion of us developing a connection to be somewhat heartwarming.

‘Uh… Miles? You okay there?’ Hyung inquired during dinner. I had apparently been lost in thought that my dinner had gotten cold. I blinked once, and returned to earth. ‘Oh, yeah, I’m fine.’ I replied hastily.

‘Well… it’s just that you were grinning and staring at your food up until a second ago then all of sudden you were all solemn.’ Hyung explained. ‘Bored of having takeout? I’ll get something different next time…’

‘Err, no… it’s, well…’ I tried to think of words to put it subtly, ‘I was just thinking of something that happened at school earlier today, and I guess it’s making me look forward to coming to school tomorrow?’

‘I see…’ Hyung remarked.

*

‘Don’t get your hope up, Miles.” I told myself as I buried my face into my arms while waiting for homeroom. Yesterday’s euphoria subsided, and now I’m left feeling unsure. ‘Andrew was just fulfilling his responsibility as class rep yesterday.’ As much as I told myself to tone it down, I couldn’t help but feel nervous.

‘Morning, Miles.’ Greeted a familiar male voice, followed by the sound of a creaking chair behind me. ‘Morning, Andrew.’ I greeted back. ‘Eh?’

‘Wait…’ I lifted my head up and glanced backwards. ‘Andrew? Well, uh…’ I took a second to process things. ‘Well, you’re not usually this early.’

‘Is that so?’ Andrew retorted. ‘Well I decided it’s pretty comfy here, so I felt like sitting here again today.’

‘Err… but Erina…’ I mumbled.

‘What about me?’ said a female voice. ‘Jesus!’ I jolted. In all of a few minutes since Andrew came, Erina had arrived and was now seating herself on the desk in front of mine.

‘Oh, but uh… thank goodness you’re here!’ I blurted. ‘Thank goodness?’ She repeated.

‘Thank goodness you’re all better, I mean.’ I explained.

‘It was just a cold.’ She shrugged. ‘You make it sound like I was on death’s door or something.

‘But about you two…’ she pointed towards me and Andrew. ‘Did you two suddenly get all chummy while I wasn’t around?’ She asked.

‘Well, he just-’ I began, before Andrew cut me.

‘Yep, we totally became buddies.’ Andrew said in a condescendingly cheerful tone. ‘Isn’t that right, Miles?’ I glanced over towards Erina who, without uttering a single word, turned a face away with a sigh. Andrew, equally as silent, simply grinned at me with a look in his eyes as if to say ‘See? She’s totally into you.’

‘I know.’ I mouthed back at him silently.