“Corrin has a medical condition. He has absences for both medical reasons, and ‘classified’ reasons. Like what the hell is ‘classified’? For all, I know it could be Oasis…” Rory proposed.

“Where did you get this information, Rory?” Vega said flat out, ignoring the first bit of Rory's presentation.

“His guidance counselor… I didn't exactly ‘ask nicely’ for it though…”

“Oh my lord. I actually feel bad for this kid, now that he had a full-time stalker.”

“Shoosh. Anyway, he has two Guardians: Mr. and Mrs. Henson. They didn't completely legally adopt him, seeing that Corrin's last name isn't the same. Like what's up with that?”

“Well, your sister is that way too.”

“That's because she's enlisted in the army, and is an Agma. If she weren't either she would have Amari as her last name. In plus I've seen Jinko's legal documents stating her full adoption,” Rory countered.

“Okay fine it's a little weird. So what though? What makes it so strange?”

“Ugh. There's a lot of things funky with him! He constantly has random people coming to his house to collect electronic things, military officers coming to take him, and get this: his last name is Japanese, but his ethnicity is Cambodian/Vietnamese!” Rory explained, still hounding on proving his point.

“You're invested. Ha. Just don't become a dedicated stalker. I won't tell your mom anything. Unless it has to do with you ruining your life; well, the life that you do have,” Vega chuckled.

“I'm not dumb Vega. And I didn't ruin my life like you.”

“Damn. Touche, Rory.”

Nighttime was foreboding. The anxiety of Rory getting himself into a hell of problems pounded in his head like a migraine.

He felt scared. Regardless of all the risky actions he had gotten away with, he wanted to lie low for the rest of his research. Hacking and breaking in were the last resort. No way was he gonna get in legal trouble.

Rory coaxed the soft sheets of his bed. He shut his eyes and loosened his tense body.

Dust whirled around in the air. Rory's boots dug through mountains of sand, as wind, rain, and sand were being hurled at him.

“Corrin! Wait!”

The figure in the distance turned to face him. Even with the dirty goggles covering Corrin's eyes, Rory could still see the pale blue eyes beneath them.

“What do you want?” Corrin asked, his tone cold.

“Answers!”

“I am the answer.”

“But-”

Rory looked beside him, seeing that girl Jasmine poking his shoulder.

“Hey. What’d you get for thirty-six?” She whispered.

“...What?”

Jasmine was a beautiful black girl with a classy style, and charm. She was outgoing and was good at catching people's attention with her way with words and flirty presence. She had short wavy black hair, puffy and big lips, and cat-like model eyes.

Her mother was part of the Base Five Council, and her father was an esteemed professor of biology, at one of the highest military schools in Colony Eight.

“Were you sleeping again, Amari? Tsk. I was wondering what you got for thirty-six,” she repeated.

“Oh. Jack is fighting from the beasts to demonstrate to his father that he's worthy to become a knight,” Rory explained, pointing to text evidence from her book.

“Thanks, Rory. Hey, where's your packet?” Jasmine asked, taking notice to his bare desk.

“I finished it a while ago,” Rory put out plainly.

“Wait seriously? Are you like some genius kid?” Jasmine questioned, her expression curious.

“Um… Sure?”

She giggled lightly, looking at him with funny eyes.

“You're weird Amari,” She said, still smiling.

“I know,” Rory agreed, not denying the true fact.

Rory trodded down the hallway quickly. The excitement raced in his veins and ignited his brain. It was time to have his “study session” with Corrin.

He came into the library, spotting Corrin's hair quickly. He went to the table and sat down when he realized Corrin was sleeping.

Rory waved his hand in front of his face lightly.

“You awake…?”

Corrin didn't flinch nor moved a muscle, at this. Rory sat there awkwardly, staring at Corrin's statue-like position.

Corrin's face was calm and his breathing was gentle.

What do I do? Just wait until he decides to wake up?

Five minutes went by. Rory just pretended to play on his com, while he was actually taking notes. Just in case if Corrin woke up, and wondered what he was doing.

Corrin's eyes fluttered open. He glimpsed at his surroundings, then laid his eyes on Rory.

“Oh... How long have you been waiting there?” Corrin asked in a straightforward manner.

“Five minutes.”

“You could've just woken me up… Well… Um… Should we get started then?” Corrin said, still looking at him

“Yeah…”

They pulled out their calculus books and notebooks and began to work. The whole time felt like Rory was a teacher conducting a lesson with a student. He peeked at Corrin every now and then to see his expression, and work ethic. He seemed to be a quiet worker, and his expression wasn't anything unorthodox. Rory wanted more out of the lesson though. More insight on Corrin…

“So... What do you like to do?” Rory asked as if to start up a conversation.

“Mechanical engineering, fishing, reading, and writing,” Corrin said plainly.

“Oh, nice... What kinds of books do you like?”

“Shakespeare, a few classics, but mainly old writing. I don't find modern writing to be intriguing with their way of writing,” Corrin said, his attention not quite on Rory still.

“Oh really? I didn't know you liked those genres,” Rory continued to say.

Corrin gave him an off look, his eyebrow cocked.

“What do you mean by that?” Corrin said, his tone sharper, his eyes prying into him.

“Oh… I just think that most people don't really bother to read those books…” Rory said, trying not to leave Corrin's glassy stare.

Corrin's glare went away, his face back to being normal.

“I see… I can understand why you would say that… Many people don't have an appreciation for true artisans like Shakespeare.”

He likes modern tech but… not modern writing? He really is one piece of work.

Corrin flipped through the last bit of his packet, then went back to the beginning to make sure everything was fine.

“I think we're done for today,” Corrin concluded, looking at him now.

“Yeah… If you need help with number twenty-six, just... Ask me the next time we meet up.”

“Of course. I'll see you later then… Rory.”

Chills sparked up Rory's spine.

Did he actually acknowledge me just now, like a human being?

“Uh... Yeah,” Rory murmured back, still shaken.

Corrin collected his books and notebook, putting them away, and getting up from his chair.

“Oh hey… Shouldn't we exchange our numbers?” Corrin said, trying to say it casually.

“Oh yeah… Um, what's yours, Corrin?”

Corrin brought out his com, pulling up his contacts.

“Here add yours.”

Rory nodded then proceeded to add his number to Corrin's phone; Corrin doing so as well.

“Well... How was your ‘study’?” Vega asked smirking at him.

“It was fine. Nothing mind-boggling. He just wanted to study. He likes Shakespeare and writing though. Probs why he's a noob to calculus,” Rory summarized, pinpointing Corrin's attributes.

“So he's like emo and likes literacy? Like J-hope. Ha.”

“Goddammit, Vega! Keep Kpop references out of intellectual research!” Rory roared, throwing a fist at Vega's chest, “He's not emo. Just articulate and quiet…”

“Let me have some fun, Rory. He's supposed to be a friend, right? The way you're defending him makes it seem like he's your lover or something,” Vega teased, punching him back harder.

“Oh, my. That joke really was brilliant,” Rory remarked, exaggerating his tone of voice.

“You know it. I have to go now. See’ya.”

“Oh thank god.”

Vega stuck his tongue out like a two-year-old, then waltzed out like he was leaving hell.

What a pain. Well, at least he's not ignoring me.

Rory went outside after Vega had gone home. He sat on the steps, breathing in the mediocre air.

Suddenly Rory's com buzzed in his pocket.

Vega: Rory I think I just found something interesting on that boy of yours LOLOL

Wait seriously?

Vega: Yeah

Vega: Saw him at his home he was being taken by a military guy just like you said get this: though he was talking about moving on in the project

Wat wtf does that mean

Vega: lol I mean he said Project Oasis

WAIT really?!

Vega: Yeah. well, I gtg g'night :)

His com hit the ground. Corrin really was a part of something big.

Project Oasis… to think that I was...right.