The day began in chaos, leaving me more fatigued than usual. My mind churned with restlessness from the previous night, it also increased when I sacrificed my two hours of sleep during the bus ride. The mere thought of that makes me angry.

…Sigh…

We almost came late because one student didn't notify the driver that they would be absent. Despite this setback, we managed to reach school just before the start of classes. I had hoped for a moment to catch my breath, but upon entering the classroom, Jia promptly pulled me aside to assist someone with their studies. While I helped them with most of the part, I trust they will manage the rest.

"Everyone, please read carefully the contents of page 29."

The sound of the teacher's voice brought me back to reality and reminded me to set aside my thoughts and refocus on the class. "Are you tired?" or so I thought. The homeroom teacher had seated her next to me, yet she had not exchanged a single word with me the day before. However, as soon as I settled into my seat today, the girl beside me talked every few minutes, even during the lesson. I signaled her to be quiet several times, but she seemed indifferent to my gestures. I massaged my forehead in an attempt to concentrate when...“Do you have a headache?” 

I responded to her irritated voice, "Do you realize we're in the middle of a class?" If the teacher catches it, he might assume I'm involved in this chit chat too. I don't even want to think what kind of punishment he'll give if he caught us.

I softened my voice, "Let's talk after class, Rhia." I glanced at her, in case she replied to me, however, she didn't say anything afterward. So I turned my head to the front. 

...Yawn...

Occasionally, I entertain the idea of doing experiments in class, perhaps to test if I could dream while sleeping here. However, revealing that I'm having nightmares is out of the question. I must bide my time until the break, then I can take a nap in the infirmary.

As I sorted out my thoughts, I sensed her stealing glances at me from time to time. I didn't have the energy to engage her, so I allowed her to observe me as much as she wanted.

During one of our classes, the teacher was absent. I assisted those students with their remaining assignments. Later, a student asked, "Did you do something to Rhia? Why is she staring at you so intensely?"

That's something I want to know as well. I had hoped her intense gaze would stop over time. But she persisted and became incredibly discomforting. I regret not telling her to stop in the first place. Even when she was with other students, her unwavering stare remained fixed on me. I can't handle it anymore so I approach her. "Do you want to tell me something?"

After a few moments of silence, she responded with a smile, "You mentioned speaking after class, so I'm awaiting that opportunity."

It appeared she anticipated me to ask her this question. Before I could respond, she continued, "That's why I've been looking at you."  I replied to her without taking the matter any further, "I'm available now, so let's talk." She glanced at the other students, it seemed she was having a conversation with others. Observing this, I told her, "If you're occupied at the moment, we can converse later. However, please stop staring at me. It makes me uncomfortable."

Without waiting for her response, I turned to head back to my seat. I thought I heard A faint sound and it made me glance back at her and I asked, "Did you say something?" She flinched momentarily after hearing my question but quickly answered me with a smile, "No, nothing. I apologize if it seemed otherwise."

The question "What are you feeling sorry about?" cameinton my mind, yet I refrained from saying it. I went to my seat and rested my head on the desk, hoping to relax my eyes until the lunch break.

However, my moment of leisure was short-lived. "Bian, that's a new look you've got. You look like a zombie," Jia started a fight as soon as she sat beside me. I looked up at her with my most kind smile and asked, "Haha, oh Jia, do you have a death wish or something? Please tell me, and I...will...definitely...fulfill...it."

Jia smiled at me and said, "Haha, no, silly." We smiled at each other with silly expressions before I decided to change the subject, and said, "I'm not really in the mood for jokes, Jia."

She immediately goes back to her usual self, "Okay. But what happened?" I remained silent looking at her. Even after all these years, I still feel amazed when I compare her behavior from before and now. She never even bats an eye at anyone in the past, now she talks so playfully. But there are still those rumors. 

"What's wrong? Why the silence?" she probed once more. I simply shook my head and replied, "Nothing much. It's just been a hectic day, so I'm feeling a bit worn out."

She maintained her gaze without a word. Eventually, she questioned, "What were you discussing with Rhia?" I sensed she was being cautious when she asked me that. Rather than providing a direct response, I decided to tease her, "Why? Concerned that Rhia and I might grow closer than we already are?"

However, Jia's expression shifted as if she had heard something repulsive. Seeing her like that made me feel quite offended. I let out a sigh and explained, "It's not a big deal. She's been staring at me, so I asked her to stop."

In no time, Jia threw a seemingly thoughtless question, "Did you do something to her?"

Her question stoked irritation within me, "Do I come across as someone who would do that?" She burst into laughte, as if my response was amusing. "Not really. You seem too boring for such antics," she chuckled.

Preferring silence, I rested my head on the desk. Jia's laughter subsided, leaving a quiet void between us.

I could sense she would stay with me until the next class began. I contemplating to speak about the subject of the circulating rumors, I raised my head slightly and began, "Do you know about those ru–"

Jia turned her head towards me, and upon meeting her eyes, I opted to withhold the information, murmuring, "It's nothing," before lowering my head once more. A gentle pat on my head stirred a drowsy sensation, yet I resisted the urge to sleep.

When the lunch break started, I made my way to the infirmary. Upon opening the door, I spotted a few students engaged in conversation with the teacher. Her gaze met mine as the door creaked open and asked me, "Have you had your lunch?"

"Yes, Miss," I replied with a smile. After giving me a nod, she redirected her focus back to the other students. The teacher, under the impression that I suffered from insomnia, never hindered my routine naps and would rouse me before the next class began.

Just as I prepared to leave, I noticed Rhia among the other students in the infirmary. Once again, her eyes are on me. Offering a nod, I proceeded my walk toward the bed. It wasn't an opportune moment to engage with her, especially as she is with others now. "What brings you here, Bian?" However, Rhia's question proved my earlier assumption was indeed foolish to think about.

"I come here to take a nap," Rhia trailed silently behind me until I reached the bed. Noticing her continued silence, I questioned her, "Do you need anything else?"

She simply shook her head before retreating to her group. ".......What a peculiar girl." While she appeared at ease mingling with others swiftly, a subtle unease lingered within me. It had only been two days since we met, yet there was something about her, a charm that felt almost deceptive as if she spun a web of words to trap before one realized it.

I fell asleep as soon as I went to bed, yet my eyes remained open in the dream realm. This is the only time I never have to run or suffer in my dream. It's not that the darkness reduces. It just becomes calm, gentle and warm. I also lay down on the ground to rest my mind.

Abruptly, I felt a weight upon my eyes, it made  my body flinch instinctively, I thought I was going to suffer here too. I braced myself for upcoming suffering, however, I only met with a surprising touch. A hand gently patting my head.

While witnessing fragments of the past or present in my dreams or being tortured, I never patted like this. I attempted to rise and see the situation, the hand on my head tapped my forehead thrice. As if signaling for me to remain still, before resuming its patting. It just made me smile, I told the unseen presence, "I cannot sleep in my dream."

It was unresponsive to my words, yet, the gentle pat continued. The weight on my eyes remained unchanged. Soon my eyelids also grew heavier, and I felt unexpected drowsiness.

The sudden shift in circumstances stirred anxiety within me. Hastily, I questioned, "This is impossible. I have never been able to sleep here?" Again I didn't get any answer. Just before completely overwhelmed by sleep, a soft voice reached my ears, "Good night, Bia." The voice was so faint and gentle that I pondered if it had come from myself. 

".......Yes, it must be me,"