The day began in chaos, leaving me more fatigued than usual. 

My mind has been restless since this morning, and it became even more so when I had to sacrifice two hours of sleep.

Haah, just thinking about it makes me angry.

Sigh…

I arrived late for school today because a student didn't inform the bus driver of their absence, so we wasted unnecessary time there. 

Despite this, I made it just in time before homeroom began.

I thought I had time to catch my breath.

But Jia tugged me aside to assist someone with their homework just as I had entered the classroom.

"Everyone, turn to page 29."

The teacher's voice snapped me back to reality. I set aside my thoughts and focused on the class.

"Are you tired?”

Or so I thought.

The homeroom teacher arranged Rhia's seat next to me. 

Although she did not exchange a single word with me yesterday. 

Yet, as soon as I settled into my seat today, she started talking to me every few minutes—even during class.

I signaled for her to be quiet several times, but she seemed indifferent to my gestures. I pressed my forehead in an attempt to re-concentrate on the class.

“Do you have a headache?”

You are the one who is giving me a headache.

I wanted to tell her this, but I closed my eyes for a moment before turning to her.

"Hey, we're in the middle of class, you know?” 

I responded to her irritated voice. If the teacher catches us, he will likely assume I'm involved in this chit-chat too.

Just the idea of his punishment gives me shivers.

"Let's talk after class, Rhia." 

Even after I said that, I keep taking a few glances at her in case she starts talking again.

However, she didn't say anything afterward, so I turned my head to the front.

Yawn...

Sometimes I wonder what would happen if I fell asleep in the classroom.

However, I can't guarantee what I'll do with my body while I am sleeping, so doing this is out of the question.

I just need to wait until the break; then I can peacefully take a nap in the infirmary.

As I sorted out my thoughts, I sensed Rhia stealing glances at me from time to time.

I didn't have the energy to say anything to her, so I let her observe me as much as she wanted.

But it was a fatal mistake. 

She is still doing it, even after the classes are over.

During an off period, I went to help those students with their remaining homework.

"Bian, did you do something to Rhia? Why is she staring at you like that?” 

One of the students asked me something that I wanted to know as well. I had hoped her intense gaze would stop over time.

But she persisted, and it became incredibly discomforting.

Haah, I regret not telling her to stop in the first place.

Even when she was with other students, she kept staring at me without wavering. I couldn't take it anymore, so I went up to her.

"Is there something you want to talk about?"

After a second of silence, she responded with a smile, 

"You mentioned you'd chat after class, so I'm looking forward to it.”

That's true. But why does it feel like she wanted me to ask her this first?

However, before I could respond, she continued, 

"That's why I've been looking at you." 

"Then let's talk…." 

However, I paused when other students beside Rhia glanced at her. Seeing this, I told her, 

"Looks like you're busy right now; we can chat later. But could you please stop staring at me? It's kind of making me uncomfortable.” 

Without waiting for her response, I turned to head back to my seat. However, I stopped at a faint sound. 

I glanced back at Rhia. "Did you say something?" 

She flinched momentarily when I asked that but quickly smiled. 

"Nah, nothing at all. Sorry if it came off that way.” 

I looked at her for a few more seconds before 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 to tease me as soon as she sat beside me. I looked up at her with my kindest smile.

"Haha, oh my Jia, you have a death wish, right? Please tell me, how… you… want… me… to… fulfill... it… for… you!"

Jia smiled at me and said, 

"Haha… No, silly."

We smiled at each other with the silliest expressions before I decided to change the subject.

"I'm not really in the mood for jokes, Jia."

"Ahem… Okay, but what happened?"

She immediately switched back to her usual self. I sighed and looked at her.

Even after all this time, I feel amazed when I compare her past behavior to her current one.

She didn't even bat an eye at anyone in the past; now she talks so playfully.

But there are still those rumors that she only does that when I'm around.

"What's wrong? Why did you go so quiet?” 

"Nothing much. I'm just feeling a bit worn out." 

Jia went silent this time. I could tell she wanted to ask me something, but the way she was fidgeting with her fingers made it clear that she was being cautious. 

“What were you talking about with Rhia?” 

However, rather than giving her a direct answer, I decided to tease her. 

"Why? Are you concerned that Rhia and I might develop a closer relationship than the one you and I have?" 

Jia's expression shifted as if she had heard something repulsive. Seeing her like that made me feel quite offended. 

“Hey, I'm feeling offended by your expression.” 

“Then stop saying disgusting things.”

Sigh…

"It's nothing big. She's been staring at me, so I told her to stop."

In no time, Jia threw a seemingly thoughtless question: 

"Did you mess with her?"

Her question stoked irritation within me.

"Do I seem like the type to do that?"

Jia burst into laughter, as if my response was amusing.

"Not really. You seem too boring for such antics."

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

I know she is going to stay with me until the next class begins.

Seeing her like this makes it hard for me to believe there are those kinds of rumors about her.

I hesitated, considering whether to ask her about the rumors. Finally, I lifted my head slightly and began,

"Hey, you know about those ru—"

However, as Jia turned her head towards me and met my eyes, I paused.

"What!?"

"It's nothing."

I lowered my head once more. Jia started to pat my head. It stirred a drowsy sensation, yet I resisted the urge to sleep.

********

When the lunch break started, I made my way to the infirmary. As I opened the door, I spotted a few students engaged in conversation with the teacher.

Before I could greet her, she asked me a question as soon as our eyes met.

"Have you had your lunch?"

"Yes, Miss."

After giving me a nod, she redirected her focus back to the other students.

The teacher is under the impression that I'm suffering from insomnia. That's why she never questions my routine naps and even wakes me before the next class begins.

When I was about to go ahead, I noticed Rhia among the other students in the infirmary.

And once again, her eyes were on me.

However, I proceeded with my walk toward the bed. I don't think she would want to talk to me right now.

"What brings you here, Bian?"

However, Rhia's question proved that my earlier assumption was indeed foolish.

"I came here to take a nap."

She 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, a subtle unease lingered within me.

It had only been two days since I met her, yet there was something about her that made me feel uncomfortable.

As if she spun a web of words to trap one before I realize it.

I fell asleep as soon as I went to bed, yet my eyes remained open in the dream. This is the only time I never have to run or be tortured. 

It's not that the darkness or shadow reduces; it just remains calm, gentle, and warm. I just lay down on the ground to rest my mind.

Out of nowhere, I felt a weight on my eyes. My body flinched instinctively because I never thought the shadows would torture me in this moment too.

I braced myself for the upcoming suffering. However, I was only met with a surprising touch: a hand gently patting my head.

I witnessed fragments of the past or present in my dreams, or I was being tortured here. I had never been patted like this.

I attempted to rise and see the situation, but the hand on my head tapped my forehead thrice.

As if signaling for me to remain still, it resumed its patting.

It's funny but comforting.

I told the unseen presence, 

"I cannot sleep in my dream, so patting my head is useless."

It remained unresponsive to my words; yet, the gentle pat continued.

Soon, my eyelids grew heavier, and I felt an unexpected drowsiness.

The sudden shift in circumstances stirred anxiety within me.

"This is impossible. I have never been able to sleep here!"

Again, I didn't get any answer. Just before I was completely overwhelmed by drowsiness, a soft voice reached my ears.

{Good night, Bia.}

The voice was so faint and gentle that I pondered whether it had come from myself.

Yeah, it must be me.