Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction. There is no relation to any real persons, groups, events etc. They are all fictional.

 Chapter 5

School Life - The Starlit Sky

“After what just happened?” 

My mouth moved on its own in a deep tone. 

“That’s” She paused before speaking, “that's a nice question.”

We stood alone and the sounds of small incents due to the night filled our gap. Then I sighed. “Wanna go somewhere?”

“Why? Won't your Mom be worried?" 

I mean she is not wrong, it's night time. 

“I’m sure she’s too occupied to worry about me now.” 

In the freezing night, the moon light illuminates the roadside. The environment felt different from normal, as sounds of the grasshoppers, crickets and other insects echoed. 

"Well are you coming?” I asked. “We’ll only be out for a few minutes.” 

She was silent for a few minutes before answering. 

“Okay then.” 

We started to march towards the eastern side of the city, where the forest areas are situated and the Forest Fire took place.

.

As we were walking, I noticed the environment started to change, the trees and plants appeared more than buildings. Slowly it became similar to a dark forest. Then we finally reached a small hill, which was our base when we were kids. 

It was a little difficult to climb the hill as it had bumps and unsteady footings. When I took 3 steps, I noticed Yumi was still thinking whether she should climb or not. 

“Come, what are you waiting for?” I yelled. 

She started to climb up timidly. Just then, she slipped. Luckily we were close, and I managed to grab onto her arm. 

“Sorry for the grip” 

I apologised for the tight grip on her arm. 

“It’s okay” 

She smiled a little but it was genuine. 

We walked through a path which was sheltered by the thick canopy as the moonlight shone through.

“Are we almost there yet?” 

“Yeah, just a few more meters left.”

The moment we reached our destination, I pushed the last bush away which revealed the city outskirts, filled with artificial lights and a glowing half moon with myriad of stars shining in the sky, painting an unforgettable canvas onto the minds of whoever saw such a breathtaking sight.

“Amazing… since when was there a place like this?” Yumi gasped.

Forgetting about me, she ran towards a spot with a better view of the city. The zephyr wind breezed past us just as the grass under the moonlight slowly swayed. 

I sat on a watery grass to enjoy the view. The place where a lot of memories was stored, it's sad that Reid has forgotten about this… 

“Ohh we gonna stay for a while?” 

Yumi asked when she saw me sitting in the grassy ground. 

“If you want to,” I replied. 

She chuckled as she sat closer to me. My heart started racing and an unusual feeling emerged from my stomach.

“You know, I was wondering how you and Reid became friends. I mean I haven't seen you with any other people you know.” 

I laughed in my mind. That's my question. 

“Well, it's a very old story, ”

“I’m all ears,” she affirmed, eyes tracing to mine.

I pressed my back on the ground and stared at the Starlit night and the half moon glowing at me. 

“Well...it was when I was in the early years of elementary school.” After that my thoughts drifted back to the past.

_________________________________________________________________________

Central Elementary School 

“Bye Ady, I will pick you at 3:30 p.m. sharp.” My Mom waved at me as she disappeared through those doors. 

“Aren’t you excited to be back at school?” The teacher asked.

“Yes!” I replied.

Personally, no. The school was pretty boring. I think the teacher knew it too, as her facial expression changed. I knew my acting was trash. 

I walked up to the empty seat with my skinny legs and heavy bag.I put it to the side of the seat and took out the new book that Mom had just gotten for me yesterday. 

It was a story of a prince who got lost during his journey to a different kingdom and ended up in a village where a poor but happy family took care of him. 

I really liked the hardships the boy had to face. The different cultures, clothing, customs, etc. Somehow I can relate to it. 

As I was reading the book, someone tapped on my shoulder. 

I saw that a hand was reaching out towards me, and heard a feminine voice saying, “nice to meet you, I am Ayra.” 

She had very black hair which was tied into a ponytail by a red strip.

I didn’t know what to do at the sudden appearance. Then I saw her eyes change to the book in my hand. 

“What are you reading?” 

Maybe the width of the book interested her. 

“Nothing, just a fantasy book.”

“Your name?" 

Haha The instant change made me chuckle a bit. Maybe the word “Fantasy” made her lose interest. 

“my name’s Aden. You can call me Ady,” I replied. 

We didn't talk too much, she just asked about where I lived and all, then she left to talk to others. Seems like she is being friendly to others even though it's her first day with us.

I don’t know why that conversation made me smile… a normal talk after a long time with a student from this school made my mind fill up with happiness.  

The morning bell rang after a few minutes. Which indicated the start of classes. 

“So today we have 2 new students joining our class,” The teachers announced. “Go on, introduce yourselves.” 

“My name is Ayra. I will be in your care,” Ayra introduced herself with a smile. 

At least she doesn't have an arrogant attitude. I thought to myself. 

The other student was a boy who had a taller and broader frame than me. 

“My name is Reid."

I guess I can't get a good grasp of his personality and behaviour as he is a quiet type. 

“Well take your seats. There are quite a lot of empty seats.” The teacher instructed. 

Time flew by. Lunch break has started. The students ran around. The whole class filled with cheer and screams. 

“Hey wanna play with us?” A female voice questioned as I was reading the book in the class. 

It was Ayra with her friends she made today. 

“Sorry, I am not in the mood but thanks for the offer.” I answered. 

“Why are you so introverted!” She complained as she grabbed my hand and forced me out of the classroom. 

“Hey! leave him alone!” 

A voice yelled as another hand grabbed me. 

“Who are you to say that?” 

She sneered, just when I noticed the other person was Reid. 

“And who are you to drag him out of the classroom?” he countered.

 Now they started to play tug of war with me…great.

“As a man you should answer a lady first,” chuckled Ayra. 

“Then a lady should not force a man outside the room, do you know that?” Questioned Reid.

 Do they know that I am getting ripped apart by them now?  

“Stop teaching me how to be a lady,” said Ayra. 

For god’s sake please someone help me!

After a lot of quarrelling, the teacher finally came and separated me from them.

“You should be friends, so say sorry and shake hands.”

Both of them turned their heads in the opposite direction; a sign of no apologies; a sign of death for me. 

School finally ended and the atmosphere was filled with the chatters of parents and students. While I waited for Mom, I realised Reid and Ayra were sitting next to me.

“Why are you guys here?” I asked them.

“Same reason as you of course, waiting for my parents” Ayra answered. 

“Its dangerous for you to be alone with her," Reid answered. 

“AHHHHH! Why are you like this?” Ayra yelled with desperation. 

Great, they’re starting to argue again. 

The argument captured the attention of the nearby parents as my Mom almost ran to the porch. 

“Ady? Is everything okay?” said Mom. 

“Oh, hello aunty,” greeted Ayra. 

“Ayra as a lady, you should know that you shouldn’t call a woman aunty,” Reid countered. 

“Oh my what a little gentleman you are,” complimented Mom. 

“My name is Reid Ma'am.”

“Nice to meet you, Reid” Mom replied after laughing a little, “so what's your name lady?”.

“My name’s Ayra, nice to meet you”.

“So when are your parents going to pick you up?” Mom asked them.

“My Mom will come soon. They are just…busy with work.” Ayra answered hesitantly.

“Then let’s wait for Ayra’s parents to arrive.” Mom suggested. 

There was a little park on the school campus, so we decided to head over there to play.While we were playing, my mom sat at a nearby bench as she watched over us. 

“I forgot to ask you this, what's your parents job, Ayra?” Reid asked. 

“They are doctors. Last week my parents joined a camp where they have to travel around the places and do research,” Ayra replied. 

“So you're leaving soon?” I asked. 

“Not yet, it will take at least 2 to 3 years to complete their research in this district,” Ayra replied. 

“So I have to suffer this devil for 2 years,” Reid sighed. 

“Can you please be quiet now?” Asked Ayra, full of anger. 

We played for a few minutes, well Reid and Ayra were mostly fighting. Until we heard a voice shouting in the distance. 

“AYRA!”

It was her mom who was still in her hospital scrubs.

“I-I am so sorry that I am late again Ayra…” her mom cried.

“It's ok mom, don't cry” Ayra murmured, trying to comfort her mom. 

We left after her mom thanked us for looking out for Ayra. 

_________________________________________________________________________

Back to present 

“And that's how we met." I finished the story. 

“That’s…shorter than I expected," commented Yumi. 

“Well, you only asked how we met” 

“is Ayra still here or she and her family left for another district?” 

I was frozen in the grass… thinking about how to answer that question.

Should I lie?

“Yeah, they have left this district after a while, though it took them more time than they expected.”

At least some of them were true.

I jumped up from the ground and did some stretching. 

“Let's go, it's getting late,” I ordered. 

“Okay!” exclaimed Yumi.

We went back the same as we reached here. But on the way I noticed some change in some of the plants near the grass we were in. Maybe the forest fire had a little impact on this, still it looked like some branches were missing.   

As we were nearing our home. 

“Ady!!” I heard my mom voice calling me. 

Author = Ryujin (@gol_d_ryujin) 

Editor/Proofreader= Tricky (@tiky_tricky)  

Art = Sara

Instagram = ryujin._.200