I wake up to my phone ringing. Hm? Who could be calling at -i check my phone- 6 am? The unknown number calls again. I pick up. 

“Hello?” I ask.

“Hi, is this Prija?” A feminine but deep voice asks on the other end.
“Yes? Who am I talking to?” 

“This is Tida,” she says. “From the cafe, remember?” 

Oh yeah, her. What does she want at this hour?

“I just wanted to know if you’re free this afternoon,” 

“Uhm, maybe,” I yawn. “I have school so I don't know if or when I'll be free.” 

Wait, shit. I’m gonna be late! I put the phone on speaker and get ready. 

“Oh, okay,” I hear her voice echoing as I go to the bathroom to put some makeup on. 

“Well, I have to go or else I'll be late,” I grab an apple off the counter and my bag. 

“Okay,” she says, even though I can't see her face I can feel her smiling. “See you later!” 

“Yeah, see you.” I hang up, put on my shoes and head to school. 

My headphones on, as usual, playing, ‘Sinking town’ by Yoeko Kurahashi. A very good song. 

I get to school on time and head to my class, immediately. 

Phew, the day’s finally over! And no projects, because Mr. Hawkson wasn't here today. The time is 3 pm. I hate how long school is. Especially because Chimin wasn't here either. Things are so boring without her. I wonder if she’s okay. Maybe she either had no energy at all or was sick. 

“Are you okay, Chimin?” I text her.

I start walking to the park, wanting to relax there for a bit. 

A few minutes pass, Chimin replies;

Chichi<3

“Yeah, I just wasn’t feeling well..”

Me

“Oh, I’m sorry to hear that Chi..”

“Are you feeling better at least?”

Chichi<3

“Mhm, i’m better now”

Me

“That’s good to hear”

“See you tomorrow?”

Chichi<3

“See you”

As I close my eyes to relax, I get another notification. 

Oh yeah, Tida wanted to hang out today. 

Tida

“Is school over?” 

Me

“Yeah, and i’m free”

“I’m at the Welkin park”

Tida

“Okay, be there in 5”

“See ya!”

Me

“See you”

I watch some tiktok on my phone as I wait. As I do, a stray cat jumps onto the bench. I smile at it, and reach to pet it. I think it’s used to humans, it leaned into my touch immediately. Its fur was soft and orange with some white stripes. It leans into me and it craws into my lap. It lays down and I keep petting it as I continue scrolling on my phone. 

“You having fun?” a voice says behind me. I look at them, and sure enough she stands there with a little smirk on her face.