“Jace, make sure you clean your room okay?”

“I already did, mom. G’night.” Jace said as he entered his room and swung the door to a close. He dropped his bag on the floor and slumped into a chair, heaving off a huge sigh.

“Seriously, everything is so crazy right now. I-r-s-a…“

Members of the literature club already left. Oresa smiled. “Asari, I’ll talk with Jace first. You can wait for me near the student lounge.”

“Okay.” Asari replied. She then turned to Jace. “S-See you, Jace…” She stepped out of the literature club room and walked timidly to where she would meet with Oresa later.

“What’s up, Oresa?” Jace asked.

“I’ve known you since we were kids. Well… except for those years that we stopped talking to each other.” Oresa started. “That aside, I know you’re a good guy.”

“Hmm, I would be flattered if you didn’t say that with such a straight face.” He said. “What about me being a good guy?”

“Hmm… You wanted to find Irsa right? Look into that list that I gave you, check the 14th line.” She said, watching him scramble through his things. “I’m sure you two will…”

“What do I do with her name?”

“Consider the first 5 letters, remove the centermost letter and flip it around.”

He did as told. His eyes widened. “What…? She’s…”

Jace sighed once more. He removed his shirt and tossed it by the laundry basket. His other effects followed. He passed by the glass door and walked over to the stall shower. He turned the knob and water came gushed out from the showerhead. His hands found their way in his hair.

Jace then dabbed some shampoo and continued with his digits, washing the accumulated dirt that stuck to it. “Hair samples are used to see the pollution levels in an area…” he randomly spoke as he remembered what his professor told the Environmental Science class. “…this is possibly because of the common contamination of heavy metals as well as other pollutants in the air…” He was clearly trying to distract himself but his thoughts fluttered back to what happened earlier.

“Why are you telling me this…? Why just now?” He asked; there was still a trace of surprise in his tone.

“You’re a good guy. Now that you know about this, do what you think you should do. This is what you wanted, no?” Oresa said.

“This is… it’s such a shock for me. I never thought that she would think about me that way.”

“Well don’t you think you should at least do something about it?”

“Hmm, I guess I will…”

“Good to hear.” She seemed to show a pained smile.

Jace washed soap lather off of him. He grabbed a towel and dried himself. He gave off a sigh as he headed towards the mirror. Face to face; a coffee-haired, green-eyed teen with a well-toned body stared back at him.

“Don’t you wish all this Irsa thing didn’t happen? Back when being too normal also meant living a more peaceful high school life…” His inner self knew the answer to this question, but he also felt like he would be insincerity if he said he didn’t enjoy the thrills of having more people notice him.

He was about to leave when she stopped him with her words.

“You know, I never forgot your smile; even after we stopped talking to each other. You were always a good friend to me.” Oresa spoke.

“Thanks... that moment was really awkward for me. Sorry if there had to be this Irsa incident before I could speak to you again.” He smiled apologetically.

“It’s alright, I understand. Anyway, have fun tomorrow!” She stared at him for a few seconds. “Oh and tuck your shirt in please, it bothers me a little to see things out of place. You know me.” She laughed lightly.

“Haha, same old Oresa.”