The sky glowed with orange and purple, with a faint blue hidden behind the clouds. Arwin blew a cold breath into his arms as he made his way to school. The cold of dawn brushed upon his skin with a harsh intensity that caused goose bumps to rise on his skin.
Naomi had told him a lot about this mysterious number two student of the school. According to Naomi, the only way he could actually see the girl was to show up at the library at the crack of dawn.
He soon arrived at the school, climbing up the stairs to reach the school library. His steps slowed down so as not to attract attention, and he carefully entered the library, and as promised, a girl sat at one of the tables reading through a novel.
The girl had reddish brown hair tied into a bun, while her eyes were a light brown colour, covered by oval spectacles that aided the girl's eyes. Her eyes were focused as she read through her novel with a smile,
He walked carefully to her, grabbed a seat in front of her, and dragged it back, causing it to scratch against the floor. The girl's head jerked up, noticing the emotionless boy who now sat in front of him.
The girl let out a stifled scream as she prevented herself from falling over. She observed the boy with a terrified expression as he tilted his head, surprised by her unique reaction. The girl scrambled with her stack of books as she rushed to leave the room.
"Wait, I just want to talk to you. Is that okay?" Mirandel froze her foot, stopping before reaching the exit. She turned around, a bit of hesitation in her movements, "Why would you want to talk to me?"
Naomi had gone into detail about Mirandel and how to win her over. She had mentioned how shy she was around new people, how she liked novels, spent most of her time in the library reading books, and so with that information, his mind had gone into overdrive. Besides, he also had one more piece of very crucial information he could utilise, but found it wise not to use it now.
"Don't be troubled by me, I just want to study with you and improve my grades, is it that bad?" Mirandel shook her head gently, a bit of curiosity in her voice, "But why me? Aren't there any other students you could ask?"
Arwin shook his head, a simple, calm voice escaping his lips, "I trust in my sense of judgement, that's why I choose you." Mirandel seemed to digest his words, her lips quivering a little as she spoke. She avoided making eye contact with him as she finally responded.
"I can't help you, I'm sorry", he sighed as a thought passed through his mind ", Naomi was right, she may be difficult", and soon after, the girl rushed away, unwilling to listen to the emotionless boy.
***
Arwin saw Jack seated in class, his face twisted into a deep frown, projecting a sense of minor depression from his friend. He walked over and placed a hand upon the gloomy boy's shoulder.
"So, what's wrong with you?" Jack touched his cheek, a gloomy voice escaping his lips, "I'm getting kicked off the basketball team" Arwin retracted his hand, knowing too well the boy was hiding a rage just looking for a reason to burst out.
"But why? Aren't you one of their stars?" Jack couldn't bring herself to face Arwin as he quickly responded to the asked question, "Well, according to them, it's affecting my test scores, as I hope you clearly saw on the notice board. They said they will only reconsider their choice if I can pass a retake next week".
Arwin stroked his chin because, although this scene came off as tragic, he could use it to his advantage. He turned back to Jack, the words he was to say quickly forming in his mind as he came to say.
"I think I have a solution to your problems" Jack turned to his friend, finally paying attention to him. Seeing this, Arwin continued, "Well, I can introduce you to someone who can help you out with it"
Jack now stared at Arwin with a bit of intrigue as he posed his question, "And how is she supposed to help me then?" Arwin tilted his head as his mind soon came up with a quick answer.
"She can help you study, to say the least." Jack turned away from Arwin as if losing interest in him entirely "And why would I need help to study?" Arwin needed Jack to conquer the obstacle that was Mirandel Aves. He was a force to reckon with when it came to socialising, so with this opportunity in hand, he was not willing to let it go.
"The thing is, it's better to study with someone like her than alone. It's easier to avoid distractions that way, and this is your easiest way out unless you would rather struggle with this alone"
Jack let out a long sigh before he replied with the gloomy tone that he had had since morning, "I'll do it then, so when and where can I meet this Mirandel Aves?"
***
The frigid morning cold blew over Arwin's skin as he felt its cold embrace once more. He had planned to reach a little later than usual to give the weapon he had deployed time to do its thing. He had planned to send Jack there early, while he came in later, and now he would observe the result of his labour.
He approached the library, slowing down his steps once again so as not to attract attention and soon stepped through the library door. He was greeted by the laughter of his friend Jack, who sat opposite the humble Mirandel, who herself had a shy smile upon her face.
She came to notice him soon, turning away with a sudden motion that alerted the joyful boy, who turned back and saw his own emotionless friend standing in the doorway of the library.
"Guess what, she agreed to help the two of us study, actually" his face gleamed with a gentle smile that was elevated by the hope in the young basketballer's eyes as he continued "And you were right it is easier to study with her than when am alone so I may just be able to ace this test"
"Let's not count our eggs before they hatch, okay?" His eyes then turned to the shy girl who sat opposite Jack. Her nature seemed different when he first came into the room, forcing him to ponder what kind of conversation the two must have had.
"So, is it true that you will now aid me in my studies?" The young girl dodged his gaze at every turn as she briefly nodded her head to him. Arwin closed his eyes for a brief moment as he came to join the two at the table where the three would go on to study for the rest of that morning.