It had now become routine to arrive at school at dawn, coming to this spot to study with Jack and Mirandel, and today was no different. He showed up at the library, entering through the gate as he looked towards their usual place by the window.
Mirandel sat at her regular spot, reading a novel with a dark blue cover. He moved to her and took a seat. She seemed to notice his arrival but chose to ignore it, her eyes fixed on her book, as if disturbing her would be a grave offence.
Arwin didn't know much about the girl, mainly that it was Jack who knew how to get her to talk, whereas he had never even managed to make her so much as blink. But today, he planned to do just that.
"Good morning, " the girl shivered slightly for a moment, startled to hear the emotionless boy. She lowered her book slightly before voicing, "G…G…good morning to you, Ar..Arwin. "
She quickly placed her book back in position, deciding to end their chat there, but that wasn't Arwin's plan.
She gripped her book tighter, dreading the possibility that the emotionless boy might try to start a conversation again.
Arwin let out a sigh before packing up his things, ready to leave the library. Mirandel seemed to notice but held back from acting on it.
"I'll be taking my leave, " the girl's head jerked up as she finally looked at the departing Arwin, who then heard a shaky voice speak to him.
"Why are you leaving?" Arwin paused for a moment, then turned to face the girl who deliberately avoided his gaze again, before adding, "'cause it seems you don't want me here, so I'll leave, and no worries, I'll make sure Jack shows up."
Mirandel shifted slightly, but Arwin ignored her, taking steady steps towards the exit, only for the shaky voice to sound again. "I'm sorry if I came off that way, I'm just... not used to people, in fact, most of the time I would rather be alone"
Mirandel placed down her book, choosing to finally face the boy. Orez looked through his options before continuing to speak.
"And why would that be? I personally believe that person wants to be alone, however much we try to tell ourselves that". The girl shook her head, though it was not in disapproval.
"You're not wrong, but being around people always reminded me how alone I was. The more I tried to interact with them, the more I could see their lies. It's why I hate making eye contact, the eyes just reveal too much"
Arwin shifted, turning to fully face the shy girl who talked with a reserved tone and could not agree but agree with her words, looking at the happy smiles of others talking and having fun with each other, none of them seeming even a bit inviting.
And when you actually try, their eyes seem so unwelcoming, as if they're hoping that you would take a hint and go away and for people like her and him who could easily pick up on things like this, no wonder she tried to avoid people and took on the strain of a lonely life.
No one wanted to be alone, but sometimes people were left with no choice "I can't fully understand what you are going through, but I believe that if you want things to change, then you have to actively push towards that outcome".
Mirandel gazed at him, a hint of curiosity in her gaze "So are you trying such an outcome?" Arwin closed his eyes briefly and nodded calmly, "Yes, and I am planning on making it happen"
Mirandel's gaze shifted from curiosity to one ignited with a spark. Her voice trembled as she spoke in a reserved tone, "And what if you fail in your goals?" Arwin shook his head slowly as he replied, "Not possible, I am not intending to fail, no matter what, I will reach my outcome."
His gaze was then brought to the clock that lied on the wall above the librarian's desk "Its getting late I'll be taking my leave and by the way since we missed today's study session, I'm inviting you to my place to make up for it besides the retake is tomorrow, I won't force you to come but if you agree then feel free to come via my class"
***
The bell rang, symbolising lunchtime for the students of the school. He walked out of the class, followed by Jack. He had filled him in on the plan of meeting up at his place, to which the boy had willingly accepted.
The two walked through the hallway that was filled with students, producing murmurs around until he saw a girl with reddish brown hair heading towards him. She kept her sight on the floor, not wanting to make contact with any of the people that she walked past.
"Hey Mirandel, where to?" the girl shook from fright and quickly turned to the boy in front of her. Her lips twisted as the girl finally spoke, "I'll come to your place for the study session, that's all"
The girl raced away before he could say anything else to her, making him wonder how she was supposed to tell her where he lived. He turned back to his friend Jack and said, "Can you tell Naomi to bring her over later?"
To which Jack willingly agreed, a hint of excitement on his face, as after the two had their lunch, the day went by without anything of importance happening.
The two had set up a table from which they would do their studies. Jack sat down, stretching as he made himself get comfortable with his new environment "Dude, your house is huge, and you don't live with your parents, you are living the life, man"
Jack seemed more than relaxed as the two waited for the two girls to show up, in which Jack then asked, "Do you think Mirandel is going to come?"
Arwin placed down the final thing needed for their session, which was a bowl of chips that Jack salivated for as soon as they hit the table.
"She did say she was coming, but we won't know till Naomi arrives" Jack reached out for the chips as he spoke in a nonchalant tone "Well, I hope she shows up" Arwin swooped up and stopped Jack from taking chips from the bowl as he spoke in a careful tone "Me too".
There was a knock at the door, causing Arwin to move towards the door and open it, revealing two girls outside. Mirendel wore a long dress, which was white with flower patterns on it. Meanwhile, Naomi wore a white shirt and brown pants that stretched to her ankles, giving off her firm sense of maturity. The two girls entered, and their last study session soon began.