Xavier stood under a tree, waiting patiently for Lara to arrive.
He checked his watch. It was already 10:30 a.m. They were supposed to meet by 10:00, but she was nowhere in sight.
He exhaled slowly, pulled his phone from his pants pocket, and tapped on the screen absentmindedly.
Lara stood by the roadside, waiting for a taxi. When one finally approached, she quickly waved it down. The driver stopped, and she got in, giving him directions to the school.
The taxi pulled up at the school gate. She paid the driver and dashed inside. Running toward the trees, she spotted Xavier standing there from a distance. As she got closer, she slowed her pace.
Xavier watched her intently as she approached. She stopped in front of him, hands on her waist, breathing heavily.
"You're late," he said flatly.
Still catching her breath, she checked the time on her phone. It was 11:00 a.m.
"I'm really sorry," she said. "It took a long time before I could get a taxi."
"If you had come even a minute later than this, you wouldn't have found me here," he replied.
"Why?" she asked in disbelief. "You would've gone home?"
"Yes."
"Okay… pardon me for today."
"Don't assume you'll meet me here if you come late tomorrow."
"Alright," she said quickly. "We'll use your bike. The place is quite far from here."
Xavier mounted the bike, while Lara climbed on behind him, directing the way.
He stopped at the entrance of the forest, and they both got down.
"We'll walk inside," Lara said.
Different varieties of flowers were scattered at the entrance, with a narrow passage stretching deep into the forest.
They walked in quietly.
"This is my special place," Lara said. "I found it when I was ten. I come here whenever I need to think."
Xavier's eyes scanned the forest. The trees were tall and wide, blocking most of the sunlight and making the place cool and dim.
This place hasn't changed much.
"How did you find it?" he asked.
"I don't really know. I was just walking one day and stumbled on it. I've loved it ever since."
At the far end of the forest, a lake shimmered faintly.
"Shit," she muttered. "I forgot my camera and sketchbook. I was in such a hurry."
She paused. "You did bring yours… right?"
She noticed the backpack on his back.
Xavier removed it, opened it, and brought out a camera and a sketchbook. He handed the camera to her.
"You can draw?" she asked.
"Yes."
"Cool. I'm good with pictures. You sketch, I'll take photos."
They went deeper into the forest.
Lara captured breathtaking views, while Xavier walked toward the lake. Two ducks swam lazily on the surface. He crouched and peered into the water, staring at his reflection.
A memory flashed through his mind—but he pushed it away.
He sat down and began sketching the lake.
He was so focused that he didn't notice Lara until she sat beside him.
"Xavier, look at these," she said, holding the camera close to his face.
He looked at her first, then at the pictures.
"They're good," he said simply.
She glanced at his sketchbook.
"Wow… your drawing is nice."
She traced her fingers lightly over the drawing before handing it back.
"It's almost done," he said.
"That means we're done for today."
She lay on the grass, dipping her hand into the water playfully. After a while, she turned toward him.
"Xavier," she called. "Why do you always cover your face?"
He paused, then continued sketching.
"I don't like exposing my face."
"Why?"
"I don't want to talk about it."
She leaned closer and reached for his hoodie, but he caught her hand instantly.
"Do you always invade people's privacy?" he asked calmly.
"You hide your face too. You have your reasons, and I don't question them. So don't try to remove my hoodie when I've told you I don't like it."