In the language classroom, Jayden and Daisy occupied their own table, sharing laughter and jokes to ease the pre-test tension. Their carefree banter provided a stark contrast to the studious atmosphere around them. Not too far away, Shane and Aleena were seated at a separate table, both ostensibly engaged in their studies, although not with their textbooks.
Shane's attention was fixed on Daisy, who remained blissfully unaware of his watchful gaze. Her laughter resonated melodiously, filling the room with its light and cheerful notes, and Shane couldn't help but find himself smiling every time her laughter reached his ears.
Beside Shane, Aleena had her own silent contemplations. She traced the contours of Shane's face with her eyes, fully aware that his thoughts were preoccupied with Daisy, who sat across the classroom. A strange, nagging sensation gnawed at her gut every time she saw Shane lost in his infatuation with Daisy. She called out to him, but her voice went unheard as Shane remained entranced by Daisy. An unspoken sorrow settled in Aleena's chest, but she pushed it aside, unwilling to confront it.
" Do you think Jayden and Daisy are dating?" a girl to Aleena's left asked her friend, both of them casting curious glances toward the pair near the front of the room.
"They're always together, and they only hang out with each other. Wouldn't surprise me!" her friend replied with a giggle, their eyes fixed on Jayden and Daisy.
Aleena knew Shane had overheard the conversation and waited anxiously to see how he would react. Shane's gaze remained fixed on Daisy's table, his eyes dropping when they landed on Jayden. The sight of them together, seemingly inseparable, dampened Shane's spirits. He couldn't help but feel that there was no chance for him because Jayden and Daisy appeared to be an item. The constant togetherness of Jayden and Daisy weighed heavily on Shane's heart, casting a shadow over his own aspirations.
Aleena longed to advise Shane to let go of his feelings for Daisy, but she recognized that it wasn't her place to interfere. Shane hadn't confided in her about his crush, which stung a little, but it was painfully evident to anyone who paid attention. Aleena's unspoken wish was for it to be just her and Shane, to preserve the bond they had shared for so long, unburdened by the complexities of romantic entanglements.
***
The designated study period seemed more like an opportunity for Damian and William to catch up on their sleep. For one of them, it involved rooftop naps, where the narrow ledges often served as makeshift beds. It was a risky endeavor, with the potential danger of a misstep sending him over the edge. Yet, Damian was so accustomed to perching at the roof's precipice that he harbored no fear of falling. Occasionally, the thought of simply rolling off the edge crossed his mind, but he dismissed it as a foolish notion, telling himself it was irrational.
William, on the other hand, preferred to doze off in the abandoned art classroom on the second floor. The room had fallen into disuse since the art teacher's departure, and even if students ventured in, he could always hide in the cluttered storage room connected to it. The space was so haphazardly organized that anyone, including teachers, who attempted to locate him within the mess always came up empty-handed. It provided a perfect sanctuary for boys who wanted to steer clear of their high school's social scene.
However, on this particular day, the sound of someone unlocking the door disrupted William's slumber, jolting him awake from his nap. He silently sat up and observed the intruder from his concealed vantage point behind canvases and paintbrushes. The newcomer was a girl, navigating her way through the chaotic classroom, heading in William's direction.
He watched her steadily approach, overhearing her muttered words under her breath.
When she drew within a few feet of him, William moved up quietly behind her, the girl not noticing his presence yet.
"What are you doing here?"
Daisy screamed upon hearing the voice behind her, having assumed the classroom was deserted.
Concerned that her scream might attract a teacher's attention, William swiftly pulled Daisy closer to him, muffling her cries with his hand. She immediately ceased her outburst, her warm breath caressing his palm as she panted.
While William didn't initially recognize her, given his tendency to not remember many of his high school peers, it became apparent that she knew who he was. The pieces clicked into place, and he remembered that she was the girl he had bumped into that very morning in the hallway. As soon as Daisy ceased screaming, he released her, subtly wiping his palm on his pants.
"I asked what you were doing here."
Daisy's heart raced, and she couldn't be entirely sure whether it was due to the fear stemming from her initial scare. She could still feel the warmth of his slightly calloused hand on her mouth, the memory lingering on her skin.
She swallowed hard but stood her ground. "What are you doing here? Miss Tan asked me to grab some papers before the test. I thought this classroom was abandoned."
"Clearly, you were mistaken," he retorted before making his way toward the exit.
"Wait!" Daisy called out, a sudden desperation she couldn't quite comprehend taking hold of her. She knew she didn't want William to leave.
She reached for his arm as he turned away, prompting him to whirl around, his gaze fierce and intimidating. He shook off her hand, sparing her one last penetrating look before storming out of the room. Daisy stared after him, her mind awash with an inexplicable mix of emotions, wondering about the peculiar sensation welling up in her chest.