Zoom!

  Zoom!

  Zoom!

  Cars, buses, and trucks drove back and forth on the street at surprising speeds.

  I, who was on the sidewalk, listened to the sounds each vehicle made as I walked.

  ‘I think…I think I get it now.’

  As I walked, I felt as if I was spectating the world around me, like I wasn’t apart of it.

  I had calmed down significantly since the previous day and was starting to think with a clear head.

  Allowing me to reflect on what Aurora did.

  ‘The reason Aurora cheated on me…the reason I wasn’t able to have a lasting relationship…’

  I looked towards the sky.

  It was clear. Sunny too.

  Yet, I had no appreciation for it.

  ‘It’s because I’m not worthy of being loved.’

  **

  “Alright everyone, make sure to copy these vocabulary words down in your notebooks. Remember, writing things down will always help you remember them,” Mr. Bostav said.

  I began to copy down the words on the board just as Mr. Bostav instructed and as I did, I began to think.

  ‘I think Austin’s help actually worked. I feel like there’s less whispers now. Even so, there are still a good few of them. I guess not everyone believed him…’

  “Hey Elliot,” a voice whispered, snapping me out of my thoughts.

  Looking to my side, I showed Nishimoya a curious expression.

  “What is it?” I asked.

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  “Did you know that doodling while listening to something can help you retain that information in your memory?” Nishimoya replied.

  I blinked twice and tilted my head.

  “Really?” I asked.

  “Yes,” Nishimoya assured.

  “I’m guessing you learned that from a book your parents made you read?” I guessed confidently.

  “Yes, again,” Nishimoya confirmed.

  I let out a small and silent chuckle.

  “We should hang out after school,” Nishimoya suggested.

  I stared at her with a certain look that made my confusion quite evident.

  ‘She never wants to hang out after school…why now? And won’t her parents get mad?’

  These thoughts only flashed through my mind for a split second and when I was done thinking, I replied back.

  “Sure?” I answered with slight hesitation.

  Nishimoya flashed me a smile and both began to focus back on our class.

  **

  ‘Where’s Nishimoya at?’

  As I walked outside of the school building, I looked around for Nishimoya.

  I knew she was likely outside before me so I just had to find her.

  While I looked, I saw two people that caught my eye.

  ‘Aurora and that guy…’

  I saw Aurora talking with the guy she cheated on me with, probably flirting with him.

  It made my stomach churn.

  “Elliot!” I heard a voice shout out.

  I turned my head and noticed it was Nishimoya.

  She gestured for me to come over and that’s what I did.

  Then, we left the school premises.

  “Hey…won’t your parents get mad you’re hanging out with me after school? Please don’t tell me you lied to them again, especially not for me,” I questioned.

  Nishimoya shook her head.

  “No, I didn’t lie to them. We’re actually going to the library,” She said matter of factly.

  ‘Huh? We are? Why?’

  I had many questions but I decided to wait and see how things would turn out.

  As we walked together, Nishimoya decided to tell me about a few random facts.

  Before we knew it, we had ended up at the library.

  Once we entered, Nishimoya directed me towards one of the stack aisles.

  “Alright so what are we doing?” I finally asked.

  “We’re going to do a book scavenger hunt,” Nishimoya stated.

  “Explain.”

  Nishimoya nodded and spoke.

  “Each of us will have to look for a book corresponding to a specific topic or word and bring it back. Whoever brings it in the middle of the aisle first wins,” Nishimoya explained.

  Listening to the explanation, I nodded to show my understanding.

  “Let’s play then,” I said.

  For the first round, the topic was fire so we both rushed to find a book.

  I moved from cover to cover, looking for a book to find.

  “Ahh I need to find it!” I quietly said.

  Nishimoya laughed silently and kept on looking on her own.

  Then, I found something.

  A book called a song of ice and fire.

  Picking it up, I rushed over to the middle and placed the book on the floor.

  “I win,” I said with a grin.

  “Aww,” Nishimoya grumbled in disappointment.

  ‘That was fun!’

  I stood up and spoke.

  “Let’s do another match,” I suggested.

  Nishimoya agreed and we began to play again.

  And again.

  And again.

  For each game, my mind was kept busy, not thinking of anything except for playing.

  In the end, through this little activity, Nishimoya had impressed me yet again.

  She was truly…a friend I could admire.