Friday, 2:46 PM.

Classes finished at midday to give students extra time to prepare for their challenge next week. That is precisely what two students were doing in the library. Well, one of them was.

"Do you need help with anything?" Malakai asked, looking across the table with his head resting on his palm.

"I'm okay", Maria smiled back.

The two were sitting opposite each other, revising. Maria had her books open, flashcards piled up next to her, different coloured pens on the other side and highlighters in front of her, while Malakai had just one book open in front of him. Malakai didn't come prepared; he turned up with one book for each subject and one pen. Malakai was the last-minute type of person when it came to exams. He thinks memorising the information a day or two before the exam is better as the content will be fresh in your memory. As you can tell, Malakai found studying boring. The two of them had already been there for fifteen minutes and only talked to each other for a little bit. There were two reasons for this, one Maria wanted to get some work done, and two, Maria was nervous. They met outside the library and talked until they found seats; when they sat down, Maria instantly pulled out her equipment and went straight to work. So they basically barely talked.

Malakai was comfy in his black tracksuit; he was a comfort dresser. Malakai knows how to dress fashionably but would choose to be comfortable than fashionable if given the choice. While he decided on plain, simple, and comfortable, Maria came looking like a model, which she is. Maria had blue jeans tied with a black belt and a long-sleeved black turtleneck tee. She also wore a silver necklace.

Malakai didn't look at her outfit properly when they first met; he just remembered it looked nice at first glance. Upon further inspection, he could understand why everybody always turned their head to look at her, had a crush on her and why she was famous, apart from being the daughter of a celebrity. In casual clothes, she was beautiful. Malakai didn't really notice her in her school uniform as she looked like an ordinary girl to him. But now, looking at her, she is gorgeous.

Maria noticed Malakai looking at her, "Do you need any flashcards to make notes?" she nervously offered, thinking he wanted something, as his side of the table looked empty.

"Naaah, I'm fine", he replied shaking his head. Malakai kept looking at Maria as she went back to writing. "You look tired. Do you sleep enough?" he asked, trying to look into her eyes.

"I'm not tired. I'm usually tired later in the day", Maria replied, writing information down and avoiding eye contact with Malakai.

"I think talking on the balcony at one in the morning is not good for you", Malakai said, leaning back in his chair and starting a sketch in his book.

"I like our talks", Maria said, finishing writing her sentence. "My body randomly wants water in the middle of the night, and every time I go to the balcony, you're there", Maria got her pen and pointed it towards Malakai, "If anything, I think you should go to sleep earlier", she giggled.

"Then we won't talk", Malakai replied, smiling, finally getting eye contact.

"Oh … uhh, hmmm. Then we should talk more during the day", Maria suggested, crossing her arms and looking away.

"If you wanna, but I'm not the type to approach people and talk. Unless I really need to or want to talk to that person", Malakai said, spinning his pen with his fingers.

"So you don't want to talk to me?" Maria pouted.

Malakai laughed a little, "I know we're gonna talk on the balcony".

Maria couldn't contain her smile, "Then maybe I won't stop coming to the balcony".

Malakai sat up, leaned forward and put his elbows on the table, "Don't blame me if you're tired the next day".

Maria smiled at him. She couldn't think of a response, so she shyly looked back at her notebook and continued to write up her notes.

That was the end of that conversation, leaving Malakai with nothing to do. Malakai wasn't studying. He was only there because he agreed with Maria to prepare for the exams together. He didn't feel like studying, so he entertained himself by drawing or looking around the library. Malakai rested his head on his palm again and looked around at the other people at random tables.

"Have you ever thought about how everyone here is living their own life?" Malakai randomly said.

Maria looked up from her notebook.

"Like they have their own complex problems, like me. Whenever I walk past someone, I think they are just a stranger I won't see again. Like I don't pay much mind to them. But they are actually human beings. Living day by day. They have their own life", Malakai rambled on, just staring into space. He spoke in a tone that was like he was speaking to himself.

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Maria watched Malakai as he said that. Seeing his hazelnut-coloured eyes glisten from her angle, "Isn't there a word for that feeling?" Maria asked to keep the conversation going.

"Sonder. I remember my friend telling me about it", Malakai replied, still looking into space. "It changed how I see things".

"Who was it?" Maria asked, thinking it was one of his friends who was with him now.

"You won't know them. A friend from England."

"Do you still talk to them?" Maria kept asking questions.

Malakai paused for a second. "Nah, not really. People move on, I guess".

Maria watched Malakai, who was deep in thought, and asked, "Are you having any problems? I will listen to your problems", putting her pen down, remembering he said everyone has their own problems like him.

Malakai put down his arm and looked at Maria, "My life's good right now. I have no problems", he said, smiling at Maria.

Hearing that made Maria happy; it made her feel warm inside. Just being with Malakai right now like this made her happy.

Brrr! Brrrr!

Malakai's phone vibrated on the table. He picked it up and saw someone calling him,

"Ray?"

He accepted the call and put the phone next to his ear.

“Yo you good?” Malakai asked.

"Yeah, is David with you?" Ray replied.

"Nah, why?" Malakai was lost. Why was he asking about David?

"He went out and left his phone and his bag. I asked everyone else, and they haven't seen him".

"Maybe he's gone to revise with Delilah", Malakai said, trying to think of a solution.

"I don't have her number, so I can't ask her".

"I'll text her".

Maria was looking at Malakai, slightly worried about what was happening. Also, she didn't want him to leave to sort out the problem. She wanted to stay with him longer.

"Okay, if you know what happens, just text in the group chat", Ray instructed.

"Why you acting like a dad to David?" Malakai jokingly asked.

"It's because he left his phone; it's weird he would do that".

"True, but it's David. He's gonna be fine".

"But still", Ray replied.

"Bro, don't worry. I'll text if I know anything".

"Okay, fine. See ya", Ray said.

"Safe". (Safe is slang for bye in the UK)

Malakai hung up and took his phone away from his ear.

"Did something happen?" Maria asked, wishing something didn't.

"Yeah, David went out without his phone, So no one knows where he is", Malakai replied. He opened his contacts and tapped on Delilah. He sent Delilah a text asking if she'd seen David.

"Do you have to go?" Maria asked to make sure.

"Naah, it's David, he's going to be fine".

Hearing that relieved Maria; this moment could last a little longer.

"We can go look for him when we finish studying", Maria offered.

"I thought we were going to eat?" Malakai replied, putting his phone back on the table.

"We can do that as well", she quickly responded excitedly.

Malakai laughed, "Aryt, let's finish revising quicker".

Maria was about to look down at her book when she saw some people walking in the corner of her left eye. Around eight or nine boys walked in, following each other, and one of them was David.

"He's here. David's over there", Maria said, looking over at the entrance.

Malakai popped up from his seat, "Where?" he said, looking around.

Maria pointed to the entrance, "Over there".

Malakai turned around, looked over the edge, and saw David walking in with Ryan and Dillon. He didn't know the rest of the guys.

"Why is he with Ryan and Dillon?" he said out loud.

Malakai picked up his phone and texted in the group chat.

'I found David. He's with me.'

Malakai watched as they were walking in. Malakai and Maria were on the second floor of the library. Where they were seated, the entrance could be seen as there was a glass wall; it was almost like a balcony. You could look over the edge and see directly below you. So, if people walked in, people on the second floor near the edge could see.

Meanwhile, the boys who walked in found a large table that looked purposely reserved for this occasion. They all took a seat.

"What are they doing? Is he having a meeting with them?" Malakai continued to rhetorically ask. He saw them walk together and sit at this round table.

Malakai stood up and went towards the stairs, "Maria, imma be back", he said, walking away.

"Malakai! Wait!" she said, standing up and reaching out.

She looked on helplessly while he continued to walk towards the stairs to the first floor, knowing she couldn't stop him. She slumped back into her seat, and placed her head on the table in frustration, and mumbled,

"Why did I tell him?"