—
9.0
—
I entered the classroom with a small box of chocolates. A younger student had stopped me on my way, and though I was initially taken aback, I quickly realised what was happening. Today was Valentine’s Day. The classroom was buzzing with energy as girls handed out treats to the guys.
I approached Hazel, who was sitting at her desk, her attention fixed on her notebook. She was completely absorbed in her notes, her pen gliding smoothly across the page.
“Hey, Hazel,” I said, leaning casually against her desk.
“Good morning, Marcus,” she replied, looking up momentarily before reaching beneath her desk and retrieving a small box. She handed it to me with a quick, effortless motion. “I already gave everyone else their gifts, so you were the last one.”
It was a neat box of chocolates—most likely the obligatory kind handed out on Valentine’s. I wondered briefly if she’d made them herself or just picked them up from the store. Given the casualness of it all, I assumed the latter.
“Thanks, Hazel,” I said, placing the box carefully in my bag and mentally noting my second gift of the day.
“Sure,” she replied, her gaze swiftly returning to her notebook.
Pausing for a moment, I gauged her expression, aiming to sound casual. “I won’t keep you—I just wanted to see if you’d be interested in going out with me this Saturday.”
“Nope,” she replied almost instantly, without a hint of hesitation. “By the way, why are you asking me out? And on today of all days? Don't you know people would think it's a date?”
“I do, but it was concerning that assumption I had, plus I said it's on Saturday, not today, didn't I?” I said, trying to maintain a light-hearted tone.
“And that requires you to take me on a date?” She said, looking up and this time meeting my eyes.
“Well, maybe you shouldn’t phrase it as a date per se,” I remarked, scratching the top of my head, aware of the curious gazes from our classmates.
“Then what?” she asked, arching an eyebrow.
“An outing amongst friends?” I offered, giving her a hopeful look. Taking note of the attention we were receiving, I grabbed her hand and pulled her gently, indicating that she should follow me. She did, albeit reluctantly.
We walked out of the classroom to have our private conversation at the end of the hallway. I was about to explain further, but Hazel spoke first.
“I wanted to say I’m sorry if I came off a little too harsh with my rejection,” Hazel said, her expression softening.
“It’s cool. I just sprung it on you without warning,” I said with a shrug. “Anyway, I need you to come with me.”
With a groan, Hazel crossed her arms. “Why don’t we invite Diya or the other members of our council?”
“Because I trust you with this,” I responded.
“And you don’t trust Diya?” She asked, raising an eyebrow.
“I do trust her; it’s just that I don’t want her getting involved in student council drama. You were the one that mentioned she had too much on her plate already,” I pointed out.
“That is true,” she conceded, considering my logic. “But I still don’t want to go. I am not particularly keen on spreading rumours around the school about us at this time.”
“At this time? So you want that to happen later?” I teased, smirking.
“You know what I mean,” she murmured as she turned to face away.
“Alright then, if you insist on not coming with me, then I guess it’s time for me to use my ace in the hole,” I said, crossing my arms.
“Ace in the hole?” She repeated, turning back to me, confused.
“Yep. Remember our in-class voting deal?” I said, my eyes twinkling with mischief.
Realising this, her eyes widened. “Are you seriously going to force me to go?” Hazel asked, her tone incredulous.
“The winner gets to ask the loser to do anything. That was the deal we agreed to,” I reminded her. I could see her eyes darting around as she searched for a way out. “Come on, it would be fun and definitely worth it.”
“You are very persistent,” she remarked, her voice laced with resignation.
“Well, get used to it,” I said with a grin.
“That could very well be a toxic trait, you know. Better get that under control,” she warned, and for a moment, I had a flash of my sister in my mind.
“I’ll do my best. So?” I said expectantly.
“Whatever, I will go with you,” she said with a sigh, giving in.
Although the method I used to get her to come was dubious and questionable, I really wanted her to come, not just to confirm my assumption but because, for some reason, I wanted it to be just the two of us. I could have easily invited someone else, but I had come up with those excuses.
“Thanks. I’ll send you the details later,” I said, feeling a sigh of relief.
She let out another sigh and turned to return to the classroom. I followed her, feeling the awkwardness from our conversation sink in. As we entered, the realisation dawned on me that I had essentially been rejected by Hazel in front of the entire class.
Why did it take me until now to realise this? My jaw tightened as an unsettling feeling washed over me. With about ten minutes until class was meant to start, I decided to leave again. I turned on my heel and headed back out, needing a moment to gather my thoughts.
Just as I was pondering my next move outside the classroom, I heard a voice I recognised. “Hey, Marcus, it’s been a while.”
I turned to see Diya, holding a large bag brimming with boxes, each one decorated with ribbons and little hearts. “Diya,” I said, a faint smile forming at the corners of my mouth. She returned my smile, lifting the bag slightly as if to show off her impressive haul. Clearly, she’d prepared gifts for nearly everyone in the class, judging by the sheer number of boxes and colourful wrappings peeking out from the top.
“Need help with—” I started to offer, but stopped myself. Diya was on her way to the classroom—the exact location I was attempting to avoid. There could be rumours if I entered the room with her and those boxes. Considering the class had just witnessed my rejection from Hazel, they might jump to conclusions about me moving on too quickly. I now realise why Hazel was worried about rumours. Sometimes I really doubt my ability to read situations accurately.
“Nothing,” I blurted out, attempting to hide my reluctance.
“Oh, okay. Are you free later today?” She asked in a casual tone, but the question caught me off guard.
Now I completely understand how Hazel felt. What was going on today? I've already dealt with a number of unforeseen circumstances in the last few minutes. Considering it was Valentine's Day, was Diya asking me out on a date? I immediately came to that conclusion.
“Today? Yes, I am. Why?” I asked.
“I know what you’re thinking, and no, I’m not asking you out on a date. It’s more of a hangout,” Diya explained, a playful smile tugging at her lips.
It was similar to the tactic I had used on Hazel earlier. I put my palm on my head, feeling a little guilty and regretful. This didn't bode well, as Diya's eyes became heavy with disappointment, misinterpreting my body language.
“Sorry about that. It's just that what you said was very similar to something I heard from someone else,” I quickly clarified in an attempt to allay her worries.
“Clarifying it was just an outing and not a date?” She asked, tilting her head in confusion.
“Yep.” I nodded. As I had hoped, her mood lightened, and she giggled.
“Is it just the two of us?” I asked, and my curiosity was piqued.
“Well, that obviously makes it a date, wouldn’t it? Don’t worry, I’m inviting Hazel as well. Truth is, I just realised that the three of us have never hung out before,” Diya replied.
“You’re not wrong about that, but why today of all days?” I asked, raising an eyebrow. She casually shrugged her shoulders, as though there was no true explanation. “That’s crazy. So we could literally do this on any other day? Besides, I assumed you, of all people, would be busy on Valentine's Day.”
“Oh, and what’s that supposed to mean?” She narrowed her eyes at me playfully, pouting a bit.
“Those boxes—doesn’t that prove my point?” I pointed to the neatly wrapped gifts in the bag she was holding.
“They’re just obligatory chocolates; I hand them out every year,” she replied with a wave, dismissing my assumption.
“Are you trying to say that there aren't any there that belong to a special someone?” I teased.
“Very funny, but no,” she remarked contemptuously.
“I do find it strange, though,” I mused.
“What is it?” she asked, her curiosity piqued.
“The fact that you’re still single,” I added, attempting to seem nonchalant.
She stared at me for a moment, then used her head to nudge under my chin. “What was that for?” I asked as she relaxed her head on my chest.
“For making assumptions,” she said, her voice muffled.
“Wait, does that mean you’re actually dating someone?” I asked, intrigued.
“Nope,” she replied, pulling back just enough to look up at me. “But maybe ask before assuming.”
“Fair point,” I said, holding up my hands in surrender. “Consider me warned.”
After having her close for an extended period, she finally stepped back. “Anyway, we’re meeting in my room for a chill-out night filled with movies and food.”
“Your room? Isn’t that a bit too much?” I enquired, feeling a twinge of awkwardness.
“I see nothing wrong with that,” she remarked, her mischievous eyes twinkling.
Considering my recent streak of self-reflection and embarrassment, I was hyper-aware of the situation. A guy going to a girl’s room at night, and with two girls on Valentine’s Day, would definitely not be a good look.
“Diya, you do realise how that might look, right?” I asked, trying to sound reasonable.
With a playful sparkle in her eyes, she giggled. “Oh, come on, Marcus. It’s just a hangout. Besides, who cares what people think? Let them talk. We’re just friends having fun,” she said, her energy infectious.
“Please, let’s be careful,” I murmured, internally accepting the idea despite my reservations.
“Careful about what?” Diya asked, tilting her head in curiosity.
“About letting people find out about this whole thing we have planned,” I clarified, being careful with my tone.
“Of course!” Diya smiled back. “You should get the snacks and drinks, then meet me at my room by six.”
“Six? Got it,” I confirmed.
Diya let out a little cheer; her energy was infectious. She adjusted her grip on the boxes she was holding, balancing them with practicing ease.
“Great, I’m off to tell Hazel,” she said, spinning on her heel.
As Diya opened the door to the classroom, I pulled out my phone to check the time. There were three minutes left before homeroom started. I watched her enter with her usual light step, looking as if she didn’t have a care in the world. It struck me then that she hadn’t handed me an obligatory gift, like she was planning to do so with the others. Not that it mattered, but a twinge of disappointment came in. Maybe I’d just been hoping for something more.
Deciding to shake it off, I stepped away from the classroom, choosing to linger in the hallway. I needed a moment to gather myself to let that odd sense of unease fade before heading back.
—
9.1
—
Throughout the day, the halls of Hachin Academy were alive with gift exchanges and romantic gestures—couples, hopeful matches, secret admirers, and even long-time friends finding tiny ways to express gratitude. Boxes of chocolate and elegantly wrapped treats passed between hands, each gift telling its own story. I found myself at the receiving end of several offerings, some seemingly obligatory from classmates and others undoubtedly meant to convey admiration.
By the time I counted them all, I had received sixteen gifts from people across all class years. The breakdown was interesting: four from classmates, the rest primarily from juniors, each accompanied by a shy smile or bashful glance. One gift was especially surprising—Krista, a senior from Class 1, had introduced herself with a confident grin, leaving me both impressed and a little amused. But perhaps the most intriguing gift came from an anonymous admirer in my year, Class 2, delivered with a note that hinted at something more than mere admiration.
Apparently, my popularity reached further than I’d thought. While I assumed much of it was superficial, likely drawn by appearances more than personality, I was willing to accept it as a compliment.
I then clearly recall my bold earlier actions, playing over and over in my thoughts. I hadn't heard anyone say anything about it, but I knew that was simply because they made sure I didn't.
The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.
I was brought back to reality by a loud laugh. Right now, I was at the grocery store, getting the drinks and snacks Diya had requested. However, because of how weird this day was, I wasn't doing this shopping on my own. The laughter came from the girl beside me, Natsumi. We bumped into each other on the way here, and, unsurprisingly, she had already heard about what transpired in the morning.
“I already told you, I was not asking her out,” I uttered, exasperation in my voice.
“You can deny all you want, but that doesn't take away the fact that she said no in front of everyone,” she said, trying not to laugh.
“Honestly, Natsumi, I don't know what to do with you sometimes,” I said. When she had finally calmed down, she put her hand on my shoulder.
“It is good to let out a hearty laugh once in a while,” Natsumi said.
“Doing it at the expense of someone else is a bit problematic, don't you think?” I said this while reaching out to pick up a few drinks from the standing refrigerator in front of me. I was unsure of what Hazel and Diya liked, so I decided to pick a blend of the top three drinks. With a shopping cart in hand, I took roughly six bottles out of the refrigerator.
“Come on,” I called to Natsumi, and she followed me with the items she came for in her hands. “Don’t you have any plans today?” I asked curiously.
“I do, as a matter of fact. A date,” Natsumi said.
“Is it happening outside of school?” I wondered because the time was around 5 PM, and the school gates usually close around 9 PM. This meant you would have to spend the night at a hotel if you were still outside by then. However, during the weekends, the school gates were closed around midnight, which was late but took into account that students might decide to go sightseeing or seek other forms of entertainment.
“Yeah. I was invited to Kaiyukan,” she said.
“What is that?” I asked.
“It’s an aquarium,” Natsumi explained.
“An aquarium?” I said, grabbing various edibles from the shelf.
“Surprising, right? It seems he had someone spill the beans on me. The Kaiyukan aquarium was a place I always wanted to go to when I found out about it. I may not look like it, but I love fish,” she added.
“I see. So this is the perfect date location, then,” I said.
“Exactly. I honestly can't wait,” she said.
“For him or the fish?” I teased as we both walked towards the counter.
“Is it wrong for me to say the fish?” Natsumi said.
“Damn, I do feel bad for the guy,” I said.
After making our purchases, we carried our stuff in nylon bags, both exiting the shop and stepping into the courtyard of the mall. Dedicated to one of the greatest baseball players in history, Ichiro Suzuki, this was the Ichiro Mall. The mall has three floors and is about 6,000 square metres with over 50 stores, which include various restaurants, department stores, and entertainment areas. There was rarely a need for students to leave campus because the mall could usually accommodate most of their demands.
I ran into a few faces I recognised as we were leaving.
“Marcus, didn't expect to see you out,” Jaden said, his voice filled with surprise.
Our unofficial class leader, Jaden, stood there with his arm around Nagamine, which made me conclude they were a couple, considering how close they always had been and our previous competition during the in-class voting. They were clearly spending Valentine's Day together. I noticed Jaden looking over at Natsumi, who was standing beside me with an ice pop in her mouth. I was surprised she could enjoy such a snack despite the cool weather.
Before they could start making any unwelcome assumptions, I knew right away that I had to clear the air.
“This is Natsumi,” and the girl in question waved to them slightly as she pulled the ice pop from her mouth.
“Nice to meet you,” she said with a casual nod. “I better head off for my date now. I'll tell you how it went,” Natsumi said, surprisingly understanding the situation.
I was surprised by her desire to explain and alleviate the situation rather than taunt or try to make things worse. Was my perception of her wrong? Nah.
“Alright then,” I said to her, and I watched as she casually waved off.
“So, you’re friends with her?” This came from Nagamine, and I had no idea what to think of it. Considering that Natsumi ran off like that, could it be that she did it to get away from Nagamine? However, I still thought calling us friends was a reach.
“I guess. Something the matter?” I questioned, attempting to read Nagamine's expression.
“Oh, not at all. Just surprised you could make friends with people from other classes.” Nagamine spoke with a bland tone.
Ouch. I felt that one.
“Come on now, wasn’t that a bit mean?” Jaden said to Nagamine, gently nudging her. She stood with her mouth gaping, as if about to say something, but then stopped herself. Instead, her eyes fell to the ground, and a low-sounding voice came out.
“I am sorry,” she murmured, her voice softening.
“That’s alright,” Jaden replied, giving her arm a reassuring squeeze.
The entire situation was strange. I remembered Nagamine's speech quite vividly. Her bold and honest attitude came across as unpleasant, but it was refreshing to many. She refused to sugarcoat or lie about who she was. She wasn't going to change anything about herself. She wanted to convey her true self to everyone so they knew who they were voting for. She still had that in her, but it appeared she was prepared to tone it down for Jaden. Love, as they say, works in mysterious ways.
“Anyways, what are you guys up to?” I said, trying to steer the conversation to something interesting.
“Getting ready to catch a movie. Heard about Highlands?” Jaden exclaimed, and his eyes lit up with delight.
“Oh, I have, but I haven't seen the trailer at all,” I replied. From what I knew, its genre was drama, and that didn't particularly excite me.
“Same here,” Jaden admitted with a shrug. “She was the one insistent on seeing it.” He turned his focus to Nagamine, who blushed and began to playfully smack his arm.
“Stop it,” Nagamine said with an embarrassed tone, her cheeks a light shade of pink. She playfully swatted Jaden again; her hits were gentle and affectionate.
“Alright, alright,” Jaden replied, laughing as he evaded her playful hits. “Anyways, we decided to do some shopping before that.” He smiled, looking genuinely happy.
“You seem to have plans today as well,” Nagamine observed, staring over the bags of stuff I had purchased.
“Well, what better way to spend today than to drown yourself in all kinds of snacks and drinks?” I said with a self-deprecating smile. She sighed and gently tugged on Jaden's arm, suggesting that it was time for them to leave.
“I see. Well, it seems like it is time for us to go,” Jaden said, getting ready to walk away.
“Oh, by the way. Have you both heard about the party happening this weekend?” He asked, stopping mid-stride and turning back to me.
“The one at the Gala Resort, right?” I said, recalling the excitement surrounding the event.
“Yes, that one. Are you going? Because we have a group you can join,” he offered, his tone inviting.
I see. So he was asking me to tag along. Based on all I've heard about this event since Kailey mentioned it, I'm inclined to believe it's a divine event that should not be missed.
“Well, I would have loved to join, but the thing is, I have plans that day,” I said, feeling a bit regretful.
“Is that so?” Nagamine said, her eyes narrowing slightly. “That’s understandable, but if you still want to come, just let Jaden know.”
“I will, thanks,” I said, appreciating their kindness. I was taken aback by how kind she was to me, but this could just be because she regarded me as a loner who chose to spend Valentine's Day alone. Anyway, I wasn't about to squander this alleged act of goodwill.
“I should get out of your hair. But I will consider your offer to join you guys,” I added, feeling genuinely grateful.
With that, I gave a quick wave as I turned to leave, briefly catching sight of Jaden returning the gesture. As I looked down inside my nylon bag, I noticed a small, neatly wrapped gift nestled among the stuff I bought. Seventeen now. It didn’t take long to realise Natsumi must have slipped it in without my noticing. How did she manage that?
—
9.2
—
The elevator door opened, and I walked out onto the eighth floor. I followed her instructions and soon found myself standing in front of Room 813. The walk to the hostel building was quick; after my shopping, I had stopped by my room to drop off Natsumi’s gift, freshen up, and pass the time. It was 6:04 p.m., as told by the clock on my phone after a brief glance at it.
I decided not to waste any time and knocked on the door, which swung open mid-knock. On the other end was Diya, who was on a phone call.
“Like, damn, they really could not choose a much worse day,” she told the person on the phone as she motioned for me to enter.
I took a moment to look around her room and found it properly arranged, with little difference from mine in how it looked. What stood out immediately was the TV placed on the desk. There were some cups put up on a little stool, as well as three pillows side by side on her bed. Diya's room had a cosy and inviting vibe, with lights hanging around the room's edges, casting a soft glow.
“Marcus just got here,” she said, drawing my attention immediately. I observed her pull the phone away from her ear and tap the screen.
“You’re on speaker now,” Diya said, holding the phone in her hand. I waited for the voice on the other side to make itself known.
“Marcus,” a familiar voice said.
“Hazel,” I replied.
“I am so sorry, but I can't come over tonight. My dad is in Osaka for a few days and decided that I should come see him today,” she said.
“Oh, that's disappointing to hear,” I said, attempting to conceal my own disappointment.
“I promise to make it up to both of you next time,” she said.
Even though we couldn't see her expression, it was clear that she was sad about the situation. It seemed she was really looking forward to this.
“I gotta go now. Bye,” she said.
And just like that, the call ended. Diya tossed her phone onto the bed, visibly angry.
“I wonder what it is this time,” she remarked, pacing back and forth with her fists clenched. I felt compelled to ask about what was going on, but I also felt it wasn't my place. However, I did feel that I needed to find a way to calm her down.
“Diya?” I said it gently. She stood still, unclenching her fists and taking a deep breath.
“I’m fine. Just pissed,” she responded, her voice still brimming with rage.
“I can tell,” I said, trying to be soothing.
“Sorry, it's a long story that I am not in the best position to tell you about,” Diya murmured, her hand resting on the bridge of her nose.
“I understand,” I said, respecting her privacy.
“I will be back. Just give me a few seconds,” she replied, walking over to a door and entering the room, which was the bathroom, going by the layout of the dorm rooms.
Whatever the problem was with Hazel, Diya appeared to take it very personally, which had a significant impact on her. Family problems. That could explain some things about Hazel, but until I got an outright confirmation from either Hazel or Diya one day, I was not willing to draw a conclusion or butt into that affair.
Diya reappeared, and I noticed that her face was somewhat damp, indicating that she had just dried it in the bathroom. She then slumped to the ground with her back against the side of her bed, one of the pillows acting as a headrest.
“Anyways, I just realised how this now seems like a date with it just being the two of us,” she said, trying to change the conversation, forcing a smile.
“You did say it wasn't meant to be one, though,” I said as I joined her on the ground as well, leaning back against the bed.
“I know, I know. Just thinking about it now, even if Hazel were here, having two girls and a guy alone together would bring the wrong idea,” she remarked, her tone lightening slightly.
“Now you notice?” I teased, nudging her playfully with my elbow.
“When I invited Hazel, she did bring it up, but I saw no issue until now,” she said with a sheepish smile.
“My guess is that she declined at first, right?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.
“Exactly,” she said, laughing with me, though a comfortable silence soon fell between us. Diya quickly filled it. “Oh! Did you at least get your chocolate from Hazel yet?”
“I did,” I replied, and then a realisation hit me. “Wait a minute... you’re the reason Hazel gives out obligatory Valentine’s chocolates, aren’t you?”
“That obvious?” she asked with a knowing smile. “Honestly, I thought it would make her seem more approachable, but…” She trailed off, her smile fading into thoughtfulness.
“Isn’t she approachable?” I asked, genuinely curious.
“She’s just so serious, you know? It kind of intimidates people,” Diya admitted with a sigh. “I’ve tried telling her, but she doesn’t really believe me.”
I thought about Hazel’s focused, no-nonsense demeanour and the way she carried herself with such unwavering resolve. Diya was right; as admirable as it was, it could certainly make people hesitant to reach out to her. I wondered if Hazel was even aware, or if it bothered her at all. She seemed so self-assured, always moving to her own beat.
“What movies are we watching, then?” Diya asked, a spark of excitement in her voice as she redirected us to the reason I’d come over today. “I’m not sure what you’re into, so you have to do the picking,” she added, pressing a button on the remote she had taken from the bed, which turned on the TV and launched a streaming site. “Here you go,” she said, handing me the remote.
“What about you? What types of movies are you into?” I asked, taking the remote.
“Sci-fi, comedy, action. I watch a whole lot,” Diya replied, her face beaming with excitement.
“So, you’re just like me in a way,” I said, smiling.
I took a look at what the service offered. In the spirit of Valentine's, there was a section dedicated to movies for that occasion. Obviously, I was not going to choose any of those and decided to search past that. As I scanned through the selections, a familiar title caught my attention.
“Is that Shawshank Redemption?” she said, her eyes widening.
“You haven’t watched it yet?” I asked, surprised.
“Never had the time to,” Diya responded.
“Then let’s watch it,” I said, selecting the movie.
“It seems like you have seen the movie, though?” She raised the point, her eyes narrowing slightly.
“Yep, but that was almost seven years ago. I remember next to nothing about what happened in it,” I said. I decided to lie because it had actually been five years ago, and I remembered quite a good portion of the plot. I didn't want to tell her this because she might decide not to watch the movie despite wanting to. If she was happy, then it didn’t matter.
I clicked on the movie, and we both got comfortable as the opening sequence began. We were seated next to one another with some spacing between us, our legs stretched out while our backs reclined against the frame of the bed.
As the movie started, I glanced over at Diya. Her eyes were fixed on the screen, totally engrossed in the story unfolding before us. The room was dimly lit, the glow from the TV casting soft shadows on her face. The tension from earlier seemed to melt away, replaced by a relaxed and cosy atmosphere.
Occasionally, Diya would ask questions or make brief comments regarding the story, to which I responded with enthusiasm, careful not to spoil anything. During a particularly intense scene, she grabbed a pillow and hugged it tightly, her eyes wide with anticipation.
“Wow, this is intense,” she whispered, her voice filled with excitement.
“Just wait, it gets even better,” I replied, leaning in slightly.
We both shared the snacks I had brought, reaching into the bag without taking our eyes off the screen. The crunching of chips and the popping of soda cans added to the ambiance, making the experience feel even more relaxed and homey.
—
9.3
—
The credits began to roll, and I reached out to switch off the television. Diya had turned on a nightlight a few hours before, so the room was faintly illuminated. I wasn't sure what time it was, but I knew it was way past midnight. A slight groan pulled my attention to Diya, who was asleep on my lap. I played with her hair slightly, watching her move in response. Tonight had been fun, that’s for sure. We watched a slew of movies—four, I think—and had discussions, even with a few playful arguments in between.
The movie that had just finished playing was none other than A New Hope. I was looking forward to watching this one because I had yet to see the original trilogy. My Star Wars experience began and stopped with the sequel trilogy, and when Diya found out, she freaked and insisted I watch the older movies. I was familiar with the story and the big reveal, but I had never sat down to watch them. I proposed saving it for another day, but she insisted on watching them now. And now she was asleep.
I gently took her head off my lap. She grumbled but did not wake up. I decided to lay her on her bed for comfort, so I carefully pulled her up. Diya shifted but remained asleep as I guided her onto the bed. As soon as she struck the mattress, she automatically sought out her blanket, which was on the bed's edge, and drew it over her body. I let out a little laugh; it was my first time seeing her like this.
“Now, what should I do?” I muttered, grabbing my phone to check the time. “2:19.”
This was worrying. If I left Diya's room and was found at this hour, I'd have a lot of explaining to do, especially since it was Valentine's Day. Assumptions would be made—assumptions I wanted to avoid at all costs. Even if I was able to leave the girls' floor, I would have to find a security guard to let me out and back into my dorm building.
At our school, the dorm buildings are closed around midnight. If anyone wanted to leave, they would have to meet the security guards on duty, answer their questions, and sign an exit form. This would allow them to open the door and direct you back to your dorm building. I wasn’t keen on going through that stress, so I decided to spend the night in her room.
I looked around for a comfortable spot to sleep since I wasn’t planning on getting into the same bed as Diya. The place we sat to watch our movies had a soft blanket on the ground, and there were still two pillows I could use.
“Alright then,” I said, deciding to move the blanket further away from the bed to avoid being stepped on if Diya woke up. I lay down, placing my head on one pillow and the other right next to me.
This was my first time spending the night in a girls' room. It felt surreal, and I couldn’t help but think about what Hazel’s reaction would be if she ever found out. As I lay there, my mind drifted to tonight’s events—it all made me smile.
I adjusted the blanket around me, feeling the softness against my skin. I could hear Diya’s soft breathing from the bed, a gentle reminder of her presence. I shifted slightly and found a more comfortable position on the makeshift bed. The pillow cradled my head perfectly, and the blanket provided just the right amount of warmth.
My thoughts wandered back to the moment when Diya had fallen asleep on my shoulder before moving to my lap. The trust she had shown by letting herself be so vulnerable around me was heartwarming. I felt a sense of protectiveness towards her, wanting to ensure she was comfortable and safe.
The last thing I heard before falling asleep was the gentle rustle of Diya’s blanket as she shifted in her sleep. A smile lingered on my lips as I slipped into the land of slumber, comforted by the warmth of the night's shared memories.