Project: Socialize

What is something that is supposed to be long but also short? The answer to that question is, like you would expect, the weekend. Like a hazy dream, my weekend passed by at a rapid pace. The only thing that I can recall is that night I spent with Loriana in the lover hotel room and the soft texture of her body. Therefore, my weekend seemed to flash by as I occupied myself with recalling that feeling.

Monday morning, my phone alarm woke me up at the same time as always. I opened my eyes and gazed at the curtains that blocked the outside world from view. I sat up and yawned, stretching my back and arms before getting up and walking over to the sliding glass door to move the curtains to the side. The sky was a beautiful blue with little clouds and the temperature in my room was somewhat chilly.

I got dressed in my school uniform and exited my room to finish my morning routines such as brushing my teeth in the washroom. Then, I made my way over down the hallway, emerging in the living room and dining area of my house. There, Loriana was sipping a cup of hot coffee as she sat at the dining table with a piece of toast before her and some jam.

"Morning," I greeted her, yawning as I sat down in the chair that has a plate of toast and a glass of milk set before it.

I grabbed the jam and used the knife to scoop and spread some jam onto the toast before I bit into it. The toast crunched as I chewed, and to wash it down, I drank some of the milk.

As I ate, I glanced over at Loriana. She was acting as she always did, like nothing had happened. Therefore, I decided that I would go along with her and pretend as if nothing special had happened and that we were still living our life the same way as before.

"I won't be coming home tonight," Loriana said to me.

"You're gonna spend the night in the lab?" I asked.

"Yeah," she sighed and looked at me apologetically. "This time...it's a special project..."

"It's fine," I simply said. "It's not your fault."

"Thank you, Alevian," she sighed once again as she took out her phone and checked the time. "I need to get going."

"Leave the dishes to me," I said as I walked her to the door after she retrieved her purse and her car keys.

"Sorry for always troubling you," she smiled bitterly as she stood by the opened door.

"No," I shook my head. "That's what I should be saying to you instead."

"Maybe," she chuckled in that alluring voice of hers. "Well, see you later, Alevian."

"See you later," I said as I watched her disappear into the elevators.

I walked to the center of the living room and dining area, looking around to make sure that everything was in its usual place. Then, with a satisfied nod, I grabbed my school bag and proceeded to exit my house and locked the door.

Once outside, I walked over to the elevator and summoned it by using the touchscreen. As I waited, I realized that the door opposite to mine opened, revealing Muria. That was when I recalled the fact that she now lives next door to me and is my neighbor.

"Morning," I said out of simple respect and courtesy and she nodded in response.

She didn't seem to be in the mood of making a casual conversation or anything judging by the fact that she remained mute and her face showed little countenance. Therefore, I stood there beside her, waiting for the elevator to reach our floor. Although the elevator is usually quite fast, for some reason it felt extremely slow that day, making our awkward and silent wait even more tormenting. I occasionally glanced over at her, taking in the side view of her face and her long black hair.

Once the elevator arrived, the torment continued as we had to endure a trip down to the lobby. The down trip wasn't as bad since there was some gentle elevator music playing with the smart screen inside the elevator playing information on the day's weather. According to the screen, it appears that the day will be quite chilly but should remain free of precipitation.

When the two of us reached the ground floor and exited the building, we walked in the same direction towards Lumina Station. As we walked though, I trailed behind her due to my preference of taking things slow. I suppose this might look like I'm stalking her, but what can I do about it? I need to go this way to go to school so I have to do it this way.

As I walked, I realized that instead of paying attention to the bustling morning city around me, I paid attention to Muria. As she walked, I watched as her head bobbed up and down in rhythm to the motion of each of her steps. I realized that she began clenching onto the strap of her school bag tightly once we hit an intersection and was waiting for the lights. I initially was confused by this reaction from her but I didn't say anything. However, when I saw her looking side to side with a confused and troubled expression on her face, that was when I was given a clue or two about her situation.

Don't tell me she doesn't know the way to Lumina Station...

I realized that my hypothesis was correct when she made a left turn at an intersection when she was supposed to cross the street and go straight. So, what should I do now? I can alert her that she's going the wrong way, but what if it was intentional? What if she wanted to get rid of me so she rather go the long way? Multiple possibilities started forming in my head but I decided on one and only one course of action to take. I will warn her. Like who cares if I'm made fun of or called a creepy stalker? Like that would bother me. I mean if I can maybe help her, I think it's kinda worth it.

"Go straight," I said to her, causing her to stop in her footsteps and turn to face me as I walked past her and started crossing the streets. Then, I paused and turned to look at her. "If you miss this train and take the very next train, I know for sure you're not gonna be able to make it on time."

She blushed slightly and started walking in my direction. "I-I know that," she whispered and passed me with her faster pace of walking.

I sighed as I received no gratitude from her. However, I was actually quite content already since gratitude wasn't what I had wanted. All I wanted at the time was to help her out and it would seem like I did help her out and that I was able to read her correctly.

Come to think of it, Lumina Station is one of the larger train stations in Palisia and almost everybody knows how to get there. Even though she just moved here for like two days, she should be able to make her way to the biggest train station in the district, right? So does that mean...she has a poor sense of direction? That's not what I expect from someone that excels in everything like Muria. Looks like not everybody is perfect after all.

I chuckled at the thought, which elicited a glare from over her shoulder from Muria as she heard me, probably mistaking that chuckle for mockery of her bad sense of direction. However, since it was a fact, she couldn't muster enough courage to snap back at me. Therefore, she turned her head to face the road before her once again, face red with some embarrassment as she walked.

Don't worry, Muria. It's fine. No one is perfect. Just keep being yourself and it'll be all good.