Project: Socialize

Once the bell signaling the end of school rang, I immediately made my way out of the classroom through the closest door, which is the one in the back of the class, and onto the packed hallways. I never leave this early, but because of my obligations, I did. I was expecting for the hallway to be extremely packed, and I was right about that.

When I had slid open the back door and ventured out in a brisk pace, numerous other doors from other classes opened, and from it streamed out a seemingly limitless number of students as they crowded the hallways. The congestion level of the hallways led to a decrease in my pace, but I did my best to alleviate the effect by dodging or going around people.

One thing I hated the most was the group of people that walked in a single row, blocking off the entire hallway. Like if you're walking that slow and talking at the same time, stay in the classroom! Stop blocking the road for other people. We have places to be.

After about three minutes, I finally arrived at the front entrance of the lecture building. Once I stepped foot outside, the path should be less congested, and I was able to arrive at my destination without wasting any further time. Seeing that Luna has yet to arrive, I leaned my back against the concrete wall that surrounded the campus and waited. Before me, numerous students walked past, laughing as they talked with their friends. They were probably either headed home or somewhere else for entertainment, but that was none of my business. I merely observed them out of boredom.

After a few more minutes, Luna finally emerged from the lecture building. She glanced around before walking to the front gates in search of me, and once she caught eye of me, a smile appeared on her face as she jogged over to me with light steps.

"Sorry," she said with a smile. "Did I make you wait for too long?"

"It's not that bad," I responded.

"Let's go then." She started leading the way and I followed after her.

As we walked, I realized numerous eyes focused on us. Those gazes were probably attracted by Luna at first, but once they saw me trailing after her, those judgmental stares became focused on me. I felt somewhat uneasy by this, but Luna seemed to be unaffected. Her steps were light as if free of any burdens and that lively smile never disappeared from her face.

I realized that this was actually the second time that I'm seen in public with Luna, with the first being the first day of the Student Festival. One time, people might think it's just a coincidence, but two times, people will probably start thinking that something is up between us. They'll gossip about our relationship and probably even spread rumors about us. With my luck, those rumors will bring nothing but trouble.

Maybe I shouldn't follow her so closely. It's understandable that others don't want people like me to be around someone Luna...

Gradually, I slowed my footsteps, allowing the distance between us to increase. Even though it might be futile, I still wanted to try and alleviate the consequences of this sighting. It's the last thing I want to bring harm to her.

"Alevian." Luna stopped and turned around. On her face was a frown while she gazed into my eyes. "Why're you all the way back there?" She then walked towards me and grabbed my free right hand. "Let's go," she smiled as she started dragging me by my hand.

Her smile, so carefree, was the opposite of mine. Unlike me, she didn't seem to care about my reputation and what rumors might start if we were seen together. She didn't abandon me because of that. Instead, she actively sought after me, even holding my hand so as to provide me with companionship... She's different from others. She's special to me.

We soon arrived at the nearest train station, passed through the ticket gates, and rode the escalator underground for the metro platforms. In a few more minutes, our subway train will arrive, and we'll be riding it to the busier areas of Nocsinis to visit the mall that Luna had decided on. In the meantime, we simply waited on the platforms.

"Why did you walk so far behind me earlier?" she asked while still holding onto my right hand.

"I..." I lowered my head. On my face was a bitter countenance of self-doubt. "I didn't want rumors to be started..."

"Rumors?" She stared at me blankly. "That's what you're worried about?" she laughed.

I looked up at her, taking in the way she was smiling.

"Don't worry," Luna then said. "I don't mind."

"But my conscience..."

"I don't mind," she said in a serious voice that was accompanied by a stern expression. Then, she paused and observed my wavering countenance before she smiled. "I don't care if the entire world distance themselves from me. As long as those I'm close to understands and remains by my side, I don't care about the rest."

Those close to her... I repeated in my mind.

Her bravery was something that I lacked, a trait that once again proved why she's the exact opposite of me. It would appear that she has everything that I lacked, and vice versa. I wonder if we were to combine, would we then create the perfect human? But alas, that's just a simple fantasy, a thought to pass time when bored. The reality is that it will never be possible. Besides, she's gonna die soon...

The train ride to the center of Nocsinis didn't take too long, maybe about fifteen minutes. Therefore, when we arrived at our destination, it was almost 5:00 P.M. The mall that she led me to wasn't the one that I had went to with Muria to watch a movie. Rather, it was a totally different one. It was located in a plaza type area, with a beautiful water fountain in the center of the open area surrounded by buildings. Like the other buildings in Nocsinis, these ones were also quite tall, being above ten stories in height, and all unique in design.

The place wasn't very busy at the moment since most people were still at work. At this time, it was mostly high school or college students. However, in an hour or so, this place will probably be packed as that's around the time when people leave work. There will be office workers walking around with their friends, families shopping, and couples going on a date.

So... does this count as a date? I asked myself as I walked with Luna past the open plaza and into the building that was aligned parallel to the road. This probably doesn't count... We're not even a couple... So what're we?

That was a question that lingered about in my mind, unable to dissipate and vanish. It was a difficult question to answer for there was no real answer to it. If there's a term that can be used to define our relationship, then it must not exactly exist for there doesn't seem to be one. The closest one that I could think of is simply "friends." But... friends between opposite genders won't be as intimate as we were. But we're not "lovers". So what're we? Is the answer... really just simply "companions"? I both will feel lonely without the other and enjoy each other's presence for the companionship they bring. So... I guess "companions" is the term that shall define our relationship.

I followed Luna up the escalators, standing by her side as I accompanied her into the various shops that she wanted to look at.

"What'd you wanna buy?" I asked as I followed her into a toy store whose them centered around the movie that I had watched with Muria within the mall.

"I don't know," she responded as she picked up a stuffed animal and gently squished it. On her face should be a satisfied smile, but because of her hair draping down the sides of her face, I wasn't able to see it clearly. "I just want to look around." She then turned to face me, and that was when I was truly able to confirm that smile's existence on her face.

"And you want me here because...?"

"Wanting to be with someone doesn't need an excuse," she said, teasing me by poking me with the stuffed animal's tiny arms. "Do you think Muria will like this?"

I observed the stuffed animal which was of a dog character that had appeared in that movie. In all honesty, it was pretty cute, but it had no effects on me.

"I guess she will," I answered."Muria does like cute things."

"Then I guess I'll buy it for her," Luna then walked away with the toy. "Just in case I don't make it to Christmas," she whispered as she hugged the toy tightly in her arms. On her face was a dark expression, one that was accompanied by a smile that held no hints of joy.

Christmas, a winter holiday that is on the 25th of the last month of the year. There's a custom to exchange gifts for the holiday so that might be what the toy is for. That I understand, but what I didn't understand was the latter part of her sentence.

"W-what do you mean?" I asked as my heart rate increased while I started to panic.

"Don't worry," she smiled once again, allowing the vitality to return and replace that sullen expression from earlier. "It's just a maybe."

"You... you might not make it until Christmas?" My voice trembled somewhat as I couldn't bring myself to smile for the time being.

"..." She stared at me with a surprised countenance for a few seconds before she started laughing. There appeared to be tears forming in her eyes from her laughter. "I'm just joking," she said as she wiped away those tears while laughing. "It's a joke only someone in my situation can make." She then walked over to me and brought the stuffed animal towards me face, moving it about while she spoke so it appeared as if it was the toy speaking to me. "So don't cry, Alevian."

"I'm not crying," I said as I wiped away the sweat that my eyes had produced.

"I promise you," she then said as she moved the toy to the side, showing her face to me. "You'll be one of the first to know if I'm about to die."

"..." With a bitter taste in my mouth, I stared at her. She was smiling, but her eyes were still tear-stained from crying out of laughter from earlier.

"I can't believe you would cry over a joke," she started giggling once again. Then, she started off for the counter in order to pay for the toy. "Wait here," she said to me.