15 - Familiar

JUNE’S POV

School always felt different after hours. Like everyone had finally stopped pretending to be someone else.

After Jules’ meltdown yesterday, she refused to come to school. 

“Why’d you disappear?” The message on my phone read while I was on the train.

I put it back in my pocket, without replying.

It felt like I was getting distracted from my goal. 

But rushing things would ruin everything. 

I had to be patient right now. 

Thankfully, the cafe closed early because Mr Thompson had an emergency. 

The month was coming to an end soon, another paycheck would be in its way.

“Hi, did you get my text?” Adrien’s voice pulled me out of my thoughts.

“Yeah.” I responded and we began walking towards the library.

“Why did you disappear yesterday?” He asked.

“Jules wasn’t feeling alright at school so I had to check on her.” I explained briefly. 

He muttered a small “mhm” and we walked the rest in silence.

“This is our final revision. If we fail this presentation after all my suffering, I might actually lose my mind.” 

Adrien looked up from his notebook. “That sounds dramatic.” 

“I’m being serious.”

“So imperialism and colonialism aren’t the same thing?” He asked. I stared at him, mentally facepalming.

“You cannot be serious.” I said firmly.

“How do you even survive exams?” I asked. It wasn’t that he was not smart, he just didn’t retain information well.

“Natural charm.” He winked. That earned him another eye roll.

We quizzed each other and that made me realize how bad he was with dates. 

“Besides, it’s the only exam that has dates. Maths and science are easier for me.” He added.

“Hmm I hear you.” I mumbled and focused on a small PowerPoint presentation he suggested we add.

“What about you? Instead of asking what subject is your favorite, I want to know which you don’t like.” He asked.

“I don’t know. I don’t really have the luxury of picking a subject to hate on.” I shrugged. 

It was the truth though. 

“School isn’t life or death.” He muttered.

“For some people, it kind of is.” I responded.

“What do you mean?” He asked, turning his chair to face me. 

“What do you think?” I said, not taking my eyes off the computer on the desk even though I was done with the slides.

“I’m a scholarship student, in case you forgot. I don’t really have room to slack off.”  I answered his question simply.

“Well, you can still have fun.” 

“Sure.” 

“Can I ask you something?” I heard him say.

“You said you wanted to have fun this year right?” He began. I nodded in agreement, remembering the lies I spewed.

“Asides that, you also wanted to get back at James. Why?” He finished.

“I already told you why.” I answered, turning to face him now.

“You’re not the type of person to do this for a revenge plan.” He added.

“You don’t know me.” My reply came out harsher and more defensive than I intended. 

He stared at me, like he was trying to figure me out.

“Stop looking at me like that.” I said, pretending to write something down on my notes. 

“Like what?” 

“Like I’m a puzzle you’re trying to piece together.” 

“Nah you’re not a puzzle, you’re more of a warning sign.” He explained.

“That’s rude.” 

“You literally revise for fun. What could be more dangerous than that??” He asked, feigning seriousness.

I let out a real laugh this time and he looked oddly pleased with himself. His eyebrows lifted softly, like he’d unlocked an achievement.

“There it is!” 

“What?” I said, catching my breath.

“Your laugh. I was starting to think you were incapable of laughing.” 

I rolled my eyes at him and handed most of my notes over to him.

The monitor suddenly said, “The library will be closed in fifteen minutes.” 

Holy shit. 

It was almost 8pm.

“We should get going.” Adrien said and helped pack up our stuff. 

London has always been more beautiful at night. People were still chatting, others with their partners. 

I felt a droplet of rain land on my nose.

“You don’t have to walk me to the train station.” I told him when I realized he was still following me closely in silence.

“I know.” He replied shortly but continued walking. 

I rubbed my eyes slowly. 

“You look tired.” He mentioned. 

“What do you think?” I responded sarcastically.

“Goodnight June.” He said before waving goodbye.

I waited for him to disappear down the station stairs before I realized I had been smiling.

And it wasn’t forced.

I checked my phone for any missed calls and saw none.

That meant another late night shift and a cold meal eaten separately.

I sighed.

One day, I’d retire them and they wouldn’t have to work for excessively long hours.

I heated my meal and ate at the table by myself, slowly getting annoyed by the loud music next door.

At the beginning, it felt lonely but now that I’m older, I’ve gotten used to it. I knew if they could be here every night, they would.

On the train, I watched as different lived their lives, the feeling of sonder washing over me so strongly.

I arrived home less than thirty minutes later.

As I lay in bed later that night after cleaning the house, I thought about Jules. I tried to call her.

She was probably asleep. I thought to myself.

Below her contact, I saw Adrien’s message.

I pulled up my already submitted UCAS instead.

There were five universities in my list. Westbridge, Yale, Cambridge, Oxford, and Albion. 

I looked at their fees next. I couldn’t count the amount of zeros I saw. Another reminder that I needed that scholarship.

This wasn’t the first time I’d checked but a part of me hopes they might reduce one day.

It was useless. 

They were permanent. 

Unlike Adrien who is supposed to be temporary. 

But I was starting to get used to him and that was a problem.