Third.

After the incident during lunch, I seem to have an even more terrible time concentrating in class. I somehow can't believe she talked to me and also how awkward I was. Tory seems to notice the mood I am in and she promises to let me borrow her notes. I'm lucky to have her as a deskmate because there's no way I'm getting through this school term in this state.

I remember my parent:s advise when they dropped me off at school and their expectations and I realize that I have to do better. I tuck our golden conversation at the back of my mind and I'm somehow able to get through the class and even answer a question.I'm so relieved when the bell rings to mark the end of the class.

"Hey, don't forget to attend the geography group discussion after 4 o'clock tea." Tory is quick to remind me which is good because I'd almost forgotten about it.

I rush to the dining hall to take my tea then get back to class, pick my books and proceed to the study hall. Upon getting there, I realize that I'm early and there's no one in sight. I settle down in one of the benches at the corner then open my book to see if I can catch up.

The other group members stream in in the next five minutes creating a racket that I'm unable to study anymore. I close my books and join in on the conversation while we wait for two members to start our discussion.

"I think I'll drop geography when it's time to pick subjects." A girl called Mary announces. In our school system, during the first year, all subjects are compulsory. However, when we get to our second year, we get to choose seven subjects which we would like to study, going forward

" Me too, I can't seem to understand anything. I prefer history." Wendy quips in.

Sarah who is our group leader cuts off the conversation and decides to start our discussion and having the other two join us in the interest of time. She hands out the assignment and we all turn to question one to start our discussion.

We are almost concluding on the first question when the study hall door opens and two people walk in while laughing loudly.We all turn towards them while shushing them for interrupting our discussion. In the position that I'm in, I face the door directly and when I look up, my eyes meet with Rie's who is holding her hand to her mouth in an attempt to quell down her laughter. She is accompanied by Olive who is our classmate and they are apparently the two we've been waiting for. They both walk quietly towards the group and look for a place to sit.

.

There are only two spaces left, both on the bench adjacent to the one I'm sitting on. One is on the far end while the other one is directly infront of me. Somehow, Olive prefers to sit at the far end which leaves the seat opposite mine the only place where Rie can sit.

She settles on the seat and looks up while givimg me a brief and apologetic smile. I'm not sure what my reaction is and by God, I hope it's a sweet smile because it feels like a grimace which I quickly stop and adjust my face to what I hope is a calm look.

The discussion continues with a few digressions here and there. There is discussion about the upcoming movie night which is supposed to be on Saturday that everyone in school is looking forward to. The conversations as well as the discussions go on vaguely in the background. I find myself looking at, or rather staring at Rie every time that even I find it weird. At one point she turns to catch me looking at her and I quickly avert my eyes.

"Hey, you don't seem to talk much. Are you okay?" Rie asks while the rest of the group drones on about their movie expectations.

"Oh, um.. Yeah. I'm just trying to listen to everyone else." I say while blushing. I've never been so thankful for the color of my skin because if I was a shade lighter, I would definitely have turned beet red.

"That's sweet but you should talk a bit more so people don't overlook you." She smiles while looking directly at me. Her eyes are the most hazel I've ever seen and reflecting the light coming in through the window, they look like two honey pools. They are so hypnotizing I almost get lost in them until I realize I might have let the silence stretch out for a bit far too long.

"I do talk, you just haven't been around me much." I say quickly while looking down at my book.

Luckily, Another person in the group catches her attention which allows me to throw a few furtive glances while she talks. The rest of the discussion goes smoothly and at some point, she nudges me to answer a question after she hears me mumbling the answer. I gain some confidence after that and she keeps smiling at me encouragingly. I think I maybe starstruck because I don't believe it's possible to stare at someone that much. She seems to be oblivious or maybe she doesn't care because everytime she catches me looking at her, she just smiles. I may have an idea how heart attacks happen because everytime she does that, mine literally skips a beat.

I promise myself to buy Tory something from the school canteen because this is the best thing she could have done albeit unkowingly. Who knew her feud with Wendy would result in all this.

When the bell rings signaling end of discussion, Rie requests that I carry her books to class as she goes to the washrooms.I agree without any second thought and she smiles as if she notices how fast I do.I collect her books and mine then proceed to leave the study hall.

"Hey, Imani.Wait up!" I turn around and she runs towards me. She throws her arm around my shoulder then drops another book on the pile I'm carrying.

"I forgot to give you this one."

I continue walking and she walks with me to the door with her arm still draped over me. My nose picks up on her perfume which has a sweet, fruity smell to it. My face lights up once again and this time I'm glad it's getting ing dark and she can't see me blush. At the door, she drops her arm and turns back to wait for Olive while I hurry to class.