55 Just Like That? (2/2)

Their words did not bother me, for it was as big of a surprise to me as it was to them. I didn't expect anything to occur between us after what happened last week on Friday, so her sudden approach caught me off guard. However, despite that, her demeanor seemed to have changed somewhat from earlier. I no longer see a forced smile, and in those eyes of hers, I saw genuine emotion, not any of those forced imitations. Rather, it was something that seemed to stem from the heart. If it is truly so, then I guess my work wasn't all for nothing.

”Morning,” I simply responded as I placed my bag down.

”How was your weekend?” she then proceeded to ask.

Before I answered, I gazed past her and at the crowd that was originally gathered by her desk. Those people, seeing that Irina had abandoned them to speak with me, slowly dispersed. Not only just them. Those people that was peeking in from the front and back entrances of the classroom also left. I initially thought that she was using me to rid herself of those cancerous tumors, but in her eyes I see no such signs. Rather, she was too pure and innocent in my eyes to even think of that.

”It was alright,” I responded.

Then, although not completely unwillingly, Irina and I chatted until the bell rang. When Mura entered the classroom, she just so happened to arrive on time to witness the tail end of our conversation. That elicited a smile on her face that she directed towards me accompanied with a simple nod almost as if she was acknowledging my efforts at the issue. Then, class resumed as usual.

Once break came, Irina looked in my direction once again, probably wanting to initiate another conversation. This time, however, Loyd intervened, speaking to her before she was able to me.

”How did you get to know Alev?” he asked.

”That's...” she looked over in my direction, almost as if asking me for consent to tell the story. Why're you even asking me?

”Alev?” Loyd chuckled and then looked over at me, almost as if knowing that this will be able to progress the conversation even faster and gain her trust easier.

”I helped her out on her problem,” I answered, intentionally keeping her troubles a secret since I wasn't sure if she was fine if I were to reveal it to them.

”Oh,” Loyd nodded. Then he turned towards Irina and smiled. ”Let me introduce myself again. I'm Loyd Aksel Genose. I've known Alev since we were in elementary school, and currently, we're in the same club. That's Muria Eis Edel,” he then introduced Muria. ”She's also in our club.”

”What club is it?” Irina then asked after having her interest peaked.

”Umm...” Loyd then turned to look at Muria and I. ”What's the name of our club?”

”Don't ask me,” I simply replied and looked out the window to escape from further questioning.

”I'm not sure as well,” Muria responded honestly.

”And you guys started a club but don't know the club name?” Irina giggled. ”What do you guys do regularly for the club?”

”Well...” Loyd began thinking. ”Our club, according to Ms. Edel and Ms. Zartlich, is to help out around the school. Our first assignment was to help you, which—” He then looked over his shoulder and at me. ”—I guess Alev did on his own.”

Irina looked in the same direction Loyd was looking in and stared at me. On her face was a look of awe, but that look was quickly replaced with acceptance.

”Understandable,” she whispered with a faint smile.

”Say,” Loyd then said. ”Have you ever thought about joining a club? If not, wanna join ours?”

What?

”I've never thought of it,” Irina replied. ”But...” She looked over in my direction and smiled. ”It should be fun. Why not?”

And just like that, Irina also succumbed to Loyd's charisma.