122 Platforms (1/2)

Our entire school made mobilized back to the main Saroff Station so as to wait for our high speed rail to arrive. Apparently, our train was to depart at 6:00 P.M. However, due to the large number of students present, we needed plenty of time to make our way over to the station from the hotel and pass through the ticket gates.

Like expected, the short journey over to the station was chaotic. This huge number of students made it difficult to navigate through the city streets efficiently, often resulting in stoppages due to a sudden change of the traffic lights. Ultimately, it ended with the principal of the school deciding that each class should mobilize as a unit and for everyone to meet up at the Saroff Station. This method proved to be much more efficient as the classes at the front of the caravan did not need to stop and wait for the others.

”Man,” Noah whined as he walked beside me. ”I can't believe the week's over just like that.”

”We did have plenty of fun,” Loyd laughed and said. ”It's gonna be great memories to look back on.”

”It just sucks that even after this one week,” Noah said, looking over at me from the corner of his eye. ”This guy is still a virgin.”

”What are you trying to be? The cupid?” I sighed.

”Isn't the cupid supposed to get people into meaningful relationships?” Loyd asked.

”Right,” Noah said with a smile on his face. ”That's why I'm not the cupid.”

His words seemed to have a double meaning. The first meaning is figurative, him saying that what he's intending to do isn't what a cupid does. The second and beneath-the-surface meaning that only him, I, and the Emilia that walked not too far ahead of us knew about. He's literally, not the cupid. Like does the cupid even exist?

”Is there even such a thing as a cupid?” I leaned closer to Noah and whispered into his ear.

”I wouldn't say no exactly,” Noah answered. ”But it's not the same thing as what you're thinking about.”

After that brief conversation, I continued the walk in silence as the others chatted. Loyd was interacting with Noah, and walking behind me, Muria was interacting with Irina. This works for me because it gives me an opportunity at tranquility and silence. All I had to deal with was the ambiance noise of the loud chattering of the other students, but that I can easily block out.

It was probably about 5:30 P.M. when my class, Class 2-A, made it pass the ticket gates and waited on the platforms. We were given full permission to roam about on the platforms while we waited for the other classes to arrive as well as the high-speed bullet train. Therefore, our little in my class gathered in the corner of the platforms so as to avoid the large crowd of other students as well as traffic in the form of regular passengers.

The members currently gathered were Muria, Irina, Noah, Loyd, and I. Zaksus hasn't arrived yet since his class was one of the last to leave the hotel. As for Luna, she should already have arrived since her class was at the very front of the pack. However, since I see no sign of her, she must be at the very front of the platforms. I hope she was able to make it alright.

I leaned against the wall with my duffel bag placed on the floor by my feet in order to rest my shoulders. I merely listened in to the conversation the others were having at the moment but did not engage in it at all except for the occasional response to the rare questions that're directed at me. I have nothing much to talk about, so when possible, I chose to remain silent. However, what's weird is that I occasionally felt glances thrown my way from Irina and sometimes Muria. However, when I would search for the glance, it would disappear. This confused me, but it didn't bother me much.

”I'm gonna find a vending machine,” I said, excusing myself after my throat started feeling a bit dry.

”I'll go with you,” Irina then suggested with a pretty enthusiastic expression on her face.

”It's fine,” I said as I started walking away. ”Message me what you want. I'll get it for you.”

”O-okay...” Irina's voice slowly quieted as her countenance lost its fervor from earlier.

Muria observed Irina in silence, probably taking in why she was acting so depressed. I didn't know if she discovered anything, but even if she did, she didn't express it. She merely continued to observe Irina, who quickly forced a smile to appear on her face as the conversation continued on without me.

I continued walking down the platforms in search of a vending machine with a slowed pace since I wasn't in a hurry. Rather, it was actually quite nice being able to move about and exercise my legs for standing in one place had made them quite sore. The cool autumn breeze was quite refreshing to feel as it gently kissed my face. However, because of the lower temperature, I stuck my hands in my pockets as I walked.

After walking leisurely for about five minutes, I finally found a vending machine. I approached it and scanned it for what it had. At the same time, I was thinking what I wanted to get in my mind.

Since it was kinda cold, maybe I should get a hot coffee? But that doesn't quench thirst. Maybe I should just get a soda or a juice...

As I frowned and struggled to decide what I should buy, I heard a familiar voice call my name. It was a cleansing and gentle voice that was also quite lively and demanding at the same time. This voice, it belonged to no other than Luna.

”Alevian?” She said in surprise. She appeared quite astonished by my sudden appearance, and because of that, remained static as she gazed at me with her widened amber eyes. ”What're you doing here?”

”Just getting a drink,” I said, looking over towards the vending machine from the corner of my eye. ”What about you?”

She then pointed over her shoulder. ”My class is waiting down there,” she said with a smile on her face. ”I'm also here to get a drink. What a coincidence!”

”Yeah...”

”How's your day today?” she then asked me. She made no move towards the vending machine, and instead, stood there before me to strike up a conversation.

”It's alright,” I sighed, thinking back about where I had woken up this morning and what led to that.

”Hmm... That's nice to hear,” she smiled.

”What about you?” I immediately followed up so that our conversation wouldn't just end on an awkward note.

”It's been going fine,” she said in the lively voice of her's.

”Right...” I nervously rubbed the back of my head, feeling my hair with my hands. ”So um... what did you end up doing yesterday?”

”I was with Erith,” Luna said with a pleasant and charming smile. ”If you're asking what we did—” She winked and brought her ring finger up to her lips. ”—it's a girl's secret.”

”Girl's secret, huh?” I awkwardly laughed at this unexpected response.