THOSE first words that Selatan said to Aoine made her laugh.
Normally, someone would have been offended by what Selatan said but after being sleep deprived, she couldn't care less about it.
Aoine doesn't know much about Selatan but she knew he’s pretty popular for being one of the players of the volleyball club despite of only being an eighth grader.
She hasn't actually watched one of their match but since the twins, Kento, and her boyfriend Zesiro are also volleyball players, she can say they're pretty cool.
After facing Selatan properly, Aoine replied, "Thanks though I expected 'hi, how are you?' from a classmate but yeah, I do look like shit—rather every time." She sat down, taking out her AP book to start skimming through the pages that Mrs. Santiago gave.
Selatan lifted his brow from the way she responded, he didn't expect Aoine to brush it off so easily instead of being insulted.
No words were exchanged between Aoine and Selatan afterwards.
Mrs. Santiago gave them the remaining time of her subject so everyone can have time to plan out their reports, Selatan remained silent while Aoine chose to stay the same just for this time.
Aoine felt drained, it can be discussed some other time anyway.
When the bell pealed around the halls, Aoine didn't bother saying anything to Selatan, she took off her jacket since they'll be heading to the ground where the library at, she prepared her things for their last period before going out.
She walked with her friends to the library, Aoine barely joins their conversation because of her lack of sleep and Minette have to hold her when she almost fell from the stairs for not keeping her eyes open.
"Reporting will start next week, Tuesday," Firence informed.
In an instant, Aoine's drowsiness vanished. "What?! We're the third reporters and there's a chance we'll report on Tuesday!"
"Nah, I think the first and second reporters will take the rest of the time, you'll be reporting on Thursday." Sashea eased her worries.
"Didn't ma'am say there's two lessons that we'll perform and the third will be done on PowerPoint presentation only?" Musika questioned, directly to Firence.
"That's right." Firence nodded.
"Oh, so the first and second lessons are reports and we'll only hand over the presentation for the third?" Struana repeated to make sure she heard right.
"Yes, I think ma'am is just going to use those PowerPoints for the other year levels."
"Wow, I think she just took advantage the fact that she got late with her lesson plan."
Aoine didn't follow their chat anymore, she's now disturbed after hearing that information from her friends.
She didn't listen to their teacher's final note before the third period dismissed because her head was so close to explode.
Before Ms. Soliven let them in, she first asked the class to fall in line before going inside.
Their class was kind of one of the worst section in eighth grade considering the fact that there’s some delinquents who are frequently called from the guidance too, the librarian had to wait until they tone down a bit before going inside.
When they got in, they put their bags in the cabinet at the entrance of the library, Aoine left her jacket on top of her bag since library wasn't air-conditioned unlike their classroom.
The students go straight to the bookshelves after Ms. Soliven said they'll be reading instead of watching a movie in the AVR room.
Some of them complained though they still complied.
"Can you get me a random book and sign it for me?" Aoine requested to Minette.
"Okay."
In all honesty, Aoine don't get why library was one of their subject but she's still thankful it’s a subject. It's like vacant but the librarian had to keep on watch though they're not as strict as the other subject teachers—they still let them go out in the middle of class hours just to go to cafeteria but there's times when Ms. Soliven wouldn't let them and they have to make an excuse like going to the clinic for example.
Aoine laid her head on the table, tapping the wooden material as she waited for Minette and her other friends to return.
She volunteered to stay there so no one will occupy the most isolated part of the library and so she can already lie of course.
Reading wasn't necessary—at least for the students, it's just a policy in the library to get a book during this period.
Some minutes later, she felt someone's shadow towering her. Thinking it was Minette, Aoine lifted her head only to see Selatan pulling a chair and sat beside her.
Selatan watched Aoine's eyes gradually betraying her, she mumbled, "My friends earns this spot."
Aoine felt something warm around her shoulders. "Sleep." As if on cue, Aoine finally gave up on her body and let the dreamland take over.
Her friends arrived only to see Selatan watching Aoine sleeping with the hood of her jacket covering her head.
Sashea gave Struana a look. "Is this okay?" she whispered.
"They're not doing anything wrong," Struana answered.
"Apparently, sleeping here in the library is prohibited," Firence stated.
Selatan can hear them but he chose to ignore them until Minette dropped a book on the table close to Aoine's head, Selatan finally acknowledged their presence. "Sorry, she seemed like she needs sleep."
"Obviously," Firence said, "Just don't let Ina get caught, we'll leave you be."
They started to march away to find another available table even though they really want the spot that Aoine and Selatan have.
"Is it okay to leave them there?" Musika asked them after settling themselves in their seats along with their books on the table.
"It's just a classmate, it's not like they're doing something behind Zesiro's back." Firence shrugged. "Let's not make it an issue if we see boys and girls together."
It left unnoticed to Selatan but there's slight roseate creeping on his cheeks as he stared longer on Aoine's serene face.
Selatan gently placed his hand on her head that the hood of her jacket was covering—the jacket that he took from her respective cabinet that he wrapped on her earlier.
Selatan played with the strand of her hair, twirling it around his finger. "I'm jealous, I want nap too." He eventually laid his head on the table, now he got a better view of Aoine.
Sashea had seen enough that she needed to tell this to Struana. "He is holding her hand!" she half whispered and yelled.
Because of that detail, Struana, Firence, and Musika whipped their heads to Aoine and Selatan and it's true, they caught Selatan peacefully sleeping beside Aoine with her hand being held close to his chest.
"Stop staring, you're making it so obvious," Minette warned, "If you keep doing that our classmate will notice them."
"Should we interrupt them?" Musika asked.
"No! Don't do that!" Struana said a little louder but no one gave her attention so she continued, "They're not that suspicious from different angles, our table is just aligned to theirs that's why we can see what they're doing."
"But sleeping together is suspicious enough, don't you think Zesiro will know this?" Sashea added worriedly.
"Don't make it sound weird, they'll be fine," Firence assured, "Just let them sleep in peace."
"But her boyfriend—"
"I think it's safe to say that they're not together anymore," Firence cut Sashea's words.
"What? They broke up?"
"Not yet but they will," Struana answered Musika.
A few minutes passed when Aoine started to wake up, her heart raced when she saw Selatan's face was close to her.
Aoine glanced for the clock and when she saw there's still twenty minutes before time, she let out a breath.
Her brows furrowed when she became aware of Selatan's hand on hers.
Aoine didn't give any thought about it and just let go of his hand to pull out her phone, she hid the phone under the sleeve of her jacket so no one will see her using it during this hour.
Ina:
I'm planning to stay at home this afternoon.
Tell Kento for me, pls 🥺
Evi:
Why?
Ina:
My head is so heavy, I need sleep.
Hey, how can you message me while it's class hour?
Evi:
Our subject rn is Filipino, ma’am let us use phones after discussion.
Why me? Do it yourself smh 😐
Hby? Can't you wait till the end of 4th period?
Ina:
It's our library hour.
Come on, you gotta tell Kento.
I deserve a long sleep not some lectures from him.
Evi:
Fine.
Only for this one.
Ina:
Yey!
Love youuu 😘
"Not going to school this afternoon wouldn't hurt. . . ." There's a hint of smile on her lips until her eyes dropped on Selatan who's still snoozing.
Her smile showed once more and set an alarm for ten minutes to notify her five minutes early before the bell. Aoine put her hand on top of Selatan's that's resting on the table and get back to sleep.
True to her words, Aoine didn't attend school that afternoon and she thought she'll get away from Kento but he still called her.
It wasn't so bad but she's trying to avoid talking to him and Aoine swore Kento was stricter than her own mother.
All Aoine did that afternoon was sleep and she only woke up after Devoria called for dinner and ordered her to look after their store that evening because Ailbhe won't be staying with them for the night.
Aoine grumbled but she still followed her order anyway.
She doesn't mind watching the store during daytime—it's just, she had a bad experience when she's the seller at night and she hadn't told any of her family members yet because she's still gaining more guts before she tells them.
She just . . . doesn’t want to disappoint them for being a weakling.
As Aoine was in the middle of organizing her thoughts, she suddenly remembered her report with her partner Selatan. Aoine searched him on social media but she didn't found his name, she already checked their class group chat and he's also not included there.
Aoine seek some other ways to communicate with him and she chose to ask for Selatan's number through Kento as the final resort—knowing fully well if Aoine asked either Azalaeious and Azelarius, they'll make a fuss about it and she can't ask Zesiro either since they're not on speaking terms as of the moment.
She's just relieved Selatan was a volleyball player, it wouldn't be too hard to reach for him.
Aoine wanted to start the presentation as quickly as possible so the report will be her only problem next, she just hoped that Selatan is kind enough to help her do the two lessons that's assigned to them, maybe take some other parts too so it wouldn't be hard for her.
Ina:
Do you have Selatan's number?
Kento:
What for?
Ina:
It's for our report.
He's my partner and I can't find his acc.
Kento:
Oh.
He deactivated his account, that's why.
+63-908-556-8761
Here.
Ina:
Thank you 💕💕
Aoine took a deep breath before pressing the call button, she would have rather text Selatan than calling him but she's not sure if he had load to text her back so she chose the latter.
First ring and Selatan picked up the phone. "Hello?"
"Uhh. . . ." Aoine gulped twice when she felt like there's a lump in her throat. "Selatan, this is Aoine. I got your number from Kento and I'm just wondering if you can help me with the PowerPoint for our report? Maybe tomorrow after flag retreat? If you're not okay with that I'm free Sunday aftern—"
"Uhm . . . sorry no," he immediately declined, "I'm busy."
"What?!" Aoine never expected Selatan to say 'no' without giving second thoughts about it, she thought he's better than those rumors about him because he's one of the best student in St. Thomas class.
Now she's sure that the theory about him was true. Selatan does do nothing when it comes to this kind of stuffs.
"You have to help! It's literally two lessons! I understand if you're not going to help me with the third lesson, I can do that but I can't do two lessons alone!" Aoine paused to calm her nerves. "Reporting will be next week."
"Aoine, chill. I'll do the reporting and you'll do the presentation. Presenting is easier than performing anyway, you can do the PowerPoint without my help."
If possible, there's an irk mark forming on Aoine's temple already. I know damn well you can perform the lessons well, dumbass! All I need is your share for the PowerPoint! "Ugh! You're so irresponsible!"
Aoine hang up the call and threw her phone elsewhere as she massaged her temples.
"Uhh, miss?" a customer called Aoine, she must have been focusing on her own frustration that she didn't realize there's a buyer in front of the screen.
"Right, sorry!"