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I can’t concentrate because I am thinking about how to approach Braxton. On a positive note, I’ve stopped worrying about shattering the new classroom lighting.
The end of class bell blasts indicating mid-break and my nerves return as I ready my search for Braxton.
I see Roman sitting with the TON and give him a small wave of acknowledgement, which he returns. His three companions do not. I head to the top of the grassy mounds, where I have a good vantage over all the groups scattered around the Zen. I can’t see Braxton. He normally sits by the river with the Sixth Year Time Propensity students, but he is not there now. I start to lose my nerve and plonk myself down where I’m standing.
“Hi, Siriarna. How are you feeling today?” Braxton asks sitting down beside me.
“Much better thank you. Um, did your Group Leader announce the third quarter Challenge this morning?” I ask, plucking a blade of grass from the soil and twisting it between my fingers.
“Yes, she did.”
“Oh, um, good.”What is wrong with me? Ask now.
“I can’t wait to participate. Group Leader Gisella told our class the final clue was thought up by the Sixth Year students,” he discloses, clearly impressed.
Now is the perfect opportunity to ask him to be my partner. I want to, I really do but my throat constricts, and my mouth is suddenly dry. I can’t seem to find the words. Instead, I just stare at him.I must look like an absolute idiot.
“Are you okay there, you look a bit pale?”
It’s time, I’m going to do it … “I was wondering if you might, maybe, if you haven’t already got someone else in mind, perhaps, consider being my partner in the Challenge?” Isomehow manage to get the way-too-many words out. I lift my head and see the corners of Braxton’s mouth turn upwards.
“I was hoping you were going to ask me. And the answer is ‘yes’,” he grins.
Relief floods through me.That wasn’t so hard!
“Let the 7-day countdown begin,” he declares before we head back to our respective classes in opposite directions.
I hear a voice from behind calling out my name. I spin around and see Roman following me on the pathway, jogging to catch up. “I think we should partner up in the challenge,” he says matter-of-factly when he reaches me.
“I thought you’d be teaming up with Alexandraya.”
“I know she wants to partner with me, but I wanted to do this with you, Siriarna. Like old times,” he asks hopefully.
“I would have liked nothing more Roman, only I just asked Braxton to be my partner and he accepted.”
“Youasked him.” His expression is unconvinced. “That doesn’t sound like something you would normally do.”
“Well, things are changing Roman. I’m changing.”
With a frown, he says, “I’m starting to see that.”
We continue walking the rest of the way to our classrooms in silence. Before I enter mine, Roman asks if he can walk me home. “Just like old times,” he adds.
However, when class finishes a few hours later, he is nowhere to be seen. Disappointed, I start my solo journey home, stopping in the meadow to gather my thoughts. I can’t help but wonder why Roman stood me up, especially as walking home together was his suggestion. It seems I’m not the only one who has changed.
A kaleidoscope of butterflies surrounds me, some land on my shoulder, others my face. The flutter of their wings tickles my skin and drags the grey from my mood.
When I arrive home an hour later, Roman is leaning againstmy front door. “Sorry, Siriarna, I finished class early and had some errands to run,” he explains.
He looks flushed and coy. Years of friendship tell me he’s lying. For a moment I wonder where he has really been, but I see his shirt is misbuttoned and the answer is clear—Alexandraya.
“Don’t worry about it. We can catch up another time.” I say mustering up as much nonchalance as I can.
“I wanted to see you. Can I come in?”
“Sure,” I smile. Internally, I am seething at my weakness in not being able to send him on his way.
He launches himself onto my couch and stretches out his long limbs, making himself completely at home. I join him, although I am a lot less relaxed.
