The basic transformation theory class commenced but there were some people in the back who were asleep. Julia noticed this as she turned around. She was taking notes while closing her eyes and yawning every few seconds. Silvio (who was still sitting behind Julia) had the stare of a demon as he fixated himself upon the slides. Sunny was sitting in the back today and she joined the siesta.

Julia couldn’t help but think she was friends with nerds and a slacker… there was nothing in between.

“Are any of you even listening?” yelled Professor Kacey

“Y-yes!” said Julia

“I am,” said Silvio

“I won’t continue to take class if all of you behave in this manner!”

“We’re sorry,” said Julia

Professor Kacey smiled.

“Maybe I should make things more interesting. Let’s have a lottery and split us up into groups, for an assignment.”

“Oh man,” said one of the students

Professor Kacey ran out of the lecture hall. Meanwhile, Silvio let out a loud yawn.

“Hey, Strawberry… Look at Sunny, she’s still asleep!” said Silvio

“I’m Julia, not strawberry!” said Julia

“But you’re a Strawberry Witch,” said Silvio

Julia faced him. He had a smile with glistening teeth and shining green eyes.

“If I’m a strawberry, then you’re Mr. Box cutter,” said Julia

“Huh?!” said Silvio

His expression changed as his eyebrows were raised and he had a frown.

“That giant sword from yesterday was totally a box cutter,” said Julia

Silvio held back his laughter for a few seconds before bursting into genuine and strange laughter.

“That hurt my ego, but I must admit it was funny,” said Silvio

Julia smiled.

“I’m back,” announced Professor Kacey, “I just realized that we don’t need paper or a container or a hat, we can just use numbers.”

She clapped her hands together.

“Starting from this column, each of you say a number from one to six in serial, and then repeat the same order,” said Professor Kacey

“One,” said Julia

“Two,” said Silvio

They repeated this.

At the end, someone announced the group of “one”. She was clad in a band t-shirt, leather pants and had ombre hair, with black at the roots and sky blue at the tips.

“I’m Aqua. Let’s introduce ourselves.”

“I’m Julia.”

“Harold.”

“Arthur.”

“Hey guys, I’m Glimmer.”

They sat down and exchanged contact information.

Prof. Kacey wrote the assignment on the white board and said it would be worth five points. Julia and Harold were noting the assignment down. But as soon as they were about to discuss, the class time ended.

Silvio caught up to Julia.

“Wait, let’s have something at the cafeteria at first,” said Silvio

“Okay.”

They walked out of the building.

“You ought to introduce me to that friend of yours,” said Silvio

Julia glanced at him and said, “Which one?”

“The dude with the glasses,” said Silvio

“Sure then!” said Julia

They sat down and Julia got a sandwich and a tiny bottle of water. Silvio just got coffee.

“So do you wanna hear?” said Silvio

“I guess, are you talking about your stalker?” said Julia

“I just want to get it off of my mind,” said Silvio

He took in a deep breath and gulped a bit of espresso.

“Then sure. But are you sure you can trust anyone with this information?” said Julia

His face became dull.

“You won’t tell anyone, yeah? I deemed you trustworthy,” said Silvio

“Of course I won’t,” said Julia

His lips formed a small smile. He sighed.

“Now, where did it all begin?”

Silvio was a teenager in that dream. Not knowing much at all about reality, yet knowing a lot about academics, he aimed to become a great scientist. He had no friends and would stay awake studying day and night. But one day, he met someone who kept recurring in those dreams. A girl with long hair tied into a ponytail, who would often force him to be more social. The dream continued for years, and she would often follow him wherever he went, hacked his account and tried to enter his house. It turned out that girl was a reflection of the dreamer’s love interest and he hated to see her obsess over Silvio. So he took out a gun and shot Silvio on his eighteenth birthday, which he was celebrating with his mother in the dream. It seems that most, if not all, dreamers are vindictive.

Julia, who was listening this entire time, tried to control her tears. This dream did remind her of her own dream, but Silvio’s seemed worse, since he was killed in front of his mother.

“I’m so sorry to hear this.” She said

“Do you know what the worst part is? I’m sure this girl is within our university,” Said Silvio

Julia gasped.

“I’m not going to fear her. I’ll get her expelled so that she no longer survives,” said Silvio

“But…” said Julia

“I’m sorry, did I scare you?” said Silvio

Julia put her hair behind her ear.

“A little,” said Julia

They walked out of the cafeteria. Julia stared at the ground.

“What’s wrong, Julia?” said Silvio

“Nothing, well it’s something,” said Julia

“You can tell me anything,” said Silvio

“I… need a hug.” Said Julia

“From me?” he said

“From anyone. Well, maybe not anyone…” said Julia

Silvio gave her a hug for a short time. She could smell his faint perfume. Julia felt comfort.

It was dark already. The sun was down, and the sky was a light grey. The wind was soft and light. They could see a half moon in the sky, alongside a few stars.

“I bid you good night,” said Silvio, waving goodbye

He left at once and he walked as though he was carrying the wind along with him. Julia entered her dorm and after getting ready for bedtime, she put her phone to charge and went to sleep.

She awoke again at twelve thirty p.m. Since she couldn’t sleep anymore, she browsed the internet. She came across three messages.

One was a group message from Aqua which no one responded to. Another was from Cole, and another from Silvio. Without opening the messages, she went fell back asleep.