Chapter 39: Lingering Thoughts

Elizabeth was walking along the hallway of the fifth floor of the secondary building of the school, where most clubrooms were located, until she found the room in question. The door was already opened and as she went inside, she saw Naz and Emily looking around the room. The two of them quickly turned to her as soon as they realized there was someone else by the door.

"Well, what do you think, Lizzie? Big enough for all of us?" Naz asked ecstatically.

"Yeah… after it gets renovated, of course…" Elizabeth muttered wearily while sweat-dropping. She noticed the rolled up poster Naz was carrying and pointed at it. "Why are you carrying that?"

"Eh, I don't know with Naz, but we can't understand what it says. Naz is saying it's Japanese…" Emily replied and shrugged. Elizabeth stepped closer, took the poster from Naz and inspected its writing. "Well, what do you think?"

"It's Japanese. There's a mixture of kanji, hiragana and katakana here… even though I can't read it," Elizabeth replied and cringed slightly. She recalled the manual of the printer-scanner machine in the newspaper room upon seeing the writings. "Nicole May somehow taught me how to distinguish Japanese from Chinese when she was reading that manual…"

"See, I told you it's Japanese!" Naz exclaimed smugly and folded her arms across her chest.

"Fine, fine, you win," Emily scoffed and placed her right hand on her hip. "Now, can we proceed in laying out on what to put in this room and which goes where?"

"I thought Nicole May already had that planned out?" Naz slightly raised an eyebrow and scratched her head. "All we have to do is to suggest to her what we want in the room and she takes care of the rest."

"Well, we can at least discuss that, what we want in the room, that is," Elizabeth said and shrugged.

"Sure, but can we at least do it elsewhere? The dust in this room is not good for my health…" Emily groaned and started coughing from the dust in the air.

.-.-.-.-.-

"There, there… that's a good girl…" Nicole May continued stroking Avegaille's back with her hand until she realized that Avegaille already fell asleep on her chest. She stopped stroking her and looked down at her worriedly. "Geez, I don't know what I am going to do with you…"

Lunch time was almost over and the two of them were still sitting together on one of the benches near the secondary building. With Avegaille falling asleep, Nicole May now had another problem in her hands. It would be very difficult for her to carry Avegaille just by herself. As Nicole May lifted up her head, she saw the other girls walking towards their direction. She felt nervous and frantically kept turning her head around the closer they were getting. Nicole May was now frozen stiff when Naz, Elizabeth and Emily were finally standing in front of her.

"Oh, Avegaille fell asleep again?" Naz slightly chuckled upon seeing the scene in front of her. Then, she turned to Emily. "Okay, Emily, it's your turn to help me carry Avegaille to the room!"

"What? Why me?" Emily asked surprisingly and stared at her dumbfoundedly. “Surely, you can’t be serious about that, right?”

"Well, Elizabeth already had her share of this work, so it's time you also got involved," Naz explained and stuck out her tongue at her. “Even with a cast on like that, this shouldn’t be too hard, especially for someone like you.”

"Geez, why can't you let Rustford do that then?" Emily groaned and slowly shook her head.

"I would but… at the state she's currently in, she can't even think straight." Naz gestured her hand, and Emily noticed Nicole May's flustered expression. “Anyway, just carry her on the left side while I handle the right side.”

"Fine, let's just get this over with so we can get back to our classes," Emily retorted and pulled Avegaille’s left arm and leaned her body towards her. Meanwhile, Naz positioned Avegaille’s left arm over Emily's shoulder. After that, she slowly lifted up Avegaille while Naz lifted Avegaille's right side.

"I'll see if I can snap her out of that state…" Elizabeth muttered and sat down on the bench, next to Nicole May. She watched Naz and Emily carried Avegaille on both sides until all of them were slowly walking towards the doorway of the main building. Then, Elizabeth turned back to Nicole May, who was still frozen on her spot and looked very flustered.

"W-what… what am I… am I… g-going to do?" Nicole May muttered to herself and started breathing heavily.

"Hey…" Elizabeth held on Nicole May's shoulder and slowly shook her. "It's okay… they're gone now."

"Huh?" Nicole May looked around and her breathing slowed down until it returned to normal. She noticed that Elizabeth was sitting next to her and felt weary. "What? How did you get there? Where's Avegaille?"

"Naz and Emily carried her back to the newspaper room," Elizabeth replied and shrugged. Then, she stood up from her seat. "Come on, let's walk to our next class together."

"Uh, sure…" Nicole May muttered and also stood up from her seat. She then gripped her left arm with her right hand and slightly turned away from Elizabeth.

"You're still thinking about what I said earlier?"

"Eh? No… nothing like that…" Nicole May gripped her left arm even tighter and started walking, in which Elizabeth quickly followed her.

"Well, if anything is troubling you, you can always talk to any of us about it," Elizabeth said and placed her hands inside the pockets of her jacket.

Nicole May glanced at Elizabeth, who was now smiling at her, and turned away from her again. Her face started turning red again. "I'll be fine…"

"If you say so…" Elizabeth just shrugged and both of them continued walking together until they got inside the main building.

.-.-.-.-.-

"Today, we're going to discuss about Greek mythology since we're done with English basics…" Miss Read announced to the class. Then, she turned to the blackboard and wrote 'Greek Mythology' on it.

Everyone in the room exchanged confused looks with each other, while others were groaning. Nicole May, on the other hand, was staring at the empty page of her notebook that was on her desk. She had been thinking about everything that happened since this morning. Then, she took the pen that was on top of her notebook and started scribbling without realizing what she was writing. Then, Miss Read turned back to her class and started walking around.

"To start off, just name one Greek myth figure you can think of on top of your heads," Miss Read said and everyone kept quiet while exchanging glances with each other.

Emily raised her hand and stood up from her seat. Everyone immediately turned to her, staring at her curiously. She scratched her cheek with one finger and smiled sheepishly. "Miss Read, do you count the Muses? You know, those goddesses?"

"Uh… sure, Miss Hayward…" Miss Read slightly cringed as she sweat-dropped and Emily sat down. Then, she turned to the other students. "They are the goddesses of inspiration for literature, science and arts. Anyone else with other answers?"

The other students started raising their hands one by one and then, recited their answer. Miss Read gave a short description of who they were after each answer. Almost everyone in the room had given an answer, except for Nicole May, who was still writing something in her notebook. Miss Read walked up next to Nicole May upon noticing her unresponsiveness to the topic. Everyone else turned to the two of them as well.

"Miss Rustford, how about you? Is there a Greek myth figure you can share with the class?" Miss Read asked, in which Nicole May froze from her spot and then, she slowly lifted up her head.

"Uuh…" Nicole May looked down at her notebook on her table and saw the pages with writings in them. She stared at her left hand, which she was holding the pen with. Her grip on the pen loosened and it dropped, landing on the pages of her notebook. Then, Nicole May slowly stood up from her seat while still looking down on her desk. Her seat was located by the first row, near the windows of the classroom. As soon as Nicole May lifted up her head, she saw everyone staring at her and her face turned pale.

"What's wrong, Miss Rustford?" Miss Read looked worried as soon as she saw Nicole May stuttering from her spot. Then, Nicole May grabbed her left arm with her right hand and looked down on the floor.

"No… I'm sorry… I can't… I can't do this anymore!" Nicole May paused for a while upon realizing what she just said. Then, she quickly ran out of the classroom, with everyone else confused at what was happening.

Miss Read stared at the things Nicole May left, which was the bag with all of her things inside and then, the notebook that was on top of the desk. She picked up the notebook and started reading through what was written on it. However, she couldn't understand what was written on it at all, due to the fact it wasn't even the regular English alphabet she saw on the pages. Then, Emily stood up and went next to Miss Read.

"I'll find her and return her things if that's okay, Miss Read…" Emily said, in which Miss Read just slowly stepped back. Then, Emily picked up the things Nicole May left on the table and placed them inside the bag. After that, Emily put the strap of the bag on her shoulder and left the room.

After witnessing what just occurred, everyone was still quiet, and then, Miss Read laughed nervously. "Well, I'll just have to take care of that later on. Now, moving on, we're going to read a couple of stories involving Greek mythologies. So, please take out your book and then turn to…"

.-.-.-.-.-

Emily stopped walking as soon as she realized that she had no idea where Nicole May would have run off. She looked around and she was now in the hallway, leading to the exit going to the secondary building of the school. Emily took her chances and quickly rushed through that exit. She got to the area where the walkway leading to the secondary building, as well as some benches, was located. From where she was standing, she could spot someone crouching on one of the benches.

Emily went closer to that girl and the closer she got, somehow she felt disappointed upon seeing that she wasn't the one she was looking for. Emily stood still on her spot until the person lifted up her head and stared at her. Somehow, Emily recognized who that girl was and slowly went closer. It was none other than Jane, Avegaille's older sister.

"Hey you… what are you doing here?" Jane asked groggily. "You're one of the shrimp's friends, aren't you?"

"Um… yeah… and actually, I was looking for Nicole May. You see, she suddenly ran out of our class while Miss Read was asking her a question," Emily replied and laughed nervously. Then, she sat down next to Jane. "I think the fact everyone was looking at her somehow triggered a panic attack."

"Tch…" Jane got off from her seat and straightened her jacket. Then, she looked at Emily sternly while she placed her hands on her hips. "Hey, what was your name again?"

"It's Emily… Emily Hayward."

"You're carrying Nicole May's things as well, aren't you? Come on, I'll help you find her," Jane said lethargically and started walking, in which Emily quickly followed her pace.

While the two of them were walking together, Emily noticed how Jane's gaze was drifting away for a bit. She let out a nervous laugh and Jane quickly turned to her, somehow flustered at her.

"What? What is it?" Jane asked and clenched her fists.

"Ah, I was kinda wondering as well… why you're not in class like everyone else," Emily muttered and sweat-dropped. "Was it because of what happened earlier?"

Jane stopped walking and stared at Emily surprisingly. Emily stopped walking as well and felt nervous upon seeing Jane's change of mood. Jane's glasses were shining that Emily could no longer see her eyes. She slowly stepped back from Jane and laughed nervously.

"Um… it's not that Nicole May wanted to tell us about it. I guess you could say… we forced her to tell us…" Emily explained nervously while she was trying to manage her composure. She forced a laugh to lighten up the mood. "But we won't tell anyone else, we promise!"

"Let's just stop this unnecessary chatter and focus on what we have to do…" Jane muttered irritably and started walking again.

"Y-yes, ma'am!" Emily quickly raised her hand for a bit and then, followed behind Jane.

.-.-.-.-.-

Nicole May was breathing heavily from all the running she did. She ended up at the newspaper room. Then, she turned the knob of the door and went inside. The noise she heard in the room was coming from the computers on standby mode. Her breathing slowly returned to normal while she walked to the other side of the room, where the sofa and pillows were located. Nicole May also spotted Avegaille sleeping peacefully on the sofa, hugging one of the pillows.

"Why do I end up going to the same place as where you are?" Nicole May asked herself while she slowly went closer to Avegaille and sat down on the unoccupied space of the sofa. She took one of the pillows lying on the carpet and hugged it. Then, she slowly closed her eyes and rested her head on the sofa. Her mind was slowly blanking out and eventually, she fell asleep.

At the other side of the room, the door of the newspaper club slowly opened, in which Emily entered first, followed by Jane. The two of them looked around and everything around them felt so quiet. Emily placed Nicole May's bag on the table and quickly ran to the other side. From there, she spotted Nicole May sleeping on the sofa with Avegaille. She was about to get closer but then, Jane quickly held on her shoulder and stopped Emily from getting any closer to the two of them.

"Eh? Why?" Emily pouted while she placed her right hand on her hip.

"Just leave them alone for now…" Jane whispered and slowly dragged Emily back to the other side of the room. After that, both of them sat down on the empty seats that were by the table.

"Hey, are you fine with your little sister having a relationship with another girl?" Emily asked and slightly scratched her cheek with her right pointer finger.

"I couldn't care less… as long as Avegaille's happy and enjoying her life, that's all I could ask for," Jane replied and sighed. She rested her head on the table and wrapped her arms around.

"Um, don't tell me you're also gonna sleep here…" Emily muttered and cringed.

Jane slowly lifted up her head until her chin was rested on the table. She looked exasperated upon staring at Emily and then, she sat up. "I was about to… but I guess you still have some questions. What else would you like to know?"

"Aah… well, do you have some sort of sister complex as well?"

"What the hell?" Jane was dumbfounded by the question and raised an eyebrow. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Hahaha, never mind what I just said, it's just a joke," Emily teased and continued chuckling. Then, she paused for a while. "I only asked that since I noticed how you were so keen on trying to get along again with Avegaille."

"Haah?" Jane frowned and her face was slightly turning red while Emily chuckled again. Then, she slammed her hands on the table. "Like the hell I am!"

"If you say so, student council president," Emily teased and grinned at her. Then, she stood up from her seat. "I have to go back to my class though before Miss Read gives me a mouthful…"

Emily quickly opened the door and got out of the room. After that, she closed the door from the outside, leaving Jane sitting alone in the room. Jane just sighed and looked up at the ceiling of the room.

"Seriously though… what am I supposed to do?"

.-.-.-.-.-

Avegaille slowly opened her eyes as she sat up from where she was sleeping on. She looked around, even though everything was blurry for her. She tried reaching around her until she could feel what should be her glasses. She could somehow see the small table and started feeling around it until she finally got hold of her glasses. She quickly wore her glasses and looked around the room once more.

"Eh? Nicole May?" Avegaille saw Nicole May sitting on the sofa, fast asleep and hugging a pillow around her arms. Then, Avegaille sat down next to Nicole May and moved her face closer to her.

On the other hand, Nicole May slowly opened her eyes and when her eyes adjusted to the light, she saw Avegaille staring curiously and she was only an inch away from her.

"Bwhaa?!" Nicole May quickly moved back and almost fell off the sofa. She tried regaining her composure by sitting up straight and putting down the pillow that she was hugging back on the carpet. She slightly looked away from Avegaille and her cheeks started flushing. "Oh… you're awake."

"Yep, I am…" Avegaille laughed nervously and placed her right hand behind her head.

"Are you feeling better?" Nicole May asked as she turned to Avegaille and folded her arms across her chest.

"Hehe, yeah… thanks to you," Avegaille replied happily and smiled at her. Then, she furrowed her eyebrows when she saw the time on the digital clock by the small cabinet. "Aren't you supposed to be in class though?"

"Ah… I can't remember what happened. I think I broke down during English class and ended up here…" Nicole May muttered and held on her head with her hand. "Speaking of that, I think I left my things in the classroom…"

"Eh?! Then, we should go get them as soon as possible!" Avegaille exclaimed and quickly stood up. Then, she rushed to the other side of the room. She stopped from her tracks when she saw her sister sleeping on the table, with Nicole May's bag on top of the table. "Eeh? What's going on here?"

"What is it, Avegaille?" Nicole May apathetically asked while she slowly walked next to Avegaille. Then, she turned her attention to who and what was on the table and her eyes widened. "Jane?"

Jane slowly lifted up her head upon hearing the noise inside the room. She rubbed her eyes and yawned. After that, she turned her head around and saw Avegaille and Nicole May standing in front of her. "Oh, you guys are awake…"

"Yeah…" Nicole May muttered while she slowly turned her gaze away from the two of them.

"Eeh, for someone who's a school role model, you're cutting classes yourself. How terrible…" Avegaille teased, in which Jane clenched her fist and looked at her irritably.

"You're the last person I want to hear that from!" Jane exclaimed furiously and stood up from her seat, trying to restrain herself from attacking her sister.

"Hey Jane. I think you should tell Avegaille about you guys going to your father's place yesterday… and what happened there…" Nicole May interrupted, in which the two of them kept quiet and then, stared at each other.

"Eh… so that's it. That’s why you guys were all so quiet about it," Avegaille said and sighed heavily. She pulled out a chair and sat down. "To be honest, I want to get over my fear of my own father… but every time I see him, my mind just goes blank and I start panicking inside. I know meds are not going to work for me the more I use them… I can't just continue escaping from this fear forever. I want to get over it as soon as possible. I… I just don't know where to start…"

"Avegaille…" Jane stared at her surprising and was speechless. She didn't know what to say next. Then, she turned to Nicole May, who was as speechless as she was.

Nicole May slightly shook her head and then, she quickly held on Avegaille's shoulders while staring at her straight in the eyes. "I've already decided. I'll help you as much as I can… because… because…"

"Eh?" Avegaille looked at Nicole May surprisingly. She noticed her face was turning red again and was stuttering. She laughed a bit and smiled softly at her. "It's okay if you can't say it yet… although, you're the most wonderful best friend I ever had. But I think… there's more than just that, don't you agree?"

"Geez, stop saying embarrassing things, Avegaille!" Nicole May exclaimed as she quickly let go of Avegaille's shoulders and turned away from her. Her face was still bright red from all of that.

Jane just sighed with relief while she watched the two of them. She also had decided, in her mind, to let Nicole May take care of her sister from this point forward.