The day began in chaos, leaving me more fatigued than usual. My mind churned with restlessness from the previous night. 

It also increased when I sacrificed two hours of sleep during the bus ride. 

Hah, just thinking about it makes me angry.

Sigh…

We almost came late because one student didn't notify the driver that they wouldn't go to school today.

Despite this setback, we managed to reach school just before the start of classes. I had hoped for a moment to catch my breath.

But Jia pulled me aside to assist someone with their studies when I had just entered the classroom.

While I helped them with most of the material, I trust they will manage the rest.

"Everyone, please read carefully the contents of page 29."

The sound of the teacher's voice brought me back to reality. I set aside my thoughts and refocused on the class.

"Are you tired?"

Or so I thought. The homeroom teacher's assistant, Rhia, sat next to me. She did not exchange a single word with me yesterday.

However, as soon as I settled into my seat today, she started talking to me every few minutes, even during the class.

I signaled for her to be quiet several times, but she seemed indifferent to my gestures. I massaged my forehead in an attempt to concentrate.

“Do you have a headache?”

"Do you realize we're in the middle of a class?”

I responded to her irritated voice. If the teacher catches this, he might assume I'm involved in this chit-chat too.

I don't even want to think about what kind of punishment he'll give if he catches us.

"Let's talk after class, Rhia."

I softly said and glanced at her in case she started talking. However, she didn't say anything afterward, so I turned my head to the front.

Yawn...

Occasionally, I entertain the idea of doing experiments in class to see if I could dream while sleeping here.

However, revealing that I'm having nightmares is out of the question. I can't guarantee what I'll do with my body while sleeping.

I must wait until the break; then I can take a nap in the infirmary.

As I sorted out my thoughts, I sensed Rhia stealing glances at me from time to time.

I didn't have the energy to say anything to her, so I allowed her to observe me as much as she wanted.

During one of our classes, the teacher was absent. I assisted those students with their remaining assignments.

"Did you do something to Rhia? Why is she staring at you so intensely?"

One of the students asked me something that I want to know as well. I had hoped her intense gaze would stop over time.

But she persisted and became incredibly discomforting. I regret not telling her to stop in the first place.

Even when she was with other students, her unwavering stare remained fixed on me. I couldn't handle it anymore, so I approached her.

"Do you want to tell me something?"

After a second of silence, she responded with a smile, 

"You mentioned speaking after class, so I'm awaiting that opportunity."

It appeared she was waiting for me to ask her this question. But before I could respond, she continued, 

"That's why I've been looking at you." 

"I'm available now, so let's talk." 

Rhia glanced at the other students; it seemed she was having a conversation with them. Observing this, I told her, 

"If you're occupied at the moment, we can converse later. However, please stop staring at me. It makes me uncomfortable."

Without waiting for her response, I turned to head back to my seat. However, I stopped when I heard a faint sound.

I glanced back at Rhia.

"Did you say something?" 

She flinched momentarily after hearing my question but quickly smiled.

"No, nothing. I apologize if it seemed otherwise."

I went to my seat and rested my head on the desk, hoping to relax my eyes until the lunch break.

However, my moment of leisure was short-lived.

"Bian, that's a new look you've got. You look like a zombie."

Jia started a fight as soon as she sat beside me. I looked up at her with my kindest smile.

"Haha, oh Jia, do you have a death wish or something? Please tell me, and I... will... definitely... fulfill... it."

Jia smiled at me and said,

"Haha, no, silly."

We smiled at each other with silly expressions before I decided to change the subject.

"I'm not really in the mood for jokes, Jia."

"Okay. But what happened?" 

She immediately went back to her usual self. I remained silent, looking at her.

Even after all these years, I still feel amazed when I compare her behavior from before and now.

She never even bats an eye at anyone in the past; now she talks so playfully. But there are still those rumors.

"What's wrong? Why the silence?"

"Nothing much. It's just been a hectic day, so I'm feeling a bit worn out."

She maintained her gaze without a word. Eventually, she questioned,

"What were you discussing with Rhia?"

I sensed she was being cautious when she asked me that. Rather than providing a direct response, I decided to tease her.

"Why? Are you concerned that Rhia and I might grow closer than we already are?"

However, Jia's expression shifted as if she had heard something repulsive. Seeing her like that made me feel quite offended.

Sigh…

"It's not a big deal. She's been staring at me, so I asked her to stop."

In no time, Jia threw a seemingly thoughtless question: 

"Did you do something to her?"

Her question stoked irritation within me.

"Do I come across as someone who would do that?" 

She burst into laughter, as if my response was amusing. 

"Not really. You seem too boring for such antics."

Irritated, I rested my head on the desk once more. Jia's laughter subsided, leaving a quiet silence between us.

I knew she would stay with me until the next class began. Contemplating whether to speak about the subject of the circulating rumors, I raised my head slightly and began, 

"Do you know about those ru –"

Jia turned her head towards me, and after meeting her eyes, I paused.

"It's nothing," 

I lowered my head once more. Jia started to pat my head. It stirred a drowsy sensation, yet I resisted the urge to sleep.

When the lunch break started, I made my way to the infirmary. Upon opening the door, I spotted a few students engaged in conversation with the teacher.

Her gaze met mine as the door creaked open, and she asked me, 

"Have you had your lunch?"

"Yes, Miss."

After giving me a nod, she redirected her focus back to the other students.

The teacher is under the impression that I'm suffering from insomnia. That's why she never questions my routine naps and even wakes me before the next class begins.

When I was about to go ahead, I noticed Rhia among the other students in the infirmary. Once again, her eyes were on me.

I just nodded at her and proceeded with my walk toward the bed. It wasn't the right moment to talk with her, especially as she was with others now.

"What brings you here, Bian?"

However, Rhia's question proved that my earlier assumption was indeed foolish to think about.

"I came here to take a nap.”

Rhia trailed silently behind me until I reached the bed. Noticing her continued silence, I questioned her, 

"Do you need anything else?"

She simply shook her head before retreating to her group. 

......What a peculiar girl.

While she appeared at ease mingling with others, a subtle unease lingered within me. 

It had only been two days since everyone met her, yet there was something about her, as if she spun a web of words to trap one before they realized it.

I fell asleep as soon as I went to bed, yet my eyes remained open in the dream. This is the only time I never have to run or suffer in my dreams. 

It's not that the darkness reduces. It just becomes calm, gentle, and warm. I just lay down on the ground to rest my mind.

Abruptly, I felt a weight on my eyes. It made my body flinch instinctively. I thought I was going to suffer now too. 

I braced myself for the upcoming suffering. However, I only met with a surprising touch. A hand gently patting my head.

I witnessed fragments of the past or present in my dreams, or perhaps I was being tortured here. I had never been patted like this.

I attempted to rise and see the situation, but the hand on my head tapped my forehead thrice.

As if signaling for me to remain still, it resumed its patting.

I just smiled.

I told the unseen presence, 

"I cannot sleep in my dream."

It was unresponsive to my words; yet, the gentle pat continued. The weight on my eyes remained unchanged.

Soon, my eyelids also grew heavier, and I felt unexpected drowsiness.

The sudden shift in circumstances stirred anxiety within me.

"This is impossible. I have never been able to sleep here!"

Again, I didn't get any answer. Just before I was completely overwhelmed by sleep, a soft voice reached my ears.

{Good night, Bia.}

The voice was so faint and gentle that I pondered whether it had come from myself.

.......Yes, it must be me.