It had been days since that peculiar incident happened. I tried to talk to Jia about the day. But each time I approached her, she would evade the conversation or run away. However, with all of this, there is one thing that changed. Jia now continuously stares at me. 

If she had just looked at me that wouldn't have mattered. But whether it was during class, lunch break, or PT she looked at me with intimidating eyes. If I wasn't familiar with her personality I would have assumed I did something wrong to her.

One time I asked what she was doing. Yet, her response remained the same as usual, “Nothing”. I know something is bothering her. However, the only thing I can do is wish that she could tell me as soon as possible. As the days passed, other students also started to think there was an unknown tension between us.

“B…Bian, Bian.”

“Hmm.” A faint whisper from one of the students jolted me back to the present moment. We were engrossed in our group assignments. If he hadn't whispered I wouldn't….

…… Wait, did his voice just tremble? I looked at him thinking he might not be feeling well. But before I could say anything he resumed his hushed conversation. 

“Bian, please resolve your quarrels quickly. Jia is really scary when she is like that.”

…………....My mind went blank and momentarily left me speechless. This was precisely what I was talking about. I glare at Jia. However, as soon as my gaze met hers she turned her face. I really want to punch that head of hers a few times and shake some sense into her.

“Haaaa…”

Vivi and Zain's new home tutor also started tutoring them just two days ago. She gently interacted with them and I told Mom I won't be receiving any lessons from the new tutor. Nonetheless, I will be with them until they become comfortable with her. 

Mom didn't know Vivi and Zain requested me to do this for them. However, I know they are still afraid of the thought of a home tutor and want me as their support system. I also can't say she will always be good to them. Given how the previous teacher also changed over time.

“Rhia, stop talking.”

Suddenly all of the students turn their attention to Rhia. It's not that Rhia is talking, it's the students beside her. However, Rhia never told them to stop talking in the class. We also talked a few times and there are a few things I learned about her. Rhia always wore a smile and never uttered a "No" to anyone. While some might deem this a good trait, I don't think I would say it was a good quality. Because I always feel uneasy whenever I see her smile.

Speaking of Rhia, there is news going around that a transfer student is joining class B from tomorrow. This year our batch got not one but two transfer students.

“Submit your assignment and go to your classroom.” The teacher's directive signaled the end of the lab session. Most of the students didn't leave the lab until the teacher exited.

Once the teacher left the lab, I rose from my seat and made my way to Jia's side. She was somehow ready to run so I grasped her shoulder and firmly said, “If you don't come with me and run away now, I'm never going to talk with you.”

Jia understood I was serious about it so she accompanied me to an empty classroom. Despite her compliance, she remained silent, avoiding my gaze as if I had come to scold her. I sighed heavily. Now that I think about it I started to sigh more frequently because of her.

To break the lingering silence I asked her, “Do you know people started to think we had a major fight? And that's why you are behaving this way.”

“What!? Who's been saying that?”

“That's not my point. At least tell me why you are behaving like this?”

Jia remained silent, almost as if words were caught in her throat, and took her ability to speak. Then she lost in contemplation, grappling with the decision of whether to confide in me or not. After a few more moments of deliberation, she finally broke her silence.

“I'm just checking if you are fine or not.”

Her unexpected response left me bewildered. I tilted my head in confusion and said, “I'm completely fine and healthy. What are you checking for?”

This time, Jia locked eyes with me without averting her gaze. Then she comes closer to me and starts patting my head or perhaps more accurately, messing with my hair again. Whenever she doesn't want to answer something or evade the conversation she always messes up my hair. I sighed again and said, 

“Fine. If you don't want to say anything I won't ask anymore. But stop looking at me like you are going to kill me. And stop messing with my hair.”

Jia withdrew her hand and I straightened my disheveled hair. Just as I was readjusting my locks she said, “I think you are fine for now.”

“Huh!?”

When I looked up to see her, Jia had already dashed off. Sometimes I wonder whether she possessed some sort of supernatural ability to flee faster. If not, how did she consistently manage to disappear before my very eyes?

The rest of the period went peacefully. Although Jia still looked in my direction from time to time. But it is no longer as if she will kill someone. Even the class president came and said thanks to me for bringing peace to the classroom. 

But I didn't do anything at all. I don't even know why she behaved like that. I looked at Jia to clear the situation but her eyes said otherwise and it left me at a loss. So I just laughed awkwardly at everyone. But, Somehow I also felt lightheaded for some reason.

“Big sis, why are you turning in early tonight?” Aria's voice interrupted my thoughts.

I looked at my side and she was accompanied by the eager gazes of the other three companions beside her. Four of them are so excited to share their whole days with me but I'm sleeping earlier than them today. The bus driver informed us he was going to add a new student tomorrow. So he will pick up some students earlier than usual. And the funny fact is that the new student is none other than our batch second transfer student. So I need to sleep early today.

“I'm sorry. I have to rise early tomorrow. The day after tomorrow is the weekend. So we can talk and play a lot that day, alright?”

The four of them became disappointed but they understood me. They bid me goodnight and exited the room. I looked at the place they were sitting a moment ago. Waking up earlier isn't the only reason I went to bed early. 

Since the last few days, my dream of darkness also took a peculiar turn. One time they tortured me so much that I thought I might not see the next moment. But in my next dream, they became so calm as if nothing happened, much like the current moment. I look around and see the darkness. It somehow scared me. Because when the darkness didn't do anything, my memories also became hazy.

Instead of my usual walking today I just lay down. Sometimes I wish I could sleep here. On a day like this, my body feels relaxed but not my mind. Perhaps, if I could succumb to sleep, maybe my mind would also feel relaxed as well.

“Do....want....here?”

An unfamiliar voice echoed in the darkness, sending a shiver down my spine. Attempting to rise in alarm, I found myself immobilized, unable to move an inch. The darkness came in front of me to cover my eyes. Resistance was futile so I just helplessly lay down. I feel so stupid to ever entertain the thought that the darkness will ever change.

“Ha ha… I guess I'll be tortured today too. So those days just give me so that I won't break.” I muttered.

“No, you....be tortured.... .”

My body flinched after hearing the same voice again. I thought I was hearing wrong but it wasn't. There really was another voice other than mine. 

……….Was it the darkness or was there another person? Has the darkness finally talked to me? This situation leaves me bewildered. I have lots of questions. When I tried to speak suddenly a hand started to pat my head and it made me sleepy. The hand also felt a little smaller than last time.

…..Wait!?..... Last time!?..... When!?.... Why does all of this feel so familiar? Even my thoughts are being interrupted and fuzzy.

“Huuss. Good Night Bia.”