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Songque was used to be on her own. The loneliness could feel suffocating from time to time, but she was used to it. She needed to be. She knew she wasn't in the position to deserve to even think about making friends. No one deserved to have someone as shitty as her to be their friend. So, it would be better for her to just swallow her loneliness, and think about how to survive.
Unfortunately, “alone” seemed to be out of options for her today. That white haired girl came to her class to find her. Again. Babbled about the reason why she needs to be allowed to enter the class to see Songque- or a blonde puppy girl, if you prefer her words. The fateful encounter took place two weeks ago, when she trudged to her home after an exhausting part-time job. Songque crossed the street without checking her surroundings and almost died by it if not for someone to save her in time. The unhealthy pallor of her saver made her stand out amongst the crowds, just like how Songque always imagined how it would look if an angel is trying to save a human.
Songque knew her, of course. Thelema Nutriscu; a girl who was born with a silver spoon in her mouth. Songque wondered why do this seemingly lavish fella kept insisting to talk to her… Did she want her to pay her for the life saving thing? But Songque had no money! She barely survived daily, so why would this insanely rich girl also want her money? Not fair!
She pondered deeply about the possible reason of Thelema's insistence to the point she became unaware of her surroundings. She startled when the very object of her continuous headache was suddenly standing in front of her desk, looking down at her with her haughty gaze. Her left eyebrow looked slightly raised, as if asking her why she looked like she just saw a ghost.
“Songque- Um, no. I don't like how it rhymes. I will just call you Xiao-Que. Xiao-Que, why do you look so pale?” Thelema asked, and Songque felt like she couldn't get her words out of her throat.
Songque wondered if she is just being too anxious so she can't remember when she ever gave her name, or if she just really never did. If the latter was the case, then you really must not mess with the rich. How could they find someone's name so easily!
“How do you know my name? And, please. Leave. I can't pay you! I barely survived!” Songque blurted loudly, and it drew the whole class attention to them.
Thelema looked slightly taken aback by her words, probably not expecting that kind of reaction. Songque on the other hand also regretted her action. What if the other was offended and sued her? She did not want to get jailed!
Songque trembled on her seat, head full of what ifs. Well, she has resigned to her fate. At least the cell would (hopefully) give her edible meals three times a day without her really doing anything. Yes, it would be good enough for her. Maybe she also could try to make some connections there for a smoother life.
Contrary to her expectations, she could hear Thelema giggled. Her giggle reminded Songque of the tinkle of the bell of her late mom’s flower shop. The sound that used to make her feel elated as a kid because it means a customer just entered her shop. She loved to give the customers a sprig of a random artificial flower based on her mood. Yellow Rose, Baby's Breath, Peony-
“Have you ever thought maybe I asked people around you like a normal person who wants to get to know bits of their crush would?”
Thelema's words forced her train of thought to stop. Songque was dumbfounded. She totally forgot to consider that Thelema can simply ask her classmates about her name, though she would never consider some of her latter words even in her wildest dreams. She could see some of her classmates snickering and getting back to mind their own businesses.
Songque could feel the tinge of red is slowly starting to creep onto her face.
“Pardon…?”
"... What the hell is going on?" She really wanted to add. But alas, nothing could possibly come out of her throat when she was basked with that genuine smile of the white haired girl.