It was the next day. For some strange reason, I felt… excited.
Maybe it was because I got a bit more allowance than usual today. Or maybe it was because there were no assignments waiting to mess with my head. Honestly, I didn't know the real reason. It could've been both or maybe neither. But one thing was clear: I was actually excited to go to school.
The morning started the same as every school day. The usual routine. But then I remembered something from last night Calliope had messaged me. Curious, I checked it right away.
"Oh hey Marcus. Thanks for the biscuit earlier, it was really tasty. I like how cute it is, so I was thinking whether I should keep it or eat it. I think you were busy earlier because you suddenly ran away, but still. Thanks again!"
I froze for a second. I didn't know what to reply. I didn't even know how to feel. No one had ever thanked me like that before not with that kind of sincerity. I wasn't overthinking it, but... something about her words stayed with me.
Maybe, just maybe... I should try talking more to others this time. Maybe it'll be different.
As I was running late again I stepped on poop.
Of course.
By the time I got to school, I was tired, annoyed, and stressed, but I pushed through. And then came the subject I feared the most Art and Acting. This subject made me so nervous I could barely sit still. It wasn't the subject itself… it was the fact that Calliope was now my partner. I was used to working with Lucas. He was loud, annoying, and dumb but he made everything comfortable.
This time, it was different. Too different.
I couldn't focus at all. My thoughts were all over the place. And then I saw her walking toward me.
Panic mode: on.
I tried to act like I was doing something important. Maybe she'd think I was busy. But nope she called my name like she always did.
"Hey, Marcus. Let's practice the act right now. The others are already doing it."
I swallowed hard.
"Oh—yeah. Sure, sure."
She started explaining what we needed to do, talking about scenes, tone, and movements. I nodded along like I understood, but the truth was… I was only catching a few things. My mind was racing too much to focus. She noticed, of course.
"Do you get it, Marcus? Just ask me if there's anything you don't understand."
I wanted to ask something. There was one part I really didn't get. But my mouth wouldn't move. Something inside me just kept saying
"Don't ask. Don't make it weird."
So I lied.
"Ah, yes. Don't worry. I get it."
She didn't believe me. I could tell.
"Are you sure? I feel like you don't get it…"
I panicked and blurted out,
"No, no, I definitely get it."
"Then where did I say we were going to practice?"
I froze.
"…Uhm… at… at…"
I looked down, guilt washing over me.
"Sorry… I didn't actually listen…"
She covered her mouth with a small hand towel and laughed softly.
"Hehe… You remind me of my brother. Sorry."
I looked away, embarrassed, while she gently patted my shoulder.
"Don't worry. I'm just messing with you."
Even after that, I couldn't look her in the eyes.
"Anyway, like I said earlier, we're going to practice at my friend's backhouse. It's pretty big."
"Whose friend?"
I asked.
"Oh, the short girl I always talk to. We usually go to recess together."
"Ah, I see. I'll just go there after I head home."
"Sure, that's fine,"
she replied.
After a few more classes, school finally ended. Lucas was absent again today, so I didn't really talk to anyone. I decided to go home first before going to the practice place.
As I stood there, choosing between walking or riding a bus, I picked the cheaper option walking. But honestly, the real reason was I didn't want to talk to the driver. Even just saying "bayad po" felt like a lot today.
So I walked for about half an hour under the sun, sweating like crazy. Then I saw her.
There she was Calliope, standing outside a gate in a cottagecore dress, looking around as if waiting for someone.
When our eyes met, she walked toward me, not too fast but with purpose.
"What took you so long?"
she asked.
I tried to think of an excuse.
"Uh the bus I was riding got a flat tire… so I just walked."
She looked genuinely worried. "What?! You weren't even using an umbrella. What if you got heatstroke? I thought you got into an accident since you weren't replying to my message."
"Ah… I forgot to charge my phone. It's dead,"
I explained.
She took me inside right away, helping me cool down. A moment later, her short friend peeked from the hallway and grinned.
"Ohhh~ who is this, Calliope? Your boyfriend?"
Calliope came out with a glass of water and blushed.
"What?! No—he's just my classmate."
The teasing didn't stop.
"Marcus, don't mind this dwarf friend of mine,"
Calliope said, laughing.
"She has the brain of an orc sometimes and says the weirdest stuff."
"What did you say, you witch?!"
her friend shot back.
The two of them kept teasing each other while I just stood near the door awkwardly, smiling but not knowing what to say or do.
Eventually, Calliope looked at me and said,
"Alright, now that you're okay, let's get started. It's almost nighttime."
We practiced the act she had planned. I still didn't know how I was doing, but I followed her lead. Time flew by. Before we knew it, the sun was already starting to set.
We both thanked her friend for letting us stay, then walked together toward the main road.
It was quiet at first, but then Calliope broke the silence.
"Today was actually kind of fun. More fun than usual, I'd say."
I nodded shyly.
"You know, you should try talking to people more. You're actually really fun to be around,"
she added.
"Ah… I'll try,"
I said quietly.
We reached the bus stop. She smiled and waved goodbye.
I walked home alone, but this time I had a smile on my face.
I looked at the sunset and thought to myself:
"Maybe… it was just me all along, holding myself back."