2 The Meeting

Quickly opening the door as to not let any hot air escape, I step outside into the brisk, cold air. I rub my hands and shove them into my pockets, the heat harboured from within my jacket warming them, all the while my body shivers from the sudden shock of the freezing air.

I'm reminded of how much nicer it was staying in the comfort of my nice, warm, toasty room. Not having to care about the freezing temperatures that roamed the outside world. But I can only reminisce on the cosy memory as the icy wind pierces the skin of my face.

Walking along the cold footpath, the message "We will meet tomorrow" runs through my head.

Starting to feel on edge, I sneak a glance behind me, checking to see if anyone is trailing me.

Of course no one is there.

After doing this subtle and somewhat awkward routine of constantly looking out for any suspicious individual that may "meet" me, I tell myself to calm down as I don't want to suddenly scream if a random person turns a corner and make myself look like an idiot.

Still though, it is strange for someone to send a text late at night, even more so if you don't know the sender. Perhaps I do know the ambiguous individual, time may have caused me to forget, it happens.

Although, why send such a creepy and non-specific message if you want to re-connect?

A group of girls come into view, judging by their uniform, they appear to be from my school. Upon further inspection, my class.

"Hey, did you hear? We're getting a new student in our class."

One of the girls turns their head.

"Really? Who?"

Now I'm not one to spy into other people's lives or conversations, it's creepy and rude.

Although, this has piqued my interest, could it be the person who texted me? Unlikely.

I try to make myself as quiet as possible.

"Yeah, I overheard our teachers talking about it, apparently they moved here recently, but like, that's all I know"

"Oohh, I really hope its a cute boy!"

Recently huh? I do remember my mum mentioning something about people moving in.

The girls laugh and continue their conversation with topics I'm uninterested in, something about the latest reality show? Starbucks? I couldn't care less.

Compared to the average teenage girl, I'm rather different, or so I'm told.

---

Arriving at the gates of the school I notice how empty it is.

"Did I arrive too early?"

I decide to head to library, it's one of the few places where it's quiet and away from most people, plus I get to read more of the novel I recently picked up.

This novel is about a young man who somehow finds a gateway to a hidden garden, one that allows him to forget about, and relax from the stress and responsibilties of his life. However, him and only him can exist there, he cannot take anybody with him. This causes him to feel a familiar sense of loneliness, but provides him with the opportunity to reflect on his life and choices he made. Both angry and upset at where he currently stands in his life, he's not sure what to do about it. But one day he eventually meets someone who is able to enter this garden as well.

This is as much as I got up to and I of course want to continue reading it.

Entering into the library, I look for a seat that would be the furthest away from most commotions, not that there would be any at this time.

Pulling out my book, I take a seat and begin to read, slowly immersing myself within the world that the author intended to create, sinking into my seat as I fall deeper into the novel.

So much so that I didn't realise someone had taken a seat in front of me.

A voice severs the connection between the book and myself.

"So, we have finally met".

Startled, I jump up in my seat, causing the book to slip out of my hands, creating a loud thud against the hardwood floor.

Slightly agitated by dropping my book, I look up to see dared to interrupt me. It's a girl, one I haven't seen before.

She seems quiet. No, more stoic, or straight forward. Her previous statement was quite jarring and bold. Also her stare at me does not break or waver, which is quite unsettling.

I begin to open my mouth to break the awkward silence between us.

"Who are-"

"My name is Susu, and there is no need to introduce yourself, I already know of you, Nysa".

Her interjection yet again catches me off guard. What's with this girl? And how does she know my name?

"Uh, how do you know my name? I don't even know who you are" An unsettling nervousness begins to rise within me. I quickly pick up my book to break eye contact with her.

She tilts her head to one side, "You don't know who I am?"

Why would I be asking that question then. Perhaps that feeling of someone stalking me this morning wasn't just out of paranoia.

"Did you not receive my message last night? I thought you would be aware of my arrival."

Arrival? Text message? Wait...

I tuck my book back into my bag and pull out my phone and show her the number of the creepy text I got last night, "Is this your number?"

After staring at my phone, she looks back at me.

"So you did receive my message, I don't understand why you are so confused."

look at her with disbelief. There is no way she expected me to know who she was after an ambigious message such as that!

"Seriously..." I mutter

"Hm?" She tilts her head in confusion.

Giving out an exasperated sigh, I put my phone back into my bag. "It doesn't matter".

She still hasn't broken eye contact with me, with this laser beam of attention I look to the side. "Why did you even contact me in the first place?"

"I moved here just a few days ago, and of course I needed to find a new school to go to, and coincidentally, both of our mothers are co-workers, and she suggested that I go to this school, and gave me your contact to help me settle in."

What kind of story is this? It does seem quite unbelievable, but I haven't seen her face around this school, then again, why didn't my mum tell me any of this? Well, she was in a rush so I guess she could have forgotten to tell me.

"I... I see"

The sound of a bell echoes throughout the PA system of the school, signalling to us that we should head to our classrooms for attendance. Saved by the bell I guess.

"Your name was... Susu, right?" I ask.

"Yes." She responds.

"Hmmm... Do you mind if I just call you Su?

She looks a little off the side, pondering.

She then looks back.

"I don't mind."

"Alright then, it was nice meeting you Su." I only say that out of politeness, because if I'm being perfectly honest, it wasn't the best first impression.

I get out of my chair and head out of the library, Su following right behind me.

Damm you mother.