279 I Need an Opportunity

The next day, my morning routine was still the same as before, commuting to school and wasting the day away by sitting in my seat and waiting for the class to be over. During the school day, I tried to look for an opportunity to speak with Muria about this issue she has with her stepmother, but there really wasn't an opportunity as...we never seemed to be able to get some time to ourselves. Since this is a rather personal topic, this opportunity that I am after is one where it is just the two of us, but...it would appear that in my daily life, that opportunity is close to impossible to achieve. We...we simply don't interact at that level.

I tried to have Alvelyn help me, but...if I don't know how to do it, then why would she know? Therefore...we are at a stalemate. I do not know how to approach this situation, and...the time limit is slowly approaching. With each passing second, I experienced an increase in my marginal stress, a feeling that I would describe as not the best. To be fair, it is somewhat tormenting to know that each day that goes by is...wasted. But...I really can't do anything different. It is this...fear within myself...

Friday after school, while we were sitting around in the club room, I leaned back against my chair as I struggled to think of a way in order to acquire around ten minutes of time that I will be able to spend alone with Muria. But getting her to be willing to spend that ten minutes with me alone is the difficult part. Although I can try during the morning while waiting for and riding the elevator, I doubt that she will feel comfortable speaking about that issue with Alvelyn present. Maybe I should have Alvelyn talk to her, but the thing is...I am not sure if her speaking will have a greater effect than me.

I would see Alvelyn has become rather good friends with Muria, but because of her status as Muria's good friend, that is why I doubt Muria would listen or even want to speak about such a topic. Something like this can only be spoken to someone who is not that close and yet not an unfamiliar acquaintance. Someone...someone kinda like me. I wouldn't say that I am her close friend and I am maybe not an unfamiliar acquaintance to her, or at least I hope I am not.

I let out a defeated sigh and decided to survey the club room and look at the others to see if I can acquire any inspiration of sorts from them. I listened in on their conversations, and judging by what I've heard, it would appear that everyone is talking about preparing for the college entrance exams that is coming up in less than a month.

"We should have study sessions again," Irina suggested. "I heard that it's a rather difficult test."

"If Noah was able to pass last year's final exam because of the study sessions, then they must work," Zaksus commented in an easy and relaxed manner.

Although the others are struggling with the upcoming entrance exams, Zaksus does not have to worry about that at all as he will definitely be going straight to the professional basketball league after high school, thus eliminating his need to attend college as he will earn more money than the average person in one year of his professional contract.

Another person that I would think do not have to stress about the entrance exam is Irina. As a famous celebrity, she already has enough money for her to live comfortably for the rest of her life. Yet, she is still trying to succeed the normal way. I am not surprised by this, however, as that is simply her character. She wants to have the normal experience.

"Why did you have to say that," Noah sighed and shook his head.

"I feel like you do need the study session though," Loyd commented.

"I know," Noah leaned back against his chair and sighed once again. "Damn this is stressful. Are we beginning this weekend?"

"Hey!" Irina's face suddenly lit up as she stood up from her seat. "How about we have some fun this weekend and officially begin next week?" She looked around at everyone with her blue eyes. "We don't have much homework for our classes, so we'll be able to study during the weekdays. Why don't we have some fun this weekend then?"

"You're right," Loyd nodded his head. "We should relax and enjoy ourselves a bit before the final stretch. You got any suggestions?"

"How about Destinyland?" Irina asked. "I can get us all in for free. I know the manager of the park from my performances there."

"Really?!" Zaksus almost shot up from his seat with great enthusiasm that is written all over his face.

"Damn," Noah commented. "Someone's excited."

Zaksus blushed somewhat from embarrassment. "Don't judge me like that, man."

"I'm just kidding," Noah chuckled. "I'm down for it."

"What about you two?" Irina turned towards Muria and Alvelyn.

"Why not," Alvelyn responded.

"Sure," Muria nodded her head.

Alvelyn then snuck a quick glance over in my direction and I immediately understood her intent as I was thinking the same thing. What she and I are thinking is that this is an opportunity. This is something that is not our daily life. Therefore, during our day at Destinyland, there might be some time that I will be alone with Muria. Then, I can talk to her about...her family's situation.

"You guys want to go this Saturday or Sunday?" Irina asked the group.

After asking for our opinions, it is unanimously decided for it to be held on Saturday, which is two days from today. I guess everyone dislikes Sunday because of the school day the day after that. I personally prefer Saturday over Sunday as well since I will have a day to rest up before I have to come back to school.

"Let me text Luna and Erith to see if they can come," Irina said as she sat down with a smile on her face.

She then took out her phone and began typing in a message that I assume will be sent to both Luna and Erith. After that, she seemed to be calling someone after scrolling through her contacts list.

"Hello," Irina said in a respectful tone into the phone. "I am fine, thank you. I am wondering if I can bring some of my friends to your theme park on Saturday... I'm looking around nine people including me...Thank you very much. Have a good day."

She then hung up the phone and looked over at us.

"I got us our free admission," Irina smiled. "The manager will send us nine E-Tickets and I'll send a ticket to each person." Then, her phone rung as she received a notification. She brought the phone up and looked at the screen, confirming what it was. Then, a smile appeared on her face. "They sent me the tickets. I'll send it to everyone."

After a short while, we all received a notification on our phone. I looked at my phone and confirmed that the message was from Irina. I clicked on the prompt, and it automatically brought me to my chat history with Irina. Attached was a digital ticket to Destinyland.

"Damn," Noah exclaimed. "Gave us VIP as well."

"VIP?" Zaksus checked his screen once again.

"So we get..." Loyd muttered as he checked the benefits of Destinyland VIP. "We get priority entry, the fast pass, and free food and drink within the park."

"That' generous," Muria commented.

"I didn't expect him to give us all VIP tickets," Irina appeared rather surprised.

"This pass costs twenty-five thousand Vil per, right?" Noah calculated. "I mean for a large park like Destinyland, they aren't losing any money."

"Oh," Irina's face lit up once again with a smile when she checked her phone. "Both Luna and Erith says they can go on Saturday." She then looked up from her phone and at everyone. "What time should we all meet up?"

"I say we go to the park early," Zaksus suggested. "Maybe arrive at eight AM?"

"Since it'll take us probably an hour riding the express train to get to the park..." Noah muttered as he held a hand to his chin in a thinking manner. "That means we'll have t get up before seven?!"

"It's not that bad," Loyd chuckled.

"So it's decided," Irina looked around at each of us. "We'll all meet at the front entrance to Destinyland at eight AM sharp on Saturday morning."

I took in her confidence and felt oddly accomplished for some reason. She has grown a rather lot in the time that I've known her, morphing from the distant celebrity to one of our close friends. It has really been a spectacular change, one that I've seen first-handed. Even though this change is mostly due to her own dedication, I still feel rather proud for some odd reason...