5.

We were like

A million pieces

Of a puzzle

-And it was as if

The universe

Got bored

Of putting us together

IG: firefliesinthenightsky

~

After half an hour, Miguel nudges my shoulder and I turn to face him. His grin tells me whatever it is he wants to say is pure garbage.

"I texted her. Her name is Kira," he says, and I frown at the way her name rolls off his lips. Kira. Sweet and short. He nudges me again and I flare my nose, asking him 'what?' with my eyes. "Look at our chat," he grins like he's really proud of it. I scoff, taking the phone to read.

Me - Heyyyy friend ;) :) B) ^^

The number of emojies is just embarrassing. My god!

Kira - lol, hi there! how are you?

Me - im gud. you in school?

Kira - nah, it's out. I'm now studying. self?

Me - stuck in class. come save me

Kira - lamooo i'll sent a chopper. go to the roof

Me - my hero <3

I can't help but laugh as I hand him his phone back. And the fact that he looks so proud of their chat is just him. He locks his phone and leans on Ryan's shoulder, who looks up from his phone and gives us his signature smirk, turning his phone's screen towards us. I have to mentally roll my eyes for this one. Miguel takes the phone and puts it between us.

Me - Hey, it's Ryan. I'm a friend of Kian and Miguel. Pleased to make your acquaintance.

Kira - Hey Ryan. I'm Kira. Why do I get the feeling the squad has spoken about me?

Me - I'm good. And yes, Kian mentioned you, so we all wanted to befriend you. Would you be interested in becoming a part of the squad?

Kira - I'd be honoured, lol!

Me - I'd like to chat when you're available. good luck with your studies.

Kira - thank you so much!

Me - Hablaré contigo más tarde

(talk to you later)

Me - oh, hablas español?

(oh, you speak Spanish?)

Kira - Jaja si. En la escuela primaria nos enseñaron un idioma extranjero. El español resultó ser el que le quedaba espacio. ¿Y tu?

(Haha yes. In elementary school they taught us a foreign language. Spanish happened to be the one with space left. And you?)

Me - Crecí con mis abuelos, así que aprendí español antes que inglés. Estoy tratando de aprender holandés en línea y me está pateando el trasero

(I grew up with my grandparents, so I've learned Spanish before English. I'm trying to learn Dutch online, and it's kicking my ass)

Me - ¿Qué tal si hacemos una lluvia de ideas sobre técnicas de estudio cuando estás libre?

(how about we brainstorm study techniques when you're free?)

Kira -¡increíble! ¡Gracias!

"Smooth," I compliment, because that went better than Miguel and I's conversation with her. I know Ryan has a way with words, and he can talk to any woman.

"I mean, you are the smoothest motherfucker in the school, so I shouldn't be surprised." But I am.

"What about me?" Miguel asks, feigning offence.

"Oh, don't worry about that, chica. You're the most beautiful man I've seen," Ryan caresses Miguel's cheek, getting a light shove. Any bystander would think these two are flirting.

"Something you want to share with the class, Mr de Mont?" Mrs Schnapper's voice is sharper than the blade I used this morning. Ryan clears his voice and turns his body to the front.

"Yes, actually. There is." His voice is deep. I remember when he used this voice to fire his dad's security guard who spilled coffee in his car and forgot to clean it up.

"I don't like your tone. And I certainly do not like the way you pronounce my last name. There is no audible pause between 'DeMont'. Not 'Dermond' or whatever you pisses say. If I make the effort to learn your names, then you can certainly return the favour and do the bare minimum by learning the correct pronunciation!" he snaps.

The class remains silent, and I glance at Talia to see her covering her mouth with her hand as she looks around. Then I look at Miguel on my left; he looks like he's about to burst with laughter. I pinch the tip of my nose to prevent myself from laughing.

"That'd be it," Ryan smiles at Mrs Schnapper. "You may continue with your lesson."

Miguel covers his head with his file as he roars with laughter, not able to hold it in any more. A couple other snickers can be heard around the classroom and I pinch the tip of my nose as I feel my own threatening to burst out.

"Is my pronunciation correct?" Talia whispers and Ryan nods warmly, smiling at her. She grins, leaning back in her seat as the lesson continues.

**********

"I wanna know why you two broke up," Ryan asks Talia. We decided to sit outside for lunch because it was nice and cloudy. Some students occupied the other tables, but most of them were in the cafeteria.

I watch her sigh as she unwrapped the sandwich. "We just weren't compatible, I guess."

I caught an edge to her voice. "Compatible how?"

"He didn't like me enough," she finally said, dropping her shoulders. Ryan's mouth fell.

"What do you mean? He always spoke about you," he said, confused. I was also confused. Miguel had the biggest crush on Talia for a solid year before he asked her out. So them breaking up because he 'didn't like her enough' is hard to believe.

"Were you happy?" I ask, genuinely concerned. Even though I don't show it much, I care for her like she's my sister.

She takes in a deep breath. "I was. I really was. But things didn't work so getting over it is the only way to go."

I sit back and think for a while. Miguel skipped out on lunch after he heard we were going to sit outside and that Talia would be joining us. I don't know how long this will continue, and it's making it awkward for the rest of us.

"Do you think you guys can go back to how it was before?"

She thought for a while, then shook her head. "Honestly, no. I was in love with him. Us going back to how it was before means I have to be okay with seeing him go out with someone else. I'm not-" she said, her voice cracking up. Ryan wrapped his arm around her shoulder and whispered something to her, probably to cheer her up.

I get distracted when my phone vibrates in my pocket. I pull it out and unlock it, clicking on the new message.

Kira - I have something to tell you.

I look up at the two, talking back and forth, an occasional chuckle filing the air. She looks content, and I thank Ryan for making that possible. He's the healer of the group. If you have a problem or carrying hurt, he knows exactly how to help you. I look back down at the text and wonder if Ryan would be better for Kira than me. Because I'm certain I could never compare.

Me - what's up?