1 A horrible, yet fun day.

"Hey, have you heard about the identity thief?" Michelle asked while typing on her pink laptop.

"Nope, haven't heard of it. Don't really care, to be honest." I honestly replied.

"Oh really, thought you were the first one to jump right in these types of stories." She said while still looking at her screen, and typing.

"Yeah, that would be true. If it was back on 8th grade." I remarked, while reading an article.

I'm Jack, just your typical senior high school student. Halloween just came by last week, but I'm certain that I feel like I wanna die. I was finishing my share in our qualitative research, together with Michelle. Michelle was a pretty distant person, but we were already close since elementary so we have already closed the gap since then. I call her Mikmik, since its her favorite snack before. She always talks with me when she needs something. I tried to help her make friends but to no avail. She will always grow distant with them and then leave. However, things changed when we started our first year in senior high. She became friendly, and really charming as well. She probably realized the importance of friendship during summer vacation. It's not like I hate that she is now friendly, I actually like it more. But, I actually like that I'm the only one she talks to. Feels like I'm his boyfriend or something. I could be his boyfriend, but I never had the courage to ask her out.

"Also, it's like, a week since Halloween ended. Shouldn't the spooky stories be over by now?" I added.

"Come onnnnnn," she grunted while stretching her arms upward, "a little rumor can't hurt anyone. Besides, it's really interesting. Also, it's quite fitting to talk about since it's raining outside. According to what I heard, there was a shape shifting monster roaming around our town, devouring humans whole, and stealing their memory and identity. The monster then acts like that person and then find another prey to bait."

"wow, scary, where did you get that? a children's book? or a campfire story?" I said, with a monotonous voice.

"Hey! That rumor ain't made up by me, you know! I definitely heard it from someone!" She crossed her arms.

"Oh yeah, where'd you heard it?" I asked.

"Uhhh... uhhhh... ahmm..." she tries to remember. "I give up, I forgot where I heard it."

Ding, ding, ding. Jackpot! I'm correct.

"Just be honest with me. I'm close with you since elementary days, Mik. You don't have to lie to me." I assured her. I continue to write the important parts of the article.

"I didn't lie to you! Jack! I'm saying the truth!" she yelled. "I really just forgot who said it." she tapped both of her index finger.

That looks so cute. Photo saved.

She laid down on her back to the floor, due to fatigue. She stared into the ceiling. "Why do we have to do this...."

"Because it's required to finish the semester, dumdum. If we didn't finish this, we won't graduate." I answered.

"But, you know, it's really bold to invite a girl into your room.' Yeah, true. But I did that because my room has air conditioning. Not to try and have sex with you. But, that thought crosses my mind from time to time. Maybe we might do that if I asked.

'You know, things tend to happen when a boy and a girl were alone in the room." Wait. Is she... implying it? No, no, no. No way. It's not like her. Michelle won't cross that line. But, it doesn't hurt to ask. I may be blushing right now.

"Uhhhh, what are you implying?" I looked away at her.

"Ugh. Do I have to spell it out for you." she seems annoyed, but then made a small half-grin. "It's S-E-X.' she pointed her index finger upward and put it on her lips, and winked at me. I became flustered. She really did mean it!

'Oh! Are you blushing? Don't worry, there's no way I'll do it with you. Haha.' Wow, I'm offended. My hopes were high too. Whore. Slut. Prostitute. Cancer of the country. Lice. Leech. Trash.

'I mean, I haven't done it with anyone before." Wait, it's Michelle I'm talking to. The former distant, cold to others person. Of course she doesn't know to draw the line on what to say with her friends, especially male friends.

"I'm sorry."

"What for?"

"Oh, nothing." Shit, my inner thoughts came out for a second.

We became silent for a while and continued to work in this awkward atmosphere. I need to stay something to break this tension. Quick, quick!

"Uhhhh... have you tried kissing someone before?" What. Did. I. Just. Said? I could've said something about the weather! It will just this more awkward now. AHHHHH! RESET! RESET!

She was surprised. She's also blushing, and looked away from me. "Of course I haven't. I mean, you were the only one I talk to. I'm happy that I can make friends now, but they were all girls." she nervously said.

"Wanna try doing it?" Master Josh, your teachings on how to persuade a girl have not been in vain. With my learnings from you, I successfully flirted for the first time. Thank you.

She hasn't responded. She's still looking away from me after all. I rested for a while since typing was tiring. I stared at the wall for a couple of seconds, thinking on what to say to Mikmik.

But then, Michelle walked towards me and asks, "Sure, but... can you like, face me and close your eyes when I do it?"

Woah. I didn't know she was this assured. I rotated from my chair and faced her. She was so red, and she was holding her hands. Her thumbs was moving back and forth.

"Sure, if that's what you want." I closed my eyes, and waited for her.

My eyes may be close, but I can see light from it. But then it got dark, like a large monster formed in front of me. It might be just my imagination though. Her rumor did get into me, after all. I'll keep my eyes closed. Then, something dripped on my head. I was about to open my eyes, but Michelle said, "No peeking!" It's probably just rain dripping from the roof. I waited again, and something touched my lips. I opened my eyes.

It's her hands, formed like a fox. Wow, I'm not surprised. She giggled as she realized I open my eyes.

"Haha. Very funny. 10/10 very original." I said monotonously.

"Teehee." she smiled, "Come on, let's finish this. We might get late finishing this."

"Yeah."

We continued to type in our laptops and try to finish the research we are writing. This was a horrible day, but it sure was fun.

———

After all this time, I still can't devour you, huh?