“Didn’t you see, I was as stunned as you guys. Even I didn’t know what she was up to.”

  Jack shrugged full of reluctance.

  “Whatever. We gotta help him with this. Being our friend and all. Max, you are on…”

  “WTF, why am I on?”

  “Dude, you just ditched your girl. It is clear that you are the only pyer in our group.”

  “Then I will be in your capable hands.”

  “Dude, even try to deny it. Like, have you made up your mind to leave me?”–Jack

  “Will you deny a prepared feast? Huh?”

  Then the order arrived. The dishes were looking better than ever, and the aroma made our hunger resurface. While eating—

  “Jokes aside, what am I going to do?”

  “Do what?” Jack retorted.

  “Well, the Sara situation.”

  “Just go for it. Not like you made the move” – Jack

  “Just don’t be a creep. Help her and see where it goes.”

  Talking about these, our meal finished, and the time of departure came. Max and I went together after getting off the train. On the way, Max asked, “Hey man, is there any problem you facing recently?”

  “Why do you say that?”

  “You have been distant for the st week, and now you are being a bit too awkward.”

  Hearing that, my face turned pale. What am I supposed to answer? If I had told him the truth, he certainly would have admitted me to a mental hospital. After hesitating for a bit, “Uh…that…I…I was sick…” “What? Have you seen a doctor?”

  Noticing that he is onto me—

  “No…it was a minor stomachache. Now it is gone. So, you guys took me for lunch to ask me that? Huh?”

  His face turned red from embarrassment. Then he pulled the most childish move possible, “Oh, I got work, gotta go…” and he bolted.

  I returned home. Gnced at the tablet. But no, I was not going to touch it. To distract myself, I opened my favorite novel and started reading. Without me realizing it, time flew by, and it was 7 PM. I hadn’t even taken a bath yet, and I needed to do homework and also text Sara.

  I jumped out of bed and ran to the shower.

  It was 9 by the time I finished everything. Now, I had to text Sara.

  Then came the dilemma of what I should say. After much contemption, I just decided upon a simple text,

  Eiren:Hey, it’s Eiren from physics.

  {Not even a whole minute as passed, and the reply came.}

  Sara:Heyyy ?? I was starting to think you wouldn’t text.

  Eiren:Just got home. You needed help with chapter 4, right?

  Sara:Yeah... mostly the problems on inertia. They’re evil.

  Eiren:They’re not that bad. Want me to expin it here or call?

  Sara:Call? Bold of you ?? But texting’s fine... for now.

  Eiren:Alright, I’ll send over some notes and quick tips.{sends pic of notes or a short expnation}

  Sara:You really are good at this. Makes sense now—Ms. Karen always calls on you.

  Eiren:She calls on me 'cause I sit in front, not 'cause she likes me.

  Sara:Still. You've changed. You used to be all quiet and skinny. Now you're… different.

  Eiren:Is that a bad thing?

  Sara:Didn’t say that ??

  (pause)

  Sara:Thanks again, though. You saved me from physics doom.We should study together sometime. I work better with motivation ??

  It was already 10 pm by it ended. I was thankful that this was purely academic and not some excuse for flirting. There was some flirtatious remark, but she was the most outgoing girl in the css. So, I forced myself to believe it was purely her asking for help. Not a single bit more.