o Pres

was Hanna, a pretty young girl with black cur

th's lecture, Hanna appeared distracted as usual.

n and was writing fervently in her diary with a fancy pen. Her violet dress and the pen matched the c

human rights discussion class. But today, Hanna's nonchalance was even more apparent t

ents to turn their heads towards Hanna. Most of them were fami

her troubling thoughts. All eyes were now on her, waiting to

t yet again by Mrs. Smith. She kept her AirPods in and pret

you find my lesson so fascinating that you had to

Hanna's aloofness. Only her friend/roo

t a lot on my mind today." She didn't bother hiding her e

y at the rare show of vulnerability. "T

Mrs. Smith could sense familial issues o

ed an ear," she said warmly. The class "oohed",

haps later, when alone, she'd unburden her worries to

y and focused back on the le

moment of being called out by Mr

h posed another challenging question to the class: "What do you think of an eye for an ey

d expectantly to Hanna. She began rubbing her elbows vigor

ered conspiratorially to his friend:

ied nervously, "Uh..." as she scramble

choed through the room. It was the ringing of the dismis

uestion in front of the whole class. As the students began packing up, Hanna let out a small sigh.

rs. Smith's class, she turned back to the page

r mistakes, you'd think you were an idiot. If you look back on

"But if you look back on everything, you realize you're a human being who has been t

m. Hanna grabbed her bag and diary to depart as well. But just as

. "Will you meet me in my office later..." it was more a statement than a

h lingered in her mind as she wondered what it could be about.

hallway after leaving M

from behind, "Hi Hanna, where you off to in a hurry?" It was

ldn't worry you, you know." When Hanna still didn't respond, Mat

sigh. "I heard you before, Mat," she replied curi

Hanna, it's been over a year now. I know you rub your elbow contin

thigh smoothly repeatedly." The two friends smiled

ayer of Silverline University's basketball team. With his ha

y. "I don't know why you tried to feign ignorance to

ow I wouldn't have answered even if I did know

ou off to?" Hanna

ited politely. But Hanna declined, "Oh sorry,

tter tone, though his eyes betrayed his indulgence towards his friend. H

lliant girl could come watch him train, even just once this semester.

y called out, "Don't be angry, please!" She rubbed her palms toget

declining his invitation. But she knew their friendship was stro

head in exaggerated exasperation, the lingering gri

hurried off to her next commitment, leaving