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A A R O H I

The clock on the wall ticked louder than usual, or maybe it was just my brain trying to escape the last few minutes of class.

Around me, the classroom was a soft buzz of half-focused minds. Some students were still adding last-minute strokes to their sketches, pencils dancing over sheets. Others had already begun packing, their bags rustling as zippers closed and fabric folded. The faint smell of graphite and color markers hung in the air, strangely comforting.

Our fashion design teacher stood at the front, tapping her notebook against the desk lightly, signaling she was about to wrap up.
"Alright everyone," she said with her usual firm yet calm tone, "I'll be checking your final designs tomorrow, so make sure they're ready and neat. No last-minute excuses."

A wave of low groans moved through the room, followed by a few mumbled and dramatic sighs.

I smiled faintly as I closed my own sketchbook. My design wasn't finished yet. but the details were still floating somewhere in my head, waiting to settle down on paper.

I wasn't too worried though. I had tonight. Hopefully, inspiration would strike before sleep did.

As the teacher left the room, chairs screeched slightly across the floor. Students started pouring out in groups, chatting about weekend plans, or just complaining about the assignment. A few friends waved at me as they passed by, and I waved back with a small smile.

I looked at the time. 12:42 PM.

I didn't have any more classes for the day. A rare free afternoon.

Sliding my sketchbook into my tote bag, I slung it over my shoulder and stood up, stretching a little. My body was stiff from sitting in one place for too long.

Just then, my phone buzzed in my back pocket.

Samie<3 Calling...

I picked it up. "Hello?"

"Your class done?" she asked, her voice sounding half-bored and half-hopeful.

"Yeah, just got over. I was about to walk out," I replied.

"Good! Come to the library na, I'm bored to death over here."

I laughed softly. "Okay okay, I'm coming."

"Yay! Come fast!" she said quickly before hanging up.

I smiled and slipped my phone back into my pocket, then began walking out of the building.

The campus outside was calm. I walked slowly, taking in the familiar paths lined with flower beds and students lounging around. Some sat cross-legged on the grass with open laptops, others laughed with friends while sipping bubble tea from the campus café.