Don't Be Afraid

Well I wouldn’t go as far as to say I’m excited per se, but there’s certainly no use being overly distraught about it. It’s not like I could change my situation if I wanted to. So might as well look on the bright side, right?

Kanga is still here? I'm glad to hear that. And it does seem like the two of you would get along really well. [nods, listening] I'm starting to think I should've stayed over the summer.

Well I must say the campus is absolutely beautiful, and the students seem to be pretty nice, so I really don’t have too much to complain about. I mean, besides typical school stuff like homework and getting up early, but that’s nothing special.

That's good. [smiles] Most new people aren't usually as... excited to be here as you are.

I’m definitely counting on it. It’s a pleasure to meet you Rajah, I’m Kiara.

Nice to meet you, Kiara. Other than getting lost, are you liking it here?

Yeah, probably there are but I’m not going to risk it. And it’s not only the Juniors, we can’t let the College Prep or any other kids win. I like free pizza, it’s the best kind of pizza ever.

It really is. Something about not paying for it makes it taste that much better.

Oh really? And who gets to experience that with you? [chuckles] It's okay, really. I'm assuming you liked staying here? And yeah, it was nice to see everyone again, but it was weird to come back to a practically empty school. I'm sure it will fill up again soon enough, though.

[nods her head, the smile on her face growing] Thank you, Raja.

[matches her smile] It's what I'm here for, Wendy. 

[looks up at him for a moment, a confused look on her face before being replaced by a small smile] He does?

[nods] Yeah, he does. I don't think you have anything to worry about.

Good. I want us to win this. Pizza is a really good prize, we can’t let this go to the Juniors… No, no. That can’t happen.

Hell no that can't happen. Aren't there more seniors than juniors here, anyway?

You know I was thinking of something along the lines of ‘Go big or go home’. Know what I mean ?

Yeah, I do.

Yeah, that's an understatement. But it's good to hear you've been well, especially since this place has been so quiet lately. And I've been fine. Spent the summer at home and then came back, so nothing too exciting.

[avoids eye contact for a moment before finally looking up at him] Yeah…. I am.

[stares at her for a moment] You shouldn't be, Wendy. [pauses, a small smile coming across his face after a moment] He talks about you a lot, you know.

I've been here less than a day and I've already been lost three times.

I'm sure you've heard this a lot already, but this place really does get easier to figure out. I'm Rajah, by the way.

Alright Seniors!

Anything specific you had in mind that you wanted to do?

{blushes slightly as he hugs her but clasps her hands round him tightly} I’m so glad you’re still here! It almost feels like I’m new here again, not knowing so many p-people. Did you go home?

[chuckles slightly, taking a step back and meeting her gaze] I feel like I'm new too, which is weird considering I've been here so long. [nods] Yeah, just for the summer though. What about you?

Yeah, it really is. It's pretty tough to wrap your mind around, honestly. Have you been good, Bianca?