Time's Cruel Twist: A Second Chance Amidst the Ruins

*Chatter*

"That's how you do it? I thought we were supposed to use this formula." Demi extended her notebook toward Somiya, who glanced at it with confusion. "We have this formula?" she asked, pointing to a specific equation.

Amidst the chatter, I glanced down at my own notebook, covered in doodles of cats, shits and ghosts. A wave of shame washed over me. Was I seriously this idiot during my highschool?

Two weeks had passed since we received our exam routines, yet I had barely prepared. To make matters worse, I had yet to confirm whether Amaya is also transported back or not. After Demi's apology, we had not really spoken.

*Ting*

"Class dismissed. I'll collect your work tomorrow." Sir shouted as he left the classroom. I closed my notes and book, but Somiya and Demi remained absorbed in their studies. The room was buzzing with the sound of students preparing for the upcoming final exam. Despite having taken this exam in the past, I couldn't recall a single question. Damn my shitty memory! "I'm going to the restroom," I stood up from my seat.

As I walked down the hallway, I couldn't help but notice the students diligently reviewing their notes, making me feel even more worse for a few seconds. I pushed open the restroom door, relieved to find it unoccupied. I turned on the tap, startled by the icy water that splashed onto my hands.

*Splash*

I splashed water onto my face, refreshing myself. As I glanced at my reflection, I scoffed at my own messy appearance. Even a beggar would look better than me. I loosened my hair and wet it slightly. I wished I had borrowed a comb from Somiya–

"Do you need a comb?" A voice startled me. I turned to see Shreya standing beside me. "Oh, thanks," I said, accepting the comb with a grateful smile. I combed my hair while she... washed her hands. Wait a minute, did she come out of the toilet or hallway? I had been so preoccupied with my appearance that I hadn't noticed. Better not be from the toilet.

"Here, thank you," I returned the comb. She hesitated for a moment before asking, "Aren't you going to tie your hair?" I glanced back at my reflection. "Nah, I think I look better this way." I smiled and continued to style my hair. I had tied it earlier, but it had given me a headache.

I reached into my pocket for my lip balm. Noticing Shreya's lingering gaze, I raised an eyebrow. "Do you want some?" I offered. She hesitated before nodding. I handed her the lip balm, but she applied it with her finger. I said nothing and gently took it back with a smile.

"Armm... Zeya, can I ask you for a favour?" She averted her eyes, her fingers fidgeting like a nervous bunny on crack. I nodded my head and waited for her to speak. "There is a chapter, I didn't understand. Can you help me with it?"

Huh?

"A chapter? You want me to help you with a chapter?" I asked, unsure if I had heard it right. "Yes." She replied. I blinked my eyes and stared at her, completely dumbfounded. What did she see in me? Even a grade two student might be more talented than me, and I'm pretty sure my pet rock could do a better job.

"Zeya?"

"Uh.. are you sure though? I don't think I'm suitable–" before I could finish my word, she cut me off, "You once did a presentation of that chapter so I'm sure. We'll wait for you at the music class. It'll be the perfect place–"

"Wait wait! We? Not only you?" I asked, a little shocked by it. She wrinkled her nose a little apologetically. "I'm sorry but we were doing a group study so..." I sighed and nodded my head. "Fine, I'll be there before lunch time." I said before walking away, feeling like a zombie who had just been hit by a truck.

Carrying a stack of papers, her eyes glued to the files, Mina turned the corner only to collide with someone, sending the papers flying to the ground. "Oh no!" she exclaimed, hurriedly stooping to gather them up.

"I'm so sorry! You came out of nowhere." Shreya apologised, helping her pick up the papers. Her voice was soft and apologetic, but her eyes held a hint of panic.

"Here, I'm really sorry." Shreya handed the papers back to Mina, her fingers brushing against Mina's. Mina shook her head with a gentle smile playing upon her lips. "No, it's my fault. I should have been more careful."

Shreya noticed Mina struggling to carry all the papers by herself. With a light chuckle, she reached out and took half the papers. "Let me help you carry those."

Mina's forehead wrinkled in worry. "But aren't you busy with exam preparation?" she asked, concern evident in her voice and eyes. Shreya shrugged dismissively. "Chill, helping juniors is a senior's duty too." With that, she began walking ahead, her footsteps light and carefree. Mina sighed and hurried to Shreya's side, matching her pace.

Sitting outside on the bench with a bunch of kids, their voices buzzing around me like a swarm of excited bees, I helped them finish their snacks. "What!? Hina loves Seth?" I asked, pretending to be surprise. They all hushed me with exaggerated gestures, their eyes wide and conspiratorial. These little rascals dared to hush me...

I lowered my voice, "But isn't Seth in a relationship with grade 10 Jenny?"

"They already broke up last week." Vinya whispered, her voice barely above a mouse's squeak. She leaned in close, her breath tickling my ear. "I heard Jenny asked Seth to stay away from Amaya, Elli, and Sophia."

"Pfft-hahaha!!" I couldn't contain my laughter and burst out loud. They hurriedly covered my mouth, their faces a mixture of amusement and exasperation. "Sorry, sorry... but you guys said something so ridiculous I couldn't help it hahaha..."

Seriously, what were these kids expecting? Did they really think Seth would choose a girl over his buddies? They are each other's life. They might give up on life then accept life devoid of each other's presence. I shook my head, finding their naivety both amusing and endearing.

"I have something to do. I'll be going. If Demi or Somiya ask for me, tell them I'll be in music class." With a final chuckle, I left them to their gossip and made my way towards the music room, the sound of their laughter trailing behind me.

*Creak*

"Shreya–"

Opening the door, my voice trailed off. Sitting in front of me inside the classroom were Seth, Fred, Sophia, and Elli. I blinked my eyes, feeling a wave of awkwardness wash over me. I glanced at the last bench and saw Amaya too, staring at me with a mixture of curiosity and amusement.

"I-I'm sorry, I think I entered the wrong class." I apologized, my voice stammering slightly. But before I could leave, Sophia spoke up.

"Actually, Shreya has gone somewhere. Her notes are still here though. You can wait for her. She might be on the way."

I nodded my head and stepped inside, closing the door behind me. The atmosphere was thick with awkwardness. Don't tell me, by group study, she meant...

"Why are you going there? You can sit beside Amaya. She isn't going to eat you." My lips twitched as Sophia's voice broke the silence. I glanced at Amaya, her chin resting on the desk as she stared with boredom at the notes in her hand, which I assumed were Shreya's. I offered them a hesitant smile before taking the seat next to her, my heart pounding in my chest. I lowered my gaze, feeling self-conscious.

"It's been almost two weeks, right? Since we last talked, how are you doing?" Fred's loud voice boomed through the room, breaking the awkward silence.

"Well, so-so. Exam preparation is going on... Can't say I'm doing fine on it." I replied with a rather exhausted sigh. I wiped my palms on my pants, feeling the sweat forming on them.

"Argh! I completely forgot about that. Seth, you have routines, right?" Elli asked. We all turned to look at Seth, who was busy drawing something on a piece of paper.

"I gave it to Ama."

Amaya lowered the notes in her hand and stared at Seth. "What?" She twitched her lips.

Seth glanced at Amaya with an innocent expression and his signature puppy dog eyes. "Yesterday when you asked for a paper, I gave it to you. Routine and Elli's note copy."

Amaya's grip on the copy tightened, and she threw it at Seth in anger. He caught it effortlessly, but Sophia and Elli raised their eyebrows at Amaya. I saw her gritting her teeth, her eyes blazing with fury.

"Ama, where are the routines and notes?" Elli asked softly, her eyes pleading with Amaya.

"Didn't you hear what he said? He gave it to me and I passed it to you all... with chickens on top."

I cleared my throat and covered my mouth to stop my laugh as Elli's hair rose in fury like a Super Saiyan's. She looked ready to take Amaya's life.

"Wait! Elli, I'm hurt!" Amaya screamed, her voice laced with pain as she covered herself with her hands.

Hurt? My smile dropped as I looked down and saw a bandage wrapped around her leg. She was wearing shorts, and white bandages covered her right leg and another different bandage on her ankle.

"Ama, what happened to you!?" My voice trembled, tears welling up in my eyes and my heart heavy with pain. I scooted towards her, but before my trembling hand could touch her leg, she grabbed mine. I glanced up, tears streaming down my cheeks as our eyes met.

With a warm smile on her face, she cupped my face and gently wiped away my tears before anyone else could see. "I'm fine." She whispered, her voice soft and reassuring. I nodded my head, biting my lips to stop myself from crying.

Seth, Fred, Elli, and Sophia were taken aback by the loud shout, but they didn't think much of it, their reaction quickly returning to normal.