Falling asleep, Falling in love

★

I rushed down the stairs like a fugitive running from a crime scene, still holding my bag tight to my chest like it could shield me from the embarrassment I just faced. My heart was pounding louder than it should've—like, way louder.

What was that?

Why was she so close?

Why was I staring like that?

And… why the hell am I blushing?

I found a quiet corner behind the library building and sat on the low boundary wall, still trying to catch my breath. I wiped my face with my sleeve. It was burning hot.

"Get a grip, Asif. She's just a girl. Just a girl…"

Nope. Didn't work. The memory of her brown hair fluttering, the slight curve of her lips, and the way she poked my cheek like I was some oversized mochi kept rewinding in my brain on loop.

That's when I heard the familiar voice, laced with irritation.

"Oi! You skipped again, didn't you?"

I froze. No… not now.

I looked up slowly to see Sajim standing in front of me, arms crossed, his right eyebrow doing that thing it always does when he's mad. His tie was halfway loosened, and his forehead had a thin layer of sweat. Probably ran around looking for me.

"Dude," I tried to play it off, "you won't believe what just happened."

But Sajim wasn't having it. He pointed a finger at me like he was a lawyer mid-trial.

"Don't try to distract me with your stories. You missed Math and Physics too. You got kicked out of English—I know that. Everyone's talking about your 'opposite of awake' line. But skipping two more classes after that? What the hell, man?"

I lowered my head. I didn't really have a good excuse. My sleep-deprived brain had one job: make it to class, stay awake, and not get kicked out. And I failed.

"Sorry…" I muttered, trying to avoid eye contact.

Sajim sighed and flopped down next to me on the wall.

There was a short silence.

"…So what did happen?" he asked, finally calmer.

I glanced around, made sure no one else was listening, and then told him everything—from getting kicked out, sneaking up to the rooftop, and yes, even that moment with the mysterious girl.

He listened quietly, nodding slowly, then raised an eyebrow again when I mentioned the part where our faces were stupidly close.

"Wait—hold up. A girl poked your cheek?"

I nodded.

"…And you didn't faint?"

"Shut up," I groaned and lightly shoved him with my shoulder.

He burst into laughter, leaning back on the wall like he'd just heard the best joke of the year.

"Well, well, Mr. Opposite-of-Awake. Skipping class to get involved in rooftop romance dramas now, huh?"

"It's not like that," I replied instantly, waving my hands. "I don't even know her name."

He gave me a teasing smirk.

"So? That's how most love stories start, don't they?"

I gave him the deadliest glare I could manage. He laughed harder.

After a while, the laughter faded and the mood mellowed again.

"…Still," Sajim said, glancing up at the sky, "if something's bothering you… you can talk to me, you know?"

I looked at him. "Nothing's bothering me."

He gave me a long, suspicious look. "Then stop running away from class like it's a haunted house."

"I was just… tired."

"From what? Your tragic love life?"

I smacked his arm. "From existing, okay? I was just… tired of everything."

He nodded slowly, like he finally got it.

"…Yeah, I get that."

There was another short silence.

Then he stood up and stretched.

"Alright, depressed sleepyhead, come with me."

"Huh?"

"You owe me for making me worry. I skipped part of lunch for this. You're buying me chips. And then we're going to the arcade. Period."

I blinked at him. "Wait, what arcade?"

"The one in the mall near the bus stop. They have air hockey. I'm gonna crush you today."

I cracked a small smile.

"Sure, if you can even *touch* the puck this time."

"Bring it on, Mr. Asleep."

As we walked toward the back gate, I couldn't help but glance up at the rooftop, wondering if she was still there.

That girl…

Who was she?

And why did her voice still echo in my head?

But before I could think more about it, Sajim playfully shoved me again and yelled:

"Last one to the gate pays for the cold drinks!"

I sighed… and ran after him.

Because maybe, just maybe, even sleepyheads like me need a little push to stay awake.

And maybe this… is how new stories begin.