Pixel is observing everything and writing his conclusions in his own notebook.

He writes:

She was speaking to that guy. I don’t mind but she gave him something.

He pauses to reflect on his text.

It irritates me.

But maybe she has a bigger plan. A wide vision. I have to speak to her again today.

Now that I recall, what I said wasn’t very memorable. I said never mind. She probably thinks I’m verbally insufficient. I could have told her so much; of her beauty, my passion for her. But I said never mind. I cannot speak to her now, not when her brow furrows in concentration. My tightened fist is blue from this restraint. Ain’t I a bit pathetic, frightened to at the very least to mumble a greeting to her?

She’s too good for me. I’m the stereotype who never wins.

“Hey, watcha doing?”

Pixel’s heart thunders as he whips around in surprise at the voice behind him.

“Uh-I-I-”He stutters miserably.

The brunet raises an eyebrow and scan over his words before he has a chance to conceal them. He quickly shuts his notebook.

“Talk to me okay, after class. We can make you memorable for her.”

“Uh who are you?”

The brunet rolls her eyes in annoyance, “Uliza,” she suppresses hard to add a “Duh.”

“See, she’s looking over already.”

Pixel turns around and locks eyes with Gloria. He briefly starts hyperventilating and quickly focuses intently on his notebook.

“It feels nice doesn’t it? Almost, powerful.”

“Not really in that sense…powerful,” he mumbles.

“I believe in looking out for the best interest of others. And you obviously have some sort of interest in…Gloria.”

“No,” he mumbles once again turning a faint glow of pink. The brunet smiles at Pixel and walks back to her assigned seat.

---

Rhondie is engaged in a conversation with her female friend during periods. She is having trouble processing what she is saying because her young male acquaintance seems to be approaching her.

“…complicated…a bit sad…”

“…likes him…shady…”

“Rhondie? Hello? Are you listening to me?”

“Huh?” Rhondie shakes her head and smile, “Yeah, yeah I was you said someone was a bit sad.”

“No,” the female friend smiles, “Ohhh I see you’re not listening because he’s coming?”

“Hey Rhondie,” The young male whispers in her ear quickly kissing her on the cheek; she giggles in response.

There is an exchange of glances between the young male and Rhondie’s female friend. From their expressions, they appear uncomfortable.

“Am I missing something here?” she mumbles.

“Huh?” The young male answers.

“Never mind.”

The bell rings signaling an end and a beginning to another period.

“I’ll see you later okay?” The young male says quickly and scurries off.

“Let’s walk to class, okay?” Rhondie says to her friend.

“Uh okay.”

“So what was that about?”

“What?”

“You and him. What was that about? It was very…awkward.”

“I don’t know.”

“Yes, come on, tell me.”

“Well you know you’re my friend right? And I have other friends too.”

“Yes…”

“Yes well err you know Mary right?”

“Yes?”

“What do you think of her?”

“Um...I guess she’s nice.”

“Okay…nice. That’s good…and what do you really think of men in general, well boys.”

“Some are attractive, go on.”

“I know I come from a family with not too many good men and you might think what I’m saying is due to my experience with them but yes, men-I mean boys can’t be trusted. They are liars and they are pigs.”

“And you’re suggesting that my boyfriend falls under that category?”

“Boyfriend? I thought you weren’t gonna be titled and yeah, I think he can fall into that category.”

“Okay…but you don’t even really know him.”

“Yeah…”

Rhondie is growing annoyed with every sentence that comes out of her friend’s mouth. She did trust the young male but she was always suspicious about this friend of hers. Most of the time, she was sincere. However, during other times, she made certain comments that could have being taken one way or another. Rhondie was afraid that sometimes she really meant other things.

“Never mind okay? Just have fun. FUN. It’s good that you don’t like commitment. Listen to me, kay?”

“Yeah okay,” Rhondie replies rolling her eyes.

After school, Pixel makes another attempt to engage in some sort of conversation with Gloria. He waits at the end of the hallway, a few metres across her locker. The same idea. The same faces. Just a different day. He watches, mesmerized and a tad bit curious as Gloria makes those same faces in the mirror.

Pixel fidgets with his pen and nervously taps the notebook on his lap. He really should say something. Of course, shoulds are often used when expectations arise. And in the moment, he expected for himself to say something to Gloria. Can is a more realistic word to describe one’s abilities. So, is he able to say something?

It’s up to him. Satisfy us, Pixel.