"Well, look at that! George is on time today? Wonder of wonders! Is this the end of the world? Should we all be on the lookout?"

As if to appear genuinely concerned, Autumn bent forward in her seat and looked outside the window, her face a perfect picture of worry while mischief lighted her eyes.

George rolled her eyes as she took her seat.

"You make it sound as if I am always late."

Autumn did not respond.

"Autumn!"

"No, not always, that's true". Autumn replied in a pacifying tone,"Only on four out of every five days".

George scowled. If she had known that this was what lay awaiting her, she would not have made it to school this early.

As if.

After the heart-to-heart on Saturday, she and her mom had spent the night catching up on their favourite shows. It was what they used to do when she was young and her dad was away-watching TV together, cuddled up in blankets and sipping hot chocolate. Her mom used to say that it was "their thing". She had to agree.

But as years passed and life got tough, what was once a habit gradually got relegated to the back. The once tightly bound relationship they shared started shredding, and despite the pain that knowledge gave, neither George nor her mom could not do anything about it.

In that sense, Saturday was a welcome reprieve; a flash of hope amidst a sea of despair. For once, the feeling of suffocation and strain that had been a close companion of hers since a long time diffused into nothingness. There was just George and her mom and a house full of peace and love.

Binge watching series after series, however, meant that they both dozed off on the couch itself. It was only when she woke up a little later that she realized her mom ought to have eaten something. She had then gone to the kitchen and prepared steamy potato soup, her mom's favourite. It was messy, considering that she herself was half asleep while making it, but the smile one her mom's face was worth the trouble.

Sunday felt different, for both of them. The usual weekend cleaning up chores were done that day with a never before exhibited enthusiasm, which had nothing to do with the tasks themselves.

'It's like a second chance, you know. I feel as if I have been given an opportunity to mend the frays with you. I was so caught up in myself that I forgot how hard it must be for you. Not anymore.'

George did not approve of her mom taking so much guilt on herself. But she agreed with her on the fact that it did feel like a shot to happiness.

One which she was not going to let out of her grasp.

A tug on her arms startled her. Autumn was looking at her curiously.

"You OK there, George? You have been smiling to yourself like crazy for the past five minutes. As much as I like seeing you smile, this is worrying."

George chuckled.

"I'm sorry. Kinda spaced out for a few."

A moment's pause followed.

"How's she doing? You mom? All good?"

Hesitant as the question may be, it was loaded with concern and curiosity. George felt her mouth going dry as she struggled for an answer that would appease Autumn, but at the same time would not nibble at her conscience.

"She's fine now. Um-yeah, she's doing well than...you know-"

Autumn nodded in understanding. For a split second, she looked as if she wanted to say something more but just then the teacher entered. George let out a sigh of relief.

Bullet dodged. For now.

A pair of dark black eyes suddenly flashed in her memory.

Make that twice in a row.

...............................................................

"Alright students. That's it for today. Luke Carrill! You can wake up now. Class is dismissed."

Snickers erupted throughout the class as Luke woke up, bleary eyed and dazed. Mr. John had left the class after the remark, mostly because students sleeping in the class was nothing new for him.

George packed her bag and was about to leave when a hand clutched her wrist. She pulled her hand out of the grasp as fast as she could and turned.

It was Meghan, who was looking wide eyed at her.

"Sor-sorry, I called your name, but you might not have heard it over the din. I didn't intend to scare you."

George placed on her chest, underneath which her heart was beating fast as if it would break out of the ribcage.

She shouldn't have panicked. Not in front of Meghan. Why would she...

Of course. But now was not the time to dwell upon it. She took a ragged breath in and forced herself to calm down.

"You didn't do anything, Meghan. I, just, I didn't expect it. Umm...uh, you needed something?"

The minute the words were out of her mouth, she mentally facepalmed. 'Needed something'? She made it sound like Meghan talked to her only if she wanted a favour. Judging by the look of hurt that crossed her face before she masked it, Meghan felt the sting of the unintentional implication as well.

"Meghan, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you. My mind was elsewhere and that's why..."

Meghan shook her head and gave an imperceptible smile.

"'S alright. I don't mind. I just wanted to ask you if you could be my partner for the lab this week."

George was still in a haze.

"Partners?"

"Yeah. Mr. John allowed us to select our partners for this week, right? So if you want, maybe we could do it together? You are free to choose, obviously. I am not imposing or anything. Just asking."

A strong sense of deja vu washed over George as she recalled to mind her last interaction with Meghan on Friday. Insecurity was no stranger to her. Yet seeing Meghan like this flustered her, especially since the girl who stood before her had changed much from the one who had been her friend.

The only way to know was to be more acquainted with her.

"Yes. Sure we can be partners."

Meghan beamed and thanked her profusely, before she waved her goodbye.

George felt her phone vibrate as she walked out of the class. It was her mom. She smiled to herself and answered the call.

"Yes, mom? I am on my way. I-"

"Georgie," her mom's panic-struck voice sounded through the phone, "dad's home."