Becoming Friends.

Student Council Office

Maya was hunched over the file, looking more like a stressed-out librarian than a student, while Gozay sat across from her, practically folding in half with his head turned 180 degrees. She threw him a quick glance and quickly looked away. What do I even say? Should I try being nice? No, he's been a jerk lately. But I did mess up. Ughhh.

She sighed softly, "You gonna just sit there or actually help me?"

Gozay's face twitched nervously. She's the one who said, 'don't talk to me, don't look at me,' he reminded himself.

Getting no response, Maya muttered under her breath, "I'm talking to you."

Gozay finally took a breath and grabbed a pen and a blank sheet of paper, as if writing a novel.

Maya blinked as he slid the paper over. "Can I see that file?"

She squinted at him. "Why aren't you talking?"

Surprised by her softer tone, Gozay pulled the paper back and scribbled, "You told me not to. And you said not to look at you, or come near you."

Maya sighed, reading it. "I was angry."

Gozay yanked the paper back again, adding, "You blamed me for your grades and said I was after your hot body. I was just trying to praise you. But you said stuff that'd make even a cliff cringe."

She looked at him, "I never said 'hot body'" she snapped, he turned away ignoring her like champ. She sighed, grabbed a pen, and wrote, "Forget all that. We can be friends." Then slid it back.

Gozay blinked at the paper, his inner cool-guy deflecting the surprise. My eyes are working well... Did she offered friendship? Haaaaaaaaaaa.... Guess being cool is working... He thought, and wrote. "Is it really that easy? Besides, I promised myself I wouldn't talk to you, or even look at you (since that's what you wanted), until you properly apologize. But, I know you won't. So study the file, and then I'll study it with all my silence."

Maya read it, looked at him before writing on the other side, "I'm sorry, Gozay. I was rude. I didn't mean it. I knew you weren't the problem, but I figured you'd just tolerate my temper like you always do. And that confidence made me say dumb things. But I take it all back. Look at me. Talk to me. I promise I won't get annoyed."

Gozay's heart skipped a beat. Control, Gozay. She likes someone else. Don't get fooled by some sweet words. He took a shaky breath, folded the paper, and stuffed it into his pocket.

He glanced at her. "It's fine. No need to apologize."

Maya turned away, half-smiling. "You just demanded an apology, loser."

With a sweet smile, she extended her hand. "Friends?"

Gozay stared at her hand, trying not to melt. Is this real? Nope, don't fall for it. He shook her hand. What a soft and warm hands she has... Don't melt, it's not time. He smiled nervously, "Yeah, friends."

Maya smirked. "Huh... Guess I'll be slapping you again. And just so you know, the apology was more about the debate than actually hurting you."

Gozay faked a smile, There she is. He nodded. "Yeah, yeah. Let's focus on the debate."

Maya shifted nervously. "How do we do that? I've never been on stage."

"You've got confidence. You'll be fine," he said, like it was no big deal.

Maya walked over and plopped down beside him. "I hope so."

Gozay's face turned redder than a tomato. Control, Gozay... She likes someone else... No blushing, don't do it.

Maya, blissfully unaware, leaned in closer, holding up the file. "Let's hope I don't freeze up out there."

Gozay just nodded, desperately trying to stay composed. You may freeze, or you may not. But if you stay this close, I'll melt down.

Later

Gozay leaned back in his chair, staring at the ceiling like it held all the answers to life's problems, while Maya was buried in her papers.

She straightened, scowling. "You haven't prepped a single question yet. Amazing work, Assistant of the Year."

Gozay glanced at her. "Actually, I read their policy, past performance, and I've got one deadly question in mind, but answers matter more for us. They challenged us, so they'll start the debate. Our responses will come straight from our policy, our shinning bright performance, I guess it is shining bright. So, No big deal."

Maya sighed. "How are you so chill? What if we lose? What if I freeze?"

"You won't," Gozay said casually. "I'll be there. If you freeze, I'll... melt you down."

Maya narrowed her eyes.

"I-I mean," he stammered, clearing his throat, "just focus. Perfection's overrated. Stay confident, and you'll be fine."

Maya raised a skeptical brow. "Wow, I didn't know you could string together actual advice. You should lead the debate."

"Thanks for the insult wrapped in a compliment, but no thanks. You lead. I'll step in if you flail."

She smirked. "Alright. Let's see how it goes. Honestly, I'm not nervous about the answers. I'm freaking out about the crowd."

"Not my issue." Gozay stretched, leaning forward. "My problem? Zero sleep. If I pass out mid-debate, just kick me."

Maya squinted. "Why didn't you sleep?"

"Uh... Jiya and I were, um, gaming all night," he mumbled, instantly regretting it. Why would you say that dumbass?

Maya's eyebrow shot up. "Gaming, huh? Sounds like you and Jiya are very close."

He turned away awkwardly. "Yeah, uh, kind of."

Her smile didn't reach her eyes. "Hmm. I'm heading to class. Break's in forty minutes."

"Cool, I'll stay here," Gozay muttered. "The seat I borrowed in the other section wasn't mine, and the rightful owner kicked me out. I'll crash back in our section later. Might see the Vice Principal after a nap."

Maya turned back, voice sharp. "If sleep's such a priority, why spend all night playing with girls? Anyway, bye."

"Girls?" Gozay frowned, but she was already gone.

Left alone, he yanked his diary out and scribbled.

---

19-May-2023

Hey Diary, what's up? Big news—I'm friends with Maya. She apologized, and yeah, her sweet tone totally wrecked me. Couldn't resist. And you know what it means? I will not study much, as a good friend, I'm letting her take the top position. Anyways debate prep's a mess, though. Thanks, Jiya, for keeping me up all night. Wish me luck—if I don't snore through it, we might survive.

---

He stretched, dropped his head onto the diary, and passed out instantly.

After a While

Maya stomped toward the SC Office, scoffed, "Gaming all night with her? Unreal."

She swung open the door and spotted Gozay, head down on the table, snoring softly. Rolling her eyes, she stepped closer—then froze. A diary lay on the floor. Curiosity won, she picked it up and flipped it open.

His diary? Her brow shot up as she skimmed it. One line caught her attention: "When I look in the mirror, 'handsome' isn't exactly what jumps to mind." She glanced at Gozay, blissfully snoring. He's kinda cute… Why does he think he isn't?

Her smirk widened as her eyes landed on: "I'M NOT GAY... I'M STRAIGHT LIKE, SO STRAIGHT. STRAIGHTER THAN A POLE."

She stifled a laugh.

But then she, turned red furiously, as she read, "If someone is reading this… STOP. RIGHT NOW. Give it back, or I swear, I'll come and fuck you before taking it back"

Her face darkened as she glanced at Gozay, who was still snoring like nothing in the world could wake him. Her glare could've shattered glass. Oh, you're not getting this back, she thought, stomping toward the bookshelf.

She wedged the diary behind a stack of files and muttered under her breath, "I'm reading this cover to cover." Turning back toward him, she grabbed some papers from the desk, rolled them up, and smacked his head with a satisfying thwack.

"Ow!" Gozay shot up, clutching his head. "Maya! What the truck?"

Arms crossed, she glared. "We've got 20 minutes until the debate, and you're napping? Seriously?"

Rubbing his eyes, he groaned, "I needed sleep."

She dropped into the chair beside him, huffing dramatically. "Did I tell you to play games all night with girls?"

Gozay blinked, startled. "Wait, girls? It was just Jiya—never mind! My bad, Sorry, okay?"

"Good," she said curtly, burying herself in the papers, while Gozay sat there scratching his head, wondering how the conversation spiraled so fast.