The spread of rumors in a school happens at a higher speed than the spread of facts.
They just needed one chat to ignite the rumors.
By Friday morning half of the class was aware of the possibility of Loid attending the party organized by Shaw Donovan.
Some were skeptical as to the truth behind this news while others accepted it as it is.
Loid would have preferred none of his classmates to have paid attention to it.
"You are famous now again," was Jay's line as he took position next to Loid.
"I am not."
"You have been saying this every day for a whole week."
"I say it because it is true."
Jay began laughing.
Before Loid managed to say anything, Noah leaned over.
"Are you going tomorrow?"
"You too?" asked Loid.
Noah shrugged.
"I don't want to be unpolite, but I have to tell you that everybody is interested in this story."
Loid looked around.
He did not feel popular.
However, he was not invisible anymore.
During the second period of the class Mr. Harrison was giving goals for group work.
"Charlotte Vale and Loid Ainsworth," was the announcement.
That moment a very audible silence filled the classroom.
Jay covered his mouth not to make any noise.
Charlotte took her things and came over.
"It looks like we are partners," said she.
"Looks like it," was the reply of Loid.
For some time they did not speak with each other, but finally Charlotte broke the silence.
"What topic do you choose for us?"
"The environmental project?"
She grinned.
"I had the same thought."
Their conversation was kept to the point.
Natural.
They traded thoughts, took notes and calmly split up the job.
For some time, Loid lost sight of the others.
Until he spotted Shaw at the other end of the room.
Shaw was not smiling.
He wasn't angry as well.
He was simply watching.
This disturbed Loid a lot more than if Shaw had made a comment.
When the class was over, Charlotte put her notebook into her bag.
"You're really easy to work with."
Loid smiled lightly.
"Sounds like a compliment."
"It is."
She hesitated.
"…And I hope you'll come tomorrow."
Nobody around was close enough to hear them.
There was no audience.
Just the two of them.
Loid looked into her eyes.
"I guess I will."
The smallest smile appeared on Charlotte's lips.
"I'm happy."
Before they could say anything more, she walked away.
Jay ran up to him.
"I saw everything."
"Well, of course you did."
"You smiled."
Loid turned around.
"…Maybe."
Julian shut his notebook.
"You have made a step."
"Academically?"
Julian shook his head.
"More as a human being."
These words were imprinted in Loid's mind throughout the day.
As he got home under the orange sunset, he was thinking about the next day.
The celebration.
New faces.
An unfamiliar setting.
An opportunity to determine whether one's development had been limited to the indoor environment...
or whether it had Incorporated itself into the real self.
Finally, after a long time—
Loid is now feeling less anxious about what the next day would be like.
He is feeling excitement.
And his excitement overcomes fear.