It's not so bad to be with other people

The next day.

Just like yesterday I found myself on the walk with Noa.

We went together and talked about our morning on the road.

Upon arrival we separated and each one went to their respective room.

"Good morning Ariel"

"Good morning…"

As always, I greeted my colleagues and sat in my place.

Luckily today there was no letter on the table.

Uff… I won't have to answer to anyone.

"We will start the class…"

I calmly opened the book to the indicated page and read what the professor indicated.

Oh… I didn't know this.

So it is so...

This is more complicated than I thought.

While I was engrossed in reading, I came to the part of the exercises and began to solve them.

Not to brag but I've always been kind of good in almost every class.

While solving the exercises the teacher spoke.

"The exercises on the next page can be solved as a team"

I didn't even turn my head when the teacher said that, no one ever looks for me to team up anyway.

I'm fine alone.

Or so I thought...

"Ariel, do you want to join our group?"

She was the class president along with her friends.

I thought for a moment and was about to refuse but…

"..."

The teacher's discreet look encouraged me to accept.

I don't think I have a choice… well, it's not that bad to be in a group.

"Clear"

"Good!"

Quickly the girls brought their tables and chairs and stood around me.

"The answer to this question is…"

"Oh! I think this is so"

"Hm... could I be wrong?"

Come to think of it…the noise they make isn't that bad, I feel included in a way.

"The answer is wrong, it is this"

I said as he pointed out his mistake to one of the girls.

"If I think about it like that... You're right!"

"Ariel, and what is this?"

"This is…"

"And this one?"

"There are two possible answers, but the correct one is this"

"Oh"

During the following minutes I was answering one by one his doubts.

Before he knew it we were done.

"Teacher! Finished"

With energy the class president called the teacher.

"So fast? Let's see"

The teacher picked up the book and began to read the answers.

After a few seconds he put the book down and smiled.

"Everything is correct"

"Yeah!"

Thank you Ariel.

"Thank you Ariel!"

With joy the girls thanked me.

Oh… my face started to heat up.

"D-You're welcome"

I slowly lowered my head and, although I was unaware of it, my mouth formed a smile.

"And girls, what will you do tomorrow?"

Without leaving, the girls stayed next to me and began to talk.

"I will be free"

"Me too"

"How about we go to the mall?"

"Come on!"

"Ariel, do you want to go?"

Hm…ha…what?

Before I was ready they asked me if I wanted to go out with her.

Well… I have nothing to do tomorrow.

"Yeah…"

"Yeah!"

"I have enough money saved to buy what I want"

For the rest of the class the girls were talking about different things and before I knew it I was giving my opinion too and laughing along with them.

It was fun.

"Well, those who didn't finish have to bring the exercises done for tomorrow"

It was lunch time so I left the room and went to the cafeteria.

I would have had lunch with the president and her friends, but they bring their own food so they went out for lunch.

They invited me but I refused.

When I arrived, as always, I chose the cheapest and looked for a seat.

"Hello Noah"

"Hello Ariel"

I sat across from Noa and started a casual chat with her.

"How are the classes?"

"Ha... well, they're a bit difficult, but I'm doing well"

Oh…I think I can help.

"If something is difficult for you, do not hesitate to ask me for help, maybe I am not the best but I can help you"

"Hm... I'll take you at your word, there's actually something I don't understand in math."

"What is it?"

"Let's finish eating and go to my living room"

In no time I finished eating and followed Noa to her living room.

"P-Permit"

There were some students inside the room so, respectfully, I got behind Noa.

"Wait a minute... this, I don't know how to clear this up"

"Let me see… Ah! You did this part backwards."

I sat down and began to solve the exercise, yes, explaining each part making sure that Noa understands.

"And this gives 2"

"Oh... I understand I understand"

"Let's try that, do this exercise"

I wrote an exercise with the same difficulty and then got up giving the seat to Noa.

Noa began to figure it out while she made suggestions from time to time.

"Right, that's the answer"

"Now I understand, thanks Ariel"

"It's no big deal"

"I may use you as a teacher from now on hahaha"

"I wouldn't mind haha"

At that moment I remembered something.

"I forgot, tomorrow I'm going out with some colleagues, do you want to go?"

Noa stopped and thought for a moment.

"It does not bother you?"

"Of course not, I'm inviting you for a reason"

"Okay then, where do we meet?"

"In the shopping center in the center, at 9 in the morning in front of the playground"

"Okay, see you there"

"Good"

While we were talking I saw how the students began to arrive.

"Okay, I'm going"

"Bye bye"

After saying goodbye I went back to my living room and continued with the day.

xxx

"... here we finish today's class"

At the end of the day I said goodbye to the president and her friends, and went home.

"How was your day Ariel?"

"Hello mom, well"

"Did something good happen to you?"

"Because you said so?"

"You're smiling"

Oh.

I touched my face and sure enough, I was smiling.

"Well... tomorrow I'm going out with some friends"

pa

"Wh-what did you say?"

"Tomorrow I go out with some colleagues…"

"My son hanging out with friends… Wow"

"M-Mom"

For some reason my mother began to cry.

"N-No, it's just... you've never dated anyone."

Ha… that's true, but I don't think my leaving is something to cry about.

"W-Okay, I'm going to my room"

"Wait!"

Before she could pull me away my mother stopped me.

"What clothes will you go with tomorrow?"

"Well…"

She hadn't thought about it, I only have my previous clothes.

"Loose pants and a shirt from one of my favorite series…"

"No!"

The scream almost pierces my ears.

"Go leave your backpack, we'll leave right now"

"Where to?"

"To buy clothes!"

Ha…

Without much desire I went to leave my backpack and came back.

"Come on"

We left the house and got into my mom's car.

xxx

After a while we arrived in front of a store.

"M-Mom… this place…"

"Now we can afford it, relax"

"Yes but..."

We were in front of one of the most expensive stores in the city.

"Come on"

Without much desire I got out of the car and followed my mom.

I learned from a young age not to spend money unnecessarily, so it's uncomfortable for me to do so now.

"Good evening dear customers, what kind of clothes are you looking for?"

Upon entering a saleswoman approached us and, with a smile, asked.

"I want casual clothes for my daughter"

"Understood, follow me"

We entered the store and we were seeing different clothes.

"This would match her hair and eye color"

Said the saleswoman as she showed us a black dress with red touches.

"I like it, go and try it on Ariel"

"Good…"

Taking the dress I went to one of the dressing rooms.

"Ha… how much will this cost…"

Little by little I took off my uniform and put on the dress.

Wow, not bad at all.

The dress had small ruffles and reached above my knees, it was somewhat loose at the bottom.

It was totally black with hints of red in the form of flowers here and there so it matched my hair and eyes perfectly, just like the shop assistant said.

I saw myself in the mirror from various angles and convinced myself more and more.

I like this dress.

Then I went outside and showed the dress to my mother.

"Excellent, now put on these boots and leggings"

"..."

In the end I finished with the dress, black knee-high boots, black leggings, a pair of black gloves and a leather vest.

"Hello Ariel, wow, you look very good"

While I was modeling for my mom, dad came and greeted me.

"Hello Dad…"

Oh… what a shame, it is true that I look good and everything but…

"Now try on this dress and these heels"

"Ha…"

For the next 2 hours I tried on all kinds of outfits, be it long dresses, short dresses, pants, shirts and more.

In the end we left the store with almost 10 bags full of clothes and accessories.

Ha… how much money was that?

"Let's go eat at a restaurant"

"But there is food at home…"

"This is a special occasion, I don't want discussions"

And that's how my father closed my mouth.

We went to an expensive restaurant and ate, then came home.