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ii.
bruises
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Harith had always hated Harley.
He hated how Harley treats others as if they were beneath him. He hated how he shows no respect to everyone, including his elders. But, what he hated the most was how Harley treats Nana.
There were numerous of times where she tried to befriend Harley. She would make an attempt to talk to him or try to give something to him. Though, she would always end up miserable after that, and it hurt Harith to know that Harley keeps hurting Nana's feelings despite her being nice to him. He doesn't deserve her kindness at all.
However, now, all that hatred towards Harley is starting to waver. After yesterday, Harith couldn't stop thinking about the mage. He still disliked the guy, but those injuries he had on his hands were very concerning. What had Harley been doing to cause his hands to be like that? And why, of all of places, was Harley sleeping in the restroom? He could just sleep on one of the couches in the training room if he had wanted. It doesn't make any sense.
"Harith!"
Harith was snapped out of his thoughts when he heard Nana callling for his name. When he tilted his head, only then he realised that she was standing in front of him. Her eyes were large, full of worry, and he wanted to slap himself for not paying attention to her calls.
"Nana," he greeted, smiling at her. He looked around and found some students lingering at the hallway. This meant class hadn't started yet. "What's up?"
"I don't know what you're thinking right now, but you look really bothered," Nana said, crossing her arms. Her face then turned serious. "Spill."
Harith waved a hand nonchalantly in the air. "Ah, it's nothing."
Nana looked like she wasn't buying it. "What is it, Harith?"
"It's nothing," he lied. He was confused at the moment, so maybe it was best if he kept what he'd discovered from Nana. To distract her, he said, "We should head to class. It's about to start."
The two of them hurried to class, and they were surprised when they found Harley sleeping at his desk. It was unusual to find him this early—since he would always come a little late—but it looked like he had decided to come earlier. He currently had his head laid on the desk, his hat covering his face. Harith wondered what Harley would always do at night that would make him sleepy in class. Well, like Eudora had said, maybe he was the kind of student that would stay up late at night to study?
Nana stared at Harley for a while, but then she just sent him a wave before sitting at her desk. She sat a few desks away from him, at the other side of the classroom, next to Chang'e. It was hard to communicate with each other during class, but at least they could talk to each other during recess and after school.
"Well someone's early today." Harith turned his head to the side, and he found Cyclops sitting down next to him. The mage was eyeing Harley, and Harith knew that he was talking about the Mage Genius. Cyclops added, "Usually he walks in class late, like a boss."
"Yeah," Harith responded, nodding slightly. Whether Harley was aware or not, they always talked about him. Probably the whole class does the same too. Harley was just a person that could make himself become a hot topic. But, now, Harith doesn't feel like talking about Harley. He just felt worried instead.
