Chapter 350: Before He Had to Leave
<.Blossom Phoenix Middle School.>
Tap! Tap!
"Lari! Hello~ Earth to Lari."
The tapping on the desk and Nora’s familiar voice jolted Lariette out of her trance. Blinking, she stared at her planner in a daze before slowly looking up, staring at her colleague next.
Nora stood beside Lariette’s chair, laughing playfully. She placed a mug of black tea on the latter’s work desk. Hot steam swirled from its opening, dispersing its heat and earthy scent.
Nora nudged Lariette’s shoulder, saying teasingly, "Hey! I’ve been calling you! Brain overload, en?"
Lariette smiled sheepishly, not expecting Nora to witness her daydream just now. Brushing the strand of her hair away, she glanced at the mug before looking at her colleague again.
"Sorry, I didn’t hear you. Thanks for the tea, Nora."
Lariette reached for the mug, smiling faintly when its warmth seeped into her skin. Bringing the mug close to her lips, she took a few careful sips. At the taste of the subtle sweetness, her smile softened.
Nora had her own mug of tea. Leaning her hip against Lariette’s desk, she glanced at her colleague, "You look quite distracted today. Too busy? Need my help with something?"
Lariette pursed her lip, her eyes gazing at the opened planner before her. Then, she looked at the small tulip-shaped desk clock. Its needles pointed to a quarter past three.