The Distance Between Us

DISTANCE BETWEEN US EPISODE 2

CHAPTER TWO

Getting Closer

By Thursday morning, Daniel had almost forgotten about the rain.

He arrived at school early, as usual, and went straight to the classroom.

Samuel wasn't there yet.

Daniel dropped his backpack beside his desk and brought out his mathematics book.

He had barely started reading when he heard a familiar voice.

"Good morning."

Daniel looked up.

Amara stood beside his desk.

"Morning."

She smiled and took her seat.

"You came early."

"I usually do."

"I noticed."

Daniel looked at her.

"You noticed?"

"You're always here before everyone else."

He shrugged.

"I like quiet mornings."

Amara nodded.

"I understand that."

For a few seconds, they sat quietly.

Then Samuel entered the classroom, talking loudly to another student.

"There you are!" he shouted when he saw Daniel.

Daniel shook his head.

"Good morning to you too."

Samuel dropped into his chair.

"Did you miss me?"

"No."

"That's painful."

Amara laughed.

Their first lesson began soon afterward.

The day passed normally, but something about their friendship had changed.

It was small.

Almost impossible to notice.

Daniel found himself talking to Amara more often.

Amara began asking him questions about lessons she didn't understand.

They sometimes exchanged jokes during break.

They were becoming friends.

And neither of them seemed to mind.

During lunch, the three of them sat together again.

Samuel was telling a story about something that had happened during football practice.

"And then I scored the winning goal," he said proudly.

Daniel stared at him.

"The match ended in a draw."

Samuel paused.

"Details."

Amara laughed.

"You said you scored the winning goal."

"I did."

"But you said the match was a draw."

Samuel looked at Daniel.

"Why are you both against me?"

Daniel laughed.

"Because you're lying."

"I'm not lying. I'm improving the story."

Amara shook her head.

"You are unbelievable."

Samuel smiled.

"Thank you."

After lunch, they returned to class.

Their next lesson was biology.

The teacher announced a short class activity.

Students were asked to work in pairs.

Daniel and Amara naturally ended up together.

They moved their chairs closer and began working.

The assignment was about human body systems.

Amara looked at the question sheet.

"This one is confusing."

Daniel read it.

"It's asking us to explain the function."

"Oh."

He explained it to her.

Amara nodded.

"That makes sense now."

"You understand?"

"Yes."

She smiled.

"Thanks."

"No problem."

She continued writing.

A few minutes later, Daniel noticed something.

Amara had written one of the answers incorrectly.

He pointed at it.

"I think that part is wrong."

She looked at the page.

"Really?"

"Yes. Check the question again."

She read it carefully.

Then she laughed.

"You're right."

Daniel smiled.

"You were too confident."

"I was confidently wrong."

They both laughed.

The teacher collected their work at the end of the lesson.

As they left the classroom, Amara looked at Daniel.

"You explain things well."

"Thanks."

"Have you ever thought about teaching?"

Daniel laughed.

"No."

"Why?"

"I want to build things."

"Engineering."

"Exactly."

Amara smiled.

"You really like engineering."

"Yeah."

She nodded.

"I think you'll be good at it."

Daniel looked at her.

"You think so?"

"Yes."

Her answer was simple.

But for some reason, it stayed in his mind.

That afternoon, Daniel went home thinking about it.

His father was sitting in the living room repairing a small electrical appliance.

"You're back."

"Yes, Dad."

"How was school?"

"Fine."

His father looked up.

"Fine?"

Daniel smiled.

"It was good."

"That's better."

Daniel dropped his bag in his room and changed his clothes.

Later that evening, he joined his father outside while he worked.

His father handed him a screwdriver.

"Hold this."

Daniel did.

"You're getting better at this," his father said.

"Thanks."

"You've been serious about engineering lately."

Daniel nodded.

"It's what I want."

His father smiled.

"Then work hard. Dreams need effort."

Daniel remembered Amara's words.

I think you'll be good at it.

He smiled to himself.

His father noticed.

"What?"

"Nothing."

Meanwhile, Amara was at home doing her own schoolwork.

Her mother entered her room.

"You seem happy."

Amara looked up.

"Do I?"

"Yes."

Amara smiled.

"School is going well."

"I'm glad."

Her mother sat beside her.

"Have you settled in?"

"Mostly."

"Made friends?"

Amara hesitated briefly.

"Yes."

"Good."

Her mother smiled.

"Just remember why you're there."

"To study."

"Exactly."

Amara nodded.

She understood.

Medicine was important to her.

Her future was important.

She didn't want anything to distract her.

Yet she couldn't deny that having friends at her new school made everything easier.

Especially Daniel.

He was different from the people she had known before.

He didn't try to impress everyone.

He didn't talk constantly.

He listened.

And when he spoke, he usually had something meaningful to say.

Amara opened her notebook again.

She tried to focus.

But she found herself remembering their conversation.

I think you'll be good at it.

She smiled.

Then she shook her head.

"Focus, Amara."

She returned to studying.

Friday arrived.

Their group met in the library again after school.

This time, Samuel actually arrived early.

Daniel looked at him suspiciously.

"What happened to you?"

Samuel smiled.

"I have changed."

"For how long?"

"At least today."

Amara laughed.

They worked for nearly two hours.

Daniel organized the written report.

Amara worked on the research.

Samuel prepared some ideas for their presentation.

When they finished, Amara looked at their work.

"This is actually good."

Daniel nodded.

"We still need to practice."

Samuel groaned.

"Do we have to?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"Because you keep forgetting what you're supposed to say."

"I don't."

Daniel raised an eyebrow.

Samuel sighed.

"Fine."

They practiced the presentation.

Amara spoke clearly.

Daniel followed confidently.

Samuel struggled with his section.

He stopped halfway through.

"I forgot."

Daniel laughed.

"You just read it."

"I know."

Amara smiled.

"Try again."

Samuel started again.

This time, he finished.

"Better," Daniel said.

"Thank you."

They packed their books.

As they left the library, Samuel received a phone call.

"I have to go."

He ran toward the gate.

Daniel and Amara walked together.

"Does he ever walk?" Amara asked.

"Only when he's tired."

They laughed.

Outside the gate, Amara's mother hadn't arrived yet.

Daniel stood with her.

"You can go," Amara said.

"I'm not in a hurry."

They waited.

The afternoon was quiet.

Amara looked at him.

"Can I ask you something?"

"Sure."

"Why are you always so serious about school?"

Daniel thought about it.

"Because I want a better future."

She nodded.

"That's a good reason."

"What about you?"

"Same."

They stood silently for a moment.

Then Amara said, "I was scared when I first came here."

Daniel looked at her.

"Really?"

"Yes."

"You didn't look scared."

"I was trying not to show it."

"Why?"

"Because everyone already knew each other."

Daniel nodded.

"I understand."

"I thought I'd have trouble making friends."

Daniel smiled.

"You made friends."

She looked at him.

"Yes."

A small smile appeared on her face.

"I'm glad."

Daniel smiled back.

A car finally approached.

Amara recognized it.

"My mum."

She adjusted her backpack.

"See you Monday."

"See you."

She opened the car door.

Then she turned around.

"Daniel?"

"Yes?"

"Thanks."

"For what?"

"For making my first week easier."

Daniel smiled.

"You're welcome."

She got into the car.

Daniel watched it leave.

This time, he didn't try to explain the feeling inside him.

He simply walked home.

On Monday, their teacher announced that the class would have a debate competition.

Each group needed two students to represent them.

Samuel immediately pointed at Daniel and Amara.

"They should do it."

Daniel looked at him.

"Why us?"

"Because you're both smart."

Amara laughed.

"You just don't want to do it."

"Exactly."

The teacher approved their names.

Daniel and Amara would represent their class.

They were given the topic and told to prepare.

After school, they stayed behind to research.

They sat in the classroom with books spread across the desk.

Daniel read through the material.

Amara took notes.

"This is going to be difficult," she said.

"We can do it."

She looked at him.

"You always say that."

"Because it's usually true."

She smiled.

"You're very confident."

"Not always."

"What do you mean?"

Daniel looked down at his notebook.

"Sometimes I'm worried too."

Amara was surprised.

"About what?"

"Failing."

She became quiet.

"You're afraid of failing?"

"Of course."

"I thought you were never afraid."

Daniel laughed.

"Everyone is afraid of something."

Amara nodded.

"I guess you're right."

"What are you afraid of?"

She thought about it.

"Not becoming the person I want to be."

Daniel looked at her.

"I think you'll become that person."

She smiled.

"How do you know?"

"I don't."

He shrugged.

"But you work hard."

Amara looked at him for a moment.

"Thanks."

They returned to their research.

Neither noticed how easily they had begun talking about things they didn't usually tell other people.

Neither realized that their friendship was becoming something they would both eventually have to understand.

For now, they simply worked side by side.

Two students chasing their dreams.

Two friends learning more about each other.

And with every conversation, the distance between them became a little smaller.