Classes weren’t always the most exciting, but seeing friends at school was great, especially if they were in the same class as you. Making friends wasn’t the easiest at times, but with what you had, it was good.

In an art class this year, you met Kuriko. She was quiet and rarely ever spoke, and her pieces weren’t all that exhilarating. The teacher once made the two of you go get some supplies from the back room, and you came back as friends.

Kuriko still never really spoke much, but you slowly started to learn more about her. She was 17, didn’t have any pets, and had an older brother that she didn’t seem too fond of. She said she never minded art, but it wasn’t her thing, as she put it.

You also shared more about yourself and your life, likes and dislikes, all the easy stuff in a friendship. A few months into the year, and you would consider Kuriko a really good friend of yours.

Over the last week, the main thing everyone was focusing on was clay. There weren’t enough wheels to throw on for everyone in the class, so the teacher had people take turns. Today was yours and Kuriko’s day. She worked quite well with the clay, making a vase she planned to put in the kiln for the assignment. As she was finishing up some small details, she glanced over at your wheel.

“What are you making?”