The teacher was walking out of the classroom. Sayaka grabbed her textbook and stuffed it into her bag. She zipped it most of the way closed, not bothering with the last few inches past the corner of the bag. With her hands pressing against the desk she pivoted in the chair to face the occupant of the desk that was behind her and to her right.
"Madoka, do you want to go shopping today? I wanted to look for a new CD?"
Madoka smiled but she quickly turned her head away as she put her own books into her bag. "I'm sorry, Sayaka. I promised Mami I would help her."
"Mami? Oh, isn't that the name of one of the third-years? I didn't know you had any upperclassmen friends."
"We just met a while ago. I'm sorry, Sayaka, but I promised Mami and-"
"Don't worry about it," Sayaka gave a dismissive wave. "You'll have to introduce me to her sometime. Maybe we can sing karaoke together?"
"That sounds fun. I bet Mami would like to meet you too. She doesn't have many friends."
Madoka and Sayaka got up from their desks, which folded up and retracted into the floor. They walked together past the other students, not really giving them much attention. A girl with braids got up from her desk in the front. She left the room just before the two, without ever bringing her face up or looking any higher than the floor.
"See you later, Madoka."
"Bye, Sayaka."
They waved goodbye as they each turned a different direction. Sayaka turned toward the stairs to leave the school. Madoka turned toward the third year classrooms. Sayaka stopped and looked back over her shoulder at Madoka's back that grew further and further away.