Our classroom formation did not last for long. In order to eliminate our bench (which happened to be on the side of the blackboard), Koroush and I were squeezed in in other benches that only had two occupants. As a result I was now sharing a bench towards the middle of class with Ghafourmohseni and Kianoosh. With us being given one of the smallest classes, we complained to the office that as seniors we deserved better and they sided with us. Before long we were moved over to the class next door which was much bigger and allowed for two columns of benches, one on each side of the classroom, with a wide corridor in between. Each bench kept their lineup during the move although soon afterwards we were all shifted two benches back due to the last two benches on our side causing two much chaos during class and being transferred to the first two rows.

Even though the school year had started for some time, I still had not purchased any of my textbooks. I had borrowed many of them from Alireza from his previous year although I still was missing a few as he had already given them away to others. One day after school, when I realized that we had geometry homework and that I did not have the textbook, I asked Kianoosh if I could borrow his so I could do mine.

“We have geometry tomorrow,” he replied. “How am I gonna get it to you?”

“It’s ok. I can come and pick it up from your house after school.”

So after school the two of us headed for the bus station and before long got on a bus headed towards his home. With the bus packed and no seats available, we stood the entire way, grabbing on to the bars on the bus’s ceiling meant for this exact purpose. The bus headed down Vali Asr Street before turning right onto Chamran Highway. Kianoosh explained to me that he lived in Atisaz buildings, a complex across from the amusement park and one which I had passed by many times, always taking note of how each building seemed to be sliced diagonally. In spite of having to stand the entire way, the pleasant sunny weather and our conversation made for an enjoyable ride.

We got off right across from the amusement park and continued the rest of the way on foot. Kianoosh told me which building he lived in and the regulations regarding the complex in general. “We live in one of the buildings towards the back. For those buildings guests can come in but for the closer buildings they have to stay behind the gate.”

It somehow didn’t make sense to me and so I questioned him on it. “Why wouldn’t they let them in? So they can’t ever have guests over?”

Kianoosh realized the misunderstanding and clarified it. “No, I’m talking about their cars. The units in the back have a guest parking lot where their guests can park because it’s too far from the main entrance but for the units up front they have to park in the lot outside the gate.”

As we continued towards the buildings, Kianoosh further analyzed my confusion. “That would be really messed up if your guests couldn’t get past the main gate. Can you imagine that? Having to wave and yell out of your window ‘Hey thanks for coming over. Have some pastry!’” Kianoosh mimicked waving at an imaginary person and then throwing an object at him as we laughed at his described scenario.

I got the geometry book from him and headed back home via the same bus line albeit in the opposite direction.