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Natalie finally discovered what other class she has with Michael when she stepped into chemistry. She seems to be seeing Michael everywhere she went. From math. Down the hallways. Before she went to her locker. After school. It was as if he was stalking her, or-although Natalie refused to even consider the possibility-perhaps she was subconsciously stalking him.
Either way, it doesn't matter, she concluded. Michael never offered a hello and she never attempted to speak to him at school after that first time. It bothered her that even a geek like him couldn't bare the risk of being seen with someone like her in public.
But what annoyed her even more was her surprise when she spotted him sitting in the front row of her third period class. Why did it bother her so much? Because it proved that Michael was right about how oblivious she is to the people around her.
She was between staring at the back of his head, wondering if her aim with spitballs were good enough and half listening to Mr. Jorgensen ramble about some big project when she hit her knee against the table from the sudden vibration in her pocket. She slowly slipped her phone under her table and eyed the screen.
Why didn't you call me back?
Natalie sighed as she opened a blank message, knowing it was Amber since Hayley would never be so hostile. Just couldn't. Sorry.
She stared at her response, pondering if it would satisfy Amber's sudden vigorous thirst for answers. It wasn't like she didn't want to call back; it was because she couldn't. Not without Michael hovering around her as he nagged her about the importance of triangles and risking the chance that Amber will hear him on the other line.
Immediately, her phone buzzed. Sorry? For what exactly? Be anymore vague if you will.
She rolled her eyes. Only Amber could sound so intimidating from text. Been busy with stuff.
You do know my last comment was a term of expression, right? Sarcasm? Ever heard of that?
Natalie glared at the screen, irritation flaring at the tone of Amber's nonexistent voice. Of course I know what sarcasm is! I'm not stupid! She knew if she said those words to her best friend, she would never hear the end of it. Instead, she settled with a simple I said I was sorry.
How would I know you apologized for the right thing?
Natalie paused as she stared at the familiar words before her. She didn't have a chance to reply when she heard "Ms. Johnson?" from the front of the room.
"W-what?' Her anger quickly flickering away as she stared at the front of the room, wide-eyed having been caught off guard. The entire class seemed to be boring their eyes through her.
"What are you doing?"
"Um, daydreaming. Sorry."
Mr. Jorgensen frowned, his glasses reflecting the florescent lights from the ceiling. He seemed to ponder whether to push the subject but thankfully, he was one of those teachers that decide things are better off by ignoring it. "Just pay attention next time."
Natalie nodded as she began to slide her hand toward her phone once more but he eyed her suspiciously and added, "Actually, move to the front of the room. Maybe you'll have fewer opportunities to daydream here."
Hastily, Natalie threw her things in her bag and scurried towards the only seat left in the front row, located on the far side of the wall. The rest of the class began to turn their attention back towards the board, or, for the ones who prefer doodling rather than daydreaming, back to their notebooks. But even when everyone else seemed too preoccupied to take notice of her embarrassment, she could still feel the intensity of Michael's piercing eyes.
* * *
Natalie's mother left three minutes before Michael arrived. Those were the longest, most nerve-wracking three minutes of her life. She was between mid-panic and mid-insanity when her mother lingered in showing Lisa their backyard garden-one that had long since died a few years before due to the lack of care and ignorance but was revived when Natalie found her mother bending over in knee deep weed one afternoon after school. Since Lisa was new in town, Natalie urged her mother to take her to Johnny's Rocket to show her how incredibly 'entertaining' the food industry is in this little town.
She was standing at the door step, suddenly relieved to see her mother's car turn a corner of the street, when Michael rode up the driveway on his rusted bike. He was wearing a helmet strapped onto his chin. So uncool.
He coasted to a stop before her, "waiting for me?"
"Um," she suddenly realized how uncool she must look, "no. I was just watching my mom drive away."
He arched his eyebrows, already steering his bike inside and taking part in their daily routine. "Do you always watch your parents leave?"
"No. I never watch them drive off." She felt like slapping her forehead once the stupidity of the words reached her brain.
He didn't say anything as they sat down in their usual seats. As he pulled out his math book, she decided she should say what had been on her mind for the past week before they begin. She'd been avoiding this subject as long as she could. She sighed.
He had his back turned as he reached for a cup from the cabinet above. "Um…Michael?"
Just then, the phone rang. Despite acknowledging this was an important subject they're about the discuss, she was relieved for the distraction.
"Hello?"
"Natalie Ann Johnson. You are in deep trouble." Suddenly, her thankfulness refilled with dread. "You didn't reply."
"I got in trouble. Mr. Jorgensen almost gave me a detention for texting in class!" she whispered through the phone. Amber gave her a blunt statement so Natalie knows she'll need as much help as possible to bring her friend at an ease, even if it means exaggerated lies.
"Oh." A slight hesitation from the other line could be heard before she decided to come back full force, "Well, what have you been doing?"
Natalie felt a tap on her shoulder. She turned and saw Michael pointing at a cup. "What?" she snapped at him. This is not a good time.
"I said, what have you been doing?"
"Do you have anything to drink?"
"Um," she answered both of them, "Water."
Michael rolled his eyes to point out how obvious her answer was as she heard Amber let out a puzzled 'what?'
"I mean, swimming! Yeah, I've been swimming."
Michael gave Natalie a questioning look, one that she can imagine Amber making on the other line.
"Swimming?" Michael mouthed in unison with Amber's voice.
Natalie nodded earnestly although she knew her friend couldn't see her, "yeah. Swimming. Heath-you remember Heath, right?-his best friend, Kyle Tanner, is on the swim team. He invited me to watch." It was a perfect lie. Kyle Tanner is the captain of the swim team and although Natalie doesn't know if the two are best friends, she is positive that the two hang out. Score one for me! "It isn't like I can say no," she added for affect.
"True. Did anything happen?"
Natalie felt another tap on her shoulder. "It was, um, fun. Hold on." She gave Michael a questioning look.
"I don't want water."
"Look in the fridge," she whispered.
"I already did. There's nothing but ice water."
"Ice water is different than plain water."
"Is not."
"Is too."
"Is not!"
"It's either that or coffee!"
"Caffeine makes you short." He looked at her for a moment and then added, "It also damage your brain." If her phone had been a cordless one, she would have pounced on him right then.
"Who is that?"
"Who is what?" She almost forgot Amber was on the other line.
"That voice. Is someone over? Is it Heath?"
She decided to take the bait, "um, yeah. I have to go. Bye!" she slammed the phone down. She turned to Michael, hands on her hips to prevent herself from cracking her knuckles like the very first day at track practice.
He sipped his cup. "Water?"
When there's two people trying to talk to you at the same time, it's kind of hard to keep from screaming in frustration. If you know there's someone else talking, the least you can do is call later. Preferably on a cordless phone.
Why I hate phone calls…