Chapter 11
"Basically, we got the plan and layout and 2 weeks to complete this project. We'll need a lot of materials, especially those wire things."
"Or string and yarn? So it won't make it seem like a 3rd grade project?"
"Oh yeah. Those things too. It won't make it seem like 3rd grade project. It already seems like a 3rd grade project. Except we have to add a lot of detail, sweat and sleep for it."
"Wow Naveen. You definitely went into detail there."
It's the end of the school day; Tiana and Naveen are working on their science project.
Tiana had to explain and plead to her boss for a few extra hours off before her shift started. It resulted to a deduction to her pay, but her grades were more important than that job.
"Okay. Who's in charge of the supplies?"
"I would say I could do it. But you know. I can't." Naveen said putting his hands behind his head whilst leaning back.
"Are you just lazy to do it or you have no clue what to buy?" Tiana asked raising her eyebrows.
Naveen took a deep breath and looked into her eyes. "Both."
Tiana's face went from 'asking a question' face, to 'are you kidding me?'
"Then that's settled." Tiana said, starting to pack her stuff away.
"Wait. What?"
"This weekend we're going to the Art Supplies store, wherever the wind will take us, and buy the supplies together. At least you have experience in the real world."
"Buying art supplies is something we should experience for the real world?" Naveen said sarcastically and a bit too loudly.
"Sh. Children this is a library." The librarian yelled in a whispering manner.
"Wow, children thanks." Naveen said rolling his eyes.
"Well, I better get going before the boss" Tiana says using air quotes, "has my head on his frying pan."
"Who the heck uses air quotes now?" Naveen asks smiling and shaking his head whilst he packs his stuff.
"Clearly, I do." Tiana says standing up, grabbing her bag.
"Of course. Well, see you tomorrow."
"Bye." She said giving a smile before taking off.
"Bye."
Then Tiana left Naveen alone by their table. Naveen sighed. It's just Tiana's so Tiana.
He shouldn't have stayed a little longer.
"Naveen! Baby, are you okay?" Claire said approaching and giving Naveen hug. Hugs were supposed to be warm and give you this relieved feeling. This hug felt like you're being held against your will.
For the first time in forever, Naveen was unsure of what to do. Should he remove her arms around him then leave her there without a word? Or just sass her then leave her without a word?
"Like I said, are you okay?" Claire said once again, sounding irritated.
"Why do you care?" Naveen snapped. Naveen also just realized why the librarian didn't mind Claire bursting through the door and screaming through the library.
"Why are you so scary now Naveen?" Claire said in an annoying baby voice, pouting her lips.
Naveen couldn't handle it. He just couldn't. He removed her arms that were once wrapped around his neck.
"I don't know." Naveen said fed up with her.
"Well," Claire started twirling her hair, "I'm having a small get together this Saturday this weekend. You know with the friends who you abandoned to be with those wannabe's." She ended by rolling her eyes.
That did it. Naveen knew if he continued this conversation the librarian would call the other librarians to shush him in their scary way.
"I'm not interested." Naveen said, starting to walk towards the door.
"Why? You have a date with that wannabe Tiana and you can't find time for your friends anymore?"
Naveen was already near the door when she spoke up; he was by the librarian's desk.
"So you get mad at me for being a bit loud once. Once." Naveen emphasized the "once" by also putting up his one finger. "Then you're not telling her off for screaming nearly twice now?"
The librarian just shrugged not looking up at Naveen, she went on with her paperwork.
Claire went up behind Naveen, hugging him from the back. Her hugs never felt right.
"Are you causing more trouble here Naveen?" Claire said using one hand to run down Naveen's back.
It sent a shiver down Naveen's spine. Her touch in general never ever felt good.
"I'm sorry to bother you ma'am. I best be going." Naveen said completely ignoring Claire.
Naveen made his way outside; of course Claire didn't want to end his suffering there.
"Where are you going so soon sweet face?" Claire was like a walking killjoy.
"Somewhere over the rainbow. Where else do you think Claire?" That reminded him of one his conversations with Tiana, now that cheered him up.
Claire had nothing else to say, so she stood there a bit defeated. Making that face whenever she didn't get what she wants or things don't go her way.
Naveen knew that face too well.
