Soon enough lunch was over and I needed to head to my Chemistry class. A class in which I sat awkwardly beside Patrick. We shared a lab table together, I don't know why. But maybe fate had its way. Hah! Fate.
Patrick was already seated comfortably on his chair when I arrived. I paused just outside the door and exhaled deeply to get myself ready. I'm sure this is going to be, awkward as usual.
Normally, when I sit down I stare at the black board and let my mine wander off somewhere while waiting for the teacher. That' what I did but instead of letting my mind wander off, I focused intently on the boy sitting right next to me.
Why was his friends looked at me in the cafeteria. Their eyes had this certain, what do you call it, glint in them when they looked at me. As if they were enjoying some private joke. Why wasn't he looking, then? Not that I wanted him to.
I heard some low whispers beside me, and reflexively, I turned my head my head towards them. Patrick was talking to one of his friends.
They abruptly stopped and the boy who he was talking to smiled mischievously from me to Patrick. "Well, see you later, Pat." He said then left but not without giving me another mischievous grin.
I didn't have time to think about anything because Mr. Slater, the teacher, just came in. He carried a box of protective goggles and went around the room handing us one each.
"Today, we're determining Ph levels." He said writing the procedure on the board. "Your lab partner for this activity is the one seated next to you."
I froze. It's embarrassing enough that Patrick and I shared the same table, but lab partners? How the heck am I going to pull that off?
I watched him carefully from the corner of my eye. His hand tightly gripped his black-inked pen. His eyebrows plucked together and he glared at the board. Didn't he want to be my partner?
"Now, start." Mr. Slater said after finishing his work on the board. He started walking around trying to help students who didn't understand what to do.
I gulped and slowly faced Patrick. To my surprise, his face was relaxed into a small smile facing me. "What do we do first?" He asked looking at the board.
I followed his gaze and read. "First, we have to mix the buffer." I said turning back to him.
I watched him as he reached for a bottle that read Ph level 4. "Well, it's already mixed." He said chuckling.
"Uhh, well, we just have to mix a certain number of drops to each solution, then." I said reading the instructions on the board.
He watched me intently as I gently grabbed the medicine dropper and started to slowly do what was instructed. I became self-conscious and blushed, but I continued anyway, hoping that he didn't notice.
"Do you w-want me t-to do it?" He asked. He was stuttering. I noticed his breathing was quite uneven and his hands a little shaky. I stared at him.
"Yeah, sure," I said eyeing his shaking hand which he quickly placed under the table. "I mean, sure, if you want to."
He took the medicine dropper from my hand and attempted to drop solution into the test tube, but I noticed his hand shaking.
"Are you okay?" I asked worried. "You're shaking. Maybe you should go—"
"No. I'm f-fine." He stuttered. "But could you just excuse me for a second" He said giving me back the medicine dropper. I watched him as he quickly stood up and asked Mr. Slater for a washroom slip.
That was beyond awkward. That was deadly. He was stuttering and shaking and I sat here like an idiot watching him sweat. What was wrong with me? I smelled my hair. I'm not smelly or anything. I looked at my reflection at the back of a silver spatula. I'm not horrible, today at least. But why?
He came back after a few minutes. He seemed to be okay now, with his breathing even and his relaxed face back in its place.
"I'm done with the activity." I told him a little enthusiastic. "You could check it if you want to."
He smiled. "Nah, you're good at this. I trust you."
I smiled back. He just gave me a compliment. My heart fluttered at the thought. I rested my chin on my palms and sighed loudly. I know he heard it but I think he just chose to ignore it. I blushed.
"Claire?" I heard him say. I turned to his direction with a hint of surprise on my face.
"Yes?" He looked at me in the eye for a few seconds as if reading something out of them. Normally, I'd turn away, but I didn't. His eyes were so amazingly blue that it captured my eyes.
"Nothing" He said looking away. I didn't know what happened, but I spoke up. For the first time, I spoke up to Patrick Stump.
"No, what is it tell me." I encouraged gently. He looked swiftly at me his expression unreadable.
"I was just wondering if," he paused trying to find the right words to say. "If y-you wanted me t-to walk y-you to English class." He finished, stuttering. I could tell he was struggling with words.
I stared at him, surprised by the sudden invitation. "Sure, Patrick," I smiled. "That would be nice"
He smiled, relieved. I couldn't believe it. Patrick Stump just asked me if I wanted him to walk me to English class. The prince charming is escorting his princess to English class. That was so, exciting yet terrifying at the same time.
I waited anxiously for the bell to ring. Finally, it rung and Mr. Slater collected our activity sheets and the protective goggles.
"I'll carry you books." He said grabbing them from my hand.
"Thanks." I mumbled. I just still couldn't believe this is happening. To me, especially. So, the prince noticed the princess, what wonderful way to start a fairy tale. I just hope I'll get my happy ending.