Another week had passed and no fights had occurred. No insulting marathon had found its place in the hallways. I craved a confrontation, even if it was some silly name-calling. I needed it. It was my anti-drug. My sanity. My moment of the week. Or was it just a cover-up? A cover-up for something that lied way deeper than some random derision? Maybe I just needed her?
Either way, I wasn't getting it. Every time we'd pass each other, faces would be turned. Interest would immediately shift to the ever so fascinating floor. Did she disturb our relationship by kissing me (which she denied firmly)? Or did I disturb it by confronting her? I have no idea. But what I do know, is that I need her. I need her to be my something. Friend, lover, foe. I didn't care what exactly, but it had to be something. Cause right now, it was nothing. And nothing hurt too damn much.
I walk in our class with Hazel, and I instantly spot her. Same place like always. Last row, last seat on the left, just by the window. She's looking outside, lost in her thoughts. Peaceful, but still with a harshness on her face. Unique as always off course. I'm brought out of my daze as Hazel calls me over to sit next her. Same place, like always. The moment I sit, Hazel start talking of my ear again and I simply nod, giving her some kind of fake assurance that I was listening intently. Misleading as always, off course.
Ms. Kwan comes in and the murmurs in the classroom slowly disappear.
"So class, today I'm going to give you an assignment on poetry. You are expected to analyse a total of 5 poems. You'll analyse 3 poems of my choice and two of your own choice. Since this is a partner assignment, each partner gets to choose one. If the partners are not content with each others choices, they will need to convince each other. And I'd like to hear all of the arguments that were given."
Murmurs invaded the classroom again, as several students were wording their discontent on our latest task . Others were already choosing their partners, but Ms. Kwan had different ideas.
"I inform you, that you can not choose your own partners. You'll be taking a big dive next year, and choices will be made for you. So this is also an exercise on learning to work with persons you don't usually work with. I've decided to partner you up, basing myself on the alphabetical list. If you're lucky your best friend's family name will start with the same letter as yours, if not then you'll have to make the best of it." She explained.
"Great, not only is this a stupid assignment, we can't even choose our own partners." Hazel whispered.
"Now this assignment, isn't to be taken lightly. These grades are worth a significant percentage of your final grade. You'll have three weeks to work on it both in class, and out of class. So try and make full use of it. Now the groups are:
Hazel Aden & Jimmy Brooks .."
"Shoot me now, please. I officially got the worst hook-up ever." Hazel sighed dramtically.
" … Sophie Ellington & Laura Franks, Jason Grant & Liza Harding, Stacey Jefferson & Luke Kayden, Paige Michalchuck & Alex Nuñez, Kevin Peters & John Preston, …"
"Okay, I guess working with Jimmy isn't that bad comparing to Alex." She chuckled.
I simply kept quiet. Not knowing for sure, how I had to feel. My expression was blank.
"Paige, you're zoning. It's going to be fine. I mean, she hasn't insulted you or anything lately so it doesn't have to be that bad." She said, trying to kick some hope into me.
Off course Hazel, didn't know about the midnight kiss or the confrontation in the bathroom. Or that second kiss, that was initiated by me … Technically speaking she was my best friend. And technically, I should tell her everything. But practically, that didn't happen. I never was a fan of technicality anyway.
Ms. Kwan handed us our poems and I grabbed all the courage I had to lift myself from my desk and head over to hers. Cause no way, Alex Nuñez would tire herself and shift places herself. I wandered over to the back and sat in the empty seat next to her.
She didn't bother to take her eyes from the window and I honestly didn't dare to shake her out of her thoughts. Silent moments passed before I finally decided to speak up.
"So, I guess we're stuck with each other." I joked, trying to lighten the mood.
No answer. I shifted nervously in my chair and tried again.
"Any idea, what poem you're going to choose?" I asked.
Silence. It was bad enough that she wouldn't talk to me, it was even worse that she kept on watching outside totally ignoring my presence. I sighed and gave it one last try.
"Look Alex, I know that this sucks right now. But what sucks more is that this counts for a large part of our final grade. And I am in no mood to fail this, and I'm pretty sure you aren't either."
"You don't know a thing about what I want or not, got that?" she said finally turning towards me.
"Okay, okay. Don't bite my nose off." I replied, hands pulled up defiantly in the air.
She wasn't looking through the window anymore, but she wasn't looking at me either. Her desk was the object of fascination at this point. At least I'm doing some sort of progress, I guess.
"Look, we don't have to be BFF's to work on this. Let's just forget whatever happened these last few weeks … or didn't happen … and concentrate on this. The sooner we start, the sooner we're done with it." I said exasperated.
She looked up at me, and I half-expected a sneer but instead I got a small nod. Now, I talked to you about those nods earlier on. You know, the ones that hand you a fake assurance. Well, this wasn't one of them. Cause like I said before, Alex doesn't do fake.
"Okay, so let's start then." I said a little too excited.
"Oh, joy!" she snorted out sarcastically.
I moved my desk and chair closer to hers so that we both could read of the sheets.
"So, let's start with the beginning. The first poem is titled "To a Lady Seen for a Few Moments at Vauxhall" and written by one John Keats, whoever that is. They could've at least given us a guy that we'd actually heard about before." I said as I rolled my eyes.
She looked at the sheet and brought her gaze back to her window. I was about to groan of frustration, before she started talking.
"Keats was like this genius English lyrical poet. You know, he was the archetype of the English Romantic movement. He had like the most amazing works, but nobody appreciated it. He was constantly criticized for no apparent reason. Everything that meant something in his life, was brutally destroyed. His dad died in an accident when he was like eight, his mom died of tuberculoses when he was 14, and he spend like a huge chunk of his life taking caring of his brother who also had tuberculoses before he finally died too. He was madly in love with a girl who he knew he would never get. And when his work finally was being appreciated and things finally looked bright for him, he was diagnosed with tuberculoses himself and died at the age 26."
"Wow. That's pretty sad .." I said not knowing what exactly to say.
She turned back around towards me and looked me intently in the eyes.
"Yeah, well life's a bitch." She said raising her eyebrows.
"I didn't knew that you …"
"That I could string a few coherent sentences, that actually meant something without insulting someone?" she scoffed.
"No, it's just I didn't knew you were so such a big poetry-fan or whatever." I said a little surprised.
"There a lot of things you don't know about me. Where's the fun in talking to someone when you already know everything about them." She said while looking at her fingernails.
"You're right. You're absolutely right." I said sincerely.
"Well, that's a first. I should tape those words, might never get to hear them again." She sniggered.
I smiled. Genuinely. This girl is damn full of surprises, and I couldn't wait until I could wrap out the next one. The bell rang and I stands up quickly while grabbing her backpack.
"As much as I love talking to you …" she said while pointing towards the door. Okay sarcasm obviously wasn't going to be one of her surprises. I'm pretty sure her slogan is "Sarcasm, Just Do It."
"I'm gone." She added.
"Wait! Uhm, do you want to like come over to my place. You know, to work on the assignment, over a pizza or something." I asked while fidgeting with m hands.
"Look Princess, I think spending our time together in class is already more than enough. No need for some Super Duper Fun Slumber parties." She mocked.
"Look, I've already overheard several students taking a bet on when we'll exactly start killing each other off. And I for one would like to piss them off by proving them wrong and ace this damn thing. And though 'there are a lot of things I don't know about you', I'm pretty sure you like pissing off people too." I chuckled.
"Yeah, a little." She smirked," Wait, you think we could get into this bet too?"
"Alex." I said rolling my eyes.
"Come on, we'll split the money, 70-30." she winked.
" …"
"Fine, whatever. You're such a wuss." She said while crossing her arms.
"So are you coming or not?" I asked.
"Ugh, I can't believe I'm doing this." She mutterd," Where do you live? And don't tell me it's that big white castle down at Fairystreet."
"Actually it's the big purple one at Magicstreet." I laughed.
She rolled her eyes and gave me a sly smile. Yes, a smile. Not a smirk. Not a grin, a smile.
"Just right it down or whatever."
I took my pen and took her hand in mine, and wrote down the address. She was about to retreat her hand when I surprised her by blowing on her palm, trying to get the ink dry properly. I looked up and her deep browns where fixated on mine. Moments passed, when we finally realized that her hand was still in mine and we both quickly withdrew them.
"Uhm, so I'll see you at 8. There's nobody at home so you don't have to worry about obnoxious hockey-playing brothers or nosy 'rents." I joked trying to bring back the lightey mood.
"Okay, see you then." She responded quickly and if I didn't knew better shyly? She turned around and rapidly left the building leaving my alone with my thoughts.
Was she my friend? My foe? My lover? I still had no idea. But she was definitely my something.
A/N Hope you guys liked this chap and stay around for the next one in the next couple of weeks. I appreciate the feedback and hope you'll keep on reviewing. Also if you have any question, don't hesitate on asking, I'll be gladly answering them. As for now, goodbye until the next update!