Hey everyone! QueenofWords1 here to say this story will update every month from now on. This was the last two week update. Sorry everyone has to wait longer, but this gives me more time to work on all my stories, especially with school coming up.
Thanks for listening and enjoy chapter 3!
What on earth was he doing here?
You stood frozen, staring at Yakko through the window of the door. He looked right back. As much as you wished to move, maybe even open that blasted door, you stayed stuck to the floor. Your feet refused to move. Your brain refused to work.
"Is something the matter dear?" The teacher says. Before you could speak, she had taken notice of Yakko at the door. "Ah, I'll get the door. You go on and sit."
Forcing yourself to nod, you turn right back around and walk to your seat. Although the class was chatting away, you could still hear the teacher loud and clear.
"Good morning." You heard her say. "Since it's the first day, I'll excuse the tardiness."
"Don't worry, ma'am." You heard Yakko say. "It won't happen again."
"I hope not." The teacher says.
You plant yourself in one of the empty seats, dropping your bag at your feet. You take in the classroom once again. The only open seat was next to you…
It doesn't take long for the lanky teen to approach the set of desks. You look up. Yakko was looking down at you.
"Um…is that seat taken?" Yakko asks.
You are silent. You shake your head.
"Thanks." Yakko says and takes the seat next to you, dropping his bag beside him.
"Uh huh." You say. Inside you were panicking. You could feel the sweat forming at the base of your forehead. This couldn't be happening. This shouldn't be happening! Of all things, Yakko shares a class with you? No. This can't be real.
"Attention everyone!" The teacher calls out. "I'm Miss Holly and I'll be your mathematics teacher for the year. Remember the seats you are at. These will be your permanent seats."
…it just got worse.
As Miss Holly begins to ramble on about the school rules, you glance at Yakko. Head in hand, he was listening in on what the teacher was saying. You could tell he looked bored.
Just then his eyes snap to you. You abruptly look forward, acting as if you hadn't just been staring at him. You clutched your hands together, hoping they weren't shaking from nerves. He almost caught you!
"Something you need?" Yakko whispers to you.
Correction. You've been caught.
"Oh, um…do you have a pencil I can borrow?" You whisper.
"Sure." Yakko reaches into his bag and takes out his pencil bag. You sigh to yourself. That was close.
He hands you a brand new number two pencil. Freshly sharpened. You take it from him.
"Thank you." You mutter.
"No problem." Yakko says back.
"And today, we'll be starting with something simple." Miss Holly says, and you force yourself to pay attention. "Tomorrow the real work will begin, but for now I want everyone to relax and enjoy this fun math packet I have for you all."
As she calls out a student to pass out the packets, you fiddle with the pencil in your hands. You kept your eyes glued to the desk, refusing to even glance at Yakko's general direction now. Butterflies were bouncing inside your stomach.
The math packets come your way. You grab the three sheet packet and flip through it, trying to distract yourself. It was filled with math puzzles with general math equations and lessons. You place it down on the desk and begin to work. You weren't exactly thrilled to be doing math, but it was better than sitting awkwardly and avoiding Yakko all the time.
Just as you were about to answer the first problem, you heard rapid scribbling next to you. Your curiosity got the better of you and you turned your head. Yakko was focused on the paper in front of him, filling each bubble answer at such a fast pace. You gaped as Yakko finished the first page in seconds and flipped to the next. Just as he had completed the last page, he worked right away on the second one.
Your eyes moved back and forth, fixated on his pencil as it skimmed across the paper at lightning speed. You felt your jaw drop. When the hell did he get so good at math?
You turn back to your packet, sweating at the second problem. You flinched when you heard paper flipping besides you. The scribbling came next. How is he so good at this…? Shaking your head, you put pencil to paper and went to work.
"These packets can be worth some extra credit points!" Miss Holly calls out after a few minutes. She is walking around the classroom. "Turn them into me if you want to take advantage of this! Believe me, you should!"
Yakko's scribbling had come to a complete stop. You glance at him. He had placed his pencil down and was flipping through the packet. Your eyes widen seeing the entire thing was filled out. You study your own packet. You hadn't even come halfway down the first page.
You groan and plant your head against the desk. You knew you weren't terrible at math, but at this snail's pace you're making a complete fool of yourself.
"Do you need help?"
"Huh?" You snap your head up.
Yakko was looking at you. "I said, do you need any help?"
You straightened up in your seat. You stare at your own miserable packet. With a nervous chuckle, you turn back to Yakko.
"No, I'm fine, really." You explain. "I just like working slowly."
You return your focus back to the paper. The math problems before had seemed too simple before. But as you stared at them, you felt a pit grow in your stomach. It was like your brain was leaking knowledge all together. You're not this stupid!
You scan the room. Your heart drops as you notice many students were already on the second or third page of their own packets. This was horrible…
"You shouldn't compare yourself to everyone."
"What?" You snap your head to Yakko again.
Yakko points a finger at the class. "I can tell you're checking on how everyone else is doing."
You're silent as your face heats up.
"That can cut your confidence in half." Yakko rests his head in his hand, staring at you. "So, do you actually need help?"
"I…" You take a deep breath in and exhale. "I know what I'm supposed to do, I just can't help but work slowly."
"It's not bad to work slow, you know." Yakko says.
You snort. "Says the one who finished his packet before the class did."
You freeze. That came out ruder than you wanted it to. But to your surprise, Yakko starts laughing.
"That's actually very true." Yakko chuckles.
"Yeah, but that doesn't help me math any faster." You sigh.
"Maybe if you knew your multiplication tables off the bat of your hand you would." Yakko smirks.
"Of course I do!" You snap.
Yakko points to his hand. "You were counting on your fingers. I saw."
"I-!" You cut yourself off. Unfortunately, that was true. Yakko's grin widens as your face heats up.
"Knew it! You still don't have them memorized." Yakko laughs.
You stutter and turn your gaze to the side, embarrassed. Yakko's laughter hadn't stopped either, making you turn red in the face. You turn forward and cross your arms.
Yakko's laughter ceases. "You just need practice. Here."
You glimpse at him and notice as he opens his book bag up. You turn your attention fully to him as he pulls out a laminated piece of paper. He turns it for you to see. It was a multiplication table chart.
"It only goes up to the twelves." Yakko explains. "But it helped me. Maybe you'd want to give it a shot?"
Yakko extends his hand, holding out the chart for you to grab. You gaped at the chart, finding your stomach twisting into knots at the gesture. He was being so nice…
"T-thank you." You finally say, taking the chart.
Yakko smiles. It's the first genuine smile you've seen. "Just take your time."
Yakko then stands up, grabbing the math packet. Wait, he's leaving? You're speaking before you can stop yourself.
"Where are you going?"
Yakko stops and looks at you. He holds up the packet in his hands. "Turning it in."
"O-oh." You stutter.
Someone should just stamp Idiot on your forehead now. You were so caught up in the pleasant conversation. You found words clogged in your throat, threatening to spill out.
Please stay. You wanted to say. Stay and talk with me some more.
But you smile and nod. "Right! Don't want to miss out on those extra credit points!"
Yakko chuckles. "Wouldn't for the world."
He leaves for the teacher. You stare after him before looking at the multiplication table in your hands. You grip the sides in anger.
What were you doing? What is wrong with you? What is happening? Your thoughts were in a flurry. Was this the same Yakko who wouldn't talk to you for anything? Who you pissed off so horribly you hadn't spoken to one another in years?
You placed the math chart on your desk and stared at it, like it would miraculously give you all the answers to your questions. Maybe you shouldn't be questioning this so much. Wasn't it good that you two could talk to each other like nothing had happened? But could this also be a bad thing? But did you really need to focus on that now? Maybe it's good that you can strike up a conversation! After all, wasn't it what you longed for? This was your chance.
Fostering up what little confidence you could muster, you pretended to work on the packet, waiting for Yakko to return. You would glance up every once in a while, watching Yakko talk with the teacher. Your eyes drop down the second he walks back over.
He sits down, and you put on your best smile. The minute Yakko looked at you, any words you wanted to say died on your tongue. It wasn't like you had planned on what to say either…
Yakko raised a brow. "Yes?"
Oh shit. You thought in a panic. Say something! Anything! Anything at all!
"Lunch!" You blurt out. "I can't wait for lunch, can't you?"
Wow, lunch. That's the best you could come up with? Anyone have a giant red sharpie? Might as well write Stupid on your forehead too.
"Sure, anything to get out of class." Yakko says. He's silent for a moment. "To be honest, I didn't think you'd accept Delphine's invitation."
You freeze. Right. That's right. You're going to be having lunch with him and Delphine. You completely forgot about that.
"Well…" You struggled to find the words you wanted to say. What you had said was a spur of the moment decision. You still hated Delphine. You wanted nothing to do with her. But Yakko would be there. You and him might actually hang out again. Talk again.
"It's silly to not." You found yourself saying.
I still hate her.
"We're grown up now."
I'd rather die than be around her.
"It was time we put our differences behind us."
I just want to see you again.
Yakko's expression was unreadable. You weren't sure if that was a good thing.
"Really?" Yakko says. "You actually believe that?"
"Yeah!" You dismiss. "Of course!"
What a pathetic liar you were. Hopefully, you were a better actor. After all, you had a lunch date to go on.
"Wow, um." Yakko continues. He rubs the back of his neck. "I'm shocked."
Boy, so am I. You thought. The bundle of nerves inside of you was begging to show. You swallow hard. You then clear your throat.
"Well, I should get to work on this packet." You chuckle, trying to appear calm. You notice the math chart on your desk. You find yourself smiling. "Thanks again for the chart. It'll be a great help."
Yakko snaps his attention back to you. He smiles. "Yeah, no problem."
With that, you returned back to your packet. As you worked on the math problems presented before you, your heart was fluttering in your chest. And it wasn't the thrill to be doing classwork either.
A whole conversation with Yakko that didn't end in arguing. Sure you had to lie, and hell it didn't feel good, but it was better than anything else. Maybe sharing a single class with him wasn't going to be the disaster you thought it would be. Maybe this was the start of something good.
Your eyes landed on the math chart. It brought a smile to your face.
Eventually, you managed to finish the whole packet.
"See?" Yakko says once you come back from giving up the packet to the teacher. "You finished."
You nervously smiled. "Yeah. I guess you're right."
RIIING!
The school bell had gone off. First period was over.
"Alright class, that's all for today." Miss Holly says to the class as everyone packs up. "Enjoy the rest of your day!"
You picked up things and placed them into your backpack and swung it onto your shoulder. You took out your schedule and looked at the next class.
Art. Something fun.
You followed your classmates out the door and walked out into the busy halls. Despite the earlier nerves you had, you felt like a weight had been lifted off your shoulders. Math was over. Time to go to art class and relax. No more Yakko until lunch.
"Hey!"
You turned around and saw Yakko rushing up to you. You raised a brow.
"Hey, what's up?" You asked.
Yakko walks with you. "I'm heading this way too. Wanna walk together?"
You feel your cheeks heat up. You dart your face away. He wants to walk with you now? The nerves had returned and punched you dead in the stomach. You gotta say something!
"S-sure!"
You glance at Yakko. He was smiling.
"Great!" Yakko says. He scans the busy halls. "Now let's beat the incoming traffic."
To your surprise, Yakko grabs a hold of your arm. He runs forward. As he zips through the bustling kids you run behind him.
"Yakko!" You found yourself shouting. "Slow down!"
Yakko laughs. "No way!"
"We'll hit someone!"
"Not if I can help it!" Yakko shouts.
You yelp as he speeds up faster. The kick in speed automatically sent you two flying through the halls. It hits you what he's doing. He's toon speeding!
"What's your next class?" Yakko shouts, still running.
"Art!" You should, pumping your legs to catch up with him.
Yakko suddenly starts laughing.
"What's so funny?" You ask.
"I have art too!" Yakko says.
Yakko speeds up and you realize you're heading towards the stairs. Your eyes widen.
"Yakko! The stairs!" You cry out.
Yakko's feet screech against the floor, a weak attempt to stop the both of you, but your own feet don't cooperate and you crash right into him. A scream rips from you and you both fall down the stairs, tumbling over each other until you land at the bottom of the stairs.
"Oww…" You moan, sitting up. You could feel all sorts of aches and bruises all over your arms and legs. Great. As if the one on your forehead wasn't enough.
"Holy shit. Are you okay?"
You snap your head up and see Yakko had quickly recovered. He was standing and holding out a hand for you to grab. You take it and he pulls you up.
"I'm fine." You say. "Bruised. But fine."
"Like you need more." Yakko chuckles. He then looks sheepish, ears falling flat against his head.. "But seriously, I didn't think about the stairs. I was just trying to get us to class the fun way."
"Believe me." You offer him a smile. "It was fun."
You watch as his ears perk back up and an impish smile floods his face. It makes you feel all queasy inside…but in a good way. It was good to see that smile again.
Then you notice his smile falter and fall, and you feel confused. What happened? Why isn't he happy anymore?
"Hey," Yakko starts, darting his eyes to the ground. "I know we haven't been on good terms for a long while now…"
Oh no. Your queasiness turns unpleasant in seconds. It's happening. The moment you've been dreading. The attempt to talk about the past. And the chance you mess it all up. This can't be happening, not now. Not when it just got good. Please, not now.
"I want to apologize."
"Yakko I-" You stop dead. "Wait what?"
Is Yakko apologizing? But why? You recall that last argument from all those years ago. It makes the sick feeling in your stomach worsen. What you had said. Those horrible words.
"You spend all your fucking time with your fucking girlfriend. I don't get a minute alone with you!"
You swallow hard.
"We don't talk, we don't hang out! Hell, I'm not sure we're even friends, especially if you keep hanging out with that BITCH!"
You were horrible. You had no right. Why is he taking the blame?
"I'm trying to apologize." Yakko continues, not looking you in the eye. "We said a lot of mean things to each other."
"Y-Yeah…" You found yourself lost, unsure what to say. You should be apologizing. Not him.
"I don't know how to make up for the years," Yakko says, looking you in the eye. "There's too much to make up for and that's my fault. I let my anger get in the way of our friendship."
You glance at the floor, staying silent. There was so much you wanted to blurt out. But the words kept dying on your tongue. A guilty part of you liked that he had stepped forward. Part of you was still mad at how he let Delphine get in the way of your friendship with him. And that part of you was keeping you silent. It was bubbling up in your head, how often those times came and went.
You looked back up, opening your mouth to speak, but you realized Yakko had stepped closer. The sudden motion made you snap your mouth shut. Heat rises on your face. What's he doing?
"I don't know if you'll ever forgive me." Yakko admits. "But, I'm trying to fix things. Could we…try again?"
"Yakko I-"
RIIING!
You both snap your heads up as the bell goes off. It takes a second to realize-
"Shit!" Yakko exclaims. He grabs your hand and you're both rushing down the stairs. "We're late to class!"
"Whoa!" You exclaim, moving your feet to keep up with Yakko's pace.
Although you were both rushing down the stairs and out into the halls, it could not help you escape your head. Yakko wanted to be friends again. It seemed too good to be true. But he had said it. You had heard it. You weren't sure if you should feel excited or anxious. After all this time…he wants to be friends.
Yakko skids to a stop before the art studio, rushing forward with you as the door to the studio closes.
"Wait! We're here!" Yakko calls out, knocking furiously against the door.
Immediately, a tall man opens the door.
"Ah, my first late students." The art teacher says with a smile. "Pleasant to see you both."
You nervously laugh. "You too, Mr…"
The teacher holds out a hand. "Mr. Elsher."
Yakko shakes his hand and then you follow suit once he finishes. Mr. Elsher holds the door open then.
"Come on in before I make you both stand out here for being late!" Mr. Elsher laughs.
"Yes, sir." Yakko says and grabbing your wrist, he pulls you into the classroom.
Inside, the students were already situated in their seats. You scan the room and your heart drops realizing the available seats were tables away from each other. Yakko pokes your shoulder and then you feel him whisper into your ear.
"We'll talk later." Yakko says.
You nod and you both go to sit in your opposite seats. As you plop into your chair, you suddenly feel exhausted. All the nerves have caught up to you and you can't help but glance towards Yakko. He was in his seat, reaching into his backpack. He only looks up for a second but that's all it took for him to see you. He smiles and waves.
You felt butterflies in your stomach for what must be the millionth time today. You wave back before gluing your eyes to the desk. A smile peeked at the corners of your mouth.
Friends. He wants to be friends.
That sweet word was stuck in your head. You were filled with joy, you could feel your heart racing. You would definitely give him his answer later.
An odd thought struck your head then. But I should have apologized.
You frown. But it was true. You may have liked how Yakko was piecing back the friendship, but was it right to let him?
But then again, did it really even matter?