Chapter eleven | Run in circles

Chapter eleven | Run in circles

"This year, I have decided not to shuffle the lab partners," Mrs. Smith announced as she gazed down at the papers in front of her.

I grinned at her statement and turned towards Andrea. Many students grinned in response too, but a few of them groaned in disapproval. Andrea had the same smile on her face, making her almost black eyes twinkle.

"So, it looks like we are partners this year too," she said, with an amused smile on her face.

"Yeah, I am stuck with you the rest of the year, unfortunately," I joked, making her elbow me lightly.

"You are mean," she said and pouted.

Just like before, my heart hammered wildly when I looked at her, forming cute expressions.

But something was different, making me frown.

She saw my frown and leaned towards me concerned. "Elias, are you okay?"

Her chiming voice pulled me out of the stupor. I shook my head and smiled reassuringly. "I am fine."

We soon turned our attention towards the teacher as she starting giving instructions for the year,

After the series of basics and a few experiments, we were writing our notes in the practical file. Sitting next to her and sharing small jokes here and there was a natural habit that we still followed through.

"Elias, tell me, do you like Cyn?" she whispered, leaning towards me.

Her question made me stiffen a bit. My guilt from yesterday emerged. The intensity was dimmed, but it was enough to freeze me in shock. Momentarily, I didn't know what I wanted to say.

"She is nice," I said nonchalantly, still looking down at my work. I avoided looking at her as my thoughts jumped around in my mind. I could remember the tears down her face as I made assumptions after assumptions about her.

My harsh words somehow had broken her down, and that was something that kept stabbing my heart with guilt.

Andrea groaned in annoyance at my answer. "I know she is nice," she said, pointing an accusatory finger at me. "But I am asking, do you like-like her?" She wiggled her finger in front of me, in a warning.

I snorted at her statement, making her pin me under her glare. "How old are you again?" At my, words amusement lingered in both of our eyes, making us break into fits of laughter. My attempt at humor was an escape to forget about yesterday's event. It seemed to work as we could barely conceal our bursts of chuckles.

Our laughter gained attention, including Mrs. Smith's.

"Do you have a joke you might want to share with us, Mr. Rodriguez and Ms. Lawson?" she spoke in warning, looking at us with her glasses sitting on the bridge of her nose.

"No" We got out in choked muffled laughter and mortification. After that, we went silent for a few seconds and returned to our work.

Andrea poked my side once again, gaining my attention.

"Yes?" I murmured, not wanting to get detention. To Mrs. Smith, it didn't matter who the student was, the only discipline does. I cast a glance towards our teacher and then towards Andrea.

"You didn't answer my question," she whispered back.

Heaving a heavy sigh, I turned to face her. "Cynthia is nice, but I like someone else. Why are you asking?"

Some parts inside me hoped that maybe she got jealous, just a tiny bit. While the rational part of me screamed, she was asking for her friend's sake.

You are just as selfish. My mind added, but I quickly pushed my thoughts back.

Her face fell, and a pout came over. "I thought that maybe you guys like each other or something. You guys would have been the cutest couple ever," she grumbled under her breath.

The bell rang, signifying our lunch break. The students were out of the class before Mrs. Smith could utter a word. A sea of students poured into the hallway, with most going towards the school canteen.

It was almost impossible to talk as voices filled the halls, everyone eager to bemoan how horrible their day was till now.

Andrea drifted away in the crowd, busy talking to some other girls.

"How was your Chemistry lecture, Elias?"

I jumped a little as Cynthia slid up next to me. Her voice was calm but had some extent of mocking in it. Her face was impassive as her red-rimmed eyes were focused ahead.

"Great," I replied, observing her.

Cynthia hummed in response and nodded her head slowly. She clenched her jaw as she took in calming breaths.

Finally getting the chance to apologize, I swooped in. "Cynthia, I-"

She cut off my words with a glare. "Not now, Elias. Not now."

We pushed past the cafeteria door, settling into our seat. I didn't miss the way she took a seat away from me, making Andrea sit between us.

Normally, my heart would have fluttered in abandon at the chance of sitting with Andrea, but the reason behind this change was not sitting well with me.

I bit in my food, giving Cynthia occasional glances. She was stiff as a board as she sipped on her juice bottle. She was oddly quiet today, rarely taking part in any conversation.

"Are you Ok?" I wanted to ask. But knowing that I was the reason behind her distress at the very first place, I refrained from doing so.

"I am so happy that we don't have cheer practice today. Good, I would have fainted if we did." Andrea groaned as she leaned against Cynthia's shoulder.

Giving a mock pout, Cynthia patted her head and murmured slowly. "There, there."

"Stop making fun of me," Andrea grumbled but made no move to remove her head from Cynthia's shoulder.

"If you don't enjoy cheerleading, then why do you do it?" Navya asked, leaning forward, making Andrea pull away from Cynthia's shoulder.

"Two reasons," Andrea grumbled, wiggling two fingers in the air. "One, it looks good on the college application and increases the chances of me getting into a decent college with my almost below average grade. Unlike some people, I am not intellectually strong." She coughed and not so discreetly pointed at me. I just rolled my eyes at this.

"Second, peer pressure. After Cynthia got forced into cheerleading by her sister, I had to join in to support my best friend." Her statement made me turn my attention to Cynthia. We gave her a questioning look, and she just shrugged.

"I didn't like it at first, but now I kinda love it," Cynthia said nonchalantly, the friendliness she used to have missing from her voice. If I were to say the truth, her voice held an air of superiority, just the way you expect from any popular girl.

I looked down at my lap, drawing my brows together. Somehow, I felt at fault for her behavior. I know it was wrong on my part to blame everything on me, but I couldn't help it.

Before I could say something, Jacob showed up with his horrid presence at our table.

He leaned forward and kissed Andrea full-on lips, almost making out with her. Andrea pulled back just in time and gave an embarrassed look.

Looking up, he ignored the rest of us and pinned his eyes on Cynthia. "How are you doing, Cyn?" he asked with a cheeky grin.

It was now after her words that I noticed the tone of mocking and amusement in his voice. I felt my fist clench under the table, ready to punch that smirk off his face. The way he leered at Cynthia was disgusting.

"Better than I have ever been," she hissed and gave a saccharine sweet smile. Something told me it was her 'I am a sweet bitch' smile.

At Cynthia's answer, Jacob leaned away from her and smiled at her. But looking into his eyes, it was easy to see the coldness swirling within.

Looking Cynthia dead straight in her eyes, he gritted his next words out.

"Babe, come on, join me at our table." Followed by the tilt of his head, he directed his statement towards Andrea.

Andrea looked at Cynthia expectantly, waiting for her to say something.

Cynthia shook her head and said, "You can join your boyfriend. I will stay right here." She moved her hand in a dismissive motion.

Andrea beamed and nodded. Jacob's jaw clenched, and he glared my way. Being the splendid person I am, I returned them with equal fervor.

As I saw their retreating form, I grumbled under my breath. "I want to shove a shit load of apple seeds down his throat."

Thankfully enough, no one heard about my serial killer tendencies (which I might say, I am not).

It was after Andrea left that I realized how awkward our table seemed. Cynthia was lost in her own world as Connor and Navya bickered among themselves. Suddenly, I felt lonely.

I dared to give Cynthia a brief look but froze when I found her already observing me. Her eyes were cold despite the warm color of her iris.

Our eyes bored into each others' for a moment until she broke the contact to observe my face. With a shake of her head, she turned back to her food.

I gulped in wariness as I recognized the calculative look in her eyes.

Somehow, I knew that she was going to proceed with the next step of our arrangement.

So, when the lunch bell rang, and she placed her hand on my shoulder, I wasn't surprised much.

"Meet me at the grounds after school," she commanded and strutted away. I could only gape in confusion as she disappeared behind the metal doors.

As the dispersal bell rang, I quickly gathered my stuff and ran outside the school. I walked into the ground, searching for the familiar petite brunette.

She was standing near the bleachers, talking to some guy in running clothes.

As I squinted and walked closer, I recognized the guy as Aaron Harris, our star (not really) athlete. Also, rumored to be Cynthia's on and off boyfriend.

At the last thought, my eyes moved towards Cynthia drinking in her stance. She was twirling her hair as her body leaned towards Aaron. The smile on his face revealed me that she was sporting flirtatious eyes.

Cynthia beamed at something he said, and leaned forward and planted her lips on his. I averted my eyes as an odd feeling bubbled inside of me, too small to be deciphered.

I stayed rooted on my spot as they broke apart. With the last few words, they waved each other away. Aaron quickly resumed his way back to the school, passing me without a single thought.

Cynthia turned around, and her eyes quickly spotted me.

The playful look in her eyes vanished, giving way for a bored one. With her quick small steps, she was in front of me, giving me a look.

"I have talked to Aaron, and he will test you out for the athletics team tomorrow. So, don't forget to bring the gear," she instructed monotonously.

As she made a move to walk away, my hand shot up. I placed it on her shoulder, hindering her movements. She stiffened under my fingers, not making a sound.

"Cynthia, we need to talk," I got out in a tired sigh.

She didn't respond for a movement, totally frozen under my touch. With a stiff nod, she turned around and met my eyes.

"Ok," she whispered, crossing her arms. She waited for me to initiate, but I couldn't find any words.

"Not here. Let's go somewhere else," I muttered, trying to buy some time so I could phrase my words correctly.

Cynthia shrugged. Her eyes moved downcast, focusing on her heeled boots. "Where?" she asked.

Taking in a deep breath, I extended my hand. "I know just a place. My special place."