Walking down the hallway, I held my books close against my chest and avoided eye contact with anyone around me. I was good at that kind of thing… Avoiding people. It’s not like I didn’t want to talk to anyone, it’s just that I hated awkward moments. And I’ve had a ton of them today.
I walked into Chemistry and for the rest of the day; Dean Styles was nowhere to be found.

---

-One Week Later-

It had been a week full of uncomfortable eye contact and staring coming from the young man named Dean. He never once talked to me or asked me of my name… Just stared. And I know it was weird but it was the thing that made me get up in the mornings. It’s strange but having an attractive male specimen actually acknowledge your existence every day? It kind of gives you the motivation to go to school.

Today was the infamous rat project in Mrs. Vida’s class and she was picking the partners from a tin can that contained all of our names.

“Oh, Kent and John, you two are together. Next... Ben and Jenn!… Wait, are you two okay with that?” They both reluctantly looked at each other as they realized the troublesome month ahead. Ben and Jenn… Let’s just say it started with a one night stand and ended with no calls or texts.

Jenn sighed, “I guess, as long as he actually answers the phone this time.” Ben rolled his eyes,
“If you weren’t so obsessive maybe we-“

“OKAY! Never mind!” Mrs. Vida interjected, “Jenn you work with Brit, and Ben you work with Steven. Okay?” They both nodded their heads as they looked towards their new partners.
Mrs. Vida reached her small, boney hand back into the can and pulled out a slip, “Chloe Thompson, you’ll be working with…” She unfolded another slip and nodded approvingly, “Okay… Chloe you will be working with Dean.”

What.

I looked over at Dean’s face and it was as blank as an unwritten page in my composition book. Damn, he doesn’t want to work with me. He didn’t even look over.

I put my head down in disappointment and started to sketch a rose into my notebook.

We talked about pupil dilation and why it happens. Apparently it occurs when you see something you really like or is aesthetically pleasing to you. Well, if only it were that easy, Mrs. Vida. But it’s not like I can go up to guys and stare into their eyes to see if they like me. That could be mistaken as “creepy” in most people’s eyes. Hell, their pupils would probably shrink and they would run away in fear at the sight of me. The perks of being socially awkward…

The bell rang as Mrs. Vida said, “Okay class! Have a nice weekend!” I slung my backpack over my shoulder and was about to put in my headphones when I felt someone stand in front of me.

“Chloe?”

I looked up and it was Dean. And I swear his green eyes were staring into my soul. At this point, I just begged my pupils to stay small, “Yeah?”

He rubbed the back of his neck, “So… um… What should we name our rat?”

Really.

Are you fucking kidding me.

The first time we actually make human contact and he asks me what we should name our rat.

“Uh, I didn’t really think about it…”

“Oh, okay.” He said.

I gave him a slight smile and started walking out the door.

“So what class are you going to next?”

….When… you’re… He’s following me. What.

“Chemistry.”

“Ah, Chemistry. Who do you have?” he asked with his green eyes. Those damn green eyes. I just prayed that he couldn’t hear my heart every time he got close to me.

“Mr. Dutch.” I kept my responses short so I could control my breathing. Lame, I know.

“Oh, is he cool?”

“Extremely. I missed school for a week and he didn’t make me retake any tests or homework. He’s pretty awesome.”

“He definitely sounds like it. What were you out for? If you don’t want to answer, that’s fine.”

I laughed, “The flu. It was a dreadful kind.”

“The kind that killed a thousand men?”

“Precisely.”

He chuckled, “The immune system is strong with this one.”

“Star Wars geek, eh?” I asked, intrigued.

“I mean, I guess. My father was really into that stuff… Oh, and rock and roll.”

“Well, your father has good taste.” I replied, becoming a little more comfortable with my
responses, “So where are you headed?”

“Voy a la clase de Español. (I am going to Spanish class)” he responded in Spanish.

“Ah, ¿Señor,Tú estás tomando Español? Impressivo. (Mister, you are taking Spanish? Impressive.)” I laughed.

“Oh, you know the language?” he asked.

“Yeah. Wait. Hold on. Isn’t Spanish in the other direction?”

“… Shit. I suppose so.” Even with this new information, he kept walking alongside me.

“….Aren’t you going to your clase?”

“…Well no.”

I looked at him confused. “Why not? You’re going to be late.”

“Well, I feel like I shouldn’t let you alone in these halls. They’re pretty sketchy.”

“What? You think I’m going to get kidnapped by a ghost or something?” I laughed.

“Well, not necessarily a ghost…” He gave me a serious look and then started to chuckle, “I meant assholes but, I guess that too.”

I smiled up at him as he walked me to my Chemistry class.

Notes

Hey guys :D So, I do speak Spanish... I didn't translate that.
Anyway :D
I hope you guys like this socially awkwardness... Coz that's me every day of my life.
ANYWAY
RATE COMMENT AND SUBSCRIBE :D
Love you most,
-Kayla-