UNEXPECTED

Chapter 11

I wipe the small tears from my cheeks and look at myself. I am not sure why I always tend to have emotional releases, but if I could change the fact that I am prone to tears, trust me, I would.

I am in the school bathroom, trying to pull myself together before the second period begins.
You can do this. You can do this. You can do this I keep telling myself, till it somehow becomes reality.
A few girls walk in but I don't look at them I just keep staring at myself in the mirror, supporting myself on the sink with both of my hands, trying to control my breathing, which probably makes me seem like a psychopath but oh well who even cares at this point.

You just wanted to talk. You just wanted to know what he really thinks. He did not take this last chance to talk to you, he did not walk out after you to clear up what happened but that's okay, you'll leave it behind you.

With these last words I brush through my hair, wipe the mascara on my cheek away and walk out of the toilet. Breathe.

———

"Attention, guys! Everyone has a paper on their table with a letter, which is either A, B, C or D.
Please get together now and work on the individual topics. I want to hear a small presentation from each group next week," Mr. Zelawny exclaims and stands up from his desk to write a few things down on the chalkboard.

I skim the worksheet as fast as possible, then instinctively turn around and look at the table right behind me, to spot the letter on Timothée's work sheet.

B it says on his worksheet.
I look back at my paper. B it says on mine.

Excellent. I really thought this day could not get worse.

I was wrong.

I let out a breath I did not know I was holding and stand up to ask Rachel, if she wants to change with me when I feel a pleasant warm hand on my right shoulder.

"Guess we are both in the same group,"

Before I can deny it he points at my paper "I know you're in group B. You should have seen your face when you realized that it said B on mine too" he whispers in my ear and I feel my cheeks reddening but thank god John and Valerie join us in this moment and we both move our attention to them.

"Well, we're also in group B. Should we go and work outside?" Valerie asks and I must have looked surprised because she tilts her head and curiously looks at me.

„What is it?" she asks.

„She doesn't want to work with me-„ Timothee starts but I cut him right off:
„That's not true."

"Okay let's go then," Valerie says and meanwhile I thank god that I won't have to be alone with him and that at least there will be some people which will make this group work durable.

While John and Valerie have already started walking towards the door, I turn out around.

"Hey, could you please stop? I don't know why you're making such a huge deal out of it."

I don't understand why is he making jokes out of it. Nor am I in the mood neither do I find it funny.

"Let's go to the basketball field, there might be some shade places" John suggests and I walk right behind them before Timothée can even answer.

No need to hear his answer anyway.

All four of us then walk to the basketball field and sit down in the right corner of it, which isn't fully blinded by the sun.