The worst part about losing the championship was the immediate knowledge that there was nothing I could do to fix it, and with that the affirmation that not everything can be fixed. Some things are irreversible, and their effects permanent.
꙳ ✩ ꙳
It's Monday, and Noah is still not here. Just a refresh, Noah is my bio partner and art table mate. Not blaming you if that slipped your mind. A week. 5 days and counting.
I don't need him in art, but I need him in bio. This project is not about to do itself, and I'm certainly not about to do all the work by myself.
It would be nice to have a native's guidance as we search for these bugs, but he's not here. Ipo and Cai can only help so much before this starts to become their project too. I don't wanna do that to them especially with this cloud looming over their relationship.
Ipo didn't text me about her talk. I'm worried she never had it with Cai. I wouldn't blame her if she bailed. Honestly, how do you tell someone of your undying love for them?
The weekend after my first week of school went like this: baby crying a lot, training with Eliz, me also searching for a job-still looking, and then family walks to "explore the town" which is code for "get grandmama out of the house and walking."
Today began like normal. Tea with grandmama. The short but beautiful walk to school. Easy study hall, then came biology.
I sat with Cai and Ipo at the lab table in the back of the classroom, but hardly any words were said. Cai was his usual energetic self except his jokes lacked luster and he only seemed to be talking to me, avoiding Ipo's general area completely.
As if the two weren't sitting right next to each other. On top of that, Ipo didn't say a word. Not a peep. When I tried to meet her eyes, they seemed glued to her macbook. There is no way Ipo is that interested in her bio project.
Ugh. I've never felt so awkward. I began to dread lunch, which is where I am now.
Cai takes a bite of his sandwich looking at me as he eats. "I never asked you, Sunny!" He says, mouth full. "What?" I reply, impatient. "Why did you move here?" The question is like cold water splashed on me. I haven't thought about what to tell people.
"Well, my grandmama got really sick and she was living here alone, so..." I trail off, and give a shrug although it felt too stiff. This isn't something I want to talk about. Especially not when they're hiding things from me too.
Cai nods but his eyes narrow. Does he not believe me? He doesn't prod any further just starts a conversation with Ipo to which she hardly responds, and I contribute here and there.
School finishes without any pomp, although my art teacher lets us know about an upcoming festival. It's gonna be hosted in the heart of the city close to the water. A "Live The Arts" event. The project creation is up to us, participation optional but earns extra credit so I'm considering it.
Once the final bell rings, I'm out of school in a hurry not exactly paying attention to the body running my way. The cramped, brick hallways watch us as we collide.
We fall to the ground and the sound of clinks register in my ears. It sounds like someone dumped a box of colored pencils on the ground.
I look up to see a floppy afro and wild hands as they reach to grab paint brushes and stencils.
I sat there for a moment watching him.
I'm sorta in disbelief. We run into each other, there's this awful burning happening with my nose and my tailbone is aching, but all this guy is focusing on is how quickly he can load his art supplies into his little brown box.
When he sees I haven't moved from my position on the floor, he says a quiet, "My bad." Then promptly resumes his clean up. "Nah, it's all good," I say, bitter. I help myself up and get out of that school.
My dad drives me to Salinas for training. I couldn't take my mind off that guy during the drive there nor training. Eliz didn't say anything to me if I threw down my weights harder than was necessary, or was a little bit more aggressive in drills. He probably secretly encouraged it.
I mean, I know we were both at fault but I just couldn't get over the fact that all he cared about was his inanimate objects that felt no pain.
My dreams that night were filled with a floppy fro and brown hands.
꙳ ✩ ꙳
I walked into bio class the next day not expecting my teacher to call me over. "Sunny, can I talk to you?"
She ushers me over to her desk. "I want to let you know your partner is here and I sent him to where you usually sit. I'm willing to give you each an extension. If you could debrief him about the work you've completed that'd be nice."
So mystery boy finally shows up. And he can just copy off my work? "Will I be getting any type of extra credit? Considering I've got a fair amount of work completed solo." My brows furrow. I'm not a fan of doing all the work in a group project.
My teacher wasn't expecting me to ask if her surprised face is anything to go by. "Oh! Yeah, I'll consider it. Although, I ask that you be kind to him. His first week hasn't been easy," she says, concerned.
I nod my head. I'll be nice.
I walk back to the lab tables. Cai shoots me a look. I don't know what it means until I see my partner is not only in my seat, but he's also the kid I ran into yesterday.
Has he been at school this whole time? Anger is quick to rush over me. I push it back and take a deep breath, letting go of our incident and sit in the stool beside hm
He's scribbling in his journal, but raises his head at my approach. "Hi, I'm Noah," he smiles at me. "Sunny," I say, voice hard. Does he not remember me? My hair is the same.
"Sorry about missing a few days. Things got a little busy," he huffed a laugh. "Yeah, I'm sure."
I don't want to waste any time being petty, we already lost enough as it is. I filled him in on our project and the work I got done. He nods his head, listening as he continues to scribble, acting like he doesn't remember knocking me down yesterday.
"The project is on the laptop," I tell him. He stops writing, pulling on his sleeves. "My laptop's dead." Of course it is. I quietly sigh.
"That's fine. It'd be good if you could charge it tonight. We really need to work on the presentation and pick days that we can find the bugs."
He plays with a curly hair, his sleeve slipping to reveal ink on his hand leading into the jacket. I catch sight of a purple bruise the ink runs over. Is that why he was missing?
"Tomorrow should work." He turns to look at me, his fluffy hair covering his eyes. I bristle, uneasy at the fact the only feature I can see are his full lips. I don't know where to look. And his bruise doesn't seem like a good idea, but maybe he just ran into something.
"Is that okay?" He asks. My morning workout shouldn't interfere with the afternoon so I agree. He nods his head and goes back to drawing.
I look across the table to Cai and Ipo who have been quiet. The two are intensely working. Cai has found glasses that are perched on his nose and Ipo's red hair is put into a regal updo.
Who are they fooling? I know they're texting each other on their laptops.
The rest of my classes blow by. My honors classes are beginning to amp up their workload, and we're somehow behind in my APs, although the year just began.
Lunch is a relief. Except, Cai and Ipo leave me. Cai doesn't even bother to show up. I get to tell Ipo a little of what happened yesterday between me and Noah before she leaves me too. Planting a kiss on my cheek that I quickly rub off.
All she said about Noah is that people have called him cold in the past but he's not known to be social. He seemed nice to me. That could be because he feels bad about leaving me with this project.
I'm just confused. I know for a fact he's the curly haired guy I ran into yesterday. His tall build and brown skin all match up. Does he seriously not remember?
I eat in solitude. Nothing I'm unfamiliar with.
I see Noah again in art class. He walks into the room and Ms. Wimble gestures to where I'm sitting. She speaks to him for a moment before she shakes her head and walks over to her desk to write something down.
Noah's head turns in my direction before he walks a few rows behind me and sits down at a table by himself. I face forward, my body feels warm and I don't know why.
Is he too good to sit next to me now?
.˳⁺⁎˚ ꒰ఎ ★ ໒꒱ ˚⁎⁺˳ .
Author's Note
✧ Hi!! I hope you enjoyed the chapter!!
✧ What's up with Ipo and Harvey?
✧ I have on question for you:
Do you prefer to do things solo or in a group?
--Honestly, I like working solo. I don't want to depend on anyone, but when it comes to presentations having a partner can be nice
Misahh ₊‧°𐐪♡𐑂°‧₊