What if?

Chapter 41: Earphones

Nick

It was a nice lunch we had a while ago and now we are again inside the classroom. We were able to finish early so we immediately went to our classroom because it was quite hot outside and I felt tired walking around. I am also preparing myself for my first ever practice and meeting with my club members. I am a little anxious though since I don’t know anybody in that club after the president, Moira. 

A while ago, while Michael and John were talking about Jake, I really wanted to speak out too but I felt like it is not good to add something while two friends are talking with each other so I stayed silent. While eating, I saw Michael kept looking at me and back to his food and John as if he was waiting for me to also give my opinion. 

After a few stares from Michael, I gave my opinion too. I think he is waiting for it. I really think that there is a reason behind his actions. Besides, he is not harming anyone, he just wants to set himself away from other people. I actually was like him in the past too. But since I knew Michael I started to also be a little outspoken. Michael changed me to be a lively and cheerful person. I believe that Jake needs a good friend that he can rely on. A friend that he can trust and will make a better person. If I didn’t know Michael, I would have never thought that the world is such a beautiful rainbow to live in. I used to think that my life was all pain and suffering since at a young age I have experienced a lot of things. Michael was a blessing in disguise in my life. I hope that soon Jake will find someone that will change his perspective about the world that he is living in.  

I turned to look at Michael and John who were playing with their mobiles. They are again playing a game as always. These nerds like it. They are so much different to other nerds I know from the television and in my old school. I wonder if John even learns for the examination. They are so gifted while I am stuck trying my best to be a smarty pants too since we are close with each other, I don’t want to be compared even though I know that my classmates here are not that kind of people I just want to be aware you know? For future purposes. 

“Do you want to join us?” Michael asked me while closely looking at his mobile game. He is quite amazing at playing games. I am still not sure about John but I think he is not the kind of person who would struggle like me and the others just to get a high score in the examinations or any kind of tests like Michael. Gifted nerd jerks. 

“No. I don’t think we will win if I join the both of you in a game.” I answered Michael's question a while ago. “We are playing in an individual game, we are enemies in the game so you can join and let us see who will win.” Michael replied while still looking closely at his mobile phone. “What is the use of playing together with the both of you. We already know that I will not win over the two of you.” I replied to Michael. “We don’t know that.” Michael answered, trying his best to console me. “Really? I don’t think so.” I said to Michael standing on my conviction. “Yeah fine. But don’t you know what is fun? It is not about winning, it is about the thought of trying.” Michael said as if he was giving a speech. “Shut up! That doesn’t work on me.” I said and took my earphones and phone out of my bag. 

“Okay.” Michael answered before I put my earphones on my ears. “Stop talking and let us finish this in one game Michael.” John said to Michael as if he is already irritated with Michael.

After putting my earphones on  my ears I looked for music that I can listen to so I can feel a little bit peaceful. I chose EXO’s XOXO album to listen to. I really think that they really have a lot of good songs in this album so without hesitating after I saw it I clicked it. 

I closed my eyes as I listened to the music to feel it really well. “s**t! I feel like sleeping.” I said to myself. I opened my eyes a little to see the time so if the time is still enough for me to take a nap then I will nap for a couple of minutes. I saw that it was still 12:30 pm. I was actually shocked to see the time. I thought that it was like 45 or 50 minutes already. Guess what? I must be lucky today. A little. I positioned myself on the chair well by leaning a little on the back of the chair and hugged my bag. I don’t know but I feel more comfortable hugging it. I turned the alarm on my phone so I can just wake up before the teacher comes inside the classroom. After preparing myself for a nap, I closed my eyes and then little by little I already felt sleepy.

After 25 minutes

Suddenly I felt like someone took my earphones and I woke up because of it. “s**t! What are you doing?” I shouted with my throat out while my eyes were still closed. “I didn’t mean to. Sorry.” A different voice of a boy said. “This is not Michael’s voice.” I said to myself so I immediately opened my eyes. To my surprise I saw Jake holding the other side of my earphones. “Sorry I didn’t know it was you.” I said to Jake trying to ease the situation I put myself in. “s**t! Of all the people I shout with accidentally, why would it be him?” I said to myself. I really thought it was Michael trying to pull a prank on me again. When I looked around, Michael and John were not around neither were my other classmates, so now there is only Jake and me inside the classroom. What am I gonna do? I would rather die in embarrassment while there are people around us than being in this situation where there isn't anybody except me and him. It made the atmosphere a bit awkward for me. 

“Where the hell are they?” I said to myself. Of all the time they chose to leave me. “You don’t have to say sorry. I should have ensured that my backpack won’t touch your earphones. Yet, I just walked carelessly.” Jake said. I can sense how honest he is with his words. “Now, I feel more guilty because of what he just said.” I said to myself again. “No, I think it is my fault in the first place, I shouldn’t have slept on this seat.” I said and stood on my seat. I slept on Michael’s seat that is actually at the edge of the first row that is near the way where we walk. 

“Okay fine. Let us stop this. I have a fault and you too so it is solved and I will not talk about it again.” He said calmly and walked directly to his seat. “Clear!” I replied even though he turned and walked away already. “Ugh!” I said and scratched my elbow. It was awkward but why do I feel like I wanted to talk to him more? 

After a few minutes of standing my alarm rang and I turned it off immediately. Then, classmates started to get inside the classroom one by one. “Hey, why are you standing here? Go to your seat now.” Michael said as he approached. “Shut up! You did something wrong to me.” I said to myself as I looked upside down to Michael. I did not reply. “What?” Michael said as he moved to sit on his seat. “Ugh!” I said as I walked away from him. If only I can punch him right now I would literally do it. I walked slowly to go to my seat and I couldn't help myself but to turn my attention to Michael’s direction. “Shit.” I burst as I immediately looked away. As soon as I arrived on my seat I sat hastily. Jake was staring at me but with blank eyes.

I tried not to let myself look in his direction again even though I can still feel that he is still looking in my direction. “When is the teacher coming?” I said to myself. I can’t help it now. “This is Michael’s fault, if he didn’t leave me in the classroom this would not be the case.” I said, trying to ease myself. “Wait. It is my fault! If I had not slept, there would not be a situation like this.