What if?

Chapter 36: Are we destined?

Michael

I went upstairs so I can still learn new articles about what is happening now in the world. I wonder what’s taking Nick so long. Nick and I have separate desks to learn. I mean if we don’t and have only one desk, it will be a problem for both of us. Nick likes doing things on his desk spontaneously. Like you don’t know when he will use it. Not like me, I am quite different from him. During the summer, I sometimes learn things on my desk. But, in the school days, I always learn in the evening. Not on weekends because I need to rest my brain and mind.

I started to search for a website to learn. Actually, I learn random topics. Today, I am planning to learn about what is happening now to the health of many people. So I came to type on my keyboard the WHO (World Health Organization) for articles. I looked for recent updates and saw one. “Ohh..” I said as soon as I saw the article. 

“What are you learning?” Nick said as soon as he opened the door. “Just random topics.” I answered Nick’s question. “Actually, I really thought and wondered what you are going to learn today since it is our first day and we haven’t even had our first lesson.” Nick said while coming over to my desk. 

I waited for him to come to my direction because I wanted him to see something. When he finally reached my direction I pointed to my screen using my pen. “Look.” I shortly said to let him see the article. Nick looked at the screen. “Are you serious? Are you having this? I mean why?” Nick asked a lot of questions after he saw my screen.

I don’t know why he is still asking me this question when in fact he knew that I have been keen on learning new topics. “I thought you knew me already.” I replied to him. 

Actually I am not sure if he will like what I just told him, but that is what I wanted to say to him at the moment. “I know you. But…” Nick replied immediately but couldn’t say the rest of what he wanted to say. 

He is also scratching his elbow now. Nick has this cute habit that whenever he is shy he scratches his elbow unconsciously. I giggled. “What now?” I asked Nick, trying to provoke him. “The thing is that I know you learn but I never saw you this serious about it. You just finished eating then you came here to learn. And now that you let me see what you are reading I feel like I need to learn like you do too.” Nick explained while doing some gestures.

After Nick finished I just stared at him for a very long time. “What? Continue what you are doing.” Nick said and went to the bed. “Hey. I like learning because I think that this makes my day complete. On the other hand, even though Mom doesn’t like me being studious, she still supports me because I like it. Mom and dad are okay as long as I like what I am doing. She trusts me about what I like and I believe that it is the same as yours.” I said loudly to Nick while I was looking at my screen. 

Nick did not say anything and I didn’t know what his expression was since I was looking at my screen and did not turn to look at him.

IN THE NEXT MORNING

Nick

Michael said something really meaningful to me. I actually did not mean for him to say more and I was just acting out as if he was being mean but I did not get what I expected from him. I was actually speechless to what he said to me. I did not say anything after what he said to me because it all made sense. 

“Hey!” Michael said to me as he bumped his body to mine. “What?” I asked in an annoyed voice. “Chill, it is morning, you should not act like that you know?” Michael gave a long speech. 

I just let pass what he said to me with my other ear. I don’t want to fight with him this morning. Because of this reason, I stayed silent without saying anything. 

“Stop it.” I shouted. He keeps on bumping his body on mine which made me furious. “What is happening? Michael stops playing, we are inside the car.” Janice said to Michael. 

I think Janice was surprised because I shouted. I didn’t mean to but Michael was just freaking annoying to me. He literally made me furious. I was actually trying my best not to lose my patience with him. But I couldn’t stand it, that is why I shouted.

Actually we are now inside the car going to the school. I am actually tense right now and at the same time excited. I was thinking that maybe in our club there will be something. I don’t know but I just can feel that there is gonna be something today. 

“You look tense.” The driver mentioned as he looked at me using the car’s mirror. “I don’t even know the reason why.” I replied to the driver. “Are you sure? Just don’t think too much.” The driver said to me, “I will try. Thank you.” I answered to the driver while smiling. He replied by giving me a nod while also smiling widely. 

On the other hand, Janice got my right hand and put it on her. I turned to look at her. When I did, she was smiling really big. 

I sighed loudly as I let the carbon dioxide out of my body. “We are near.” Michael burst as he saw the gate of the school. The driver went inside the school’s gate and slowly parked the car to let us out. As soon as the car parked, we immediately went outside one by one. 

Michael jumped out of the car as he stepped out. Michael is being so childish today. I got out of the car slowly as well as Janice. “Bye!” The driver said as soon as we all got outside the car. “Bye!” Michael and I said to the driver as a response. “Have a safe drive.” Janice said to the driver. “I will, thanks!” The driver replied to Janice and immediately turned the car on and drove. 

The driver goes back home every day after he drives us to school and then after that goes back here at school before the school opens in the afternoon. I am not sure yet about the time that we can go home but Michael once told me that school ends at 4pm. At three I will be going to the club. “Ohhh.. I am excited as well as tense.” I said to myself as I was already dreaming of coming to the club. 

“Let us go.” Michael said to me as he held my right hand. “Janice, bye! See you for lunch.” Michael said to Janice. “Bye, Janice.” I said as Michael and I walked inside the campus’ building. I looked at my hand, Michael is still holding it. “You can let go of my hand, you know.” I said to Michael as I saw his hand still holding mine. “No. Not until we are in front of our classroom.” Michael replied which made me a little confused. “What?” I asked Michael because I don’t get what he means.

The thing is that Michael can let go of my hand and I can just follow him to the classroom no need to hold my hand though. I am not that dumb to get lost of this school, besides I can see him well. I am not that blind though. 

“No.” Michael said while holding my hand tighter than it was a while ago. “Why?” I stopped walking and asked him. It made Michael stop also. “I just want to hold your hand.” Michael replied then continued to walk. I followed his lead. I am speechless to Michael. It seemed off, I want to say that it was so cringe but I can’t because I somehow see it as cute. 

Because of that, I let Michael just hold my hand until we arrived in front of our classroom. Michael stopped as soon as we arrived in front of the classroom. “What?” I asked Michael. “Okay, I can let go of your hand.” Michael said while looking at our hands. After he said that he slowly let go of my hands. “I will go inside first and see you during break time.” Michael said and went inside first. 

Before going inside, I scratched my head thinking what he meant. I mean, we can see each other though because we are in the same class. “Ahh! I get it now.” I said as I got what he meant. “It is because he can’t see me that well because I am at the back and he is in the front.” I said to myself. 

“Excuse me.” Somebody said behind me. I immediately entered the classroom as I heard someone at my back. After I entered the classroom I turned back to see the person whom I blocked in front of the classroom. “You?” I burst as soon as I saw him. “What?” Jake said without any emotions. “Sorry… ah for… blocking you.” I said stuttering. I was so surprised that it was him. “Hmm.” Jake said with a nod and then walked to his seat.

“Ugh! He is so ignorant.” I said to myself as soon as I heard his answer. I sighed deeply and continued to walk to my seat. I wonder if Jake has friends. He is just so off. I can’t even imagine being friends with him. 

As I reached my seat I sat on it and turned to look at him. I saw Jake taking his earphone out of his bag and then also took his phone. He is now scrolling his phone. I believe that he is looking for music for him to play. And then, he leaned on his chair and positioned his head at the back. “Whaaa! I really like his confidence though.” I said to myself. 

I opened my phone and texted Michael. “Hey! Do we have a flag ceremony today?” I texted to Michael. “No, there aren’t any flag ceremony during tuesday until fridays. It is only during Mondays.” Michael replied to my text immediately. “Whaa he is fast.” I said as soon as I saw his reply. I wonder if he was waiting for me to text him. 

“How about the cleaning?” I asked Michael about my text message. “We don’t have a group for cleaning yet so we are going to wait for the teacher to come here.” Michael replied to my answer. “I see, thanks!” I replied to his text message. 

After a couple of minutes, teacher Krystal came inside the classroom. We all stood up and gave our greetings. “Good Morning Teacher Krystal” We all said in sync. Suddenly I remembered Jake so I turned to look at him. “He is up?” I said to myself as I saw him. I really thought that he might still be sleeping. I wonder how he was able to hear the teacher coming inside the room when he had his earphones on. 

“Good Morning!” Teacher Krystal said with a wide smile. Her smile really melts me. It is not that I like her but it is that I admire her. “Okay, so I have all your names here.” Teacher Krystal said while pointing on the board. It is a wide board with colors and names. I believe that it is all our names. 

“This is where you can see your groupings and the area where you are going to clean every day.” Teacher Krystal said and stuck the board on the wall. “You can look at your names and start cleaning now.” Teacher Krystal said. One by one my classmates came to look at their names on the board. It is so organized that there are no problems for us to see where we are going to clean and which group we belong to.

It is finally my turn to look where I am. I am hoping that I will be working with Michael or John since I don’t know anyone in this class except them. “What? Are we destined?” I said to myself as soon as I saw my group mates names. I saw my name and under it is Jake’s. “Of all the names that I hated to read.