Stay Close, Don't Go

There was no doubt I was nervous for study hall today. After briefly - and I mean very briefly - talking to Tom, we decided to start our project in our last class together. In a way, I was happy. It would mean he would be talking to me, but then again, the awkwardness was eating at me.

By lunch, Janie and Mercy were trying to play love match with me. They were attempting to give me tips on flirting and whatnot. Ignoring them, which was becoming a habit, I began looking over the science paper that held topics of what we should do.

“Yeh should do an experiment on ‘ow kissin’ stimulates your brain the same way eatin’ chocolate does.” Mercy said with a giggle, “Somethin’ similar was shown on some medical channel on the tele last week. Fuckin’ brilliant idea I think.”

Looking up from the paper I looked at her, amusement filling my eyes. I couldn’t help but smile and shake my head at here. She was really something.

“I saw that program too. Doesn’t seem like a bad idea.” Janie commented. When my eyes shifted to her she wiggled he eyebrows at me and winked.

I knew they weren’t going to stop teasing me about this, so I laughed along with them. It wasn’t a bad idea actually, just not one I’d be the first to bring up. I hardly even wanted to admit that I could potentially like Tom. I mean, how can you like someone you don’t even know? Seems pointless, especially since he will hardly even talk to me.

As study hall rolled around, I had over thought every situation to the point of driving myself mad. I just needed to stop thinking. Nothing goes the way you play it in your head anyways; I was a prime example of that.

In my head, I planned on saying hi to Tom before pretending to immerse myself in my science book while waiting for him to reply and do the same. Or, a plan in my head was to ignore him like he ignored me. I couldn’t be that mean though. Maybe I should throw my shyness out the window and talk a lot, but that would be annoying. Gah, too many thoughts. I should shut up my mind already.

Too captivated in my own thoughts, I didn’t noticed a camera and stack of books being set next to me on the table. Or the chair pull out and a body occupy it before it scooted back in towards the table.

“Madison?” Tom’s voice broke me out of my thoughts, starling me slightly. I jumped in surprised and looked at him. His eyes were wide, probably just as startled as I was. Things definitely weren’t going as planned. Tom spoke again, “Erm, yeh alright?”

“Heh, yeah I’m good.” I mumbled oddly and smiled at him. He smiled back, though his face held on to that questioning look. Debating whether to talk again or not, my mouth beat my mind, “So this project… what do you want to do it on?”

“Well…” He started to say and opened up his science book. I watched as he began to flip the pages, biting on his lip slightly. “I saw this thing-” He pointed to a page in the book, “- an’ I thought it might be a good idea.”

Just slightly, I leaned towards him to get a good look at the page. While being close, I couldn’t help but notice that he smelled good, like some type of cologne or body spray. But I really shouldn’t be thinking of that. My eyes studied the page, reading the little summary paragraph on the Everyday - and the Not So Everyday - Effects on Heart Rate.

“Okay, yeah. It sounds alright to me.” I told him, reluctantly leaning back into my seat and away from him.

The project was basically all outlined in the book along with examples, so it should be easy and not take too long. Win-lose situation. Win because it was easy, lose because less time with him. God damn I sound pathetic.

“We don’t ‘ave to do this one if yeh don’t want to.” Tom said, his voice quiet like usual. I couldn’t complain though, at least he was talking to me, though it was because of school and not that he wanted to.

“No, this one is great.” I assured him. Tom nodded and looked down at the page, his eyes reading over the experiment.

I studied him for a moment. Still not knowing what to say, I opened my own book and began pretending to read about heart rates. I mainly just stared at the pictures, trying to keep my mind from wandering off again.

Him sitting next to me had those damn butterflies flapping around in my stomach again. If sitting here, even a few feet apart, make me nervous, what would happen when we actually have to spend time together outside of school for this project.

Next to me, I heard Tom clear his throat quietly. I had the feeling he was about to talk, that seemed like a nervous habit he did before speaking. “So when do yeh want to try and work on this…”

He trailed off, sounding very unsure about his words. It seemed like he was nervous I would reject him for a school project. Looking up, I let a faint smile come across my lips, “Whenever really. I’m never busy.”

Tom nodded and looked back down at his book, nervous again. Back and forth, back and forth; nervousness.

&&

“So ‘ow did yesterday go?” Janie bombarded me with questions the minute the bell rang. Of course, Mercy was there too, looking at me and waiting for an answer.

“Alright I guess.” I told them, there was something else I didn’t tell them though. I didn’t want them stressing me out about the fact that I was going over to Tom’s house after school today.

Yesterday, after awkwardly sitting in study hall for an hour, Tom asked me if today was good for me to work on the project. I was surprised he asked me actually, I thought I would have to be the one to ask. Of course I said yes though, and now that the bell had rang, I was supposed to find Oliver’s car.

“Just alright? Was it that bad?” Mercy asked as we walked to the gates to the parking lot. I shook my head no before asking them what their project was on. Mercy began laughing before replying, “What do yeh think we’re doin’ it on? The simplest thing; chemical reactions and makin’ a volcano.”

“Typical.” I muttered with a smile. We were almost to the gate when a group of guys walked up. Janie eyed them oddly, not looking to happy.

“‘ello Madison.” One of them said. He was grinning at me stupidly. “I’m Jack. I was just wonderin’ if yeh would want to hang out sometime?”

His friends all looked at each other, smiling oddly. This was weird. Looking over at Janie, her eyes were screaming no at me. She wouldn’t look like that for no reason, and I needed to listen to my instincts. “Uhm, sorry. I’m always a bit busy.”

Jack’s jaw clenched slightly and he didn’t look to happy. His voice pretty much matched his expression, “Yeah okay. Whatever. See yeh ‘round.”

He turned and walked away with his little minions, not bothering to wait for a response. Slightly shocked at what just went down, I looked to Janie for an explanation.

“He’s bad news.” Janie told me. Her expression was still that unhappy look. “Jack used to date my sister. He’s a cheater and a liar. Got in a huge fight with Oliver last year at a party, hated him since. I wouldn’t doubt he saw yeh with Tom and wanted to snag yeh.”

“Great, seems like I’m a piece of meat.” I muttered and stepped through the gate, readjusting my bag.

Mercy hugged the side of me we walked. “Don’t mind him much, he’s a chav.”

“So, yeh walkin’?” Janie asked me, pulling out her keys, “I can give yeh a lift if yeh want.”

“Uh, nah it’s alright. I have a lift. Thanks though.” I told her nicely. As far as I could tell, Oliver wasn;t here yet, plus I didn’t figure that her or Mercy needed to know I was going over there. A week and a half of knowing them and I was already keeping secrets. What a great friend I am.

“Alright, I’ll call yeh later then. C’mon Mercy.” They both waved and smiled and headed off to Janie’s car.

After they left, I stood oddly at the side of the parking lot, waiting for any sign of the Sykes brothers. It wasn’t too long until I heard footsteps behind me. “Hey Madison, yeh ready?”

Looking over my shoulder I smiled but didn’t respond. He walked over next to me and, as if on cue, Oliver’s car sped through the parking lot and stopped right in front of us. Today would be interesting.