My Love Standing Next to Me

Chapter Six

I got up early to wake up the others for school. We all got ready and I was happy to see Naomi feeling better. She even made us breakfast, to show her appreciation.

“I was going to make a Korean style breakfast today, but I decided to lay off for a while and do it a little more American so I made us pancakes, eggs and bacon!”

“Wow, it looks really delicious!” Katherine said as she was stuffing her face with pancakes.

“Daebak! Masiteoyo!” I was surprised of how good Naomi could actually cook. Min was too busy to talk since she was studying and eating at the same time, she occasionally nodded and she puts her thumbs up. We knew that she was thankful.

“Kamsamnida!” Naomi said while grabbing a plate of her own.

She drove us to school and we think that she was ready to move on. One way or another, she has too anyway. I was walking to homeroom and I saw Matt in the distance chatting with his friends. I knew I had to apologize, but someone in my head was telling me to avoid him for at least a good week. That was the fear talking. I needed to be brave and I also know that hiding is not going to solve anything. I should face my consequences. With a straight face and a boost of confidence, I walk directly to Matt.

“Sorry, excuse me!” I entered myself into the conversation.

“Hey Matt! Can we talk?” I said as casual as possible, interrupting his sentence.

“Talk again? So you can ditch me from it?” He said without eye contact and he and his friend started walked away.

“Matt can you stop being such a baby, don’t walk away! It was your fault anyway!” I kept attempting to get his attention.

“Ugh! Matt! Hey wait up!” I shouted trying to catch up with them. I then process the things that I just said and I regret it. It was my fault, not his. I was being too controlling and that wasn’t me! Who is this over-confident Clara?

“Matt, wait! I just wanted to apologize! Please?” I literally couldn’t see him at this point and I tried running after them. It was too late the bell has just rung and I had to show up to homeroom. Now, more guilt filled me.

I only had one period with Matt and that was my chemistry class, the third period of the day. I figured I could explain and give my apology speech that was written in my head. We were of course lab partners and hopefully he doesn’t give me the silent treatment. When the bell rung, our math teacher didn’t release us for recess yet. We had to figure out this brain teaser and if one person works it out and answers correctly we could go. The problem is, it was too hard for anyone in our class to solve. My friends were already waiting at the door and mouthing why I was still in class. I pointed at the board where the problem appeared. Luckily Katherine was a math whiz and mouthed the answer to me.

“Oh, Mister, I got it!” I yelled.

“It’s -9/4!” I called out. He took a minute to double check the answer and he finally excused us leaving us about five minutes of recess left.

“What was that about?” Katherine asked.

“I don’t know he’s always like that. Thanks by the way.” I replied.

“I think I should be heading to our next class, it’s almost time. Bye!” Naomi started going her own way and she was taking the whole breaking up better than expected.

“Yeah, we should go, see you at lunch!” Min spoke for the both of them. And I was again alone.

I entered the classroom only to see Matt talking with Veronica and she’s sitting in my seat. Ugh, even her name makes me puke. Veronica is the most irritating person in the class, if not the entire school. She thinks she can get any guy because of her “bombshell” appearance. I mean it would be okay if she wasn’t so dumb. You have to have the beauty and the brains! Not just the beauty! And yet many guys crave her attention. I try being as civil as possible and ask her to move to her own seat.

“Hi, um.” I cough to signal that this was my seat.

“Hey, what’s up?” She said enthusiastically and she had a smile that looked as fake as her chest area, and esumed to her conversation with Matt. He wasn’t even looking at me! Like he doesn’t even care! Ugh! I am so sick of this!

“You’re in my seat, Veronica.” I said while trying not to sound so infuriated.

“Can you shut up? Thanks!” She shooed me and Matt is still not doing anything to at least defend me. Who does she think she is? But before I could tell her anything, the bell rang and the teacher walks in with a face just as infuriating as mine.

“Everyone settle down and take a seat!” He slammed the desk harshly. Still carrying on their conversation, I keep on telling Veronica to get out of my seat but she doesn’t care and pretends I don’t exist.

“Clara! Do you not know what sitting is?” Mr. Rodriguez asked. He said it as if he was questioning my intelligence as a human being.

“I take it that you need to go back to primary school and learn how to sit down quietly! Saturday detention!” He exclaimed. I was so embarrassed! This has never happened in my life before, I didn’t know how to react to this. My face started to turn the color red and this wasn’t even my fault! I apologized while the whole class stared at me. I made sure to give Veronica the dirtiest look I could ever give anyone, and we exchanged glares. I forced myself to walk to an empty desk and I sat down still holding the look I gave Veronica.

“Anyway, since I was rudely interrupted, please find your lab partners and resume the experiment that will be due next week.” Mr. Rodriguez announced then he sat down to read a book.

I then walked towards Matt to resume our project. And just when I thought my day could get any worse I heard Veronica say something.

“Matt! Why don’t we be partners? I’m excellent with this project!” Veronica said loud enough so that I could hear her steal my lab partner.

“Yeah, why not? My old partner doesn’t care anyways.” Matt said easily. I was standing right there and I was being ignored again!

“Matt? I thought we were partners, if not then we’re still friends, right?” I said directly looking into his deep blue eyes.

“Matt doesn’t want to talk to you right now, sorry.” Veronica spoke for Matt.

“Who are you to speak for Matt?” I snapped back at her.

“Can you please stop? You’re not his partner so back off!” She practically shoved it in my face. Veronica obviously had a thing for Matt and I know him better than anyone and Veronica is not his type. And I know he was not just giving me the silent treatment because he liked her.

“Matt?!” I said not noticing how loud we were.

“Clara! Do I need to send you to the principal’s office? This is your last warning!” The teacher yelled at me from across the room. I shook my head and I again returned to my seat.

I ended up just working on the project by myself and I was just cursing Veronica in my head. I was outraged and all of my feelings just exploded. I was questioning our friendship and I asked myself if I did something so awful to end it. Which I did, but it was so minor that even I would get over it. I also understood how much football meant to him and he had to miss practice for me. Maybe I did deserve detention to reflect on how much of a bad friend I am.