A Flame Inside Me

Chapter 4

The next day I sit in my usual class in second period, English. I had managed to avoid talking to Zach in math earlier. Would I be able to do it all day? For the rest of high school? My life?

"Hey." A voice says, sitting next to me. That's not Maggie though.

Slowly, I look over. Of course it's Zach, just my luck. "Hi~" I say, holding onto the 'i' for way too long. Can he leave now?

"What's wrong?"

"Huh?"

"Somethings bothering you, I can tell. What is it?"

You. At least, that's what I think. Out loud I say, "nothing."

"If you say so," He says, clearly disagreeing but not wanting to argue any longer. He doesn't make any move to leave, are we friends now or something? Can he just go?

"Hey! I didn't think you would sit there! How was math for you? Was it fun? I personally love math, I don't know why others hate it so much. I mean it's fun and amazing and-"

"Maggie, just sit down already you're gonna give me a headache."

Zach laughs as Maggie sits down, taking a breath for a few seconds before quickly starting up again. Causing Zach to laugh even more as he patiently listens to Maggie's conversation.

You can tell he's listening from his facial expression. The subtle nod every few seconds, the smirk or giggle (very cute giggle) when she says something funny, or even the look of shock when she says something surprising. I never expected him to be the type to listen when somebody talks, but here he is paying one-hundred percent attention to Maggie as she continues to be annoying. When she finishes, Zach barely has anything to say though.

"Hey, are you more a listener then?"

He looks over to me, confusion on his face. So, I say it again.

"Are you more a listener then?"

"I mean, yeah I guess I like to listen more than to talk. That's not one of the questions on the assignment though, is it?"

A light blush forms on my face, "I mean yeah I was just curious and we do have to write an essay on this stuff so it would be nice to have more original information. Plus, um. . .yeah." I look away, shoving my sweaty hands in the pockets of my sweatshirt.

The bell rings, saving me from further embarrassment as we turn to the teacher. "Okay class, good morning! I see some of you decided to sit by your partners, that is great to hear!" She makes sure to look at us, despite there being multiple people who changed seats. "So, today we are going to continue with asking and answering the packet questions. Not much more to say than that!"

I raise my hand.

"Yes Marshall?"

"Can we start on essays if we have already finished that?"

"Oh yes of course! I see you two are keeping up with your work, that's good."

I nod, opening my laptop to start working. Zach does the same, silently typing away.

At lunch, Zach sits next to me as Maggie talks about an anime she was watching. I think she called it My Hero Academia. We both type at our computers as we listen. After a while, he leans his shoulder on mine as he continues to type. I peek at his computer, reading one of the paragraphs shown.

Marshall has medium length red hair, as bright and enticing as a flame. His red eyes flash in a mixture of reds, yellows, and oranges just like fire. You may think they are just his contact lenses, but I have seen him wear regular glasses and they are an all natural beauty. Marshall, lean and tall, stands just over six foot two and often wears fancy uniforms, but does have a fair share of casual clothes in his closet. He looks good in just about anything he wears, and has a striking confidence that allows him to be anyone's type.

I read the paragraph over and over again, my face heating up from shock and wonder. "Are you reading my essay?" He asks me, looking upward without sitting up.

"No." I say, instantly regretting my lie. "Yes," I say in shame.

"Can I read some of yours?"

"Sure." I say, looking back at my essay and reading the paragraph on screen. Shit, he can't read that. "I mean no!"

"Too late!" He laughs, grabbing the computer I attempted to close. His eyes move across the screen as he reads, holding the computer just far enough away from me. I already memorized the slightly embarrassing words.

Zach, standing at five foot seven, has shining black hair that is always messy and spiky. Can't say it looks bad on him though, especially paired with his striking black eyes that can make any woman - or man - swoon. He often wears graphic T-shirts with band or anime logos on them, paired with black ripped jeans or on occasion some sweatpants. Everyday he wears the same dirty sneakers, he has every day of this year, and over time you come to love those irritatingly muddy shoes. His round face is covered with light freckles, making him even more attractive. Especially when his hair flops over his head, covering his left eye in the best possible way.

"How did you know I wear the same shoes everyday?" He says, a dark blush on his face.

My own heats up as I reply, "Allows him to be anyone's type?" Maybe that will make him more embarrassed than I currently am.

He looks down, his eyes now big. He doesn't reply as his hair flops over his left eye in the way I have come to love. Shit, I like him like that, don't I? In a way to change the subject he asks, "Do you want to come to the graveyard with me tomorrow?"

"Um," I reply, not knowing what to say.

"We- We can work on the essay if you want. Or study for a test," He looks around frantically, "Or, um, whatever else you want to do."

"I- Okay." The blush remains on my face as the bell rings signaling my next class, art.