Unreciprocated Feelings Between Me And You

chapter | s e v e n

seven | seats and speeches

"NOW THAT WE'VE finally settled your official sitting arrangement, it's time to formally start our classes," Sir Nikolas says with a big smile on his face.

Our adviser was true to his words. He did make sure that the four boys wouldn't be seated anywhere near each other. Maddox is positioned next to me in the front center whereas Jaxon is next to Clementia in the back. Blaze is seated in front of Blaire on the left side of the room while Arrows is positioned on the opposite side behind Elena who is still absent today. I would certainly be entertained by Sir Nikolas' schemes if not for the fact I'm separated from my girl friends because of the sitting arrangement he created. That only serves as another hindrance to my plans.

"We communicate with each other every single day of our lives, don't we? It's part of our everyday routine. Sometimes we can communicate just by looks because our facial expressions can tell a message. Sometimes we also communicate through gestures or touch, our body language could speak for us. But words—they're the most common tool used in communication. With that said, I genuinely believe that communication is a very powerful instrument. It could lead to a new start or it could lead to a definite end. And understanding, they come hand in hand together. Always remember that.

"You must be wondering why I'm standing in front of all of you today, talking about something as common as communication. Well, guys, that's because we're going to officially start our English class by having an impromptu speech performance!"

Silence.

More silence.

And then some more silence.

A hand later on raises. "Sir, are you seriously going to start our year with a performance task?" my seatmate asks with a fake smile on his face.

"Well, Maddox, if you have a problem with it, you're free not to participate," Sir Nikolas replies nonchalantly. "I mean, it's your loss, not mine."

His hand soon lowers. "Noted, Sir."

With that, our adviser continues, "I've decided to make you do this to enhance your public speaking skills. Yesterday, when I asked you to introduce yourselves in front, I've noticed that most of you were shy and that you cut it short. We're going to change that. You see class, this impromptu speech performance will be the way for you to express your ideas about a certain topic to people who are going to listen. This is a free, safe space and whatever comes out of your mouth is your opinion, and you are entitled to it. You have to understand that your ideas have an impact and that they may matter more than you could ever imagine. Keep that in mind. Now, let's begin, shall we?"

The first student to perform is Silverstone Perin. He's another good friend of mine. Just like Jaxon and Clementia, Silverstone is also one of the smartest students here in the institute but only crazier. Silverstone isn't the most handsome guy out there and he isn't that muscular either, but it's his spirited personality that definitely makes him charming.

The moment he finishes talking, I raise my hand with a big smile on my face as my way of telling him a job well done and we high-five. Silverstone wriggles his eyebrows at me playfully on his way back to his chair.

"Jaxon, you're up," Sir Nikolas calls on the next student to perform.

He stands up from his seat and heads in front in a confident stride. I'm sure Jaxon is going to do terrific too. He may not talk as perkily as Silverstone but he has a way with words. It's almost careful but definitely clever.

"Your topic is going to be 'thirteen'," says Sir Nikolas.

Jaxon's eyebrows crease. "Excuse me, Sir. Thirteen?"