Talks and Texts [ #1]

14. lobsters and low grades

14 | lobsters and low grades

"I hope to God you all pass the year so that I don't have to undergo the torture of teaching you complete idiots again," Mr. Lobaster said. "I gave this test so that those of you who have the IQ of negligibility can get their grade up and yet...Anyway, here are your answer sheets. It pains me to even look at the grades."

Jacob made a face which 'Lobster', for the students had dubbed the bullying teacher so, caught all the way across the classroom.

"Yes, Mr. Lawson. You seem to have a very good idea of how you've done."

Jacob looked away, hastily.

Later when Lobster handed him his paper, the teacher made sure to taunt, "I fear you'll be just like your lazy uncle and be up to no good. Really I feel students like you mark a new low-"

"Mr. Lobaster, uh, I have this doubt...Could you please help me out?"

Lobster turned around. "Yes, Ms. Summers? Another one of your doubts?"

Jessica passed Jacob a sympathetic smile before engaging the teacher on a long-winded wild goose chase.

***

Pain in the Ass: You alright?

If you need help with Chemistry, just ask

You did miss out on some of the initial classes and I could help with the notes

Jacob: Why would I need your help?

Stop being a know-it-all

Its IRRITATING

Pain in the Ass: okay.

And that was that. For the first two days, Jacob was delighted to be rid of all the reminders regarding their dangerously close AA deadline. By the third, he began to feel a bit concerned. Not because it mattered, he told himself firmly but because it felt strange that all conversation had ceased between them and that too because of a subject as weird as chemistry. Not just weird but downright torturous.

Lobster hated him and his guts. So, Jacob countered by skipping his classes usually but after being called up by the principal, he had been forced to attend the classes or he would have to sit in detention for double the number of hours under Lobster's beady eyes. Jacob would have preferred anything but that so back to classes it was.

The classes were still hell. For some reason, Lobster would find ways to click his tongue and find a million mistakes in everything Jacob did and right after a gruelling lecture from him, Jacob had needed peace not someone offering to help him with Chemistry. Thus, the outburst. See, perfect explanation and yet he felt something akin to guilt. After all, Jessica was just being helpful in her own way and she had saved him from Lobster's stinging remarks. And why did he care what Lobster said? He shook his head, it was all weird.

Trouble was, three days of texting silence was pretty weird too. For no reason at all, he would find himself staring at his mobile screen waiting for Jessica to message (or maybe call) and reading their old messages. It's because I have nothing better to do, he told himself.

That was far from the truth.

It was happening. What he had been so scared of. He was becoming close to her, so close that when they didn't text or talk he really missed her, missed their arguments and even missed her missed calls. It was tough not to think of her. The very fact that there was this busy person, who had plenty on her plate already, going sometimes even out of her way to acknowledge him while he was pretty much invisible to everybody else...it counted for something for him, whether he liked it or not.

Maybe it was better this way. Being too close to someone always resulted in pain. He knew that better than anyone else. However, he next found himself doing something he wouldn't have done otherwise. He found himself starting a conversation.

He typed,

"Look, I'm sorry.

You are not an irritating know-it-all, okay?

Jessicaaa?

How about this?

Let's start all over again.

I'll do the AA assignment with much more cooperation.

I even have this idea. We could do the Starry Night by van Gogh.

And uh..."

He stopped typing and waited. No reply. With a scowl he threw his phone aside and got up to leave the room.

Within seconds the phone beeped and Jacob jumped towards it, a huge, relieved smile on his face.

***

hiii. as you might have guessed, jacob has a reason why he pushes away people. of course, you'll come to know...all in good time. as for the beautiful gif, that's a gif of the "starry night" by van gogh. check out the original painting, it is breathtaking. hope you had a fun time reading this chapter and i'll update soonest. please vote and comment because i would love to hear some feedback from you lovely people. thank you.