𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐁𝐄𝐋𝐎𝐍𝐆 𝐖𝐈𝐓𝐇 𝐌𝐄 ( 𝐂𝐇𝐑𝐈𝐒 𝐒𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐍𝐈𝐎𝐋𝐎 )

𝐓𝐖𝐎

- CHRIS

"using albert bandura's theory of self-efficacy, a possible outcome could be that malia believes she can write a good paper, so she does her research and gets a good grade from her teacher," brielle says with nothing but pure confidence in her voice.

our teacher mr. herb smiled and pointed at brielle with his computer pen. "that is correct very good brielle!" brielle beamed as mr. herb wrote her answer on the board. 

we were sitting in our psych class and brielle was answering every question per usual. i sat two rows over from her and one seat back. i caught myself staring at her ever so often and noticed a lot about her.

she was right-handed and only ever used bic mechanical pencils. everyone else used pens, but not brielle bender. she bit her lip and furrowed her brows everytime she was deep in thought. she somehow managed to look pretty all the time. even when she wasn't trying.

"now, there is one more possible outcome using albert's theory," mr. herb looked over at the clock and smiled. "if someone can get it right, first try.. i'll end class early and i won't give homework tonight."

sudden everyone in the class sat up in their seats and smiled. they knew brielle would get it right and save the day. she always did. 

brielle's had shot up and mr. herb grinned. "brielle can't answer." brielle lowered her hand slowly and frowned. everyone in the class sunk back down in their seats again. i looked around and no one looked like they knew the answer. i sighed. i never volunteered to answer questions in this class, but the look on brielle's face prompted for me to start.

i slowly raised my hand and mr. herb spotted me. he smiled and pointed at me with the pen. "chris? that's new. but okay yes give it a shot." everyone turned to look at me. if i got this wrong, everyone would probably hate me. if i got it right, i'd be a hero and maybe brielle would talk to me again.

"the other possible outcome could be the opposite," i said, looking over at brielle. she was staring at me and she smiled while giving me a nod. i almost didn't finish my sentence because my heart skipped a beat. "malia is unsure whether she can write a good paper, so she procrastinates and ends up not doing well."

i looked over at mr. herb with the rest of the class in anticipation. after a few moments of silence, mr. herb's lips twitched into a smile. "it's your lucky day guys. chris got it." everyone in the class let out a deep breath. 

"thanks man!" one of my lacrosse teammates ross exclaimed from behind me. he slapped my back in a joking fashion as he walked over to the door. the rest of the class murmured thank you too and i kept looking over at brielle to see if she'd look at me again.

she was texting away on her phone when she suddenly looked up to catch me staring. i quickly looked away and put my eyes on my shoes. after a few moments, i looked back up again to see brielle walking up to me. momentarily i wondered if my hair looked good and wished i decided against wearing PJ pants to school.

"you really saved the day today," brielle said with a smile when she reached my desk. i blushed as i smiled back. i didn't really know what to say and brielle could tell so she kept talking. "why don't you answer questions more often."

"i don't know. i'd be embarrassed if i got it wrong so i just stay quiet." i shrugged and suddenly had a surge of confidence. i smiled. "plus, why would i do that when you clear all of mr. herb's questions?"

brielle laughed. this time, it wasn't a sad laugh like i had heard a year ago. it was a genuine, happy laugh. it sounded like music to my eyes. almost as good as a dominic fike song. maybe better.

brielle ran a hand through her hair and glanced at the clock. "i could use some help sometimes though. and you obviously know what you're doing in this class." she smiled at me. we were on a roll today. i would be sure to tell matt and nick about this later.