The Comfort In Our Love

Chapter 2: Partner Project

My professor walked to the front of the class saying, "I'm assigning new partners for this lab. The partners are up on the board. Together, you are to make a full report of this lab and hand it in to me in a week. Any late work will be given a zero. You may begin." When I looked up at the board I realized my partner was named Jaya. While everyone was finding their partners, I called out, "My partner is Jaya. I don't think we've met so where are you?" As I looked around she raised her hand silently. It was her! At least I know her name now. I was both nervous and excited. I walked over to the table she was at. "I'm Tapiwa! Nice to me you Jaya.", I said with a smile on my face. She looked at me and then looked down at the lab again. "Hello..", she replied. At first it felt like she was cold but I think she is just shy. I looked at her with a smile on my face saying, "I hope we become close." Her ears turned slightly red. "Jaya are you alright? Are you feeling okay?, I said. "I'm fine just feeling a little warm", she replied. It was a bit warm in the room that day but why was she wearing a jacket underneath her lab coat? Oh well. As we started making our observations I couldn't help but stare at Jaya being focused. The way she was effectively writing down what she saw made me want to tease her. Moving closer to her left side I said, "Jaya, this is kind of boring examining plant pigments. How about we stop and just google the rest. Let's play a game." Giving me a slight glance over her left shoulder she replied, "Leave if you're bored. There's no time to play." I saw that her ears turned slightly red again. Making a pouting face I said, "Hmph. Alright alright. You don't have to be so cold to me. I'll help. I'll do my work". We worked together and finished our lab 20 mins early. Our professor let us leave early but I waited for Tino outside so we could go get lunch. Jaya and I walked through the glass doors together. "Hey Jaya. Let's meet at Ice Bear Cafe tomorrow and finish typing up the lab together. Be there for noon!", I said. With a small nod she agreed and left.

About 20 mins later Tino came out and wrapped his left arm around my neck. "Okay I want pizza let's go. It's on me.", he said. "Will you be alright with carbs again? Don't complain to me if you're bloated later.", I replied. Pinching my cheek he said, "I don't complain!" We then walked about 10 minutes to the closest pizza place, Papa's Pizza. While I was starting my second piece of pizza, Tino was staring at me strangely. "Why are you eating so fast? What is making you stressed?", he asked. Tino knows that I tend to eat faster when I'm stressed or nervous. ".. Nothing. Why would I be stressed?", I said. "Did something happen in the class? Is it your lab partner Jaya? We should have been partners. I heard Jaya told you to leave.", he said. I started laughing because of what he said. "Have you gone crazy?", he asked with a puzzled look on his face. "No it's just her reply was so cute when I said let's play a game. That's why she told me to leave. She's definitely interesting.", I said while still laughing. "Hmm. I don't know what's cute about that. Is she causing trouble for you?", he replied. "No, I'm nervous if she'll continue talking to me or not. She is kind of cold to me right now", I said. "Well it doesn't matter, does it? You have me!", he said with a big smile. "Yes I unfortunately have you. I just want to be friends with her." I said, looking down at the table slightly blushing. "Girl you do you. Hurry up and eat so we can go to our math lecture,'' he replied. I guess I can't really explain why I want to become close so badly. I really want us to get to know one another. I'll find a way to tell him at some point. We quickly finished the pizza and went over to our math lecture. Since it was Friday it was our last class. After class, Tino and I walked towards the bus stop together. "Let's go shopping during the day." Tino said. With a grin I said, "Can't. I already have plans." The bus was already there so he stopped and asked, "With who?" While getting on I yelled while smiling, "Jaya. That's who!" I could see Tino's puzzled face from the window. I was too focused thinking about tomorrow.

The next day came and I was still deciding on my outfit. I ended up wearing a long yellow flowy skirt, a black turtleneck, and a black scarf. I don't wear makeup so I didn't have to worry about that. I looked at the time and realized it was already 11:40am. I put my stuff in my tote, put on some flat shoes, and ran to catch the bus. I got onto the bus at 11:50am. It takes me 10 mins by bus so I knew I was going to be late. Once I got off the bus, I ran, holding my tote, into the cafe. I looked around to see Jaya already seated at the farthest table to my right. She sat there drinking a black coffee. She wore cuffed jeans, a black turtleneck, and a yellow plaid shirt over top. We both wore the same shade of yellow. It looked like we planned to do it, how cute. I walked over to the table and sat down. "Sorry I was late. Something came up at home suddenly.", I said while panting. " You're here now so it's fine." she replied. Hmph. She didn't even ask if anything was wrong. Jaya glanced up and said, "Order something if you want". "Alright", I replied. I ordered an iced latte with extra sweetener. I was still curious as to why she got black coffee. I've never been able to drink black coffee because it was always so bitter to me. "Do you like black coffee? Don't you find it bitter?", I asked. "I don't like sweet things. What did you order?", she said. "An iced latte with extra sweetener. I like sweet stuff. It's perfect that we like opposite stuff. You can always have my bitter stuff and I can have your sweets.", I said smiling. "No need.", she said as she continued to type. Pouting, I pulled out my laptop and began to type up the rest of the lab. "Why do you make that face?", Jaya asked as we were finishing up. "Because you're so mean to me. I just want to be friends but you keep pushing me away.", I said with a playful frown. I wish I could tell her I hope we could become more than friends in the future. Someday I will. "Fine, fine. Stop making that face. If we are done here I need to attend piano lessons after this", she said. "Wow you play piano?! Play for me one day.", I said. "Maybe.. Anyways I'll see you in chemistry on Monday. I'll take my leave", she said as she rushed out. I didn't even have time to say 'have a good lesson'. When I went to pay the bill, the waiter said the woman I was sitting with already paid before I even came in. She even paid extra just in case I ordered more stuff. It seems we were making progress slowly. Let's just say I was excited for future classes.