Verre

ii.

If it was fate that brought them to be partners for that research project, she thinks it's all twisted. She has to deal with seeing him even on weekends to make her part. It wasn't really having to meet him, it was because of the words which keep on going out of his mouth, directly hitting her on the rightful spots. Why does he have to be that good in seeing what's the real thing about her, Madison asks herself at times.

"I fucking hate this library. I fucking hate this project and I fucking —" she curses under her breath and Sid doesn't give her any reaction until the librarian rings the bell and points on their direction. Sid offers the librarian an apologetic look and Madison scoffs. He finally shoots her a look, "Shut your mouth and work."

"Fuck you," she hisses and grabs the paper he's handing her. Her eyes follow his serious face once he's down in reading his printed material. Sid feels it. Madison was certain he felt her stare. How could he not if she has unabashedly tilted her head just to watch his side profile? "Yeah. You do that?"

"Weirdo," she hisses when Sid rudely puts the signage from the library about keeping the silence in the vicinity on her face to shut her and to put a barrier from her sight. Madison hears him let out a snort. Even the snort was unnecessarily charming.

The next time they meet on a weekend, he brings his dad's rover. She crosses both arms on her chest and gives a disgusted look towards the innocent car. Madison was unimpressed with it. It looks like one of the vehicles used in the movie for having a poor appearance but the core was full of strength. Rolling eyes meet bored gaze.

"What? Are we going somewhere? Are you trying to kidnap me?" She eyes the silver rover and rolls her eyes once more when she finally sees his getup. Full getup. Sid knows that scrutinizing gaze. It's his outfit for sure. "You said you don't like the library. We can continue at my house," he puts his hands in the pocket of his hoodie and kicks the rock with his black chucks.

"What?" she attempts to see his face but that stupid hoodie with that stupid fluffy hair hides it so her eyes fall on his black track pants. Just how many track pants does he have, she asks herself. "You heard it. Decline if you want to. Give me that bag and we'll go to the library now," he extends his hand to carry her heavy laptop bag and Madison almost has her mouth hanging with how fast he changes his mind.

Of course, Madison moved to the car door quickly and they continued the research in his living room. A woman, probably not his mom, since he doesn't look like the one in the old family photo serves them food.

"Much more quiet here. Should've brought me here the first time we had this shit," she opens her laptop and frowns when he doesn't say any.

It was much more comfortable when he let her have the whole long sofa and he settled on the carpet still with his hoodie on. They worked quietly and exchanged minimal conversation. The woman offers them freshly squeezed juice and some homemade cookies. With some moments recurring in her mind, she keeps silent but Sid doesn't question her, being so engrossed with finishing their task. Perhaps too eager to not see her any longer.

"It'll be the last week next time. I'll revise it by Sunday then we're done," he closes his laptop and whips his head to see Madison has fallen asleep in an uncomfortable position.