The Silence of a Shark

Chapter III - Eve

School dropped a surprise field trip for all the seniors. It's their way to gift us after-semester tests, not that we had much.

On arrival, they put us in groups of 5 to go around the aquarium, which the vast majority ignored and went to find their friends. As expected, I was left alone. Exploring isn't that bad, I saw... well, fish. I don't know much about fish, though.

"Many sharks get depressed in captivity. Great White Sharks that are kept within tanks have been known to head-butt their 'noses into the glass walls and lose their appetites." Kaylee read out before shoving her face into the glass.

"Do you think there are any great white sharks in here, Amy?" She excitedly asked.

"Didn't you just read why they CAN'T be kept?!" Amy walked up behind her.

I didn't plan to bump into these 2 today. I was expecting to have a lackluster day.

"Sharks are so cool... I wanna pet one." Kaylee began caressing the tank like it was one of the sharks.

Amy let out a small chuckle before peeling her off the tank to continue their journey. I loosely started pacing behind them.

The 2 left the shark exhibit and before I made my way out the door a voice came from behind.

"Oliver."

I make a quick flip around to see someone watching the sharks radiate around the tank.

"Eve?"

She continues watching the sharks.

"Did you know, great white sharks don't hunt at random, but stalk specific victims, lurking out of sight. They hang back and observe from a not-too-close, not-too-far base, hunting strategically, and learn from previous attempts."

Eve turns and faces me, "Every day you sit a few tables away from us in the commons, listening in on Amy's conversations, which, don't get me wrong. I don't really care that you listen to us. It's not like the conversations are invigorating..."

She pauses and slowly gets closer.

"What I don't understand is why. Why are you so interested in her conversations?"

I stay quiet. Eve stops and thinks for a second.

"Are you trying to date Amy?"

"No- no. I don't. I just- "

Eve sighs in relief. "Oh good... Good."

"...What?"

"Sorry, sorry, I just can't have any more hiccups in her life." Eve moves back toward looking at the sharks. "It's already a mess."

I take a look around and see most people have already left the shark exhibit.

"...How long have you known?" I ask.

"About you? Ehh- Since the first time you sat near us."

Eve makes her way towards the exit Amy & Kaylee had left.

"You coming?"

"Why?"

She smiles. "Why not?"

Ok, I see why she's popular. We began aimlessly going around the aquarium.

"Why are you eavesdropping on Amy, anyway?"

"Curiosity, I suppose. She's in my 5th period, it quickly gets stale counting tiles."

She lets out a short laugh "Why not... talk to her?"

I sigh "Talking is hard."

"Hehe, you should've seen how I introduced myself to Amy when I first met her."

She started reminiscing "The first day of freshmen year I told myself that I'd make at least one friend. I saw her at a table alone and went up to her and said 'y-you're my friend'  like it was a demand."

I laugh.

"It's easier to make friends than you'd think."

"Doesn't your looks make it easy?"

"Oh~ Have I seduced you~?"

"Uh- I'm good. No thanks." I move a little away from her.

Eve laughs for a second, "If you're looking only for superficial people, then yeah."

"Hmm." I pull out a little notebook and begin writing.

"Are you taking notes?"

"Yeah?"

"You are quite the person, Oliver." Eve looks off and notices Amy attempting to pull Kaylee away from the glass of another exhibit.

"There they are... you know, you could jump in and befriend Amy right now."

I look down. "I... don't think so."

"Oh, come on." She begins dragging me before I violently pull my hand free.

She looks at me with a bit of confusion. "Well... alright. If you really don't want to."

I feel bad, but I just... don't think it's the right time.

"I'll see you around, Oliver." She waves before swiftly sliding back into their group.

"Where have you been?!" Amy looks at her.

"Making... friends." She smiles.

"Whatever, help me pull her away from the glass before she actually breaks it." Amy grabs Kaylee's arm again.

I decide not to follow the 3 around the aquarium, mostly 'cause we had 30 minutes left. What a day though. I'm not as inconspicuous as I thought.

The days went back to normal. From time to time Eve would wave in my direction during lunch, which I returned... sort of.

I'm not sure when I'll talk to Amy directly, but meeting Eve is probably a step in the right direction.