Tinkering Hearts

Chapter Four

Zaelia

All of my questions, which kept me awake all night, were answered the next morning.

I enter my class and scan for empty seats in the front. I've never been a back-bencher. My parents are barely able to pay for school and I have got bigger dreams than to waste time behind. When I finally take a seat near the window on the second row, I take out one of my novels and start reading. There are fifteen more minutes for classes to begin.

Shortly after, the classroom door opens. I stand up to greet thinking it's Miss Patricia, my class teacher, but I halt midway.

My jaw falls open when I see Naureen entering with the same boy I met yesterday. 

Sicre?

I rub my eyes and blink numerous times. It can't be him. But... he is.

No... no. No. No. No. No. Why the fuck!
WHY? WHY HIM?

Isn't this great though, Zee? Calm down!

Great? I LITERALLY NARRATED MY WHOLE LIFE STORY TO A STRANGER YESTERDAY AND NOW I FIND OUT HE STUDIES IN OUR SCHOOL! Do you call this situation great?

This is bad. This is very bad. This is like asking for trouble. This shitty fate of mine—

"Heyyy, everyone!" Naureen sings at the top of her voice. Every single person in our class turns to face Naureen standing beside Sicre, both grinning ear to ear. I haven't seen Naureen this happy since I met her. And Sicre? Oh, God! He looks lovesick.

And no doubt he might be in our school, judging by the ID batch on the left side of his chest

"Guys, meet my best friend, Sicre Caterall."

Best friend?
What?...

"Sicre just transferred to our school and I am so glad he did." Naureen turns to Sicre. "Would you like to introduce yourself?"

"Hello. The name's Sicre. I am in twelfth grade. Your senior. And if y'all are wondering why I am here..." he turns to Naureen. "Well, I have no idea either. But this missy dragged me into her class before mine. And that's all for the introduction." He turns around to walk away but Naureen pulls him by his sleeves.

Some girls giggle. The guys just stare unamused.

I look into his eyes. Those dark mesmerizing ones.
Snap out of it!

He catches my gaze and frowns. Our eyes lock for a few seconds, then I break the gaze. I bet he saw the embarrassment. To my horror, the next thing he does is the last I wanted.

"Hey, Zaelia!" he calls out in front of everyone. Naureen cuts her eye to Sicre, and everyone looks at me. Gosh, I hate this attention. "Sorry for running off yesterday."

"Wait. You've met?" Naureen looks back and forth between us.

"Yeah! We met at Starbucks yesterday. Couldn't hold a conversation for long though," he shrugs.

If anyone would notice, I am as red as a tomato. Naureen scoffs. She rolls her eyes and leaves the room before an awkward silence follows.

"I... uh... I'll just have a look at her," Sicre gives me a sympathetic look. I nod and he leaves too.

Could this week get any worse?

. * ● ¸ .

It's lunchtime and I make my way to the restroom. I greet Mrs. Ruth, who is washing her hands.