Overlap

Chapter 91-B: More Wasteful Days of High School

<11/16/2012 - 10:30 | Cage High School (Biology), Austell, GA, USA>

So long as I had Lumina with me in school, there was hardly ever a dull moment to spare. If ever we got bored, we would make the day interesting in our own way, whether it involved me sneaking out of class just to talk to Lumina, or getting overly involved in a science experiment. Of course, nothing about biology interested me that much, even though it was not Lumina's personal specialty.

"No fancy lab coats and goggles today?"

"Nah, just more homework. I'd have it done already, but I slow down on projects that bore me."

"I thought you loved science."

"I love physics, not biology."

"Physics? Any particular reason?"

Doesn't Lumina know why already? There are lots of science concepts to start from, physics, biology, Earth science, chemistry, biochemistry, anatomy; the list could go on forever. "Because it's the most relatable topic for all science. They look at the bigger picture of everything along with the small details to express how the universe is likely to function. On top of that, I have you teaching me all these cool facts about outer space, which I'm sure to excel in once I do make it into physics class."

"True, but that concept is probably not a big part of this class."

"Must you remind me? Anyway, it's fine enough for now. I still have at least one person I'm sitting next to that I don't hate completely." To ensure Lumina had the context of what I was talking about, I let my head tilt to my right, revealing Zero writing things down on her homework while priming her cellphone for something. I didn't care what she was up to, just seeing her sitting right next to me again after so long felt relaxing. Plus, ever since Lumina and I hooked up, I've had no difficulty at all talking to Zero without being impeded by her natural pretty charm. Going by looks alone, Zero is a total knock out, yet I don't care, because I'm in love with somebody else. Of course, there were still a few other barriers that made speaking to her difficult.

"But you and her never talk to each other anymore." Lumina wasn't really wrong about the assumption. Zero and I get along with each other and even have a general mutual understanding of each other. However, it's still rare at all if we exchange more than a general greeting, even after racking my brain to think of something to say.

"It's not on purpose. She and I don't have a lot of classes together. When we do, we still struggle to say anything interesting to each other, because we are both very shy people, at least towards each other." I feel like I may have butchered the explanation to Lumina, but I still understood the main issue. Of all the people out of the entire school, I feel closest to Zero, like I'm somehow most similar to her. So, when I try to get behind the goal of turning her into one of my best friends, the pressure not to say anything too awkward or stupid floods the gates of my mind, causing me to clam up. It's a most similar situation to how a guy gets too nervous to talk to a girl, but in this instance, I simply don't want to risk losing her as a potential friend. I have no interest in dating her, and Zero herself doesn't make me nervous. I just wish I knew what to say sometimes.

"If you say so Reed. I thought she was part of Banarus's group."

"Interestingly, Zero does hang out a lot with Banarus, but not as much as she used to. Plus, she doesn't seem to click half as much with the others in her group. Maybe it's just my imagination, but I get the sense that Zero is coming to her senses about how Banarus, Ashly, and Maddison really are. Either way, I don't dislike Zero's personality, and she's also intelligent enough for me to want to hang out with her."