Project Rewrite

Lab Rat

"Friendship often ends in love; but love in friendship - never."

-Charles Caleb Colton

*****************************

"So you mean to say as payment for saving my life, I'll become your lab rat?"

We were in a cafe in the middle of town discussing my payment for I quote "Him saving my pretty little ass".

"Oh please. You make it sound so bad. All you've got to do is go on with your life and do your everyday routine. The only catch is that I'll be there watching you and taking down notes" he shrugged and sipped on his coffee cup.

"And I'll become your LAB RAT!" I shouted the last part.

The people in the cafe gave us disapproving glances. I shrugged and ignored them. It wasn't the first time people gave me sudden glances.The only difference is that the last time, people did it because of pity.

"C'mon, I need this for a project in Psych class. It's the only requirement I need before I could pass,graduate, and get the hell outta here." he gave me a pleading look.

"You're graduating? You seem so young."

"I'm twenty-one." He rolled his eyes as if to tell me he's already old. "This is just a small thing, Tee. Do it for the random dude who saved you from being mauled by a dangerous drunk."

I sighed mainly because he still calls me Tee and because I realized that it really was a pretty small thing.I have to thank the guy for saving me.

"Fine." I breathe out.

***

Of all the stupid things I did for the past eighteen years, agreeing to become his lab rat is probably the worst.

"Rule number 1: The subject must, at all times, be within the observer's eye sight."

Forrest was reading a piece of folded paper he got in his pocket. I should have at least checked if there were freaking rules to this 'repaying for saving my life' shit before I agreed to it.

"Rule number 2" he continued " The observer is entitled to voice out his opinions regarding anything the subject does."

Oh-kay. He's entitled to voicing out opinions, he didn't say I have to listen to them. I smirked.

"Rule number 3: The subject must absolutely listen to whatever the observer says." he smirked back.

I gasped.Did he just read my mind? Ugh! Psych students!

"Is there a problem?" He asked to annoy me.

"No. Continue." I put both of my hands on the table and rested my chin.

"Rule number 3-"

"Rule number four" I corrected "Wait. Are you just making the rules up?" I asked in disbelief.

He looked embarrassed for a second but he immediately collected himself.

"Of course not." he cleared his throat " I just got confused a little bit- okay Rule number four." he tapped the paper he was holding.

I narrowed my eyes at him.

"The subject must avoid getting emotionally linked to anyone, in general."

"What do you mean getting emotionally linked?" I got up from my resting position.

"It means you should avoid having feelings for anyone while we're in this little agreement of ours."

"What does having feelings for anybody got to do with being your lab rat?!" I raised my voice a bit.

"Why are you suddenly getting hyped up by rule number 4?" he smirked.

"I'm not getting hyped up, that rule just isn't fair." I defended in a calmer voice.

"Really now? You know a little honesty could help in our secret accord." he said in sing song voice

"Oh shut up. I don't have any man in my butt right now so.." I looked him in the eye "Rule number 4 is absolutely fine for me."

"So who's Red then? You keep saying the name in your sleep."

"He's family." I lied and said the truth at the same time. He's the closest I've got to a family.

"Great." He smiled full on.

"Is there anything else?" I asked in exasperation.

"Yep. Last but absolutely not the least Rule number Five---" He tapped the table immitating a drumroll. "The subject and the observer must stay together at the same house for a span of one month."

And I lost it.

****

"No. Nope. No. No. No. Absolutely not. Nope. Never in a million years."

I walked out of the cafe leaving Mr. Forrest behind.

He immediately caught up with me. My short legs were no match for his long ones. He's freaking 6'2" if I calculated it right.

" What's wrong with living together for a month?" he exclaimed.

An old couple passing by eyed us suspiciously. They must be thinking kids these days are such whores living together for the longest time ever-- a month.

"Everything's wrong, Forrest. Why would I live with you for a month? I just met you yesterday." I whispered only letting him hear. I didn't want the old couple to have a heart attack.

"You might be forgetting a tinie tiny detail here, I saved your life!"

Sure. Use the 'I saved your life' card.

"You know, I'll jusy repay you in some other way. I just can't deal with living with a stranger." I explained.

"Oh. Is that so?" he smirked. What the hell is running through his mind?

"What's with that look, stranger?"

"Ouch. After all we've been through, you call me stranger?" he said in a dramatic way. I just rolled my eyes at him.

"Cut the crap. What's with the 'I know the truth' look?"

"Oh I don't know. I just thought of certain reasons why you wouldn't want to live with me." he stepped closer towards me.

Didn't I made it clear why I refuse to do so?

We were still at the street outside the cafe and people were coming from every direction.

"What are you talking about? I just don't want to stay in the same house with a guy I just met."

"Or maybe" he held his pointer to my face doing the number 1 "One, you're family may worry that you're not in your house."

I breathed deep. I don't have a family.

"Two" he held two fingers up "You were lying to me and you actually have a man at your butt."

I snorted. Please, the closest I was to having a boyfriend was Red's picture taped to my closet when I was thirteen.

"And third" he placed a finger below my chin and tilted it slightly upwards.

I hitched a breath as I looked into his deep brown eyes.

"You're scared that you'll grow feelings for me."

Oh.Boy.