Pretty Girl

{CHAPTER 7} - MIXED SIGNALS

- Wednesday -


Pretty girl was less anxious attending her psychology class, knowing Daniel was there to aid her.

It was more than reassuring to say the least.

Still slightly skeptical, yet was willing to open up to him. This time she wouldn't have to suffer alone.

She'd also have another reason for sticking with the subject. Waiting impatiently for Daniel's arrival made her feel giddy, like a child ready to receive their presents on Christmas day.

Anticipating he'd sit next to her she saved a seat. Not like anyone was going to sit beside her anyway.

Mr. Fern strolled in, presenting one of his identical grins.

"Morning Mr. Fern", she politely greeted his entry.

"Morning, early again I see."

She was busy analyzing the material Mr. Fern had advised the students to go over the lesson prior. In doing so she sensed her teachers shadow hovering over her notes.

"I see you didn't do the instructions I gave you", he said, with a mixture of disappointment, and amusement.

"Yeah sorry, didn't have the time to", She apologized.

Half heartedly his hand was on her shoulder. "Hey don't worry at least right now you're making time to do what you couldn't."

He left her to her own devices, his hand engraving a peculiar sensation.

Mr. Fern wrote todays lesson on the board.

She mouthed her notes, bopping her head up, and down to the unspoken beat.

Students began walking into the class.

In the mix Daniel headed towards her. She tried her best to contain her excitement.

Finally, she could talk to someone.

"Hey Daniel, I saved you a seat", she cheerily stated.

"Oh hey, thanks." He placed his belongings on the table, some overtaking her territory. Didn't bother her in the slightest.

Personally, I think I would've shoved it right off.

"By the way did you go over your notes", Pretty girl asked.

"Yep, you?" He probed.

"No, unfortunately I didn't have time. Do you think you can help me?"

She was a bit apprehensive to ask, due to concern over the outcome.

"Sure." He agreed to her request.

"Really? Thanks", she roughly smiled.

His face softened focusing on hers.

Witnessing a rare moment, containing it in a log of memories.

"You know you're even prettier when you smile. You should do it more often." She nodded embarrassed.

Far from being a great tutor, he had difficulty explaining things.

Narrow minded.

Liked doing things a certain way, making it hard for her to grasp any of the material. In saying that at least he tried his best, all in her favor.

"I kind of get it now, well more than I did before", she explained.

"Well that's good, looks like you owe me."

In all honesty at first it sounded like sarcasm, though through further investigation he wasn't joking.

Of course there was a price.

Pretty girl deep down had a feeling of guilt.

He did help her out when he had the option not to, why shouldn't she pay him back?

"Well what do you want?"

Daniel scratched his head, pondering on what to ask for. However, it was clear what he wanted.

His tone shifted airily, "Hmm let's see..." she cringed, his hand slide from her wrists to her arm, slithering his hand under her sweater sleeve, grazing his fingers on her flesh.

"You could always kiss me." He remarked in a husked voice.

That was a serious request to make on someone he knew was in a relationship.

Makes you wonder what his definition of morals are.

"I'm only kidding. Honestly I don't want anything from you." That's what he said, not what he meant.

I knew she had an idea as well, yet played ignorant. Regurgitating a laugh, a knot was all she got.

The lesson was longer than most, minutes felt equivalent to days. The hands of the clock turning at a snail's pace.

Personal space was non-existent between the two of them.

Daniel spread his arms across both tables, leaving no room for her textbooks.

She wrote away on the edge, copying down key points on the board diligently.

He then proceeded to hair rustle his hair against her sweater as his head relaxed on her arm.

The situation she was forced into became challenging, with writing notes turning out to be difficult.

To send the message across she lifted him off.

Like a magnet his head reverted back, she was back to square one.

"Hey Daniel can you please stop I'm trying to write notes", desperation shaking her statement.

"Sure thing." Cutting his nose despite his face Daniel knew what he was doing.

My first encounter with Daniel I got the impression he was like a next-door neighbor type of guy. Got along with everyone, and everyone liked him back.

He never caught the attention of most, he was always just average; average at academics, average at sports, average looks. Nothing special.

He was always there in the background. And unexpectedly he rubbed me the wrong way.

I couldn't pin point the exact reason why. I only relied on a suspicion, which wasn't enough to go off of.

Looking past everyone's perception of Daniel, what I saw was something I never predicted. He wasn't Daniel, not the one I initially understood to be, and not the one everyone knew.

It was painful that no one else could see what I saw. Although, to be fair, we believe what people present themselves to be.

With the obvious red flags appearing she swept them aside, knowing she still needed him.

They did the activity together, his arm resting over the frame of her chair. His body resting against hers. The desire to fight wasn't in any drop of her blood.

Her energy would be wasted if so.

Not long after, she reached a tipping point when the son of a bitch positioned his chin on her collar bone, and thought it was necessary to compliment the scent of her perfume.

"Daniel what the fuck is wrong with you," Pretty girl ferociously whispered.

"Do you not see I'm uncomfortable, why do you keep on trying when I'm clearly pushing you away. I just want your help not what ever this is. And why are you doing this? Is this your way of flirting? You know I'm dating Keil. Does that not matter to you?"

That shut him up. Like the belligerent Idiot a peep didn't leave. No surprise. What could he say?

She wasn't wrong. Though she had won their minor dispute something began to stir.

The remaining minutes were spent without talking, hardship fell upon her.

So much for getting help.

"OK class that is about time. Don't forget I have scheduled for you guys to do a quiz this Sunday so study, study, study."

Daniel didn't wish her to 'have a good day', or didn't think to say 'see you next class'.

If her confronting him meant he'd never mess with her again it was worth it.

Before exiting she went up to the teacher. "Mr. Fern about your extra help I'd like to take it, so I have the chance to improve my grades", she explained.

"Oh, sure thing." His hand found it's place on her shoulder again, grazing the fabric of her clothes.

"I'm free Thursday, and Saturday morning."

Just after their conversation he blurted out, "Hey, we you feeling ok this lesson? I ask just cause you didn't seem ok."

She hesitated, "Oh... yeah, I was just a little tired today."

"Wellthat's good to hear. Oh, and if you want someone to talk to when your not doinggreat you can always come to me."