The Seventh Day

Chapter 17: Something Different

Mom has encouraged me to at least use my intelligence to sign up for a college scholarship which is not a bad idea. I have to start planning for my future because graduation is almost just around the corner.

                It's unavoidable that even my teachers endorse some college schools that I can totally fit in. I know it's a good idea, but right now I think it's a tough decision to make (and I am not talking about choosing the right school; I'm talking about James.)

                I haven't even told him yet about my feelings for him. Of course it is already obvious, just like Sam always say, but I want it to come from me, but every time I felt like telling him, I ended up hiding myself into another topic in other words, I flake it out.

                "You know, I think you can easily work your way in Harvard." Brad quickly interrupted. "It's actually not a bad idea; I mean you're smart enough to pass." Connor added. James never bothered to utter a single word about college or anything. In fact, he's been acting weird lately. He doesn't seem interactive with anyone; even me.

                "How 'bout you James, what do you think of Oxford?" Sam asked. "You're so quiet, is there something wrong with you and Annie?" I shoved my shoulder to Sam to stop her, but she already said it so there's no escaping of it. "Nothing." James answered in a dull way. "Aw come on James, show some good sport and encourage your little princess." Brad teased.

                A furious look came from James. He stood up harshly and leans towards Brad. "No one gets to call her princess, but me." Then he left the cafeteria with a mad look in his face.

                "What's wrong with him?" Tris whispered. To be honest I too have no idea why James is acting weird and mean lately.

                After class, I decided that I would talk to James. Somehow his attitude is pulling him away from his friends, and not to mention that he's failing in his class.

                James and I meet at the park.

                I arrived 10 minutes early so I could somehow rehearse what I should say.

                "Hey James. I hope you wouldn't mind but it seems that you've been quite hard to approach. Lately I noticed that you have been acting differently, it seems that you have limited your time of hanging-out with us. I hope I'm not getting into something, you see I'm just worried about you, I mean of course as a friend all I want is what's good for you. Not that I'm meddling in your private life but I sure wish I know what's going on lately so we could help you because that's what friends do."

                Okay so I practise and memorized all the statements in my head and with a bit of luck maybe James will listen and tell me what's really going on.

                A few minutes later James arrived, and somehow his expression never even showed any happiness like the way he used to be.

                "Hi, I thought you're not showing up." I teased.

                He did smile a little bit. "Sorry I lost track of time but I'm here." He replied.

                "It's not like you to be late, I mean you used to be the early one, but I understand. But the point that I called you here was I want to talk to you about something." Then he just nodded to what I said. He didn't even asked what I want to talk with him.

                We sat at a bench, but he never even took a glance to look at me. It's like he's avoiding making contact with me. Maybe he's just waiting for me to start talking. I tried to remember the whole statement that I have been practising, but he suddenly turned his head and he was staring at me. It's like the first feeling I had at the first day of classes, like how people stared at me and I can't talk and now he's staring at me it supposed to help me to get confident but somehow it changed. It's like I don't know him anymore.