Hold My Hand

Chapter Five

The tutor leaded him to the desk right to my left side.

Gabriel sitting next to me did not evoke any emotion in me.

Except for fear.

I took my eyes off the board for a moment and glanced at him.

"Oh, God!..." I thought and began to copy the large inscriptions drawn with white chalk.

The moment I lifted my head from the notebook, a ripped-out sheet of paper was handed to me, with the inscription: read me.

I opened it.

"Come to the cafeteria after classes, I need to talk to you.

Alexander"

After twenty-three minutes, all the tension was relieved and I jumped up from my desk.

- Well, what do you say? - he turned to me disappointed.

- About what? - I got the face of a surprised fool.

He shook his head at him.

- What should I say?

-I do not know.-he made the face, only I knew the meaning of.

- I like to talk in riddles, but now I really don't feel like it.

- Why?

-Alexander, get off me!- I shouted and left the hallway.

I felt twenty-nine eyes staring at me at the same time as if I had been accused of murder.

I didn't pay attention anymore.

He didn't even move.

I felt how much I hated this environment. I never talked much. Fortunately, nobody was trying to make me feel like their best friend, so that was amazing! 

I leaned on the windowsill in the corridor.

I felt a sudden cold, but I preferred to bear it than go back in the classroom.

The break was over.

I went to the desk without a word.

The tutor entered the class again.

- Gabriel, my dear, I am very sorry, I forgot to tell you one thing: the inventory is placed in a drawer under the desk. I have to hurry. I will come after the lesson, - and she left as fast as she came in.

I didn't even think of offering him help, despite the fact that I had the slightest desire to do so.

I didn't make a sound during three lessons. Then the school day ended and I completely forgot about everything that happened. Despite my restraint, the tension still took its toll, and my headache got a little worse. At the end of the last lesson, I didn't even remember Alexander's letter. As always, I left the class last. Almost last. While carefully pulling the desk, the phone rang in the almost empty classroom. The walls echoed the thunderous melody and hummed as if it had been recorded and processed in a professional studio.

-Hello,- Again, I heard a low pleasant voice. Already for the second time.

- Well, I'm going to be a little late and wait for me in the class, okay? - I heard the woman speak from the phone.

- Good.

-Kiss you.

Apparently, his mother called him. This fact made me obliged to offer him help, which I didn't mind at all because of his wrinkled forehead and rough tone.

I put on my British jacket, threw my bag over my shoulder, and looked away. A cry of surprise almost came out when I caught his gaze, he also removed his glasses and looked into my eyes.

"My God, how blue eyes he has" I barely stopped the phrase on my tongue so as not to say it and spoil everything.

Ocean green-blue eyes looked directly into my soul and saw how amazed, surprised, and scared I was, gasping for breath, and I didn't even dare to make a sound... I was afraid. I was just afraid that those eyes would finally tear me away if I allowed my tongue to utter even one word. I was about to turn and leave, but I felt that the gaze directed at me burned my back and as a result of great pain:

- Umm.. Can I help you with something? - I muttered.

I thought he wouldn't understand.

- No, thank you. - He spoke to me with no emotion on his face.

- If anything, ...- I spoke more quietly and turned to...

-Mary,- with no doubts in the correctness of my name, he addressed me without taking his gaze and blue eyes away.

- Yes?..- I turned around.

- I think I am saying clearly enough that no, I don't need it. My mother knows the exact location of the classroom well enough. Now grab your British flag coat and your bag, and before you leave, remember: don't ask the same question again, and stay away as far as possible from me.

I closed the classroom door without saying a word.

I thought I would've done the same. However, it was a little too much for the first conversation ever.

"I think he's not blind at all!"-thought I to myself.

No, I was not surprised by his answer. On the contrary, I even expected it. Someone else would have shed tears and become angry in my place. It is surprising that not a drop of tears came to my eyes, nor did this one person evoke any sadness in me!

"Uh, I think my first attempt was a success," I thought and ran home satisfied.

With a bit of a strange feeling.