Edmund Parton's P.O.V.
"So, did you managed to think of a good science proyect?" Mom asked me, while we were having breakfast before she dropped me to school. I stared at my plate, not wanting to answer.
"Um, I have a pretty good idea..." I trailed off, actually not having any idea of what to do.
"If it's a soda volcano, then I suggest you to think a new one" she warned me. I grumbled inside my head. Why my Mom had to be so strict with me and my science grades? "Ready to go to school?"
"Yes, Mom" I pushed my breakfast away from me, before going to get my bagpack.
~oOo~
"OK, kids... I have news about your science projects" Mrs. Newman called us to attention, during science class "As you know, in a month you all have to present a science project for the school fair this year" We all nodded at this, some were excited, some were bored. For me, it was my first science fair in this school "I won't care about if it's a good project, all I care is about you being original..." she smiled at us. I smiled back. Mrs. Newman could only make science classes fun for ten-years-old "So, because it can be hard, I decided that you should make it in pairs" Everyone started to murmur, excited.
"Mrs. Newman?" A very shy voice raised her hand. It was the smartest girl in our classroom. She even passed me in the tests. Mom did a fuss one time when she got a higher grade than me. That voice belonged to Zoë Valdez.
"Yes, Zoë, dear?"
"Um, can we choose our partners?" she asked, moving around in her place. Her brown hair was falling over her brown eyes and her hands were playing with something.
"Why, yes, sweetie!" Mrs. Newman beamed at her "Who do you want as your partner?" Zoë blushed and looked down, nodding her head.
"Um, can Edmund be my partner?" I was surprised that she chose me to be her partner. She was so shy that she never spoke with anyone more than a few sentences.
"Alright, then... Edmund will be your partner, if he doesn't say anything..." I shook my head, smiling. Zoë looked like a nice girl. Zoë blushed even harder when I moved to the desk next to her.
"Hi..." I greeted her.
"H-hi..." she glanced at me, shyly.
"So, um... What do you have in mind?" I questioned her.
"Um, I thought we could ask my Pa- I mean, my Dad... He's a mechanic and stuff..." she explained, still fidgeting in her place.
"Sounds like a plan" I agreed with her. Zoë turned red and nodded "You think we can meet him today?"
"Um, no..." she shook her head "He has to work today... Tomorrow, he's home"
"OK, then, tomorrow after school?" She nodded again "So, it's a date" If Zoë was red before, she looked like a firetruck.
~oOo~
The next day, I was waiting next to Zoë for his Dad to pick us up. I had to ask Mrs. Newman if she could explain to my Mom why I was gonna go to a friend's house, since Mom didn't allow me to go over someone else's house to play.
"Is he always late?" I asked to Zoë, curious. We've been waiting for like fifteen minutes and her Dad hasn't showed up.
"Maybe he got held back at the store..." she mumbled, looking at the street.
"Could be..." I agreed with her. A few minutes later, a golden truck parked in front of the school. Zoë immediately bright up at the sight, smiling. From the driver's seat, a man got out.
He was short, at least he isn't as tall as Principal Stone. His skin was a little dark, like he spent time under the sun. His brown eyes were shining and he was smirking around. His brown hair was curly and a little long. His clothes were a splatter with oil white shirt and a jean overalls, with combat boots.
"Papa!!" Zoë got up and ran to the man, who caught her halfway and twirled her around. Zoë was giggling and holding tight to him.
"So sorry, Princesa. The shop was busy" the man apologized, but Zoë shook her head.
"It's OK, Papa. I wasn't alone" she pointed at me, making me uncomfortable under their attention's gaze.
"And, who's the friendly fella over here?" I saw him walking to me, still holding Zoë up.
"I, um, I'm Edmund" I introduced myself, shyly. Suddenly, I noticed the roles were inverted: I was the shy one, while Zoë was the friendly one.
"Why, hello Edmund. I'm Zoë's Papa, Leo" he said, smiling at me. I couldn't help but to smile. His energy was contagious "OK, so... Who's ready to think an awesome science project?"
"We are!!" Zoë beamed at him, smiling.
"Yes, we are!!" I joined her.
~oOo~
Zoë's Papa talked so much!! And, half the things he said were in Spanish, I think. Zoë understood every single word he said and she even answered back! I was sitting next to Zoë in the back seat, smiling politely and nodding from time to time.
"So, what ideas do you have for the project?" Mr. Valdez asked us, once we arrived to his house and we sat around the table. I shook my head, frustrated "You know what, Zoë? Mama told me that you could use me for your experiment..."
~oOo~
"C'mon! C'mon and try to think with the Supreme Commander Valdez!!" I announced, walking around the front of my science booth. Zoë was handing flyers, promoting our project. It was silly, according to my Mom, but I was having so much fun! We decided to make our project on how a person can concentrate or think with someone else talking fast, annoying it.
"He talks so much you can't think!!" Zoë added, to the walking parents and students. In the past month we got super close and she was more open around me. She was even comfortable to teach me Spanish.
"C'mon, people!! Help the kids around!!" Mr. Valdez helped us, smirking. He was walking around, stopping people "You, man. Did you know that ADHD kids can't have caffeine? I just had my fourth mug of coffee!!"
That's how I met Zoë Valdez's Dad...
