Crossing paths

Get to know

I couldn't wait for history class to end and tell Jack my answer to his offer.

How kind of him to invite me in their study group. It's probably my first time getting invited by a classmate to somewhere.

The bell finally rang, announcing the end of the class.

"Evelyn!" Jack immediately jumped out of his seat and came to my desk.

He brought both of his hands on my desk, leaning a bit on them, looking at me.

"Come on, say yes. You remember, you owe me one, right?" Jack said playfully, but it was just funny.

I couldn't help, but smile at the interaction. "Hey, I got you a banana milk, so... That's that." My lips lifted to the side a bit.

"Huh? You did?" He asked and turned to his desk. He finally noticed the banana milk on the corner of his desk table.

"Gosh... What an airhead?" I had a piece of paper scrunched in one of my hand and I threw it at him, out of amusement. In return, he ruffled my hair.

"Hey, stop it." I tried to say and lift his hand from my head, while the both of us couldn't stop laughing. "I'm coming, I'm coming, okay? You can stop now." I added.

We laughed uncontrollably, like some dumbfounded kids.

I genuinely missed that feeling. I missed feeling free. Careless. Calm. I feel so at ease. As if all my worries just disappeared.

"Really?!" He said loudly. Look at him getting all excited. "I'm looking forward to it, Evelyn." Jack said with a sweet smile.

This guy could really get misunderstood easily...

Huh? I suddenly noticed someone staring at us. It was Ethan Wilson. Why is he just glaring at us, from behind his shoulder? Is he still mad at Jack? Probably. I mean, considering how the asshole just answered Jack not too long ago. Why is he so rude? What's his problem? It's so annoying, it truly pisses me off.

Today's classes were finally over for the day. It was time for us to gather and head out.

It was me, Ash, Jack, some other girl from our class, I think her name was Hazel, and a boy from a different class. Honestly, I'm seeing him for the first time.

But oh well, we had enough time to get to know each other. Everyone seemed to match Jack's spirits perfectly. They were all chill. I'll just try to go with the flow, for now.

I wasn't very good with people.

No, I've always been pretty bad with people. I lacked communication skills.

I've always been a nobody. I was living in the shadows my entire life. I was avoiding any kind of interaction. I didn't let anyone approach me.

I was scared. Scared of them. Of the people. I've always been scared of them. Of how they would react on me trying to befriend them. Of how would they react when I tried to make up a conversation, or when I just failed at talking to them and couldn't be able to say a single word or how would I start stuttering, not being able to talk or start getting out of breath or even getting a panic attack or-

"Evelyn!" Jack's cheerful voice snapped me out of my oblivion. Another thing I should be grateful to him for.

This guy has saved me for a third time today.

"We're almost there, are you tired?" He added. He was so considerate. He probably noticed something was off.

"H-huh? Tired? Ah, no, not at all. Don't worry. Oh, thanks for- for worrying though." I said. Did I say it? It felt more like I was rehearsing how to say it, in my head.