This Is Not An Unrequited Love For Me...

This Is Not An Unrequited Love For Me... [5]

My mouth went dry as I searched for what words to say. I could not believe this was happening though. Feeling more and more red, I sat up straight and crossed my legs. I forced myself to look away.

“These,” the teacher said aloud, holding a bag of tiny papers in the air with one hand, “are your science fair assignments. I’ll be nice this year. It’s due in five weeks. Five,” then she went around and pass the piece of paper to every pair, including us.

When the teacher passed it to our table, I waited for Keith to reach for it. Instead, he just sat and gazed in space or whatever he was looking at. So I leaned forward and grabbed it off the table.

“It says, ‘plant and changes’.” I mumbled. “What does that mean?”

Keith snatched the paper out of my hands and I immediately turned red. “That means,” he paused dramatically as he looked at the piece of paper. “It means that we’re going to have to plant some garden and record the changes. We can change this up a bit though, to make it interesting.” I was pretty sure he was being sarcastic about the garden thing. I know it. “How about you grow the plants?” he asked me, looking into my eyes to be serious.

I looked and leaned back with my left hand holding my head on the table, pretending to feel lazy about this project. My eyes were poured with pretend boredom. I firmly said, “I don’t have a green thumb.” It was true.

He looked away and casually said, “Neither do I.”

“So… we’re both going to fail?” I said quietly, looking away as well.

He didn’t answer back so I must’ve been talking to myself.

When I came home, I dropped my backpack beside the couch. I plopped myself on the sofa and sighed. Now I’d have to worry about my science grade, how interesting. Chemistry is sort of difficult.

I stood up from the sofa and walked into the kitchen. I was wondering why my mom didn’t say anything when I walked into the house. She usually says, “Hey, honey,” or “How was school?”

When I walked in the kitchen, I saw my mother wearing a dress that totally and I mean, seriously, did not suit her look. Not that I’m the queen of fashion but at least I know how to dress decently. “Mom!” I almost screeched. She was reaching for something in the cupboard.

“Yes, honey?” she turned around and I saw that she added more than enough make-up on her face.

“What happened to my mom?” I asked, rolling my eyes. I had my arms folded across my chest and my right foot tapped the kitchen floor.

Mom took seeds out from the cupboard and asked me, “Don’t I look fabulous?”

I shook my head and she sighed. Then she added, “Your dad and I were planning on going out tonight, for fun. I guess I got carried away since this is the first date in a long time.” You guess? I thought, A little?

Then I had a plan. I knew my mom had good experience with planting. Growing flowers had practically been her life. I smiled and asked, “How about I help you with your beauty and fashion and you help me with my science project?”

She paused and acted like a mom again. “Eh, I don’t know. Aren’t you supposed to do the project on your own?”

“It’s a pair project, Science fair project. I just need help growing plants… Because mom,” I paused and put my right hand on her shoulder. I’m a little taller than her, that’s for sure. “I can never grow anything more beautiful than you can.”

“Awww, Candy… that’s so sweet.” My mom grinned and tilted her head a little. “Alright, fine. I’ll show you how to grow plants ONLY.”

“Okay, works fine with me!” I exclaimed.