See You Under The Stares

Chapter 3 - Zhao

Walking with Lina yesterday was nice. I don't really understand though. I have never felt that kind of emotion before, you know, a nice one. I internally slap my face. Zhao, what are you thinking? She is LINA OHARA. How, why- what am I even thinking? Super charming? That's Lina. Super nerd? That's me. There is no chance. Wait, chance for what? The heck, what is happening to me?

"Calculus is concerned with two basic operations, differentiation and integration, and is a tool used by engineers to determine such quantities as rates of change and areas; in fact, calculus is the mathematical 'backbone' for dealing with problems where variables change..."

I snap back to attention. Focus Zhao, fo-

A paper crane. It lands right on my lap. It was beautifully folded, seeming almost as if alive. I turned around. Everyone's nose was buried in the textbooks, but I caught a pair of brown eyes. Lina. Her doting grin was printed on her face as always, but this time it was sheepish, as if stifling a giggle. I look down at the crane.

"Zhao, your answer for question 52 please."

My eyes remained fixed on the crane, with pretty handwriting I recognised from the study session the other day. "あなたは私の一番好きな人です" it said. What it means, I'm not sure, but it made me smile, almost.

"MATHEW ZHAO".

I froze. Everyone's head jerked up; a chorus of 'Mathew?' arose. My breathing became heavy as I swallowed hard. I felt the blood rush into my face - it - it wasn't the question though. It has been a while since I have been addressed by that name. As for the question, luckily I finished the chapter last week.

"748.94x" I whispered.

"Mr Zhao... I am shocked. I did not expect this from you. You may leave the classroom and stand outside for the rest of the lesson. AND YOU, Ms Ohara," Dr Nelson huffed, holding up a slingshot in his hand, "can join him outside. You have managed to displease me again today with your wild behaviour."

I held the door open, seeing Lina pull a face before stomping out of the classroom, after which I followed. Outside, I glared at the floor, as Lina vented about Dr Nelson. She suddenly stopped to eye me with a curious expression, which changed to an apologetic one. Then, frantically, "Zhao, I hope you aren't mad at me. I wasn't trying to get you into trouble. I just wanted you to see my pic-"

"It's fine. It's fine. It really is. It's not about that."

"What is it about then? You can tell me Zhao" She had softened, then began to smile, "Also, your name is Math-"

"I don't want to talk about it," I firmly declared. Oh no. The Lina eyes, so mesmerising, the ones I had fallen for and- ugh, It's happening again. She frowned and turned away, arms crossed. Ok, so I don't have the warmest tone when I speak. But this, this was different. I tried to change the topic. "Anyway. What was on the paper you threw at me? I recognised the Japanese, but I'm still learni-"

She flicked her braid and grunted.

I sighed. She was stubborn. Stubborn in a way which was cute, not frustrating. Huh, that's funny. "I'll tell you Lina. And I will because I trust you. But not now okay? After school...uhhh...near the dock? 7...8...pm?" I tried to muster a smile.

She side-eyed me, eyes scanning me up and down. A look of anger - the cutest look of anger - broke into a smile. I felt my heart flutter. She punched the air and squealed.

"And I'll tell you what the paper crane said." She held out her tiny hand. I grasped it - oh wow, wow, there it is again, this time, the back of my neck started to burn. We stood there for a bit, shaking hands, looking at each other. The bell rang and her best friend, Shiori, suddenly materialised next to us, grabbed Lina's arm and they ran down the corridor laughing.

Suddenly the only thing I wanted was the clock to strike 8.

I walked down the hall, on the verge of skipping, but of course I wouldn't do that. There it was, the final bell, symbolising the end of the day. I slipped my backpack on and ran to the bus stop.

At home, I plunged into my wardrobe. There it was. My new Ralph Lauren polo V-neck vest, which I pulled over the collared shirt that had been elegantly embroidered by Lina. On top, was my new black overcoat. Finally, the chuck-taylor Converse. I put gel in my hair styling it in a cool but modest way. Oh wait. Glasses? Nah. Lenses, and I'm done. I look at myself in the mirror. Woah, who's that Kdrama actor?

I have never wanted to dress up, but just had to in father's paparazzi swarmed conferences. But today, today I felt different. I felt special. In a way I've never before. I wanted to dress up. It surprised even myself that Lina could make me happy and excited in a way no one has ever before. I check the time. 2:00pm. Urgh, 6 more hours? Ah well. What happens in six hours? A tingle ran down my spine. Oh stop it Zhao. You have maths homework. That will take you 6 hours.

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Here I am trying to study, but I just can't. I spin my pen in my fingers, head resting on my palm. My mind keeps drifting, while I want to concentrate on my work; I really want to think about all these different equations, and graphs on my computer but I can't. I genially am unable to think of anything else, I want to, truly I want to concentrate on my work.

My mind just seems to wonder to something else, something brighter and more wonderful, consisting of Unicorn Caramel Latte's and Rainbow cupcakes. All these different factors that make up my dear friend.

Lina. Her smile and laugh consumes my mind. I wonder if I really just want to be friends with her.

Or if that's my mind making excuses, because deep down. I think I might want more than a friendship.