Sparks Fly

CH:6 Coffee

I have been hitting my head on the wall throughout the day. Even now I'm still thinking about the tale I made up in my head and am not able to concentrate on the equation in front of him.

"The equation is not gonna solve by itself. You have been staring at it for a long time," Neil says.

"Sorry, I have a headache today. I don't think I can study any more," I tell him.

"Well I think you mean a hangover. A pill and a good night's sleep should do it," he says while closing the books.

"Me and Sara had a talk yesterday."

"And?" he asks

"You're a prick," I say and leave him alone while I move towards my room and shut the door behind me.

It's been 10 minutes and still he hasn't knocked which makes me think that maybe he left. I put my ear on the door to hear if there's any movement behind it but I hear nothing to my avail. I'm about to turn the knob when I hear a light knock. Opening the door, Neil and I find ourselves in close proximity. There a sudden increase in my heartbeat leaving me flushed, the moment lives shortly as Neil breaks it by saying,

"As much, I love this, I'm holding hot coffee in my hands."

My gaze drops to the cups he's holding and I fully open the door. He rushes to the nearest table and puts the cups on top of it. Pointing to it he says,

"Might help with the headache and may remind you of all the nice things I did for you. So stop with the 'prick.' It is not even fun to hear that from your mouth, there are many loving endearments that could replace it."

"You deserve it. You made me think there was something going on between Sara and you." He takes a step in my direction and points towards himself and asks,

"I made you think? How did I possibly do that?" I also move in his direction and speak with my pitch going a bit higher,

"The other day when you couldn't even look at me but were talking to her, you took her somewhere on your bike. She invited you to her birthday, why? Oh, because you're her boyfriend's friend. And here I thought you were paying attention to her because you guys were 'involved.' You didn't even think to correct me when you had the chance, you just laughed at me."

Neil takes both my hands in his and comes close, really close. His face has a mask on but his eyes, 'the eyes chico, they never lie.' But it went as swiftly as the moment dawned on us. He drops my hand and steps back and tells me to take a seat. I sit down on my bed and he drags a chair from the corner and places it in front of me. Sitting down he spreads his legs as much the space allows with my legs in between his, not touching.

"I didn't seem to correct you because I was enjoying it. It's fun to tease you. You may not know but the top of your ears turn red. I am guilty of that. Sorry if it bothered you that much. About the other day. I sort of played cupid for them. I set up a blind date and took it upon myself to take Sara safely to her date, I even dropped her back home. I thought that would impress you, clearly not. There's absolutely nothing between me and your sister. That being said, coffee?"

-----------------------

The last week of hard, cold winter of November goes by. I accompanied Sara and her new partner, Jay to the movies. Nothing makes you feel single and lonely than third-wheeling a new couple on the block. It makes you go to places where you don't want to. That is, it reminds you of a black haired boy who has lately started to grow a beard. The stubble really suits him. Mind you looking at him now is not for the faint-hearted. Even Mother thinks so.

The other night when we were almost finishing up the class, Mother arrived early and insisted Neil stay over for dinner, which he politely declined. Later during dinner he is all mother could talk about.

"Is he a good tutor?" she asks. Swallowing the contents in my mouth i answer,

"He's nice. He's really good at science. He has quite the hold on that subject."

"Her mother did vouch for him alot. Let's see, your exams are in a week. This time it should be different."

"Of Course mother." I'm drinking water when she says,

"He's hot." I spew the water out and start coughing roughly as water enters my nose pipe.

"It's not like you've never noticed, c'mon. Keep your head down and you'll be fine," she says frankly as she collects both our empty plates and heads for the sink.