Soul Kiss

Rico Suave

Hello everyone! This is the 4th Chapter of 'What's Normal?' And that I am proud of.

Its a bit longer than previous chapters. So I am hoping you enjoy that. So without further adieu!

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Economics was terribly interesting, and I am not saying that because I’m some kind of nerd. True the subject matter was new to me, and much to my surprise I enjoyed it more than the standard classes, but that wasn’t the focus of my interest entirely.

Mansur was next to me.

I tried hard not to stare at him like some oddity in a zoo, but unfortunately my eyes were pulled to him like magnets. He seemed to have better control than me. After the initial look in my direction, he dare not look at me again. He was terribly antsy in his desk though, like he couldn’t wait to leave.

I watched him out of the corner of my eye as he clenched and unclenched his fist. Crossed and uncrossed his legs, and tapped his foot intermittently.

Could he feel the hole I was burning into him?

Probably. That was most likely why he was acting as if he had an urgent matter to run to directly after class.

After a curious, and perhaps for him, difficult 90 minutes, Mr. Evans let us out with our chapter reading assignment.

The bell rang over his voice. “Okay class, make sure to read chapter one tonight. It’s just the introduction to terms that will be used in the class and in the rest of the book. However, it is the base of the entire course. Make sure you know it well.”

I listened but I couldn’t take my inquisitive stare off of Mansur. I watched as he gathered his book, his page from class had been nearly empty, and saw him take off as if someone yelled fire.

He exited quickly, leaving me still collecting my books. Mr. Evans had seen him rush out without me.

“Ms. Petes”, he called to me when the class was nearly empty “weren’t you supposed to show Monsur …MANsour? I’m sorry I am terrible at pronouncing names…”

I stood up and walked to the front of the class facing him. “On the announcements they pronounced it mAn-sOOr.”

“Ah hah. Thank you. So, weren’t you supposed to guide Mr. Mansur to his next class?” he looked at me confused.

“Oh…um…I think he had to go to his locker first...yea I will meet him there in a minute.”

“Okay, well done Mandi. Not to spread a rumor or anything, but I heard the faculty talking about how it was difficult to get a guide for him, considering what people think of his country and all. I think they have notions.” Mr. Evans said to me seriously.

“Um...is that true?” I felt my heart weigh down a bit at this news.

“Yes, unfortunately. I am glad that you volunteered!”

“Oh…..no problem Mr. Evans. Well I must get to Calculus now.” I began to step away.

“Yes of course Mandi, see you tomorrow! Don’t forget the reading.”

“I won’t” Then I walked to the exit.

Seeing how little time I had left to get to my next class, I ran across the school. I was supposed to meet Bianca outside the classroom. I’m sure she already went inside by now. Once I arrived, I stepped in just as the bell rang.

“Well if it isn’t Ms. Mandi Just-made-it-by-the-skin-of-my-teeth Petes!”

I looked towards the teacher at the front. It was Mr. Bradshaw. He hated me. I don’t know why, and I don’t know if I’m the only one in class with that feeling. To me it seemed he picked on me most of all. And it always was for the one question I didn’t have a clue about. Last year’s Pre-Calculus class was an embarrassing nightmare for this fact.