Between Me & You - n.r.

Chapter 6

Hailee's POV

The classroom was full of kids who were waiting for class to begin. Midterms were coming up and everyone was getting stressed out. All the kids who never usually showed up for psychology class were here today.

"Okay class, let's get started", the teacher said. 

The class was boring. You can only discuss classical versus operant conditioning for so long. 

I caught Nick sneaking glances at me all class. I tried to act like I didn't notice, or that it didn't phase me, but it did. Like usual, I didn't let it show on my face. 

The end of the class came quickly and before I knew it, the teacher was trying to decide who would be interrogated during today's question and answer period.

The teacher scans the room and I can only imagine what he's thinking.

What student can I torture today?

His eyes land on Nick.

It had been 2 weeks since Nick asked to drive me home for the first time. He's been giving me rides everyday since. He also sits with me at lunch most days. I catch myself looking forward to seeing him more often than I care to admit. 

"Mr. Robinson", the teacher says, gesturing to Nick. "Why don't you come up the front of the class?"

"No, I'm good", Nick replies. Everyone is silent. No one ever refuses. 

"Excuse me?", the teacher asks.

"I said no. I don't actually want to go up there."

The teacher's face hardens. Everyone knows he has a short temper and leave it to Nick to test it.

"Get up here, or see me after class, Mr. Robinson."

Nick looks at me with a look that says "make me". I return his look with one that says "I dare you". He would never turn down a challenge. Especially from me.

"Alright", Nick says. "I'm going." He makes his way to the front of the classroom and sits on top of an empty desk. 

"Okay class, ask away", the teachers says.

A hand immediately goes in the air. It's Emma's. Nick rolls his eyes subtly and points at her.

"Why do you hang out with Hailee?", Emma asks.

Nick's hardens slightly, like he's getting defensive of me. Not that I need it. I laugh out loud at Emma's question. 

Emma whips around in her seat to face me. 

"Is there a problem?", she asks.

"Only if you make one", I answer, still chuckling to myself. 

Nick winks at me and proceeds to answer the question. 

"I hang out with Hailee because she's like a breath of fresh air compared to all you losers."

At that moment, the bell rings and Nick immediately leaves the room. Emma stays in her seat looking wildly offended and embarrassed. 

Serves her right.

+ + + + + + + + + +

Nick and me are sitting at my table outside during lunch that afternoon. We're listening to music on his phone. I have one earbud and he has the other. 

The song is beautiful. Crossfire by Brandon Flowers. I listen and I'm reminded about how much I admire Nick's taste in music. 

We sit in silence while I do my math homework and Nick watches me.