Mate

Chapter 7

So right now we are in class and neither Andrew nor I can seem to pay attention to the teacher that is at the front. We keep finding something to talk about, whether it be serious or ridiculous.

"If you could be a vegetable/fruit what would you be?" Is a clearly ridiculous question veared toward Andrew.

He has this thinking face on with his squinted eyes, pursed lip and fist under his chin. "A pineapple, orange, peach or coconut."

"Two things. One, four fruits? You couldn't slim down your options?" He shakes his head with complete confidence. " Two, you would definitely be a squash or celery."

Andrew has a look of consideration on his face. "Why vegetables?"

"Celery because you have this hair that just," I pretend I'm running my fingers through a quiff on the top of my head like boys do, to show what I mean but can't seem to keep in my small chuckle at the face he's giving me. "sweeps over like the top of celery. Squash because you are muscular and squash is a meaty vegetable."

I swear his neck and cheeks tinge pink at the compliments. He looks so adorable.

I think he noticed my growing smile at his flushed state and quickly changes the subject. "Any siblings?"

"Nope just me. How about you and if not then what pets do you have?" Conversation was so easy with him. We were so comfortable with each other, it's as if we have known each other for our whole lives.

"Same I have no siblings, which made it more fun at Christmas," I laugh at his joke because it is somewhat true.

"Oh stingy are we Andrew? Don't like to share?" I tease even though I probably get more presents now then I would if I had siblings.

"Not what's mine." He mumbles, talking more to himself then me.

"But I do have a pet, his name is Farkle and he is a goldfish." He says like a kindergartener at show-n-tell with a proud smile and expertly averts the conversation.

I let out an un-lady-like guffaw as I lerch forward in my seat. "HAAHAHA!" I couldn't contain it anymore. A goldfish? Farkle? Oh gosh! I don't have a problem with either of those but naming pets-

"Ms. Taint, would you mind telling me what is so funny?" My 60-something year old teacher interrupts.

Yes. Yes I would mind.

I look up, my vision blurry from the tears that are forming "I'm sorry Mr. Burk I, um... It won't happen again." I say fighting the smile and giggles I feel building up and quickly avoid eye contact with Andrew because I know that would break me. I can see from the corner of my eye his body is shaking as he tries to contain his laugh.

When Mr burk starts to teach again and I feel all eyes off me except for one pair I look over at Andrew. He has this huge smile on his face that could make anyone's day.

"You have a goldfish?" I say through a smile.

"Yeah, why what's wrong with fish?" He looks perpetually confused.

"Nothing, nothing at all. You know I just thought, a dog, a cat; maybe even a parrot but fish was probably 5th on my list." When I mentioned cat he made a yucky face.

"I may be a dog person," he says with a slight smirk as if I'm missing something. " but I wouldn't trade in farkle for anything so." He sticks his tongue out at me.

"Oh well I guess we can't be friends anymore. I love cats and I wouldn't trade in" I try to think of a cat name off the top of my head " Beast for anything so" I proceed to stick my tongue out at him just as he did to me seconds ago.