Astray

22

"Oops." I stagger backwards. I didn't notice which way I was going and ended up clashing into someone.

"Shit." The other person swears under their breathe. Oh wait, I recognize that voice.

"Albert Port, aren't you particularly clumsy this morning?" My lips curl up in a smile as I stare at the boy in front of me, who is now adjusting his specs and looking at me, eyes even smaller and face cuter.

"Melissa Richards, why weren't you watching where you were going?" He cocks an eyebrow at me.
"Well, I just needed an excuse to fall into your arms, you see." I bat my eyelashes at him.

"Too bad you went tumbling backwards." He makes a sorry face and I hit him lightly on his arm.

"We have Chemistry together, I think." He says as he looks at the schedule in his hand.
"I bet we have chemistry." I say, giving him the most charming of my smiles.

He looks down at me, utterly amused and holding back a smile. His cheeks colour a bit before he clears his throat.
"Smoother than butter. No wonder you have boys falling for you."

I shrug as I twirl a strand of hair around my finger.
"I can't help it, I'm excellent at flirting." Specially when I know that I have a thing with you. I don't say the last part out loud, of course.

Albert coughs. "Are you flirting with me? What did I do to deserve this honour?" He says playfully and I laugh.
"I really like you, you know?" I say.

Albert stops and gazes at me. "You're full of surprises today. Did someone mix drugs in your breakfast?"
I laugh again. "Trust me, no one needs to add drugs to my food. I'm very well capable of taking them myself. I meant it when I said I liked you-"

I trip over something and go tumbling forwards all of a sudden. Albert catches my hand and steadies me. Sniggers follow around and I turn to look at the person who had poked their ankle in my way.

"Hi Lisa." Sassy smiles at me.
Or more like smirks at me. I try to ignore her and walk away when she quickly steps in my way.

"Heard you threatened my boyfriend the other day? What is your problem?"
She folds her hands across her chest. Her straight blonde hair rest perfectly around her shoulders as she speaks. Her make up is perfect even though she doesn't need it, she's really hot. But what looks good isn't always all that nice. Cassandra Peale is an A-level bitch.

"Your boyfriend?" I'm genuinely confused.
"I'm dating Spencer." She says smugly, like it's an achievement.
"Oh right. I forgot that you change boyfriends like clothes. Also, he asked for it, your Spencer is an asshole." I snap back and her eyes narrow till they're tiny slits on her face.

"Sluts shouldn't accuse other girls of changing boyfriends." She spits out and I take a step back. Despite all the prep talk I gave myself yesterday, it hurts. This still fucking gets to me.

And just when I need someone to back me up, Albert steps in front of me.
"I think we were done with this issue quite some time back. Excuse us, we have a class to attend."

"Mind your own business nerdie." She grits her teeth as she glares at him. Sassy's glares are so dangerous, they can cut through a person. Albert however, doesn't seem fazed at all.

"Also, what is your problem with nerds? I've seen you messing around with other kids as well. Are you jealous? Cause the people you call nerds are those who are smart and confident about it. Intelligence makes you insecure, doesn't it?" He asks her and I want to clap. Sassy just got owned.

She smirks haughtily before muttering something under her breathe. She then grins evilly at me. Something feels very off right then. But I don't say anything. She walks away after waving her fingers in the air.

"You slay." I say to Albert after Sassy is gone and everyone starts minding their own business again. The kids in our school have no other work than to stand and stare if a scene is happening in the corridor. People love drama, I've realized.

"I do. You were telling something before she came." He says.
As I look up at his face, which is adorned with his sweet smile and the tiny eyes I find so cute, I'm at a loss for words.

"I don't remember." I mumble.
"You were talking about how you flirt so well and you said something about me before leaving off." He says. It doesn't look like he's trying to get me to accept something. He actually has no idea but wants to know simply because it was something about him.

"I really don't know. What was I talking about? I have such weak memory."
Of course, I remember. Just because I have a weak memory, that doesn't mean I forget all the moments I felt special. I was about to tell him that I like him. That he makes me laugh and I admire his brains and ambitions. That he's been there for me more than any other friend and I feel a flutter when he looks at me.

But like all the other times in my life, I don't tell him that. I don't tell him what he means to me. Maybe because I don't want to jinx this. Maybe because I don't want to scare him away. Maybe because I just don't want to get too close to anyone right now. But mostly, I believe, it is because I don't deserve him.

He grins and shakes his head before walking towards class. I shake my head to myself too. Some things are better left unsaid.

I follow him inside class and ignore the prying gazes of people as they follow us. So we entered class together. Big deal?

I sit on the second last seat while Albert occupies mine. I don't want to keep re-reading the large 'whore' scrawled across it.

Sir enters the classroom and greets us. He starts speaking. "Junior year will be over in about a month. Since we're already finished with our syllabus, we'll start with the senior year portion wherein each one of you will be assigned a lab partner. We'll work for a few days this entire month so that all of you can get a gist of your new partners."

Sir then starts announcing the names that will go together and I pray to God that I get Albert as my partner. Or any other nice person will do too. Please don't let it be any of my previous friends.

"Albert Port?"
"Yes sir?" I hear his voice behind me.
"You're with Dyna Chester."

Fuck it.

"Melissa Richards?"
"Sir?" I hold my breathe.
"Your partner is Spencer Flynn."

Ew no.