Sneakers And Hoodies

vi - Wrinkled Brows

"To spice up literature this year, I decided that it would be absolutely lovely idea for everyone to do a project." As if on cue, everybody groaned.

Great. A project, Aurora thought. Not that she didn't like doing projects, or her teacher. Mrs Smith was a fairly likable, even lovable teacher. Her tight bun threadedwith slivers of silver, thin-rimmed glasses made her look meek, but all whom she taught knew that she had more up her sleeves than just a facade of a wee little lamb (it wasn't that she was evil, she was just mischievous).

No, projects meant socializing.

With strangers.

Strangers who shared the same classes with her but never bothered to strike up a conversation or even spare a glance.

When it was only Tori and her it was different, for she had found out that both of them had many things in common after spending some time together. They just clicked as fast as you could blink. It was too bad she wasn't in her Literature class.

Everyone avoided the 'doodle freak' and the 'watermelon girl' like the plague itself since the canteen incident, not wanting to come across as Nicole's new target. Nicole made sure of it herself. Amusing thing was, she stayed away from all things watermelon. Even watermelon-flavoured chapstick (Aurora's favorite).

"The watermelon just became her kryptonite," Tori had once said (she had a secret obsession for superheroes). "They're both green, right?" Their giggles were hushed but tinkling all the same.

"You will be working with your partner," Groans broke into cheers and enthusiastic fist bumps. "But, I will be choosing your partners. You will also be seating with your partner for the rest of the year." Mrs Smith had an evil glint in her eye, she knew exactly who were going to be partners. Oh naive students, she thought when she saw their disappointed faces, weren't you expecting this to happen sooner or later?

Mrs Smith read out the names of the partners, with Aurora and Kai subconsciously wondering about each other. A little part of them had hope. 'Hope for what?' - you ask. Well, even they themselves didn't know.

Who will he be partnered up with?

Who will be her partner?

An imaginary drumroll started in Kai's mind. Mrs Smith opened her lips to announce that the next partners would be -

"Aurora and Eric."

His guts turn to cement. Mrs Smith announcing that particular set of partners made disappointment etch wrinkled brows on his face. Of course she was paired with his best friend.

Kai didn't even realise these thoughts were going through his mind. He kept denying each racing heartbeat every time he heard her tinkling laugh resounding in the library, each swarm of butterflies released when she smiled at him.

Looks like I need to work solo again, as dreaded memories of his partner last year refusing to work with him resurfaced. Sigh. Nobody wanted to work with him, but always his best friend.

Aurora herself felt heavy. She secretly wanted to be paired up with Kai. Unlike Kai, she didn't deny her teeny tiny crush that had rested in her heart unknowingly. It was something... weird and unfamiliar - that she felt fascination towards someone.

Mrs Smith didn't miss the disappointment in the teens' facial expressions. In fact, she didn't fail to catch their first interaction in front of her class. Ah, young love, how I wish time would reverse, she thought wistfully.

Having enough of her little inspection, she told the class that there was a mistake and Aurora was supposed to be paired with Kai. She giggled inside like a young maiden she was once when both their faces lit up. Then a rosy blush when they realised how they reacted.

Dear young ones, I boat you.

×××

A/N: Aww Kai's denying a C-R-U-S-H. Is anyone in that crushing action right now? If you are, tell me, I would love to know.

My love life is as boring as a mime trying to teach language. xD

I would like to thank every single one of you that read, voted, commented, followed, or even put this book into a reading list. I'm deeply honoured. I really never thought anyone would read my writing. :D

Sincerely,

C

<3