The Apathetic

Chapter 1: The Mackenzie Project

"I don't want to sound rude but, don't you have friends that you sit with at lunchtime?" I bluntly say before taking a bite out of my chicken caesar sandwich.

Levi touches his heart as if he was hurt and continues to research my "condition" on his laptop.

For the last two days, Levi Young has been sitting with me at lunchtime. I get that he doesn't want to see me alone but, honestly, I don't mind if I am alone.

From what I noticed, however, is even though Levi is out here, people still want to come to talk. Yesterday, his friend Julian came out to hang with us and today his other friend Amaya came to say hi before the blonde I saw on my first day pulled her back inside. Levi told me the blonde's name is Delilah Garrison.

I have also noticed that Levi is super persistent. I try getting him to leave but, he doesn't want to go. He says and I quote," I can't leave until I find out more about the 'interesting' Mackenzie Adams. The feelings she doesn't show is a mystery I must solve." then he smiles a pearly white smile and says," I hope to be a therapist someday. Just like my dad."

I asked if I am some subject that he can use. He comments that he finds me intriguing and I am not mere of a subject but, a mysterious friend he wants to decode. Maybe therapy is not for Levi, more like criminal investigation. At least it feel like it to me.

"Aha! I've found it!" he shouts which, shocks me a bit. It was kind of quiet before he made that outburst. Only the sound of birds and passing cars came by.

"What exactly have you found?" I ask, taking a peek at his laptop screen.

It says, "Apathy."

Levi closes the laptop and turns to me," You lack interest and enthusiasm. Often, you seem emotionless. It is more likely apathy."

"What the heck is Apathy?" I ask. I take the last bite of my sandwich. Everything that Levi says is kind of true. I do feel emotionally detached and unmotivated. I do it all the time but, I can't understand how Levi got all that from the little information I gave him, it wasn't even intentionally.

Levi opens his laptop and goes to Wikipedia, "According to Wikipedia, apathy is a state of indifference or the suppression of emotions such as concern, excitement, motivation, or passion. " he explains then closes his laptop again and moves it off his lap," It means that you don't express your feelings that much."

Well...that is something I never heard before," And I take that now you have found out my condition you will leave me alone and go back to your friends."

Levi makes a face like he was given an unpleasant surprise," Why would I go and do that for? I want to help you."

"What if I don't want help? You are wasting your time with me. Your friends want you back, especially the Delilah girl. She doesn't seem all that pleased that you are with me."

"Delilah will be fine. We have been friends since before we were born. It feels like that sometimes anyways. We have a solid bond." he replies.

"So what do you plan to do? I don't think you can just show my feelings on the internet and tell me what they are." I crumple the sandwich wrapping paper I have in my hands. I didn't think that sort of thing can be easy and judging by the look on Levi's face, he sees it wouldn't be that easy either.

"Of course it wouldn't be that easy. It will take some time but, we can always start with you just feeling the emotion and I can help you show them more. There are a lot of emotions out there for you to feel. I want to show you the world."

Persistent indeed.

"That seems too much for someone you just met, Levi. You don't have to do all that." I sigh.

Levi gives another pearly white smile," Oh...Mackenzie but, I want to do this. I don't want to sound creepy or be weird but, even though you might not feel it yet, I feel a connection between us. Something saying that we were destined to meet. Destined to know each other. So naturally, I can't just leave you to be dull and emotionally detached."

"You sound like a sappy person in love. I know that much." I say. My godmother is always watching soap operas. I happen to be in the room sometimes.

Levi lightly pats me on the back," That's progress. I may sound like that but, it is true. I do feel some connection. I just not sure what to recognize it either."

We stare at each other for some time. My brown eyes look into his green eyes. I can surely see his persistence to help me. Maybe being able to feel passion and motivation my feelings will be beneficial. I am just unsure if being with Levi will be ok. I am usually emotionally detached, what he wants I might not be able to deliver. It is all just a shot at what could be; I don't expect much.

I sigh, first to break eye contact," Fine. I guess I will go with your little plan of yours."

Levi jumps in his seat and hugs me. I didn't expect that to happen however when he does hug me, I got a tingly feeling in my body. It felt......pleasantly weird. I just awkwardly wrapped my arms around him, there wasn't anything else to do anyway.

The bell rings signaling the end of the lunch period and we still are there hugging each other. Somehow I don't want to let go, though. Levi is warm, which is obvious since he is alive but, I don't know how to explain how I feel at the moment. The pleasantly weird tingly feeling.

From the distance, over his shoulder, I could see Levi childhood friend, Delilah. Her face is scrunched up and she is frowning. Like she was told she can't have cake or something. Delilah walks away from the bleachers.

Levi let's go of me and gives me one last Levi smile," Ok. Operation: The Mackenzie Project is underway!"