The Third Wheel

The Third Wheel - Part 1

It was a cool day. Sophie Manuel was sitting in her classroom, alone. Her seat was right near the window, the view shows her what her fellow schoolmates were doing at the school yard. The window at the seat in front of her was open, making the untied curtains blown by the cool breeze. She sighed. She then stretched herself after finishing her schoolwork. Sophie was a model student yet she is a private person. Even so, she was popular among the students. Her gentle smile, her shoulder-length black hair always tied by a ribbon, her way of socialising with others, which was polite yet distant and her large sapphire blue eyes has enchanted the male population and is also the subject of envy for the female population. And yet, she is still respected. She has not that many close friends. She never indulge herself in gossiping and talking about the latest trends. She always thought that those type of things are a waste of time. Which was why she never felt it. Yes, she never felt love. She could never understand the feeling of watching a guy that she likes, talking to him with her heart beating fast in her chest, the feeling of sadness when she is rejected and also the happiness when she is around him. She did not want to sink into that level again. Even so, she was always confessed to every once in a month. She sighed again, tired of all the 'problems' that seem to happen often lately.

She threw her gaze at the window. She watched her male seniors playing a game of football. All of them were watched by most of the females there. It was not a surprise either. All of them were all handsome, especially the captain, Scott Kennedy. His short blonde hair, his kind grey eyes and heartwarming smile has won all the hearts of her fellow female schoolmates. She bit her lip. She then calmed herself down. He was just a senior. That is all.

She scanned the yard again. This time, she was watching three people under the school tree. Those three people consists of Samuel Andre, Kimberly Hawthorne and Jordan Watson. As far as her knowledge goes, they are a famous trio. They are sixteen, which is her age. They have been childhood friends since they were diapers.They are always in trouble for their mischief. They are always together, that it feels so unnatural when they are not. Samuel, the cool and kindly one, Kimberly, the cute and smart one and lastly, Jordan, the cheerful and playful one. Sophie shivered. When she saw Jordan ruffling his longish blonde hair, she suddenly remembered when she first encountered him last year when she was fifteen.

She was coming out of the library when suddenly she heard a giggling. She suddenly felt curious, and went back in the library to find the source of the giggle. As she was about to get near the giggling, she saw Jordan's figure. He was about to kiss their senior who was a member of the photography club. Suddenly, their senior stopped him. Jordan turned towards her way. Sophie was startled by this, yet she still kept a cool face. Jordan's dark green eyes then stared at her. He gave her a smile and said: "Peeping? THAT is surely a bad hobby. Even worse for a model student like you". She remain unjilted, instead she replied with a cool and sarcastic tone. "As a student who always uses the library, I find it inappropriate that the library, a sacred place where you find knowledge and peace, is used for such lewd things". Their senior was about to give an outburst when Jordan gave out a laugh. He wiped his tear and told her "You are an interesting one. You, that is". Sophie thinned her lips, and turned away, wondering why did she waste her time on such people.

She shook her head, wanting to forget that memory. Now, in the present, it seems that he is still a playboy who has many girlfriends. She then studied Samuel and Kimberly. Samuel was laughing, his jet black hair shining lightly by the sun, apparently amused by what Jordan was saying. Kimberly then hit Jordan's arm with her small hand. She then shook her head, her long strawberry blonde hair following her head while pouting her small red lips. Jordan then pinched her face, trying to cheer her up. Kimberly then stopped pouting, then hugged Samuel. This action reminded Sophie that they have become a couple. A news that shocked everyone, even the teachers. After all, they were best friends. Yet, it felt natural for them to be a couple. Holding hands. Cuddling each other. Giving each other romantic glances. Sophie was about to turn away when she studied Jordan again. This time, she felt like time has stopped. Her jaw dropped slightly. She saw his expression. His actions. He had on a pained expression. He looked away while slightly biting his lips.

This action apparently made him turn his gaze towards her, at her window. Sophie did not try to hide, thinking that he won't see her. Instead, he looked at her direction. Again, his eyes were watching her. Instead of sitting there motionless, she grabbed her black marker pen and wrote words on an empty white paper. She knew that he won't be able to read it. She knew it was not her to be doing this. She held up the paper. She was shocked of herself. How could she do that to the person she apparently loathed? She knew the answer. His expression which was always decorated with a smile, was in pain. She looked at him. Jordan had a suprised face. She studied him in disbelief. Don't tell me he could read this? She saw him stand up suddenly. He then ran, almost colliding with Scott. He yelled out an apology and ran towards the building where she is. Before she could process anything, Sophie heard footsteps. Running footsteps. The door was slammed open. She unconsciously stood up. She could not believe it. She really could not believe it.

Standing in front of her, was a panting blonde man who she just felt a feel of loathe. A man who was infamous for his playboy acts. The man who once laughed off her insult. Jordan Watson then entered the classroom and looked up. He gave out a laugh. Sophie was startled, thinking whether he has gone nuts. Jordan then walked towards her direction and stood in front of her. He gave out a grin. "Keep up the good work, Romeo, eh?". Sophie jumped, then looked at the paper that she wrote with her marker. The message that she gave him. She scrunched it up and keep it in her hand. He raised his eyebrows. "You sure have keep that bad hobby of yours. Peeping, that is". She felt her cheeks warming up. "I wasn't peeping! I was just observing you, that's all! It just so happen you have such an expression!" she burst out. Jordan stood there, motionless. He gave out a laugh again. "You really are interesting!" and gave out a warm smile. She felt her heart beat slightly faster than usual. What is this? Why is my heart weird all of a sudden?! I am so out of character right now! her mind yelled out in her head. She was about to answer when suddenly Jordan's finger was on her lips. "Hey, do you wanna go out sometime?" he said with a husky voice. Sophie slapped away his hand away from her, and gave out a glare. "I wouldn't even consider you, even when you are the last man on Earth!". She quickly tidy up her things and turned to him "Have a good day, Jordan Watson". She stomped out of the classroom and opened the door angrily when suddenly her eyes were focused on a tall figure. She let out a gasp. Jordan was right behind her saying: "You can call me Jo, for starters. How many times have I told you-" he stopped talking when he saw the figure. "Well, well, you should be glad. It seems you are not the only one in this school who peeps for a hobby. Glad aren't you, Sophie?". Sophie gulped, clutching to her bag, as if wanting to protect herself.

TO BE CONTINUED