You're My Favourite Subject

Four

•Lin-Manuel•

Jonathan didn't seem okay. I looked past Vanessa at him. He'd averted his gaze to the window. I frowned at him, I didn't do anything wrong did I? I feel the weight of Vanessa leaning her head on my shoulder. I kiss her forehead then turn my attention back to the class.
Mr Novak continues talking about how America was founded. I answer most questions on Alexander Hamilton. I was extremely passionate about the topic, I found his life very interesting.

In between everything, I steal glances at Jonathan. He's just sitting there, doodling in his book. I can't see what he's drawing because Vanessa is in between us. So I look away, back at the board.
I intertwine my fingers with Vanessa's as the class marches on. Time seems to go on forever in theses classes. As if the four walls themselves bend the reality of time and lengthen it by years and years and years...
I watch the class. Study it. Hands shoot up all over the class when Mr Novak asks a question. Hands are in the air, scattered across the classroom, waving back and forth looking similar to trees caught in the crossfire of a hectic lightning storm. And in one movement they all fall, as if lightning stuck them all simultaneously. One hand stays in the air a little longer than the rest. The one student that was called upon.
Like the trees that are only grown to die, the hands stand upright only to fall down when they aren't picked.
I watch as the teacher chooses the fate of his students. Like a king and his disciples, like George Washington and his slaves. Telling the students what to do and when to do it. The only difference? The students get a say. They get an opinion.

"Lin..." I hear a voice whisper. And it takes me a moment to realise it's Vanessa.
"Yeah.." I resurface out of my stupor and reply in the same soft tone, turning to face her.
"You alright..?" She squeezes my hand, I squeeze back and smile at her.
"I'm fine.." I reassure her. "Just thinking.."
"That's all you ever do.." She leans over and kisses me.
I sense, more than see, Jonathan stiffen and as I pull away I glance past Vanessa at him. He's gone a very dark shade of red and was averting his gaze. I didn't linger watching for too long.
I pay attention for the rest of the class, mindlessly rubbing circles into the back of Vanessa's hand with my thumb. We do get some work done during the class. Eventually after waiting, for what seemed to be an eternity, the bells sounds. Mr Novak knows it's no use to try and get us to stay while he finished so he tells us about homework.
"Please research into at least one founding father, a page of research would suffice." He pauses then looks directly at me as I make my way out the room (pink bag over my shoulder), "Lin, don't even bother, we all know you know everything about the founding fathers."
I give him a thumbs up, "You got it, Mr N."
I grab Vanessa's hand and, gesturing to Jonathan to follow, we make our way back to the canteen.
Jonathan lingers behind Vanessa and me.

We got to the canteen. There was more spaghetti so we all waited in line to get a serving. I had an arm around Vanessa's waist as we walked back to a free table. Jonathan sat opposite us awkwardly. Soon we were joined by the crew, Anthony, Oak, and Daveed.
Daveed jabbed me in the side with his finger.
"Dude! What was that for!" I clutch my side.
"Teacher just lets you get away with no homework because your smart!" He crosses his arms in a mock-mad way.
I shrug, "Not my fault I find that specific topic very interesting."
"It also isn't your fault that you have a pink backpack but oh well." Anthony piped up. He didn't even look up from his spaghetti as he said it.
"Shut up Ant!" I kicked his foot under the table, knocked the contents on the table around.
And he kicked back.
And thus the foot war began.
Only to be ended by Oak.
"Guys! Stop it! Jesus.." Oak shoved Anthony and than proceeded to reach across the table and shove me backwards by the chest.
Anthony lost his balance, falling from his bench. Triggered by his impact everyone died laughing.
Wiping a tear from my eye I looked across the table at Jonathan. He was smiling at me. I smiled back and the already red face darkened exponentially. He averted his gaze to the table. Watching him. Studying him. Looking at his short hair. The way it perfectly suited him and made him look very h-
I shook my head trying to forget everything I was just thinking.
Once again, the bell sounded. Picking up our bags Vanessa and I linked hands once more and made to move off.
But before we left I looked back over at Jonathan.
"Whatcha got now, Jonny?" I leant up against the table, crossing one leg over the other.
"D..." he mumbled the rest and looked down.
I raised an eyebrow, smirking. "What was that?"
"I said... Dance..." he still spoke softly but I could hear him at least.
"Ah so you're a dancer!" I smile at him.
He looks down again, the tips of his ears going red. "Y-yeah.."
"Hey don't be ashamed. Dance is awesome!" I notice he brightens at that.
"Really?" He sounds as if he just doesn't believe me.
"Yeah. Now I gotta go, man. I've got art, don't want to be late again." I move away.
Once I turn the corner I wrap my arm around Vanessa's shoulders, pressing a kiss to her temple.

With that I walk into my art class.