Letting Go Is Easier Said Than Done (An Original Story)

Chapter 7

Chapter 7

The next day... In Spanish Class...

  As I walk into class, I see Clark sitting in the desk next to mine with a genuine smile on his face. I shyly smile back and sit down in my seat. "Clark, you don't normally sit near me. What made you change your mind?" He blushes a bit. "I wanted to get to know you more. You're an interesting girl Myra." I can't help but laugh at that choice of words but for Clark's sake, I will refrain from bursting out into laughter. 

We talk for a few more minutes before class begins. Ms. Ramirez (our Spanish teacher) rambles on for forty minutes about how Spanish spoken in Spain is different from Spanish spoken in let's say Puerto Rico. It's not that what Ms. Ramirez teaches is boring, she just gets side tracked really easily, which is both beneficial and not at the same time. After her never ending speech, Ms. Ramirez assigns us a project that involves... dare I even say it... partners. I hate partner and group projects because I always get stuck doing all of the work. Is that fair? No. Do I want to fail though? Also no. Ms. Ramirez paces the room pairing people randomly while carefully studying their reactions. If someone looks pissed, she rolls her eyes, but if someone looks too happy, she switches up their partner fast. Though it takes me a minute to realize Clark and I are the only two people who haven't been called yet. This is amazing! I think Clark is going to be my partner, I just need to hear the verbal conformation to make this dream come true. Myra... you're scaring yourself. You're beginning to fall into the mindset of a Disney princess. Lord help me. 

  Ms. Ramirez stops in her tracks between Clark and I's desks with a quizzical look on her face. "Myra, Clark, you two will be partners. How do you feel about that?" Clark gives her a half smile and nod while I respond with "That's fine Ms.Ramirez." Seeming satisfied with our reactions, she walks over to her desk, leaving our partnership unharmed. By the way, Derek and Becky switched out of this class yesterday so now I have every class except Spanish with them. In orders, I have one less class with my best friends. 

    As class comes to an end, Ms. Ramirez gives us topics to start doing research on and tells us that she will be providing instructions tomorrow. I glance at Clark who's already looking at me, which sends a large mass of heart to rush to my cheeks. "Are you okay with partners with me Clark? If not, it's totally fine if you want to request someone else." He gives me a gentle smile and in a whisper says "There isn't anyone else that is worth being partners with." His compliment gives me enough courage to do the unthinkable, which is jot down my email and phone number on a piece of paper. I place that piece of paper into the palm of Clark's hand just as the bell rings. He silently takes it and heads off to who knows where while I head to my locker and then lunch with a smile so wide, you might think that I just got a face lift or botox or some other shit plastic surgeons often do to a corrupt a person's natural beauty. 

   As I sit down, Becky and Derek study me like a lab specimen. Becky then hits me playfully. "You and Clark had a moment, I can tell. Good for you girl. Though you owe me the deets." Derek rolls his eyes but silently mouths "I'm happy for you." I shrug my shoulders. "I don't know how to describe it. To be honest, there's ins't much to tell except Ms. Ramirez paired him and I together for a project in Spanish.  Our lovely topic by the way is flamenco dancing." Becky squeals loudly, causing at least half of the cafeteria to stare at us and me to look down in embarrassment. "Myra, you should do a dance with him for the project." I make a sound of disgust. "There is no way on Earth that we'll be doing that. I'm not a dancer and I'm sure Clark isn't much of one either." Derek flashes a signature smirk in my direction. "Oh come on Myra, you know you want to dance with Clark and have him catch you in his strong arms if you happen to fall." 

   UGHHHHHHHHH!!!!!! I never should have opened my mouth. Curse me and my ability of struggling to keep anything to myself. I look from Derek to Becky and back to Derek. "I love you both, but you two are seriously getting under my skin." Becky and Derek both grin saying in unison "We love you too, which is why we're teasing you like this." Becky then softens the blow by telling me that she's happy that I'm finally starting to connect with Clark. I hug her gently but stick my tongue out at Derek who bursts out laughing. "Real mature Myra, real mature." As the bell rings, I bow gracefully and lead us to music.