Bittersweet

Part 4

Literature is quite hectic, if you ask me.

Everyday we get assigned vocabulary on each chapter of Of Mice and Men. Plus, the teacher just zips by the book faster than Eminem can say Rap God. We only ever get assigned reading homework every other day, but I actually am interested in finding out what Curly and Lennie will get into because I heard there's a quarrel between the two.

I look over at Jake. He reads ahead as opposed to reviewing and taking notes with the rest of the class.

I want to do the same, just because I want to know what happens next. Also, I want to finish the book before the end of this week.

I sit and wait for the bell to ring because I'm thinking about making a move on my way out of class.

My stomach turns just thinking about it.

"Alright, class," the teacher really has a loud, firm voice that almost kind of scares me. "For our reviewing, I want you to choose a partner for the next set of vocabulary words for chapter four. Only two to a group and use your time wisely. "

Before she even finished the sentence, almost all of the kids were already out of their desks and going to their friend to be their partner. They were all friends, really, and so they sat all together sort of close by as if there was one big group of students doing these ten words.

And then there was me, the one person who didn't know anyone in the class, well, except Jake, but besides that.

"Do you want to be my partner?"

Jake is standing behind me, waiting for my answer.

Wait, Jake is standing behind me, waiting for my answer?!

"Um, yeah, sure."

I give him this awkward, but at the same time, relieved smile.

He pulls a desk around in front of mine and sits down, situating everything he has on the desk: the OMAN book on the top right corner, the vocab worksheet directly in front of him, along with his pencil, and his binder, which has a bookmark in the front clear sleeve that has one of those cheesy quotes that supposedly encourage you to read. It said "Open a book, and open a world full of surprises. Reading is awesome."

I grimaced at the cheesy-ness.

"So, I kinda already did the vocab in advance."

He seemed a bit hesitant, almost like he was waiting for me to call him "nerd" or what not, but, I thought it was adorable.

"Oh, that's okay. I'm reading ahead. I heard Curly and Lennie get into it."

He smiles.

"Yep, yep they do," and then he whispers, "I read ahead, too."

I laugh.

"If you want, you can copy the definitions from me." he offered, but that's considered cheating, plus I need something to do in study hall later.

"Oh, no, it's okay. I got it."

I assure him with a smile.

"Okay, well, since we have already read ahead, what do you want to talk about?"

I didn't know. I was never a "conversation starter".

I shrugged.

He grins.

"We can keep talking about our shoes, if you'd like?"

I giggle. Oh, Jake, you're so funny.

I shrug again.

He laughs again and looks over at the big group across the classroom.

"They're certainly using their time wisely, huh?"

I smirk and roll my eyes.

"Yeah, right?"

And for some strange reason, he just looks at me. Just, blankly looking at me as if he were reading me like a book, turning my pages with each blink he made.

"What?" I finally ask, trying to hide my face which I can feel turning beat red.

"Nothing. You just have nice eyes. Are they green?"

I nod.

He smiles again.

"I like green eyes."

Okay, I'm about to piss myself. This is too much for little Elize, here.

"Thanks," I say, quietly. "I like your eyes, too."

He smiles, yet again.

"Well, thank you."

The bell rings and ruins my beautiful, romantic, eye discussion with Jake. Everyone is already out of  their seat or out the door.

Jake gathers his things and heads out.

"Bye, Elize."

He smiles and exits, doing that cute little waddle.

"Bye." I say, but he's already out the door.