Equations of Love

Chapter 11

We're now in last period. Just a few more minutes before the bell dismisses us from school. I have so many conflicting emotions inside of me right now. I'm excited to be going to his house for the first time, but I'm also completely nervous and terrified to be going to his house for the first time. Do you see my problem?

My African History teacher is droning on about some movie we'll be watching for the next few classes. 

"Good afternoon faculty, staff, and students. These are your afternoon announcements."

Everyone sighs in relief as they begin naming the events that will be ocurring over the next few days or weeks. I'm packing up my bag when my very fashionable friend Tsehai turns in my direction. I look up to see her giving me a sly look.

"Um, can I help you with something", I question her, raising a confused eyebrow.

"Don't look at me like that. What's going on with you and Blade?"

I feel my face begin to heat up at the mention of his name. "What are you talking about?"

"You know exactly what I'm talking about! You guys are always together all of a sudden. Did you hook up or something?"

"Well", just then the bell rings, "I gotta go. See you later, love!" I rush out of the class, leaving Tsehai in the dust. I'm not scared or anything. I'm just not ready to tell the entire world yet.

Students poured out of their classrooms, rushing to make their buses in time.  I took my time walking the hallway, silently preparing myself for what was to come. I am lost inside my cluttered mind when someone's hand intertwines with mine. "Hey, Blade."

"Hey, babe. You ready to go to my place?" He wiggles his eyebrows suggestively. I hit his arm playfully as he chuckles.

"I guess. This might be weird though. What if I say something and your parents hate me? You know I have a habit of saying strange things."

"That won't happen, love. My mom has already met you and she thinks you're great. I'm positive that my dad will feel the same way. The strange things that you say are usually hilarious, so you'll be fine. Plus this isn't a date, remember? Just finishing the project", he says, putting emphasis on his last statement. He places his arm around my shoulder as I lean into his side.

"You're right. I'm being such a spaz right now. Forget it", I say. As we're walking out of the front doors of the school, I manage to trip over my own shoe. "Forget that too."

I swear he laughs for about five minutes before he actually breathes properly. "Oh God that was so bad, I'm so sorry. And who says 'spaz' anymore? So 1970, don't you think?"

"I didn't think it was that funny, dickhead." I pout my lower lip out as much as it allows with the saddest face I can manage until Blade gets a look of guilt on his face.

"I'm sorry, baby. I didn't mean to hurt your feelings. Look, my mom should be here any second. Don't be mad, please?"

My expression softens as he grabs my hand and pulls me along to sit on a bench. He pulls my legs up to rest on his lap as he softly rubs my ankles to remove any pain from my feet. I'm beginning to really enjoy myself when Lenice and Mariah walk over to us with a strange look on their faces.

"You guys look like you've just seen an alien or something."

Lenice takes a seat beside me and Blade ceases his motions, removing my feet from his lap. "Why was Mr. Loveboat rubbing your feet?", she questions.

"Well you see, what had happened was", Lenice and Mariah exchange glances," I have this condition that causes me to embarrass myself, it's called being a klutz."

"She tripped, and being the amazing boyfriend I am, I gave her a foot massage. Free of charge, of course."

"Or you're whipped", Mariah says, her and Lenice laughing as if it's the funniest thing in the world. I roll my eyes and climb onto Blade's lap, resting my head on his shoulder. My friends look at with adoring eyes.

"Awww", they begin cooing in unison. I feel myself blush and bury my face into the crook of his neck.

"Shut up, oh my God, you guys are such mood ruiners." I remove myself from his body and carry on my conversation with these wierd people I call my friends.

"Oh, my mom just got here", Blade says, grabbing both of our backpacks from the ground. I stand from where I was seated and follow behind him.

"See you guys Monday. I'll text you this weekend or something', I promise as we near his mother's car.