The Art of Pen Flirting (#LunaEast)

2

I know I am spacing out a lot of times in class. I know Esther and Lisa understand but Terrence would always scold me whenever I sleep late at night for The Wolf's Pen. I stared at the papers I laid on the table. Low scores are evident and 5 out twenty items were the highest. I sighed. I can't keep this pace if I want to pass Geometry.

"What kind of paper is that?" My shoulders jerked because of Terrence's voice. I hid the papers, hoping he didn't see the scores.

"I already saw them, no need to hide." he said. He dropped his bag on the floor which landed beside my favorite Jansport bag.

"Hey, that one looks familiar." he noticed.

"Peter Parker's Bag in the Amazing Spider Man," I said proudly.

"Seriously?"

I nodded.

"One of my best bags,"

"Are you a skater or what? Are you a lesbian?" he asked too straightforward.

I laughed. "Having Peter Parker's bag doesn't mean I'm a lesbian, Terrence."

He shrugged and sat beside me.

"How are the articles going?"

"I handpicked eight, polished most of them to fit your taste. Now, we have to categorize them,"

"Uh huh..." He said being smug. I resisted the urge to tell him that most freshies joined The Wolf's Pen just because of him. I know most TWP writers envy me for working long hours with him.

His hands reached for the computer's mouse and scrolled to the MS Word tabs. He started reading the "Wolves Kick Doves" article, the lone article for the sports column since the one for the Basketball sucked.

I looked at his eyes, moving in a slow straight line. I followed his gaze then looked at the computer screen. I am having difficulty breathing because every time I do, I can smell him.

The room was silent and I didn't know what to do because my work is done. Maybe, I'm just here to accompany him giving a "go" signal for the articles which was his ultimate power.

I was silent, unusually silent. I wanted to talk but I didn't know how I will start. The only audible sound is Terrence's click of the mouse, the aircon and you can include the irregular beat of my heart.

"Where's the trio?" Terrence asked, eyes still on the screen.

"Esther needed to go home so as Lisa. It's Friday, everyone wants to go home early."

"Why aren't you home yet?"

"You asked me to be here."

"Did I?" he asked back, more like talking to himself. I rolled my eyes.

"I guess, I'll just go home then. My work's done," I said and stood up when suddenly he grabbed my arm.

"Hey, stay." Terrence shoot me a fierce look. I don't want him scolding me so I sat back and sighed.

"You don't need me here," I said, trying to sound annoyed.

"I need you, you're the associate remember?" he asked, having that EIC tone.

I rolled my eyes, hoping he's seeing it. "Fine."

It's not like I didn't want to stay beside him. It's just that I'm feeling irrevocably nervous. I've done this a couple of times, sitting with him inside a room or meeting a teacher with him but it always felt weird. I don't want him see me look awkward because that's how I feel, awkward.