Ride or Die

▪️7▪️

The temporary euphoria only lasts a glorious one minute.

During that one minute, however, we talk to each other, mostly about the project we'll be working on for the next few days. However, any time I can spend talking to him is time worth remembering and appreciating.

We part ways, ignoring a proper goodbye for a reason I don't know, and we just walk into the classrooms, both taking a brief moment to glance back at each other.

It's...weird. Awkward. Tense. I don't like it.

But I don't know what to do to fix it.

Or if I have the nerve to.

I barely even notice the bell ring, as I am already trapped in the web of thoughts occupying my brain at the moment. It is only when Mr. Fletcher stands in the front of the classroom that me and seemingly, some others as well, notice class actually started.

"Morning, class. Today we will be continuing work on our essays. Please grab your necessary resources and get to work. If you have any questions, please come up and ask." He says, snapping more students from their morning trances.

I already know that I'm ahead of where I should be, so for the next few days my workload will be less. I grab a computer and get to work, pulling up the resources and resuming work.

By the time the class period is finished I am two paragraphs from where I began yesterday.

Class ends and I stroll out, feeling an sense of longing.

Longing?

That's a bit out of the orderly. Probably to race. I raced for two days straight and I wouldn't be today.

Whatever. On with the day.

The small pang of feeling disappears when I notice Jacob walking out as well. I avoid his glance as to not look like I'm staring at him and walk away faster than usual.

Against all of my instincts I look back, and he's right behind me, looking straight ahead. At me.

Shit. I have a problem. Closest mental asylum, anyone? I'd like to know.

I force myself to slow my pace a little, so I don't look like I'm avoiding him, even though in reality I want to sprint out of the building and rant about my problems to the nearest telephone pole.

It isn't long until I see his shoes appear next to mine. My heart nearly bursts of nerves, and I can't tell if the emotion is longing and want, or nerves and the need to get away from the situation as quick as possible.

Reluctantly, I force my line of sight from the ground to straight in front of me. I'm sure I'm visibly shaking.

"Nothing interesting in class, I assume?" He asks.

Why is he suddenly showing interest in my life? We barely met a few days ago. This is weird.

"Nope. Just another essay. You?" I respond, instantly mentally cursing at myself for the obvious shakiness in my voice.

"Nothing of interest, like almost everything in school." He seems so calm and comfortable.

If only I couldn't have a crush on this dude.

Shut up!

"Oh? There's interesting stuff at school? Please explain." I probe, using sarcasm to cover up my nerves. I am way out of my comfort zone so might as well make the best of it.