i'm just really observant

Two Observant Teens

How did I become so observant? It is a good question. I like to think that it's just because I have a cool and mysterious personality, but we all like to think of things that aren't true.  It's because of my upbringing. I had to learn to be observant. It's not like I grew up in a wildly abusive family, but I do think that not all families are like mine. I live in a house of monumental tension. The slightest thing could throw off everything and then there would be yelling and sometimes even throwing of objects. I have learned to read the slightest of microexpressions and the most unnoticeable tone changes. Just so that I don't make the teeter-totter of tension rupture. 

I'm now on my way to school. I usually walk or bike, but today I am walking. When I walk, I enjoy listening to music and people-watching. I see some of the same people every day, and I create names and backstories for them in my head. Also, I fall in love with so many of them. The little quirks they think no one notices, or the way they smile or frown. People are beautiful. 

I eventually make it to the school, and as I am walking in, I see Liz. She's stunning, as per usual. 

OBSERVATION

I compare myself to people all of the time. It is a very unhealthy habit, I know, I know, but when I see people like Liz, I can't help but feel kinda ugly.

"Hey, Michelle." She says with a quick glance as we walk in. I am quite taken aback. Liz Allen talking to me is not a regular occurrence. A senior speaking to a sophomore just generally isn't.  More specifically, Liz Allen speaking to me, Michelle? Oof. I know we are on the same decathlete team, but we don't speak outside of it. But she's told me before she enjoys practicing with me after school during our scheduled team times. I mutter a hey and keep moving because I could tell it was just an acknowledgment of existence, not an invitation to converse. 

As this has happened, I've noticed that 4 people around me have sneezed, 2 people have gotten into an argument with another person, and one couple is trying not to seem like a couple. It's always so obvious. But I also noticed that Ned saw me and instantly headed the other direction. Totally not sketchy. I do a mini-jog to catch up with him. 

"Ned!" 

He turns around is his face is red as he begins to just word vomit. 

"Oh, hey Michelle! Nice boots! I didn't see you there, otherwise, I would have-"

I cut him off short, saying, "Would have told me what it is you are obviously hiding from me?" 

He cocks his head and turns slightly while he panics for a response.

"Pfft, I don't know what you're talking about- wait, Michelle, where are you going?"

I turned around and started walking away. I know exactly which vending machine Peter goes to every morning, which, by the way, he never used to do until this whole "Stark Internship" mess began. 

I begin slowing down my speed-walk once I near the vending machine. I see Peter's backpack. "Hey, Michelle," he says, with ease. 

I tilt my head to the side in surprise. He turns around with a sly smirk on his face. "You're not the only observant one around here. You must know that. Also, nice boots." 

I smile, quickly followed by an eye-roll and ask, "Why is Ned acting so strange all of a sudden? You two are obviously hiding something." trying my best not to sound too interested, even though I practically bounded here. Peter's smirk falters, but only for half a second.

OBSERVATION

Peter is very expressive, however, at times he is also good at hiding what he is feeling. Except you can always count on there being a split second in which you can see through the facade. It is very hard to catch.

He breaks eye contact, but not in a nervous I'm-about-to-lie way. More so an I-know-how-to-act-when-I'm-lying-to-make-it-believable way. "Michelle, Michelle, Michelle. I'm surprised you couldn't figure it out. Ned obviously has a crush on you," he says, his voice sure. 

I struggle to not roll my eyes. 

Peter obviously knows, because his smartass always has to say something."Go ahead, roll your eyes."

I let out a little laugh, but I'm quick to respond. "I'm surprised you think so lowly of my observance skills that you think I'd actually buy that."

"Huh. I actually think you're just stubborn."

"Me? Stubborn? Please. You planning on ever coming back to the academic team?"

His eyes fall away from mine. 

"I get it. The Stark Internship," I say. "I still plan on figuring out whatever you and Ned are hiding."

He smiles. "Good luck with that." So he is hiding something.

The 5-minute bell rings and we part our ways. His smirk faltered for a minute, which actually confirms the fact that he is hiding something. Since Ned started acting strangely just recently, and that must mean that Peter must have told him what he's hiding recently. Or did Ned somehow stumble upon the truth? Peter phases me as the type of guy who doesn't enjoy telling other people serious secrets. 

I eventually make it to my locker and throw my bag in and grab my textbook and binder. I hear someone talking about how their cousin got webbed by Spiderman because he thought their cousin was stealing a car when in actuality, the car belonged to their cousin. 

I've never personally seen the Spiderman with my own eyes, but I still have mixed feelings about him. Superheros--I don't even like referring to them like that--only seem to bring trouble with them. Although I also can't ignore the fact that he had done good things. The bell rings, snapping me out of my thoughts, and marking me late for homeroom.