Midnight Ocean 》P. Lahote

c. 7

Sumati, in the brief few weeks at Forks High School, had came to a conclusion: she despised Economics.

After the phone incident, Mr. Contigo had seemingly decided to make Sumati's life difficult. He would call Sumati out every moment he believed she wasn't paying attention: when she wrote her notes, gave worried glances at Bella Swan, who seemed to be desperately falling into a dark hole, or even she did pay attention, questioning her every move. He'd begin the class asking her what she thought of the pre-readings and honestly ruined Sumati's interest in Economics. 

She had brought this up to Mike this morning after an intense Economics class that left Sumati ready to cry, questioning whether Mr. Contigo had done that with previous students:

'I honestly don't understand what I did wrong. I understand I was on my phone but students are always on their phones!' Sumati sighed, Mike frowning as she placed her head between her hands. 'One mistake and he's making my life a living hell.'

'Just for sending a text?' 

'Yes!' Sumati huffed, before looking up at Mike. 'Has he done this to anyone else?'

'Mr. Contigo's a good teacher. He gives a load of work but he's never had an issue with students using their phones.' Sumati sighed, Mike smiling softly at her. 'Maybe you have it all wrong. He's a teacher who likes active discussions and I think he just wants to know what the new kid thinks of supply and demand.'

'He has a horrible way of showing it.'

Sumati's Thursday passed quickly the next day, she following the school day with a productive study session at the school's library with Angela. Sumati found herself anxious at her class assignments, along with the college applications she needed to complete soon.

'Are you okay?' Sumati looked across the wooden table at Angela who stared at her with a frown. Sumati smiled softly, nodding. Angela frowned, nodding as she focused down at her Physics assignment. Sumati's heart began beating faster against her chest as she stared at Angela's assignment.

Breathe, breathe.

She gulped as she found her vision begin to cloud, she clutching the sides of the table tightly.

Breathe, Suma. Breathe.

She quickly stood, excusing herself as she rushed out of the library, rushing outside. The chilly October weather hit her face, as she began gasping for air. She reached for her phone that sat in the back pocket of her denim jeans, as she quickly dialed the only number that came to her mind. On the third ring he picked up.

'Sumati?' She sighed, closing in her eyes as she basked in his deep voice. 'Sumati, baby, are you okay?' She pressed her back against the brick building, trying to form the forms to tell her how she felt.

'I-I-'

'Baby, you okay?' She felt something wet against her cheek, her free hand going to her cheek to realize they were her tears.

'K-keep talking.' She whispered, leaving her eyes closed.

Paul's P.O.V.

Paul stepped out of the living room, away from his brothers and Emily to the backyard listening as Sumati struggled to speak.

'K-keep talking,' She whispered to him. He sat down on the steps of the porch as he spoke.

'Are you okay, Sumati? Just tell me that.' He asked once more, listening to her take shaky breaths.

'Bad nerves, really bad nerves.' She made out. Paul frowned, knowing how hard Sumati was on herself. She spent the majority of her time studying and focusing on her dreams, her only free time spent with him. He was touched at the thought of her only free time being spent with him. 'Talk to me, please.' Paul nodded absentmindedly. 'How was your day?'

'It was fine. I had to work last night and didn't get home until 2. I had class all day and-'

'What did you learn?' She interrupted shakily.

'Oxygen has a color. A pale blue color.' He waited several moment before Sumati spoke.

'Really?'

'Really.' He listened as she giggled softly, he grinning. 'And the letter 'J' is the only one that's not found in the Periodic Table.'

'No way.'

'That's what I said!' The two laughed, before Sumati sighed.

'Thank you Paul.'

'For what?'

'For taking the time out of your day to answer my call and ease my nerves.' He smiled softly before speaking.

'You never need to thank me Sumati. I want to help ease your nerves and be there for you.'

'Thank you Paul. Again.'

'Baby, you don't need to thank me. I promise you I'm always a phone call away.' His heart ached to be with her, missing her smile. 'I miss you. The boys keep picking on me for it but I don't care, Sumati. You make me so happy and I wish I was with you right now to help you through this.'

'Would you like to get dinner together tonight? There's a diner in Forks we can go to, if you'd like.' He grinned, nodding. 

'Y-yes, I'd love to.' He stuttered out. He listened to her laugh as she continued.

'Does seven work for you?'

'Yes.'

'I'll send you my address, see you tonight Paul.'

'Tonight baby.' The duo hung up as Paul stared at the phone screen, biting his lip.

'Can't believe she has the famous Paul Lahote stuttering.' Paul looked back at Jared, who was leaned against the door frame, Paul growled waving his finger at Jared.

'Shut up.'

Sumati's P.O.V.:

Sumati held her phone close to her chest as she took several deep breaths after ending the call with Paul. Her heart fluttered at the thought of him, warmth all over her body at his kind words.

After several minutes Sumati entered the brick building, going straight to the table she shared with Angela. Angela frowned up at her, watching as Sumati sat down, placing her phone back into her backpack. She reached for her Physics notebook, turning to her notes.

'Everything okay Sumati?' Sumati looked straight at Angela and softly smiled.

'For the first time in a while, yes it is.'

-

note: i honestly just wanted to share this with you all. writer's block sucks as does this semester. wishing you all so much love and positivity.