The Seventh Day

Chapter 3: Second Semester

        I had the fear that grown in me ever since that certain experience made me more conscious with my actions. In order to forget, somehow, I even have to avoid James for the whole first semester. Not even a single conversation.

        Sometimes there comes a certain day wherein I bumped at him during lunch, or catch him hanging-out with Brad. I realize that James was a member of Brad’s band, The Vamps. I couldn’t help it; Brad somehow never forgets to greet me and asks how my day every time he sees me is. It’s a good thing he doesn’t know about the boys’ bathroom incident.

                As second semester starts, I’m finally moved on, but still no connection between me and James. Who cares? I mean he’s no one special for me, so who cares if I ever had a relation with him. He’s rude, arrogant, and I don’t think he ever knew how to get along with girls.

                “Ms. Brookes, can I talk to you?” Mrs. Heatherton called. “Yes Mrs. Heatherton?” I come close to her table. While she’s stacking the papers from our pop quiz a while ago, she reached out from her drawer and draws out a flyer. “I’m not a very musical person, but let me get to the point. Mr. Simpson approached me and asked me talk to you about something.” She hands me the flyer. The flyer is announcing a Talent competition for each school, and Brad’s band will be representing our school. “He asked me to ask over for your permission if you could collaborate with them for their main song.” I leaned back because I was surprised to what she said. “Why me?” I asked. “Brad said you have a wonderful voice that’ll suit for their song. If you accept, you can just approach any member of their band.”

                I left the room over thinking if I should join. Maybe it’ll be a great experience. As I walk pass the hall I remembered that we have homework in History, good thing I remembered. I took my notes out from my locker and head straight to the library. I was surprised to see James with Connor as they scan books.

        Slowly I walk towards their table as I held three thick history books and one atlas. Why I am even scanning books if there’s internet, well not all the things we get from the internet is always precise. I looked like I’m holding a leaning tower of Piza made out of books, in my hands. In every step I take, the books starts to wiggle and shake, I try to balance them somehow when I tripped into something.

        I ended up falling from the floor, and the books are scattered on the floor. “Argh! Unbelievable!” I grunted. And the Librarian shushed me. I tried to stand up, my arms supporting my weight; I lifted myself and pick up the scattered books. I was about to pick up the last book when James took it and hand it over me, “Here, are you okay? Here let me help you carry that.” As he took the rest of the book and put it on the table beside Connor, who’s folding a paper into a plane.

        “What are these books for?” he asked. He drags the chair and sat beside me. “For our homework in History.” I flip through the pages of the book while James watches me while I take down the important information. I tend to look at him as he reads the things I wrote. I can’t help but to smile at the way he acts ignorantly. Connor leans to James and told him that he’s going home. He bid us goodbye and left.

         “Can I be honest with you.” He interrupted. I put down my pen and turn my attention to him. He’s been reading all the things I wrote and maybe he’s already bored that I am all he’s got to talk with. “Well that’s not normal.” I teased him. Then he laughed at me, “Seriously Annie.” Then he shoves my hair. “You know what?” he paused, his jaw begins to turn as if like he can’t say what he wants to say, “I thought girls only likes lipsticks and shoes, that’s my first impression of girls that’s why I never bothered hanging-out with them.”

        Wow, I never thought he’d open up to me like that. “Until I met you.” Then my eyes widened when he said that. I gave him a soft punch in his shoulders and it hurts my knuckles. “Are you all right?” he asked as he got up from his chair and leans to me. “Wow your shoulders are hard.” I said as I massage my hands to relieve the pain. “I work out. I hate being called Chubby James back in middle school. Never mind that, what I am trying to say is, I never thought that you have a great smartness in that pretty head of yours.” I didn’t know if I was going to take it as a compliment, but it flattered me.

        “Why would you say that?” confused to why he thought I was different from the other girls.  “It’s my first impression among pretty girls. All they ever did was find a way to prettify them but they never seem to use their minds. But you were different; you’re so smart, and serious in your studies.” Then he strokes his blond locks and shakes his head.

        “Well as they say, don’t judge a book by its cover.” I concluded. “Uhm, do you really think I’m pretty?” then he laughed. “Well yeah. I thought you already know that.” Then He looked away. “Oh shut up!” I shouted, and then the Librarian came to us as I throw crumpled papers at James giggling at each other. “Library is not a playground. And look at the time.” The librarian was pointing at the clock. It was already 6:43, I am so late. “Oh no it’s so late, we should probably go.” Then he lets out a big frown. He picks up my books, “Can I walk you home?”

                On our way we still managed to open up with each other, but we are definitely out of the topic about me being pretty. I never thought that James had a younger sister, no wonder he is so curious about ladies.

        Then our topic went about the Talent Show. I was trying to tell him that I haven’t decided if I am going to join their band but he seems like James is begging me to join, I can’t feel it in the way he talks. “Brad told me you had a wonderful voice.” He said with a smile. “Well I can’t say it’s wonderful. Let’s just say I can easily catch a tune in my head.” That’s my explanation.

        As we arrived at our front porch, he hands, my books carefully, making sure I can carry it. “I had a great time. Thanks.” He said. “So did I.” He was like ten steps away when Mom came out and saw James. “Good evening Mrs. Brookes, I just accompanied Annie home.” James greeted. Mom had a weird grin in her face and turns her head at me. “Mom!” I knew that look in her face. It’s the look of a young puppy love.

        I hate how mom does it in front of guys she caught with me. “Mom this is my friend James.” I tried to stay calm as I introduce him, hopefully mom doesn’t embarrass me in front of him. “Oh James, right? It’s already late. Why don’t you join us for dinner? It’s meatloaf night.” I can’t believe mom invited James for dinner. I mean, she doesn’t even know him. I tried to shut up as long as I can.