Esme the Quiet One

CH. 9

"... and that is how electricity is conducted and light up the bulb." Esme circled the lightbulb on the circuit diagram. She was explaining to Kayden how electric works.

"hmmm.. I see. So... If I eat a potato, will I have electric powers?" Kayden asks in all seriousness.

"K-Kayden, that's not how-" Sigh. Esme was almost losing it. 30 minutes have passed since her first attempt at explaining the concept of their project. "Let's take a break." she finally decided. Before I lose my mind. She silently added.

Kayden stood up and said, "I'll go to the washroom then" and with that, he went out.

Esme just nodded and stared at the retreating back. She was now alone again in the science club. Her thoughts ran back to the time earlier when Kayden suddenly burst into the science club.

"I knew you will be here," Kayden said a little bit breathlessly.  As if he had been running. He has changed back into his regular uniform but his appearance was a little bit disheveled. He was not wearing his tie, the first button was still undone. Of course, it was untucked. One of his hands was carrying a blue lunchbox.

"I was looking for you but I did not see you at the SC cafe. Figured you will be here." He said. Still trying to catch up his breath.

"Y-you were looking for me?" Esme was still not over her shock of seeing Kayden.

"Yeah. I wanted to thank you and return this lunchbox." Kayden said, finally catching up his breath and took a seat opposite of Esme. "I was surprised when I saw you coming into the arena with Misaki senpai. I didn't know that you were an SC trainee. I was even more surprised when Ryan senpai gave me this lunchbox."

"I'm not surprised you never noticed me before. Though I always see you during training. I'm a trainee directly under Misaki senpai." Esme replied quietly.

"You did? I mean, you were in the management team all along?" Kayden asked, surprised that he never noticed Esme in the management team before. "Why didn't you say something to me before?" 

Kayden tried to make sense of the piece of news. Still unable to believe he never notices Esme before. Esme, in Kayden's personal opinion, was not someone hard to recognize. The way she walked and talked was different. She's taller than most girls, almost reaching his ears. Most importantly, she did not speak in a weird high pitched voice. And, she's smart. Like super smart. Kayden felt smarter after every discussion with her. It's like she transferred some of her brainpower to him. I hope her brain power will not run out. Kayden has thought to himself.

"We never had any reason to talk before," Esme replied with a sound reason. 

Then they fell into silence. Both loss of words. Both Esme and Kayden were never the ones to keep the conversation flowing. Usually, they are at the listening end. They will only speak up when needed or when asked a question. Now both have nothing to say since all have been laid out in facts.

It was Kayden who suggested they discuss their science project.

Kayden returned and assume his usual seat opposite of Esme. "So, shall we continue?"

Esme blinked several times. She did not notice that Kayden has returned. Thankfully she managed to compose herself before Kayden realized she was spacing out.

"lets, continue," Esme said in an all business-like manner. She was determined to make Kayden understand the simple concept of electricity before the day is out.

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"...remember, the electrons flow from positive to negative creates electricity. You have to remember this because you will be doing the opening." Esme explaining his part of the presentation, 1 week later.