SEBIAN

Here she comes. I raised my right hand and waved at her. “Hi there, partner,” I spoke with a raised tone so that it’s audible to her. I just love how her expression changes from anything to dread the moment she sees me. My grin widened at her reaction, her steps slowed down and again she was at a loss as to what she should do. “I have been assigned as your project partner, I am pretty sure Mr. Crauser has already told you that.” As expected no answer from her. She stopped for a second as if she was discussing whether to stay and answer my question or walk away.

She decided against answering me and taking a turn started walking away. I sighed. This girl is just too much. I got in my car and started driving. I drove near her and shouted, “Come on in. I know you live nearby my house, I can drop you and you don’t need to walk.” Still no answer, she just kept on walking briskly. That’s it; I just can’t take it anymore. That day because of Joe I couldn’t but today I am going to make sure she talks with me.

I stopped my car and got out of it, ran after her and stood in front of her, blocking her way. She crashed onto me and stopped but never looked up. This image has become so familiar to me in these few days. “Hey, listen to me, seeing that we are teamed up for the project I think we will need to talk to each other, right?” There was nothing close to sarcasm in my tone, I was being pure angry and rude here. I hope she gets that.

She remained silent in the same position. Wow, this girl is really something, isn’t she? I got hold of both her shoulders and shook them. “Look at me when I am talking to you. Get your head up and look at me, tell me that you understood what I am talking about.” Slowly, very slowly her head rose up. She looked at me and nodded. I noticed her, this time actually noticed her. A few strands of her brown curls were peeking out of her hood. I never imagined her having curls. I reckoned that like anyone categorised into introvert she will be having messy black hair which might be tied but I was definitely not expecting this.

Her eyes looked a little puffy and glassy. Was she crying because I spoke harshly? “Come on now, get into the car, I will drop you home.” I started walking towards my car and looked back to see her following me with wobbly steps like a kid. I smiled. I drove and she sat uncomfortably beside me. I can’t be choosy right now you know, this is at least a start and I really do not want to scare her off.

“So, I heard your name is Alin, is that right?” she nodded. “I am Sebian, you know me right?” another nod came from her. Hmm... This conversation is going pretty smoothly, better than I expected actually. I ask and she nods and this process repeats, great! After about 15 minutes I parked my car in front of my grandma’s house. “You can go to your house from here, right?” I pointed towards her house; she nodded again and got out of the car. “And if you have anything to talk with me, you know where to find me,” I pointed towards the house at my left with a smile. With a last glance towards me she walked away.

“I saw Alin with you today, were you dropping her home?” my grandma said with a smile tugging on her wrinkly face. “She’s just a friend grandma” I smiled back at her. “I know, I know, I am just glad that you are making new friends.” “Yeah.” I couldn’t speak anymore after that and just finished my dinner instead.

I sat on the bed in my room listening to music. My phone was in my hand and I was going through random stuff in it but my mind was busy thinking about what my grandma told during dinner. ‘Friend’, was Alin really a friend of mine. I don’t think I have ever considered that. I wanted to be closer to her so that I can mess up her project and that will stop her from getting the scholarship, that’s it.

My phone rang, it was Natalie. “Hi baby. You’re going to pick me up tomorrow, right?” like I had any other choice, won’t you chew my ear up if I don’t. “Of course, I will.” “Thank you baby, bye” The call was disconnected. I really don’t want to think about anything right now. If I have to spend tomorrow with Natalie then I better get some sleep and replenish my energy. Turning off the lights I lied down and fell asleep but I do remember seeing a pair of beautiful green eyes at some point of the night in my dreams.