The World We Knew

Chapter II

    Weekend flew by, Isa and I were very busy -she mostly with stalking what Matt did, as I was finishing my Little Prince. Besides our movie nights, we almost burned down my house while making homemade popcorn and swooning over the new Netflix show - Bridgerton. Isa likes more action movies and series, but she also couldn’t resist the gossip, romance and handsome men. She had to suffer my complaining about how I will never be able to attend such balls, wear such exquisite gowns or meet a handsome duke.

    Her response was that if my nose wouldn’t be stuck in these books all the time, I would at least have a high school romance. Of course she was joking, but I also know she is right - at least a bit. Who cares, fictional relationships are more than enough for me.

    It’s Monday now and my first period is History II. We have the coolest professor for this subject. Two months into school he always gives ‘yearly’ projects and that is our only grade. Mr. Smith it’s truly the best.

    I share this class with notorious five, as I like to call them. How they end up all in my class is beyond me. Still, I take my regular seat in this class, which is first row by the window.  Usually I don’t have a sitting partner but as I am preparing for the professor to walk in, someone grabs a chair beside me, making a scratchy sound as they drag it out.  

    I turn my head to snap at the person - unable to concentrate because of the god awful sound, I stop though - once I realize that person is Nathaniel. It’s not that I don’t know how to stand my ground, it’s more that I know now to pick meaningless fights - especially with him. He silently takes a seat, not sparing me a glance, scowl resting on his face. I could also swear that annoyance is radiating from him, combined with his intoxicating cologne. I have never seen this boy smile before and a part of me wishes I would. As much as I am curious as to why he is sitting next to me, instead of with his friends, I don't wanna disturb him, so I continue my preparation for the beginning of the class.

    Just as I am finished Mr. Smith walks in. “Good morning students. Do not bother moving your seats. Whoever you are sitting next to, will be your project partner.”

    You can hear some people cheering - satisfied with their partner, and others complaining - because it’s obvious they will have to do all the work alone, while me and Nathaniel just sit in silence. I don’t even dare to move. I must work on a yearly project with Nathaniel Hayes. This surely can’t go wrong in any way possible. Note my sarcasm. 

    I finally gather my courage - after a few minutes of just sitting there in a silence. “Okay, um I guess what I would need is your school email, so I can send you updates on our project and all I will ask from you is to show up on presentation day and do your part of it.” I rush out in a shaky voice, hoping he hears and understands me, as I can’t gather the same strength again.

    “What are you talking about? I am doing my part of this project, meet me in the library after school.” Nathaniel calmly replies - his voice rich and deep, then turns his gaze back to the front of the room, not giving me any room to protest. I guess the library after school, it is. With nothing else to discuss we stay quiet for the rest of this lecture. 

    The rest of the day flies by, filled with anticipation of what is to come. As I make my way to the library - once again on this day, my thoughts are overflowing with information. How does one even speak with Nathaniel Hayes, I mean yes he is human just like me, but like how? Okay Alexis just keep your cool, you got this. You are in control of this situation.

    My eyes dart across the still full library, and after a while I finally spot an empty couch - to which I dart to like a cheetah. This is the last available spot and I don’t wish to work on our project on the library floor. I almost stumble on my way, but I succeed in my race. Fist bumping air I plop down on the couch, my face still beaming with satisfaction of my accomplishment.

    “Well that was amusing to watch. Are you always so competitive with yourself?” Amused voice next to me asks. Voice that belongs to no other than Nathaniel. I blush a crimson red - not a nice shade on me, ugh I can just die from embarrassment. I thought no one saw that, or at least not someone who I am stuck on a project with. It’s obvious I didn’t think this through. I take my notebook out of my backpack and give my full attention to Nathaniel.

    “You actually showed up.” I state, desperately trying to change the subject, just as he makes himself comfortable on the couch. I offer him a small smile, which I am sure doesn't quite reach my eyes, something I always do in awkward situations.  

    “I actually enjoy working on Mr. Smith’s projects. And if I am stuck with being your partner so be it. Jacob, Liam, Kaden and Matt always ditch me and pair up, anyway. I usually end up with a better and cutter partner either way, so you don’t hear me complaining.” He casually shrugs and stretches his back. While I take a moment to silently appreciate his looks. Discreetly of course. It’s not my fault his gray shirt follows his movements and raises up a little. 

    “So let’s get straight to business. Do you have any ideas yet? I thought about it and instead of doing something like dystopian history, I want to make a project about a part of our actual, already made history. Of course since we are partners I will let you contribute to decision making.” I say in a firm steady voice, while scrambling ideas in my now open notebook. As much as Nathaniel as a sight for sore eyes, I don’t intend to lose more time than needed on this project. I have books to read, shows to binge watch, food to eat. 

    “I have a very clear idea of what I want to work on, so stay focused and follow what I am about to say. I don’t like to repeat myself.” He says with a grin on his face as he leans in. Jerk. I stay silent and narrow my eyes a bit, waiting for him to continue. If he thinks I am some empty headed girl, he has another thing coming.

    “Okay I want us to make a huge project. It will take a lot of time and effort. The title would be: Before Edison, Franklin and Volta, subtitle being: A world without electricity. I know the subject on who actually ‘discovered’ electricity is complicated, but let’s stick to these three inventors. I also know our little town is not the world, but we do want some dramatic effect. The point of our project would be that we would take electricity away from our town for a week. Then observe and question people and see how electricity affects our lives.” His idea is brilliant, I will give him that. Although it’s not fair he got the brain and the looks. Who gave him both? 

    “Honestly your idea is great and it also has a dash of my idea in it. I am just not entirely sure how that would work. I mean to take away the whole town's electricity for a silly high school project, that would be impossible to achieve.” My mind is already drifting with millions of ideas on how we would do this and this seems to be the only problem. But Nathaniel doesn’t seem to see any hurdle as he stands up abruptly, turns around and says: “Not impossible if you are mayor’s son.” He winks at me and then in the blink of an eye, he is gone. 

    What just happened? 

    I pack my bag and take my time in exiting the library, my head still full of thoughts. I didn’t know Nathaniel is the mayor’s son? I mean, I also didn’t know he is so handsome up close. I guess you learn something new everyday. Now that I got to talk to him for a bit, I understand why some of the girls swoon over him. I mean besides his bemused and at the same time intense green eyes, soft brown hair - which I wanna run my hand through, there is also his amazing body and one can see he isn’t just sitting at home all day eating chips. Not that there's anything wrong with chips.

    I need to get him out of my head. And the perfect remedy for an attractive, yet unwanted boy occupying your mind is to replace him with an attractive and wanted one. Such as Gilbert Blythe from Anne of Green Gables. He is charming, full of wit and mystery. 

    I finally reach school’s exit when I remember I am to walk home today, since Isabella ended her lessons long ago. I just hope it doesn’t rain.

    Luck remains on my side, all the time during my walk home and I am thankful for that, you don’t know how wild my curls get in humidity. I see my dad’s car parked at our driveway which is unusual. But I still skip inside like a little kid, hoping that maybe I will be able to spend some time with him. As I enter our house, I see him asleep on a couch, so I go and cover him with a blanket. Then go do my homework. My excitement still present.

    After I am done with that, I go check on my dad and see he is still asleep so I cook us both dinner. Since I am a girl and it’s hard to decide what to eat, I let Pinterest decide. And that is why half an hour later I am munching on gnocchi with parmesan and tomato sauce. It’s delicious and I must admit, I have a hard time containing myself to not eat everything I just cooked. 

    Hearing some movements in the living room, I almost trip over my chair as I am trying to get to my father. And when I finally do, we both stop our movements, his pale face completely opposite of my flushed one. “Hi.” I whisper. 

    All I get in return is a courtesy nod, which fills my body with disappointment and my shoulders sack as well. I know he can read my body language, as I can read his. It’s guarded. He is stiff and looks like deer caught in lights. His eyes are bloodshot and hair disheveled. Although he could blame sleep for how his hair looks. His attire is a professional one, obviously him still being in some nice suit. Probably just coming home for a short rest, then back to court or his office or to go on another business trip. You see my father is a lawyer, a very successful one. And as our town is very small he usually travels to a lot of  bigger cities, to work on bigger cases. Not that our town doesn’t have quite a number of lawsuits. You would find a number ridiculous.

    None of us make a move after that, or a sound for that matter. So my father decides to leave. He exits the house, like a rabbit escaping a wolf, slams the door and I hear him drive away. My body is consumed with shock. First because of the state he is in, second because I thought I will finally get part of my father back and last because I finally feel angry with him - his lack of acknowledging me and raising me. 

    My shock is short lived though because I remember I have a delicious dish to finish in the kitchen. Talk about stress eating.