The Real Me

Chapter 9. Unexpected Attention

Anastasia's Pov

I huffed for the tenth time, watching Gilbert talk to his girlfriend by the door—or rather, coax her.

At this point, only a few students remained in the classroom; class was over, and everyone else had gone home.

I would’ve been in the dorm by now if Gilbert hadn’t stopped me.

I stayed because Beatrice was here too—not because of Gilbert, who seemed more interested in his girlfriend than anything else.

I sighed again and turned my gaze to Beatrice, who was clearly having a great time with Samuel and Felix at the far end of the room.

Why can’t I feel free and comfortable like they do? I thought, watching them with longing.

It’s been my wish since I arrived at this school, but I struggle to initiate conversations without spiraling into negative thoughts.

Sometimes I convince myself that people won’t like me, and other times I fabricate excuses to justify my distance, telling myself I don’t like them.

But deep down, I know that’s a lie.

“What’s got you so lost in thought?” Gilbert’s voice jolted me back to reality.

He was with Bridget, who seemed to be avoiding eye contact with me.

Okay, this might actually be more interesting than my own life.

For some reason, I felt a flicker of excitement despite the raising of my heart.

“Nothing really, just some thoughts that crossed my mind,” I said, forcing a smile at him before glancing at Bridget, who finally looked at me but seemed uninterested.

Gilbert nodded with a smile before turning to Bridget and introducing her.

“So, this is my girlfriend, Bridget,” he said, placing his hand on her shoulder then glanced back at me.

I offered a genuine smile as I looked at them. This was amusing; did she ask him to introduce us, or was he doing it on his own?

“And this is Anastasia, babe, my new friend,” he continued, looking at her.

I observed them, still smiling, but the lack of chemistry between them was palpable—an awkwardness hung in the air.

Bridget glanced at me briefly, nodded, and then redirected her gaze elsewhere.

I could see she was uncomfortable. I used to admired her for how she carried herself around campus; she was stunning with her chocolate skin and hourglass figure.

Her curves were every girl’s dream, and when she wore our school uniform, it accentuated her shape and flat tummy. Which boy wouldn’t fall for her?

But the moment she stooped so low as to warn me off a man made all my respect for her evaporate, even if not entirely.

"Okay, I just want to introduce you guys so you can know each other," Gilbert began, looking at us, "and who knows, you can even be friends." He added, and I couldn't help but laugh, trying to stifle it.

Bridget tsked and turned to leave, saying, "See you later," to Gilbert but I quickly stopped her.

"Wait," I said, standing up from my seat as she turned back to look at me.

Gilbert's face was confused, and I noticed the others were watching us, making the class quiet.

My heart skipped a beat with nervousness, but I pressed on.

"I just want to know if you're the Karter Bridget's been warning me about," I asked casually, raising an eyebrow with an innocent expression.

Her eyes widened, and then turned furious as she glared at me.

"What are you talking about?" Gilbert asked, looking between us.

" Well, Bridget's been telling me to stay away from a guy named Karter, and I just want to know if that's you," I replied, looking at him.

Gilbert chuckled and dragged Bridget out of the class.

"Wow, I never knew you could talk like that," Felix said, and the others burst into laughter, making me feel embarrassed.

"You don't know her; she's a chatterbox," Beatrice added, making me glare at her.

She just ignored me and continued their conversation.

Gilbert returned and sat next to me. "Why didn't you tell me she'd been warning you?" he asked, looking at me.

"Because I didn't know you were the one," I replied, avoiding his gaze.

"Really, you don't know I'm called Karter?" he chuckled, amused.

I shook my head. "Not until yesterday during preps."

"You really aren't interested in people's business, are you?" he observed, as if he now understood me.

"It's not like that; I just don't pay much attention to people who don't really matter to me," I smiled.

"Oh, okay, so do I matter to you now?" he asked, giving me a flirtatious gaze.

I just smiled, choosing not to answer that, and diverted the conversation.

"So, why did you say I should wait?" I asked him, looking at my desk.

"So we could talk," he said, looking at my face, making me cautious.

"Talk about what?" I asked, but he kept looking at me.

"Hey, is something on my face?" I asked, touching my face to check.

"Sorry, there's nothing," he said, looking away.

"Okay..." I stretched the word, pretending to find the whiteboard suddenly fascinating.

"What do you want to talk about?" I asked again, curious about his intentions.

He looked at me, a smile creeping onto his lips. "Just wanted to know more about you."

"I mean, as a friend," he added, giving me his full attention.

I turned my gaze away, my heart racing. What should I say? What could he possibly want to know about me? That reminded me,

"Why are you suddenly interested in being friends with me?" I asked softly.

He raised an eyebrow, a look of surprise crossing his face before he appeared to contemplate my question.

"To be honest, I've been noticing you for a while now," he admitted, his tone sincere, catching me off guard.

Why would he do that? I thought, my mind racing.

"Do you remember the day you told David to go f**k his sister?" he asked, a grin breaking out on his face.

I couldn't help but laugh.

Jeez, that was one of the most embarrassing moments I had experienced since starting at this school.

David, a day student in our class, had become known for his knack for annoying me since the day I met him through Beatrice.

He had a talent for pushing my buttons, and today was a relief since he wasn't in school, allowing me a day of peace away from his antics.

Gilbert was referencing the day I inadvertently drew attention to myself in the most mortifying way possible, exposing a side of me I rarely showed.

"You know, that was the day you intrigued me, and I started watching you since then," he said, capturing my full attention.

"You started watching me?" I asked, puzzled at the thought, that means since first semester.

He nodded, grinning. "You were so funny that day! I mean, how could you even say that to him?" He burst into laughter, making me smile and shake my head.

"He was annoying me, that's why I snapped at him," I replied defensively.

"You guys seem close," he observed, a teasing glint in his eyes.

"Believe me, we're not," I chuckled. "He's so annoying!" I rolled my eyes, wishing David would just vanish from my life.

"You sure he hasn't asked you out yet?" Gilbert said, winking at me.

"God forbid! That's never going to happen. I don't even like him!" I exclaimed, horrified at the thought of being in a relationship with David.

It would be more like a war; we hardly tolerated each other.

"You're funny! You should have seen your face!" he said, laughing heartily.

He really is a cheerful guy, always radiating positivity.

"But it's never gonna happen," I insisted, disgust creeping into my voice at the mere idea of dating David.

He wasn't even my type; I found him unattractive.

I may see myself as plain, but I envisioned my partner as someone fair-skinned or chocolate-toned, not a dark-skinned guy who I considered ugly like myself. How would our children look?