Surviving Class and the Lunch Invitation
1109 Words
After her unexpected genius moment in algebra, Ailith spent the next two classes trying to fade into the background.
She failed.
People kept stealing glances at her, whispering about how she had solved that impossible equation without doing the homework. Some were impressed. Others were skeptical. And then there was Nara, who was watching her like a hawk, still suspicious about what had happened earlier with Tavian.
"Why did I have to be good at math today of all days?" Ailith groaned internally, resting her head on her desk.
The next subject, History, wasn’t any better.
Ms. Rivera, their history teacher, droned on about ancient civilizations while Ailith tried not to zone out.
Unfortunately, her brain had other plans.
"What if Tavian actually meant it when he said I was cute? No. No way. He was just teasing. Right? Or was he serious? Maybe he—"
“Ailith?”
She snapped out of her thoughts.
Ms. Rivera was staring at her.
So was the entire class.
Ailith’s stomach dropped. “Uh… yes?”
“I asked if you could name one significant achievement of the Mesopotamian civilization.”
Ailith’s mind went blank.
"Mesopo-what? Oh no. Oh no. Oh no."
She tried to think, scrambling through her limited memory of past lessons. Then, out of pure desperation, she blurted, “Uh… irrigation?”
A long pause.
Then Ms. Rivera nodded. “Correct. The Mesopotamians developed one of the earliest irrigation systems to help with agriculture.”
Ailith exhaled sharply.
Someone behind her muttered, “How does she keep doing that?”
Nara snickered. “Luck, probably.”
Ailith slumped in her seat. "That was way too close."
---
By the time the final class—English Literature—rolled around, Ailith had managed to keep a low profile.
That is, until Mr. Dawson decided to assign a group activity.
“Pair up with someone,” he said. “You’ll analyze a poem together and present your interpretation to the class.”
Ailith immediately turned to her left, where her best friend Mira usually sat—
Except Mira was already paired with someone else.
Before Ailith could panic, someone slid into the empty seat beside her.
“Guess we’re partners,” a familiar voice said.
Ailith froze.
Slowly, she turned her head—
Tavian Caius Gomez was sitting next to her.
Her brain short-circuited.
“Uh—” She opened her mouth, but no words came out.
Tavian chuckled. “That’s a new reaction. Usually, people are either excited or terrified to be paired with me.”
Ailith swallowed. “I—I’m neither.”
“Oh?” He smirked. “Then what are you?”
“…Processing.”
Tavian laughed. “Fair enough.”
Ailith took a deep breath, willing herself to act normal.
"This is just a class activity. It’s fine. Just focus on the assignment."
They were given a poem to analyze. Tavian leaned closer to read it, his arm brushing against Ailith’s.
She forgot how to breathe.
“So,” Tavian said, unaware of her internal breakdown. “What do you think this line means?”
Ailith cleared her throat, forcing herself to focus. She read the poem again and tried to analyze it. After a moment, she said, “I think it’s about… longing. Like, someone waiting for something—or someone—that might never come.”
Tavian hummed thoughtfully. “That’s a deep take.”
“Well, poetry is meant to be interpreted differently by different people.”
Tavian grinned. “Huh. Didn’t know you were into poetry.”
Ailith shrugged. “I like words. They’re… safer than feelings.”
Tavian tilted his head slightly, as if studying her. “That’s an interesting way to put it.”
Before Ailith could say anything else, Mr. Dawson clapped his hands. “Alright, time’s up! Start presenting.”
Ailith and Tavian took turns explaining their interpretation. Surprisingly, they worked well together—so well that when they finished, Mr. Dawson gave them an approving nod.
“Excellent analysis. You both did great.”
Ailith beamed, feeling a small burst of pride.
Tavian nudged her playfully. “Not bad, partner.”
She rolled her eyes, but she couldn’t help smiling.
---
When the lunch bell rang, Ailith bolted out of class, eager to escape before Nara could interrogate her again.
She made it to the cafeteria and grabbed her usual lunch, then found an empty spot near the windows.
She had just taken a bite when—
“Mind if I sit here?”
Ailith nearly choked.
She looked up to see Tavian standing there, tray in hand.
Her brain glitched.
“Uh—um—y-yeah! I mean, sure! Go ahead!” she stammered.
Tavian grinned and took a seat across from her.
"Why is he sitting here? He usually eats with his team. What is happening?"
Ailith forced herself to stay calm. “Uh… where’s the basketball team?”
Tavian took a bite of his sandwich. “Still in line. I got tired of waiting.”
“Oh.” She nodded, trying to act nonchalant.
They ate in silence for a moment.
Then—
“So,” Tavian said, looking at her. “Thought about my question yet?”
Ailith blinked. “What question?”
He smirked. “The tournament. Are you coming to watch me play?”
Ailith’s heart skipped a beat.
She had been thinking about it—but every time she tried to answer, she chickened out.
Should she play it cool? Should she just say yes? Should she—
“Well?” Tavian raised an eyebrow, waiting.
Ailith panicked. “Uh—still thinking!”
Tavian laughed. “You’re really bad at dodging questions, you know that?”
Ailith groaned. “I just… I don’t know yet, okay?”
Tavian leaned back, amusement dancing in his eyes. “Alright. I’ll wait for your answer.”
Ailith sighed in relief.
But just as she was about to take another bite of her food—
A chair scraped loudly beside her.
“I knew I’d find you here,” a familiar voice said.
Ailith froze.
Nara.
And she did not look happy.
Nara’s gaze flickered between Ailith and Tavian.
Her smile was too sweet to be genuine.
“What a coincidence,” she said, tilting her head. “You two seem to be spending a lot of time together today.”
Ailith internally screamed.
Tavian, however, just smirked. “Jealous, Ortiz?”
Nara’s eye twitched. “Funny. But no.” She turned to Ailith, her eyes narrowing. “We need to talk.”
Ailith swallowed nervously.
"Oh no. Trouble is definitely coming."
- Writer
