The Family Secret

The Biology Lab

The next day was better than the first; I was feeling better and lighter.

As I entered the class, I saw a girl in my seat talking to Alex; he was not actually responding positively, even though she was trying hard. I smiled to myself and walked up to her

“Hey, good morning. Can you excuse me? I asked, trying not to show my disgust

“Please, can you give me a minute or two?” she asked

“Ohh, good morning, Rose. I know you would have been tired walking all the way to school, right? Alex said in a tone telling me to say yes

“Yeah, I will appreciate you leaving my seat”, I said to the girl

That was when she left reluctantly

“How are you feeling?” Alex asked me

“Better than yesterday”, I replied, arranging my stuff

“Thanks for making the girl leave; she talks too much. I was helpless”, Alex said

“You should have told her that you were uncomfortable,” I said, looking at him with surprise

“Yeah, I would have said that, but I didn't want to make her sad”, he replied

“Ok then”, I said, getting back to work

“Good morning, red Panda”, Nita called as she walked into the class

“Good morning, friend of the Panda”, I said to her, smiling

“Ohh, Good morning, Alex”, she said as she came closer

“Good morning, Nita”, Alex said, stretching out his hand for a handshake

Then the bell rang; it was time for the first period

…………………………………………………..

During Biology class, we had to use the lab. I was excited to see a bacterium at last

“Hello students, you will have to enter the lab side by side with your partner, then you duos should pick a microscope for the practical”, Mrs Jessica instructed

“How do you feel about this practical?” Alex asked

“I'm excited about it, can't wait”, I said with excitement in my voice,” what about you? Do you like practicals”

“Yeah, I do, it's my calling”, He responded, smiling at me, his blue eyes glowing.

“Alex”, Queen called softly,

“Yes, what can I do for you?” He asked

“I don't really understand biology, and I think you know better, so can you help me with that?” Queen said, using the most charming and gentle voice I didn't know she ever had

“Ok, I think I can help with that”, Alex replied, smiling

“I will see you after school”, she said, giggling as she went inside with her partner

“Wow, you have a crush already”, I said

“Why do you think that any girl that talks to me is in love with me?” He asked

“I don't think, I know”, I said as I walked into the lab

“Are you angry with me?” he asked, but I had already said enough

The rest of the practical process continued in silence

……………………………………………………….

The school cafeteria was beaming with life; everything was going as usual. I went to sit with my friend Nita, and I always do

“How did the practical go?” she asked as I sat

“It went well; I was in love with the sight. Science gets better”, I said, smiling

“Hello ladies, can I join you?

It was Alex again; I just rolled my eyes

“Yes, you can”, Nita said

“As Alex was about to settle, Queen came asking to share a table with us. I knew she came because of Alex, so I just stood up to avoid any Zee World movie that would come with that

“No, you can't; we are full already”, Nita said

That's one of the reasons I made friends with her; she speaks her mind, and I love it

“As Queen went back to her normal seat, I sat down once again to finish my lunch”

The table was silent before Alex spoke

“Don't you guys think you were a little mean to her”

I don't think so; she only wanted to join us because you did. Your presence has been disturbing, or should I say making me more popular than I actually want to be,” I said, looking him straight in the eye

There was a long silence that was so uncomfortable, so I stood up and went to class

“What did I do again?” I said as Nita entered the class

“Why are you rude to the new boy?”Nita asked

“I'm not, you know me. I say my mind, and I didn't change a bit”, I said, not looking her in the face

“ Yeah, I know, but please can you try to be a little softer on him? He might be asking himself what he did to you”, Nita said

“I will try to be nice to your prince charming from today”, I said almost in a mocking voice

“You haven't changed”, Nita said to me, smiling, as she walked out of the class. Alex entered

“Did I offend you in any way?” he asked, sitting right in front of my table

I didn't answer

“I'm talking to you”, He said, holding down my book that was covering my face

Our eyes locked for 3 seconds before Queen walked in

“Ohh, Alex, I was looking for you”, she said, smiling while touching her hair again and again

“Why?” Alex asked, I want you to help me check something, she said

“Ok then, let's go”, Alex said to her as he walked to her desk

I continued with my book, happy that the awkward moment was gone

……………………………………………………

“Alex, where did you transfer from?” Queen asked

“From the States, I said it on my first day,” Alex replied

“I forgot, sorry about that”, Queen said, like she wanted to cry

“Am sorry if I hurt you, Alex said to her

“No, you didn't. Have you found anybody interesting in class?” she asked

“Yeah, I have”, He replied, looking at Rose on the other side of the class reading

For a brief moment, Queen followed Alex's gaze across the classroom. Her smile faltered when she realized he was looking at Rose, who sat quietly by the window, completely unaware of the attention.

A flicker of disappointment crossed Queen's face, but she quickly covered it with another cheerful smile.

"Oh..." she said lightly, forcing a small laugh. "So that's your type?"

Alex didn't answer immediately. The corner of his lips lifted into a faint smile before he looked back at her.

Not willing to lose so easily, Queen leaned against the side of his desk again, resting her chin on her hand.

"Well," she said with a playful grin, "you've only been here for a day. You can't possibly know everyone yet."

She nudged his arm gently, her confidence returning. "Maybe you just haven't met the right person."

Alex chuckled softly but said nothing.

Taking his silence as a tiny bit of hope, Queen straightened up, flashing him her brightest smile.

"Then I'll just have to make sure you remember me," she said before walking away, determined not to let one glance at another girl end her chances.

………………………………………………

At closing, I stayed back to read, as I was looking through my books to get a book to read,just then Queen and Alex walked into the class, she was talking to him and smiling at him

When they finally settled down, she was so close to him, and I was tired of the drama and her long talks, so I went to my locker to get my headphones

As I walked back into the classroom, I froze.

Queen was perched on the edge of the desk in front of Alex, leaning so close their faces were only inches apart. Her fingers were lightly straightening his tie as she smiled up at him, completely ignoring the fact that someone might walk in

Alex didn't seem embarrassed. If anything, he just sat there watching her with that unreadable expression of his.

……………………………………….

The classroom had fallen silent.

I was still reading my biology textbook when footsteps stopped beside my desk.

"You really do love books," Alex said.

I didn't look up.

"They don't waste my time."

A soft chuckle escaped him.

"I was hoping we could talk."

I finally lifted my eyes from the page.

"Why? Didn't Queen keep you entertained enough?

"He blinked, caught off guard.

"...Is that what you think?"

I shrugged and reached for my bag.

"It looked that way.”

The words slipped out before I could stop them.

His eyebrows rose slightly.

"So that's what this is about?"

I closed my book and slid it into my bag.

"I don't know what you're talking about."

I stood and adjusted the strap over my shoulder.

"You should probably catch up with her before she gets too far."

I started toward the door.

"Rose, wait."

I kept walking.

A moment later, warm fingers gently closed around my wrist.

I stopped.

He let go almost immediately.

"I wasn't trying to ignore you," he said quietly. "Queen asked for help with biology. That's all."

I turned to face him.

"You don't owe me an explanation."

"Maybe not."

"Then why are you giving me one?"

He held my gaze.

"Because I don't want you getting the wrong idea."

For the first time that afternoon, I didn't know what to say.

I just turned and walked away