Chapter 9- Curiosity radar

Wait, what?

I rolled my eyes and groaned in frustration.

Currently in History class, I was trying to concentrate on a particularly tricky question from the exercise book. It had to be the fifth time I read the same paragraph, and yet the text just wouldn't make sense to me and I hated it.

Most of the time, however, this didn't happen. And luckily, I seemed to be enjoying this History course, even though Mr. Herman constantly gave us questionnaires and pop quizzes, it still being only the first month since school started. I liked his way of teaching, I guess. His classes were always very dynamic and I enjoyed it.

Yes, I know; what a nerd! Well shut up, okay? No one asked you.

What was I saying? Oh yes. I like Mr. Herman's didactics. And he's not an annoying teacher either, which can be rare. I'd risk to say he is one of my favorite teachers in this school. He and Mrs. Brandon, from Chemistry class.

"Class, if everyone could pay attention, please." Oh funny, I was just talking about you.

After gathering everyone's attention, Mr. Herman continued, "So, we only have about five minutes left of class," he said, glancing back at the big watch hung on the wall above his head. "Before our time ends, I'd like to tell you about your assignment for this semester."

That's all it took for several students to grouse and whine. Well that's how life goes, buddies.

To make it clear, I wasn't ecstatic about receiving assignments either, but I knew that it was inevitably a part of school -and also life- to do things you're not so fond of. You just suck it up, cause that's what we have to do. That's kind of what I've been doing all my life, actually. But nonetheless, I faced whatever was given to me and tried doing it without complaints. They never take you anywhere and if we just stopped occupying our minds with useless annoyed thoughts and probably insults for the teachers, we might even enjoy what we're doing.

I listened as Mr. Herman explained the assignment to the class. As it seemed, it would count as half of our grade for the semester, and later be added to the grades we would get on finals. Well, no pressure, huh.

We would have to write a report about the current topic, which was African American studies, and later present it to the class, with a slideshow. That might be an issue.

I was liking that topic so far, so maybe doing it wouldn't be so bad. I just hoped he didn't set us up in groups or pairs. Mind you, I don't handle group work very well. I end up doing everybody's work or most of it, because I can't delegate things. Apparently.

"Any questions?" Mr. Herman finished, clasping his hands together.

Darcy was in this class too, and she was the one who took Mr. Herman's offer to ask something. "We have to do it by ourselves or can we pair up?"

Please say no, please say no.

"Well, I would say it would be better if you worked in pairs."

And that's when my respect for him went downhill. Okay, I'm kidding. But really, Mr. Herman? Why? I was starting to like you.

I was pretty sure I was making a weird face, frowning while slumping in my seat, whereas almost everyone else looked relieved and already started pairing up, filling the room with hushed whispers.

I get it, really. Most people would be pleased to share the hard work with someone and not take all the burden by themselves. The thing is, I'm not like most people.

Apparently.

"But it's not a requirement for this particular assignment. You can choose whether you work together or not."

And that's when my respect found its way back up the hill.

I felt relieved, then. The only worry now would be if someone decided to ask me to pair up with them. See, I wasn't good at saying no to people, and it often got me in not so comfortable situations.

Throughout my school life, a lot of classmates have asked me to pair up. Most of them knew about my way of dealing with group works, which resulted in effortless good grades for them, and days of me overloading and mentally cursing myself for not being able to allow someone else to put their finger in something I was working on.

I was a hopeless case.

The one and only person I actually liked working with was Avery. She was the one who always understood me and my peculiar and slightly perfectionist way of doing things, and she seemed to be fine with that. Besides, we had similar opinions on most things and a resembling way of thinking.

Perhaps that was the result of growing up together since kindergarten.

Although to my dismay, our schedules didn't match very well and we only had two classes together.

Seated to my left, Darcy pulled me away from my thoughts. "Hey, me and Nick are going to do it together. Wanna join us?"

Nick and I, I corrected her mentally.

Yeah, Nick was in this class too. Luckily though, he usually bothered his girlfriend, sparing me from his infamous jokes that mostly revolved around Mr. Herman's bald spot and protruded belly.

"Oh, um. I don't want to be the third wheel, you know?" I told her, being sure she'd understand, even though it was more of a pretext. She knew I liked things done my way.

"Yeah, okay. Doesn't hurt to ask, though, right?" She joked.

I laughed with her, "Yeah."

She then turned to her boyfriend, leaving me to look down at my book again, to try and get started with the question I've been struggling with, using the last minutes of class.

But before I could do that, something caught my eye. Collin, located to my diagonal (yes, he also attended this class) seemed to be engaged in a whispering conversation with none other than Ariel (yep, she's also here).

I didn't mean to eavesdrop on them, but my curiosity radar seemed to be working in full swing. And to help my case, they didn't really understand the actual concept of whispering. I've come to learn that about Collin before.

"I'm sorry Ariel, but I usually rather do assignments by myself."

Hm, interesting.

"But, uh..." She paused. Go on, darling. Don't be shy. "I think this would be a good chance for us to spend some time together, babe."

At this point, I was on the verge of inclining my whole body just to hear them better. Damn you, curiosity radar!

"Yeah, well... I'm not sure if-"

"And I'm really sorry for snapping at you the other day! I... Uh, I was on my period!"

Girl, you don't say that to someone. And you're just giving men more resource to be sexist. I shook my head disapprovingly. If there was anyone watching me right now, they would most likely take me as crazy.

"Um, well-"

Thankfully (to Collin) the bell rang, saving him from probably having to come up with some excuse to dismiss Ariel. I knew how it felt to be in that position, and external forces never seemed to be on my side like that. What a lucky bastard.

Well, since the show is over, I might as well gather my stuff already and leave before I get swallowed by the sea of people on their way to the cafeteria.

Collecting my belongings, I swiftly make my way towards the door, through which I'd pass to wait outside for Darcy and -sigh- Nick to walk together to lunch.

After a couple of seconds, they went through the door to meet me and, before we left, I took a hasty and casual glance at Collin and Ariel, who were still inside the classroom. It seemed that in the end, he didn't escape her pleading.

As he listened to what she said, looking slightly impatient and tired, he averted his gaze from her to the watch on the wall behind her, and then to the door.

The door which I happened to be standing by.

Meaning that we locked eyes for a few seconds, before I panicked under his gaze and hurriedly turned on my heel to walk away.

Glancing back at them as I walked with my friend - and also Nick- I found him still looking at me, but this time with a seemingly amused smile plastered on his face and a raised eyebrow.

I took that as a cue to look away and walk faster.

Well, aren't you just the most sociable person?

Trying to divert my train of thought, I started listening in to the two lovebirds' conversation for a moment, before my own mental monologue took place.

I hope whatever they serve today is good. This morning's apple did not do a good job at keeping me satiated...