Second Chapter: Socialization

Eleanor hates socializing. I mean, she likes to talk to Fiona from time to time. But sometimes, it does get tiring. After that first encounter with Caelan, and the sudden feelings towards him. She can't help but think over and over,

'Shall I look at Fate? I mean, it won't hurt to try, right? Just a peek- NO. Bad Eleanor. You promised yourself that you wouldn't look at yours. You promised.'

So, here she is, eating lunch in the cafeteria with her friend, Fiona. She must have been spacing out way too much because her friend started looking at her skeptically.

"Are you okay? Seriously, you've been spacing off ever since that 'sitting beside Caelan' incident." Her friend, Fiona, asked.

She stared at her friend. Remembering the exact same feelings that occurred during the first day of class. It is weird. She's never been like this. And all of it because of a boy she only met on her first day.

'It's been a week since that happened, Eleanor! Get a hang of yourself. Stop thinking so much about him. He probably doesn't even notice you.' She forcefully thought to herself.

She just shook her head and decided to stop with the pointless thoughts. Eleanor told her friend that it's fine and there's nothing to worry about. And of course, Fiona didn't believe a single word her friend said. Moreover, why should she? She basically pushed her friend to some boy they just met last week! What a friend, honestly.

Fiona knew that if she pushed her friend outside her comfort zone, Eleanor might finally try to do something fun for once. Not just Mathematics, and books. She always pestered her friend about finding her own soulmate. Eleanor always shuts this topic down. Why? Fiona has no idea. But she never really intentionally asked. It always ended up as a joke-kind-of-question rather than being a serious one.

So here she is, worrying for her friend, Eleanor. Thinking maybe she has gone too far with pushing her friend outside her comfort zone. When suddenly Eleanor asked out of blue,

"How do you know if you like someone?"

And with that question, Fiona's worries were washed away.

"Well, you see my dearest friend, if you like someone, you started getting these distinctive feelings. Those of which you haven't felt for anyone else," Fiona started.

"Does that include the 'butterflies in your stomach' thing?" Eleanor asked.

"…Yes, and- Wait, how did you know that? Hold on, don't tell me- "Fiona said. With realization hitting her like a thunderbolt, she smiled widely and her eyes sparkled.

"Don't tell me what? Wait, no, it's not what you think. I swear," Eleanor told anxiously. She diverted her eyes away from her best friend's gleaming ones. Apparently, asking her that question was a big mistake.

"You like him, don't you?" Her best friend, Fiona, smiled even wider. If that's ever possible.

"No! O-Of course not, sheesh. I was just asking, why would you ever think that? I just met Caelan twice for Peter's sake! And, can you like, keep it down? There are people here." She said, clearly changing the topic to hide her flustered state.

"Uh-huh. First, you stuttered. Second, I never mentioned any name. And third, why are you in so much denial? If you feel like you actually might have caught feelings for him, let it be. Don't pressure yourself too much with unanswered questions in your head. And I doubt that it hasn't even happened yet. Just go with the flow, Elle. I'll be with you, supporting you 24/7" Fiona stated, assuring her friend that it's okay to have these feelings. That it's normal to feel love.

Eleanor sighed. She never wanted to be in this sort of mess. Usually, she can solve and answer any problem given to her when it comes to logistics. But this? Never. She thinks that maybe her friend's right. It's okay to have these feelings. It's okay to feel love.

"Okay, fine. I may or may not have feelings for that boy. Still, - "She was suddenly cut off by an off-pitch squeal coming from her best friend.

"I KNEW IT! HA! YES! Wait, did you see…?" Her friend lowered her voice making sure nobody heard the last part except the both of them.

"No, I didn't look. I made a promise remember? Not even the slightest peek." Eleanor shook her head.

"You're such a dork, you know that?" Fiona grinned at her friend.

"Mm, yeah sure. Whatever, friend-o." Eleanor smiled.

After a couple of minutes, the bell rang. Indicating that lunch's over and they have to go to their next class. Eleanor packed up, and so did Fiona. She went over to her locker and got the things she needed. Books, notebooks, pens, etc. She waited for Fiona to finish getting her stuff, then they both walked towards their next class, Mathematics.

'Here we go again...' She sighed to herself.

Eleanor sat in her same seat, beside Caelan. Sure enough, there he is. Looking out onto the window. She shook her head, trying to forget the conversation Fiona and she just had.

'Am I really? No, I can't- Why is this so difficult?' She furiously said in her head.

She was pulled away from her thoughts when the professor started having rollcall. Eleanor waited patiently until her name was called. To her dismay, she accidentally peeked at Caelan, who is currently looking back at her.

"Hey," Caelan whispered while smiling.

God, that smile.

"Uhm, hey…" Eleanor whispered back, smiling as well.

"So, did you do your assignment? I heard that prof's going to pair students and let them share their assignments with each other." Caelan told her.

Eleanor nodded. "Yeah, I did finish mine. I just hope I get to be partnered with Fi…"

"Ouch, you don't want me to be your partner? I mean, aren't we friends?" Caelan jokingly said, feigning a hurt expression on his face.

Jesus Christ, I swear-

"N-No, I didn't mean that. I just mean that- "She got caught off by Caelan's laugh.

'Why the hell is he making me feel this way?' She thought to herself.

"Hey, hey. I'm just joking, okay? No need to explain, it's all good!" Caelan grinned.

"Oh, uh. Heh." Eleanor awkwardly laughed.

Unfortunately, socialization isn't really her forte. Especially with this boy causing her to not talk properly at all. Later on, her name got called and she half-heartedly replied back. Eleanor wanted to take a nap so badly. Apparently, Fiona dragging her to some bar wasn't a good idea. She didn't like the place at all, she never even had a sip of a drink. Eleanor just went along with Fiona in hopes that she could forget what happened during the incident last week.

Mr. Morris, their Mathematics professor, stood up and started discussing. A few minutes have passed, an eternity for Eleanor, Mr. Morris started discussing pairing all the students for a given mini-project. She looked at Caelan only to see him grinning with the look that says, 'I told you so.' She just rolled her eyes at him and focused back on listening to the professor.

"…Unfortunately, you won't be the one choosing your partners, I will. So, all of you will get balanced pairs and unbiased ones," Mr. Morris stated.

'Damn it…' Eleanor thought to herself.

"I'll now be stating the pairs, please do listen carefully because, I won't be repeating it again…" The professor spoke.

Eleanor shifted uncomfortably in her seat. Knowing Caelan, he'd have that smug on his face right now.

'The more you think about him, the more he'll be closer to you. DON'T. THINK. ABOUT. HIM.' She spoke in her head.

"… Caelan Evadene III and…"

'Not me, not me. Please, anyone but me- '

Eleanor peeked at Caelan. He is crossing his fingers and…praying?

"Eleanor Slora"

What the hell.

"Yes, thank you Lord!" Caelan jumped from his seat and created this gesture that mortified Eleanor beyond her limits.

"Erm, Mr. Evadene, please refrain from doing such things in my class again. Understood?" the professor warned.

"Ha-ha. Yes, sir, won't do again, sir." Caelan laughed while sheepishly rubbing the back of his neck.

He looked at Eleanor and grinned like a little kid who got what he wanted. Well, he did look like he got what he wanted. She rolled her eyes at his childish acts and smiled back. She looked at Fiona and saw her grinning mischievously. She playfully glared at her and looked back in front of the board.

"…You may now go to your respective pairs, and make sure you jot down notes upon the sharing of your partner. Pass the paper before the class ends." Mr. Morris reminded.

Since both Eleanor and Caelan are beside each other, they just faced their chairs with each other. Eleanor is already bracing for what's to come, and with what's happening right now, she's nervous as hell.

"Okay, so… Who's going to share first? Want me to go first? My assignment's kind of long…" Caelan stated, his ocean-like eyes staring directly into Eleanor's emerald ones.

Eleanor quickly diverted her eyes away from Caelan's. She coughed awkwardly and spoke,

"Y-You go first, I'll listen and jot down notes…"

"Whatever you say, princess," Caelan said, he was about to start when Eleanor interrupted.

"Princess? I'm not a princess. Why would you think I am?" She glared at Caelan.

He put his hands up in a surrendering kind of way and told,

"Woah, easy with the glare, I might melt. Why princess? Because you look like one. Well, more of a warrior princess, actually. That glare of yours is deadly," Clearly emphasizing the word 'deadly.'

"Plus, you look beautiful, so… Uhm, yeah," he added, looking away to hide his blush.

Eleanor was shocked by what he said, 'Did I hear that correctly? Me? Beautiful? Gah, stop messing with my head Evadene!'

She shook her head and pushed her thoughts away. She looked at Caelan, only to see him smiling at her. She awkwardly smiled back. He started speaking about his assignment and Eleanor started jotting down notes.

Eleanor sighed once more, 'This is going to be a very long day…'

=== TIME SKIP ===

It was a long day, in fact, it was so long, it got to the point where Caelan start talking to them more often. She'd suddenly be spooked out of her mind whenever he would sneak up behind them. Or, out of blue, he'd randomly run towards them just to ask, "How are you?" or "How's your day?" To make matters worse for Eleanor, her friend, Fiona, would often make excuses to leave them. Saying that she met this boy and maybe he's her soulmate. So, in the end, it's just the both of them talking, which she dislikes very much.

To her, this whole fiasco is just a waste of her time and a terrible distraction. But, whenever Caelan would talk to her, she seemed to find no reason why it's such a waste of time. In fact, she'd rather spend time with him than attend Chemistry. Seriously, chemistry makes her brain go numb. Why? She doesn't know.

"Eleanor, hey. I was thinking… This weekend, do you want to go to the carnival with me? I mean, you don't have to, if you don't want to. I mean- "

Go with the flow…

"Sure! I'd love to!" She spoke.

'Maybe it really is time to get out of my comfort zone…'