5 Late for Class

Kyle introduced himself just like what everyone else did. He told us that he lives in a village a few blocks away from ours and that got me excited. That means there’s a chance we’d bump into each other if only I’d stroll out the streets sometimes. Besides, I haven’t done that yet ever since we got here.

I don’t think he’s seen me yet because I was trying my best to hide my face by covering it with a book I was pretending to read. When he’s done introducing himself, the teacher told him to choose where he’d sit. He picked the empty spot at the back, beside the two students that were early. I learned earlier that they’re twins. Makes complete sense.

“Oooh, he’s hot.” Catherine whispered.

I blushed.

Yes, he is.

Ms. Davis started discussing the parts of a microscope. I know this already from middle school but I still took notes anyway just so I wouldn’t draw any attention to myself. Before Biology class ended, our teacher told us that for our first laboratory activity, we’d be paired with our seatmate and we would share a microscope and perform basic microscope setup. That would be easy. I’m also glad that I’m paired with Catherine because it would save me from having small talks, introducing myself, and explaining to another student.

Catherine and I walked out of class together. She was just blabbering about how boring the class was and how disappointed she was when she didn’t get to be paired with the handsome guy who came late. She didn’t say it was Kyle cause she might’ve just forgotten his name but I knew she was referring to him. That hurt me a little. Aside from Catherine not being happy that she was paired with me, she also wanted to be paired with Kyle. I immediately felt that I was defeated even though there’s no competition. What are the odds that Kyle would like me instead of Catherine? Why am I even thinking about it? Suddenly, I just felt jealous. Catherine headed to her homeroom class while I hurried towards the basement where the school keeps their swimming pool.

“Hey, wait!” A familiar voice called. I knew right away that it’s him.

I stopped and looked back, and saw Kyle running towards me.

“Hi” I greeted him

“Wow.” he said, panting, after he caught up on me. Then we continued walking. “I didn’t expect to see you again, let alone be classmates.”

“Yea.” I said. That was a short reply. I don’t know what else to say to him, I’m just so nervous.

“So, uh” he said. “Do you have your history book with you? The one handed you earlier when we bumped into each other?”

I immediately looked through my bag to search for the book but I couldn’t find it. I must have put it already in my locker since I didn’t have History class earlier.

“Um, no. I’m sorry.” I said after zipping my bag “I must have put it in my locker before lunch break. Why? Do you need to borrow it?”

His face slightly turned red when he chuckled while nervously scratching his head. His eyes disappeared when he laughed. He was so cute.

“Umm” he said “I might have accidentally switched our books this morning.” he then grabbed a book from his backpack and handed it to me. It surely is my history book. It has my name and schedule on it. “I believe this is yours. I was about to return it but when I went to your History classroom, I found no one there and I don’t know where to look for you.”

I took the book from him and carried it with a shy look on my face. My teeth are grinding uncontrollably so I bit my lower lip to stop it. “Oh. Sorry. The teacher didn’t show up so we thought that was a free cut so we left early. Do you need your book now?” I asked.

“Um, actually, it’s for my next class.” he replied

“Oh shoot! I’m sorry.” I answered.

I panicked and started running back awkwardly but he grabbed my hand and stopped me. My cheeks are burning again and for the first time, I feel something tingling inside my belly. This must’ve been what they call the “Butterflies”.

“Where are you going?” he asked

“I’m going to my locker. Just wait for me here. Ok?”

“But wouldn’t you be late for your next class?”

“I’d be quick I promise.”

He let go of my hand then I rushed upstairs but Kyle followed me. I’m confused.

“I’ll come with you.” He said, so we rushed and walked as fast as we could to get to my locker in time before I would be late for my swimming class.

I can’t explain the feeling I felt when we were running together. It’s as if I’m with my favorite person yet I only met him this morning. I don’t understand why I’m feeling this way. How long will this last? Can I keep up with it? As of now, the feeling is just growing stronger by the minute. I don’t know how I could focus on my classes when he’s the only one on my mind. Is this what it feels like to be in love? Is this really it? Why do people say that it hurts? This is just too magical and I just want time to stop. At this point, I don’t even wanna go to my next class because I just wanna stay with him and be by his side wherever he goes. I’m even daydreaming about him walking me home after school. Things are happening way too fast but in my mind, everything is in slow motion.

We reached the locker, and indeed, the book that I put there wasn’t mine. How could I even miss that one earlier? I must have really been out of my head. I handed him his Literature book and replaced the one inside my locker with my History book. He thanked me for returning his book and offered that he’d walk me to my next class as a way of saying thanks. I blushed again, of course. How could I reject the offer?

“You’re not yet late, are you?” he asked while we’re walking down the stairs to the basement. He’s holding his book with his left hand hanging on his side.

I glanced at my watch and saw that I still have four minutes left. “I still have time. How about you? Where’s your next class?” I asked.

“My classroom would be on the third floor,” he answered.

My eyes widened in panic. Why is he still here? He’d be late for class. “You should be going now!” I exclaimed. “Besides, I’m good here. I can manage.”

“Nah, it’s fine.” he said “I’m always late, anyway.”

But why was he late, though?

“Hmmm,” I said “I bet you walked other girls to their classes earlier that’s why you were late for Biology.”

“Not really,” he replied immediately “I was looking for you”

My heartbeat was so fast I could feel it in my chest like it’s about to burst. I’m sure I blushed when he said that.

“I need to return your book in exchange for mine.”

Yeah, right. I thought he just wanted to see me. Hazel, you’re so stupid.

“I looked for you in the entire cafeteria but I didn’t see you there. And during biology class, I was contemplating if it was really you because your hair was always hiding your face and you’re wearing a hoodie that wasn’t there this morning.” He continued.

When we reached the pool area, I had to bid him goodbye. There are students sitting on the poolside already, waiting for the teacher to arrive.

I glanced at my watch again and saw that it was already 3PM. His next class must have been starting already.

“Thanks again for this, Hazel!” he said as he waved the book with his left hand “I’d run to my class now. See you later!” Then he sprung up the stairs until I couldn’t see him anymore, even his shadow.

See me later?