3 Chapter 3: Group Project

"Elizabeth, Lelia, and William you three will be in a group together."

Did... did I hear that right?

"Looks like we'll be hanging out more often, huh?" Lelia whispered over her shoulder. I was instantly glad that she was in front of me and couldn't turn her head to see the creeping blush taking over my complexion.

"Yeah, you two wanna hang out after school to get a head start on the science project?" Will whispered back, his blond hair fell into his eyes as he leaning forward.

"Uh... yeah sure," I responded, trying to calm myself down.

"Library?" Lelia asked.

"Library," Will confirmed. When I turned to face him, Will had this gleam in his eye that I couldn't quite understand. Perhaps I was imagining it.

. . .

"Hey, guys!" Will practically yelled as he walked up to us.

"Hi," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. Lelia tilted her head back and let out a laugh so melodic and sweet, like a song sparrow.

"You scared or something?"

"Wha- what not of course not," I helplessly stuttered.

"No need to be scared of me fair lady! I do not bite!" Will exclaimed, raising his arms above his head for dramatic effect. He then looked me in the eyes with a smirk and let out a soft growl. All three of us bursted out laughing. It felt so foreign, but at the same time it felt familiar and comforting.

When the laughter died down, I couldn't help when I turned my gaze to Lelia. She glanced up at me and for a magical moment we locked eyes. She broke away and... was that a blush Oh my god, I really have fallen for a girl haven't I? I want to deny it further, but I don't think my heart will let me.

"Uh... let's get started, shall we?" Lelia stammered, was it just me or did Will's enormous smile somehow grew twice the size it had been. What was with that boy?

. . .

"Bye, see you guys tomorrow!" Lelia called, she ducked her head and climbed into her mom's car.

"Bye!" Will and I said in union, we looked at each other in suprise and tried to suppress our laughter by covering our mouths with our hands. I had gotten to know Will a bit more while we were working on the science project. He was constantly goofing around and cracking jokes, but when it was necessary he could be very serious. Actually it was thanks to him we were almost finished with the project way ahead of schedule. He seemed like a good person. I think we could be friends in the future.

We sat down on a bench and Will followed my example. There was this uncomfortable silence. I didn't like the silence.

Oh god, I need to get away from here.

Someone please make this feeling go away.

I'm suffocating, I'm-

"Hey! Beth you okay?" Will asked, eyebrows furrowed and his lips pressed together.

"Oh, uh... yeah. Why do you ask?"

"I asked you a question and you didn't respond. You sure you're okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine! Anyway, what was your question?" I tried to change the subject. He hesitated, but decided to drop it.

"I had asked if you're friends with Lelia." I felt my cheeks heat up a little.

"Oh... I wouldn't really call us friends. We're more like acquaintances."

"You ever thought about being friends?" Will smirked, "or I don't know maybe something more?"

"Wha-what do you mean by that?" I stammered. He gave me a look as if I was the one with a fish on my head.

"Oh nothing," he said surprisingly quietly, "don't worry about it."

Well, now I'm going to worry about it!

"You're weird. You know that?"

"Yep!" he grinned at me with his signature smile. I shook my head and chuckled.

Friends, huh? I think I could try that.