Pre-Destined II

Somebody knocked on the door of the apartment, I immediately knew who it was. This apartment has an intercom and it is not necessary to knock on the door, only she does. 

I opened the door with my book still in hand and in my pyjamas. 

"Oh, you".

"Not 'you'! Listen, mom made some stew- Eh? You're having cereal again!" A redhead took a peek around me and managed to see the empty bowl of cereal on the table.

She was wearing tight jeans, a shirt and a jacket. A total hottie so to say. She also had a black backpack on her which already prompted me on her real intentions of visiting me.

"Don't just peek at people's houses, Jean. Also, you can call the intercom downstairs instead of coming straight up and knocking on the door, you know? I'm happy having cereal, but you can tell Mrs Elaine I appreciate her cooking, thank you" I was about to close the door when she put her foot in the middle of it.

I frowned and so did she, we remained in a deadlock until she sighed and pushed the wrapped bowl of stew into my arms. 

"Stop being so stubborn, Ray. Here, have at it, you have to eat properly".

Having done that, she harrumphed and removed her foot, although she looked reluctant to go. I couldn't ignore her forever, this isn't the first time she's done this... and she keeps doing it no matter how nonchalant her answers are. 

"Hey, Jean... thank you".

She stopped and turned around with a smile.

"It is nothing. In any case... did you do your math homework already and history...?".

"Of course, it is done and settled. I thought you were good with history?" I deadpanned, you're so predictable. 

"I am good with history, you know my dad is a history teacher. So, can you help me with math please? I'm a bit stuck".

She revealed her real intentions, I was prepared.

"... is that why you brought the food?"

"No, idiot! My mom asked me to give it to you! If you don't want to do it-"

"I can help you..."

"Huh? Say that again?" She blushed.

"I can help you, Jean... don't I always help you in the end?"

"Yes, that's why I always bring you food, don't I?~"

'You shouldn't bring me anything, you're just wasting food, I don't need to eat' I couldn't tell her that, also Mrs Elaine is very polite and cute, her cooking is good too. My body may not need the nutrients, but I can still sample an exquisite flavour. 

"Didn't you just say Mrs Elaine sent it? why are you taking credit?"

"You're right, m-my mom did!" She said, flustered.

I let her into the apartment and we quickly went down to business. She asked me if 'Mrs Andrews' wasn't around and I said mom wouldn't be around until tomorrow. Something that made Jean even more flustered, although her emotions died down when she saw me reading my book and eating the stew.

"You're quite good at multitasking" She suddenly said, I put some equations for her to solve but she kept talking instead of doing them. 

"Stop getting distracted and get to it, Jean".

"How can you be so quiet in this situation?" She asked me, putting her pen aside and leaning her head on her hand, watching me.

"What situation? don't you know how to appreciate quietness?"

"I prefer when things are lively and fiery, like... doesn't that motivate you further or something?" She smiled brightly, I had to admit, she was a really beautiful girl when she smiled.

"No, get to it. You came here to study".

"How was the stew?"

'This girl...'

Somehow I understand now why she doesn't have the best scores even though she's a very hardworking girl. She goes to school and also has a part-time job as a cashier although she only does that twice a week since she's sixteen, too young to have a job. 

"It was good, keep-" I admitted.

"I cooked it" She interrupted me and reaffirmed, measuring my reaction.

"Congratulations, I liked it. How are the equations?"

Jean's brows twitched and she pouted, "The equations, they're horrendous, I hate them!"

"Thank you, they're basic algebra equations; I cooked them".

*PFT!*

She laughed, "I didn't know you have a sense of humour! You're always so serious"

'I'm not joking though?'

After that she saw I was having none of it and started doing her homework diligently, I helped her and explained things to her

...

"Thanks for always helping me, Ray. What would I do without you!" 

She finished all her homework in a lively mood and seemed to be prepared for us to watch a movie or something but I quickly broke her dreams as the sky was already dark. 

"It was nothing. It is almost eight o'clock now, you should be heading back, a girl shouldn't be staying out this late"

"What are you, grandpa?"

"Let's go, I'll take you home".

She sighed and picked up her backpack, "It is not necessary, Ray. You know I live just a few blocks down the road, it will be ten minutes at most if I take the bus".

"Is that so? Then I'll see you out at least".

I took her to the door not before giving her a can of coke for the way.

"Ray, what are you doing this weekend?"

"Nothing, studying..."

"You should stop reading so much and go out and touch some grass more every so often," She fumbled playfully.

"That's why you come to me asking for advice, right? If I become dumb too, who is going to help you with your homework?".

"Did you just call me dumb?" She frowned and crossed her arms beneath her ample bust, not very happy. I was just being honest.

"You just put words in my mouth" I shrugged my shoulders.

"By the way..."

"Hmn?"

"We're going to the Karaoke. Annie and I, some guys and some girls from our class... tomorrow, do you want to come?"

"Sorry, but I'll be doing something, thanks for the invitation".

I politely reject and she sighed as if she had already expected that. It is not the first time she has invited me to some activity, I always decline. 

"What will you be doing?"

"I said I would be studying... my mom won't be around tomorrow, so I have the house for myself, might as well put it to good use" I leaned on the wall, waiting to see what twist and turns she'd give to the conversation to keep inviting me. 

Jean is not a bad girl, Annie isn't either. They're the girls I saved that day... from the car crash when we were ten. They have tried to befriend me and I have been nice to them, but we have never partook in activities together. I don't think I have time for that.

"Is that it? you're by yourself?"

"Hmn" I nodded.

"Then maybe I could crash in and you can help me study? Then we can watch a movie or something".

I was a bit surprised by her proposal. I could decline, but I'm truly going to be studying so, if she were to be around, that wouldn't be an issue as long as she doesn't distract me. The thing is, I also want to experiment with my powers... can't do that if she's around.

"Didn't you say you're going out with your friends?"

"You're my friend too..." She looked up hopefully. 

I scratched my head and decided to make a single concession, "Alright, I'll go with you guys but don't expect too much from me, especially if Walter is in the group".

She rejoiced when I accepted, but her countenance fell in the last part, "H-He is coming indeed, but you don't need to worry, just stay with me and Annie. We will hit the mall and then go Karaoke and-"

"... And?"

"And then maybe you and I can come here and study for a bit?" She tilted her head cutely with hope once again.

"You're silly, who studies after having fun?"

"Hehe, I thought you're the one to study in any kind of situation?"

"Stop jesting... I'm just a kid in Junior High, just like you... hurry up and go, I want to sleep".

"Tch, you're not tactful at all. See you tomorrow then, I'll send you the message with the place and time, alright? just make sure you come dressed properly!"

I closed the door on her face, who does she think she is speaking too? It is not like I haven ever been to any gathering. Wait, now that I think about it... I think I haven't gone to any in this life.