8 Science Assignment II
She looks at her watch to process that it is 2.35 o'clock. It is already passed 5 minutes since the school session ended. She walk out of the changing room and stroll her way to the boy's changing room.
Due to his behavior, she guess that he is not out of the changing room yet. She may have or have not accidentally observed his behavior. It is accidental because he sits next to her, and she notice how he got out of school late since she always visit the library first before going home.
She sit on the bench besides the changing room door, while crossing her legs out of habit. She lean back against the wall, finding a comfortable position. She take out the book that she have recently addicted reading.
It is about birds. Yes, it might be boring to some people, but not her. She likes to see things from other people's perspectives. For her, it is interesting that the same subject can be interpreted and understand differently by individuals. Even a coin that can be seen as nothing by some people, for some, it is seen as valuable.
The variables are unlimited. That makes her good at understanding people although she does not realize it. She becomes deep in her mind as her eyes continue to read letters after another. It is fascinating how the journalist use metaphors in order to make sure his readers will be able to understand his message.
Suddenly, the sound of the door clicking immediately pulling her out from her mind. She immediately stands up to face the boy she expected to see.
"Hey," she says to the guy who is tugging on his bag's shoulder strap.
He looks so tiny. His oversized black sweater makes his body look small while his fingers are peeking from his sleeves. His black doe eyes are sparkling while his pink thin lips are slightly opened. He didn't say anything as he continues to stand right where he at. He can feel his heart rate slowly rising up as Emily stands in front of him.
On the other hand, the words of Mrs. Michelle suddenly slip through her mind. She placed the book that was in her hand below her armpit. She is sure that Harlan can listen since how he can respond to her words with a piece of paper.
"Are you going home?" she signs with her hands as he looks minimally at her. He looked a bit shocked, to be honest.
He cutely nodded like a little child. "I want to talk to you about the science assignment. When can we do it?"
Harlan's expression starts to be replaced with an anxious one. His fingers begin to play with his shoulder strap, expressing the feelings in his body. She realized exactly what is happening to him. She also knows how to makes it easier for him.
"How about now? We can go to my house."
Harlan looks at her petitely while his lips form a little pout. He is hesitant at first, but he doesn't know how to say no.
She felt a little relieved for him when he bittily nods to her.
She forms a little smile on her lips as her eyes ease up the big baby figure in front of her. She takes one step back as he looks at Harlan. She cocks her head to the side, sending a signal for Jungkook to follow her.
He looks at her like a lost puppy, still feeling a little anxious in him. But he knows Emily would not do anything that would hurt him. When he found out that she could sign just minutes ago, he feels safer with her than he did.
He tightens his grip on the bag's shoulder strap before loosing his clutch.
Convincing himself, he begins to walk beside her as she leads the way.
~*~
"Come in," Emily says as she walks inside of her room.
Harlan follows her words as he steps into the room. She turns around to look at him.
"You can put your bag on here. I will go and take a table for us," she says as she throws her bag on the big round carpet in the middle of the room. She walks out of the room, leaving him alone.
Her words play in his head. He walks further into the room and put his bag on the cute woolen carpet, near her bag. At a loss, he stands in the middle of the room as he looks down while playing with his fingers that are hiding in his big sleeves.
Minutes passes and the sound of the door opening catches Harlan eyes.
"Hey, why are you standing?" she says while looking at the puppy boy.
The sudden eye contact with her startles him, making him looks down on his feet once again.
She walks into the room with a mini folding table. She walks to the middle of the room and kneels on the carpet. She pushes the metal tables legs and now the table is standing between the both of them.
"Sit down. We will start now."
.
.
.
Emily point to a line with the tip of her pen on an open page of the reference book that she borrows from the school library. On the other hand, Harlan takes a glance time by time, writing down the information that she guide him to find in the book.
His eyes concentrate to look back and forth between his paper and the book while his mind is completely immersed in the topic that they are learning slash finishing. Emily watch as his hand moves, scribbling words using black ink from the tip of his pen.
Absent-mindedly, her gaze slithers from his arm that is covered with his black oversized sweater to his supple neck to his fine jawline. His rosy lips are shrunken and cracked brings a piece of mind into her. He is not drinking enough water. There is a tiny mole peaking under his sore lips, giving him a sweet feature on his face.
Her eyes finally landed on his. His dark brown orbs are blazing. She can swim in his eyes. It has a concealed depth in it.
He is such a mysterious boy. But look at where he is right now. In her house, her room, in front of her, trying to get his homework done with the helping hand of hers. He doesn't even notice her eyes that have been staring at his profile.
Emily snapped out of her thoughts and look at the clock on the wall on her left.
"3:46 p.m."
She looks back to him and opens her mouth. "Harlan," she calls. He raises his head to meet with Emily that is unexpectedly closer than he thought. Her puppy eyes and pouty lips make an appearance once again.
"Do you want anything to drink?"
His eyes wandered on the table, looking down, hesitating to give an answer. Emily on the other hand doesn't have any intention to make him feel comfortable, but rather to just letting him know that she wants to get some drinks for the both of them.
"I will go get some snacks for both of us," she says with her constant face. With that, she stands up and walks out of the room without taking any words from him. He watches her leave while his pouty lips leave his mouth shyly gaping, peaking his bunny teeth.
He looks down on the table, waiting for the barely known stranger that he acknowledges as his classmate.
After some minutes, she comes back with a black tray, her foot pushing the door open as she peacefully holds the tray in her hands.
She walks to the table, the door behind her closing by itself. Harlan watches as she kneels down and puts the tray on the table, revealing boxed drinks and snacks like chips, cheese puffs, and ring-shaped snacks. "Take a break," she says, catching his eyes that is watching her looking down the table while poking through a hole using a straw to access the drink in the box.
She raises her head up, looking at Harlan straight in the eyes. She cocks her head in the direction of the drink on the tray. "That's yours."
He froze for a second at the sudden eye contact made by Emily. He immediately looks down, feeling little. He takes a peek at her only to quickly put his gaze back down when he found her looking straight at him.
On the other hand, shejust waits for him to get comfortable. No rush needed.
Time will do its thing.
She takes a sip from the plastic straw, the sensation of the cool chocolatey drink going down her throat.
As expected, Jungkook begins to get comfortable as his hand stretch out to reach the banana milk on the tray. Emily pretended like she doesn't see anything while continuing to enjoy her favorite beverage.
His face lit up as he drinks the banana milk. He seems to be enjoying the super sweet and flavorful taste of it.
"You like it?" Emily's voice catches Harlan's attention.
Harlan just nods as he continues to take a shy sip of his drink.
The atmosphere becomes quiet again, but no sense of awkwardness can be spotted.
"Eat the snacks first, then we will get back to the homework."
