Chapter 7
"What about this verse on page 17?... yes, Miss Lorens..."
Gradually, their voices fade into the background with each thought I have, my eyes exploring my notebook as the most entertaining thing in the world. I feel a sting in my bottom lip. I've beeing bitting it intently. Worried.
'psss' I hear someone at my right 'pssssss!'
I turn to see Peter who waves at me so I wave back to him, he gets his phone out and signals me to do it too
I wait for an answer but when I turn to see him, Mr. Solis is asking for his phone, Peter nods and gives it to him. I wince and mutter a "sorry". At biology and Chemistry, I waited for him to talk to me but I think he's shyer than I thought. At recess, I look for Harley...
Harley! Oh shit.
What about what happened yesterday? Maybe I shouldn't overthink or maybe I should? I sigh leaning against my locker waiting for him. Fast steps across the hall and he rushes to his locker.
"You've been waiting a lot?" he catches his breath opening his locker and putting back his books
"Nope, just a century maybe. But don't worry"
"ha ha funny" he closes his locker and walks to me, my hands already clammy "are you ok?"
"Yes, just hungry" I mumble and he claps in excitement
So we walk to the cafeteria for him to get his food.
"So ummm, are we not going to discuss the fact that you kissed the corner of my lips?"
'Just rip off the band-aid, Tannie... being like that will save you lots of horrid moments' Nat voice sounds in my mind
He almost drops his tray and looks at me "I was planning to talk to you at our usual spot..." his blue eyes dancing to both sides
As quietly like we never are, we pace to the benches to sit down
"Do you mind that while we talk I begin to eat?" I say already with my sandwich in my hand
"Dig in....... I like you" he adds exactly when I try to take a bite of my sandwich, I stop and look at him
"Holy shit" I simply say
"Well... that's a reaction" he laughs and starts eating
"Is that no one ever told me they like me before" I snort and cross my leg
"That's not true! many guys from my year always talk about you and that they already told you to go on a date with them but you said no"
"What??! no! they never did that" I confess "Seriously they talk about me?" I ask in surprise taking another bite
He rubs his temple "Yeah... they see you like an heiress or something yet everyone is a little uh... unsure to talk with you... you know, for your attitude"
I quirk a brow "My attitude? what attitude?"
"You're very intimidating and absolutely direct and trust me, I've dealt with your dad but you're something else..."
I snort " proceed with the compliments, please"
Harley rolls his eyes and swallows "listen... you don't have to say anything ok? but that's the latest..."
I shift and look at his eyes "I think I need to uh think deeply all of this but if it helps... I don't hate you" I click my tongue and he laughs
"What about if we don't make it awkward?"
I sigh in relief "Hell yes please!!"
---------------
Music, blah, blah. Art and Robotics, fortunately, went by fast. Harley told me that his distant cousins were visiting so he needs to go and help his mom. I quickly jog out and find Happy.
"How was school?"
"Not a bad day today" I smile at him "You know something about dad?"
"Yep, he just called me... he's coming here in some hours, his flight arrives at 5:30 am"
I buckle my seatbelt and sigh "Great! good news then... I miss him"
When I arrive I prepare myself some food and knock Wanda's door and leave her a tray with comfort food. I then go to do my homework while I search with Friday more news about Steve but they're off the radar. Minutes into variables I lift my head with the sudden reminder that there's a lap pool so I grab a towel and a swimsuit and start looking for it, 20 minutes later I finally discover the room. Still with the same white walls and marble tiles.
Already preparing for sleep I text with Harley who is mocking his cousins, I set an alarm earlier to see my dad.
--------------
I growl at the sound but quickly my mind remembers that my dad is almost arriving. I change and kill the rest of the time preparing breakfast. I hear the doors sliding and I quickly run to the shadowy figure.
"Dad!!" I jump hugging him tightly
"T!!" he returns the hug palming softly in my back "I'm so glad you're safe"
A crane almost crushed me but ok...
"There was an accident at the centre you were in... are you ok? apart from that black eye"
"super-duper! now I'm an active-duty non-combatant and it feels weird" he says gently pushing me to walk with him upstairs "So uh... do you like this place?"
"I do, I'm still discovering shortcuts... oh, I made breakfast if you want"
"uh, yes... toast" he grabs a slice and some strawberry preserve and starts eating "how's your mom?"
I gulp looking at his knitted brows "she's been busy these days but she seems fine, I guess uh, so what's your plan for today?"
"Going to Queens" he simply says filling his mouth with more food
"Why?"
"Oh, I need to talk to a friend there and I'll grab some pizza on the way back" he states "What's your plan T?"
"Well... today I have an Algebra quiz but I'm me so..."
"What do you know about Spider-man?" he suddenly asks "Pop culture is your thing, right?"
"umm I just know that everyone talks about him... they call him the friendly neighborhood Spider-Man. I t's so weird because he webs and hangs all around the city dad, I don't know how he does it"
my dad grabs a napkin rubbing his mouth "So... you think he's a good person?"
"Yeah, he helps grandmas and cats, but he needs to seriously change that onesie he wears" I laugh "and maybe the glasses..."
"So now you're Joan Rivers or something?" he says and I slap him on his arm "I'll be at my new office ok?"
I grab my backpack "and I'll be at school, love you"
I walk to the car and see Happy there, all the way to Midtown he told me about the new episode of Downtown Abbey. With long steps, I walk to my locker and then to Geometry running into Ned.
"Hey, Ned! ready for some geometry?"
"Of course! I printed our work, I'll handle it don't worry"
"Thanks, so... have you seen Peter lately?"
he shifts his backpack in his shoulder "Yeah, why?"
"You're his best friend and maybe you know what is bothering him...?" I whisper stepping into the classroom settling in our seats
"I also told him he seemed strange and distracted" whispers back rapidly nodding "but he told me he feels the pressure of everything right now..."
I frown at that "It seems that's his generic answer for everything"
"...Maybe his body is changing or something..." he pauses looking at me for what he just said and both of us blurt in laughter
--------------
I search and I search and I search. Where the Flying fork is locker 1184? I moan in relief when I spot his neatly brushed-back hair and slim figure.
I stride towards him "Peter!"
He rubs his forehead "Tannie hey! it's physics right?"
"Yeah, it is... ready for the first Algebra quiz?"
"Totally, I've been studying nonstop" he smiles "by the way, thank you for offering me advise" His eyes dart to my face for just a second
"Sure, when you feel ready I'll be there, by the way, I like your pizza slash equation shirt" A toothy smile forms in his face and then someone grabs my shoulders making me flinch
"'Sup, Peter! Tannie..." Harley smiles at me squeezing my shoulder
"Hey! I-I see you in class" Peter awkwardly steps away from his locker into the crowd
I jerk my head "What's up Keener?"
"Just to tell you that you look decent today" he bounces in his feet
I snort "Is that your way of telling me I look nice?" I poke his chest making him laugh
He quickly walks to the other way of the hallway and spins to me "Nah don't flatter yourself" he's gone with a wink and my cheeks suddenly feel hot
I enter to Physics with a little smile plastered on my face.
"I like your smile T" Flash winks at me and as fast as the smile formed in my face it drops away
"Thanks, Eugene" I singsong his real name knowing he hates being called like that
Throughout the class, I tried to answer all the questions with the intention of getting Peter's attention and annoy him but he was deep thinking. While going to Algebra I rush to sit and review one last time the important stuff, yes I consider myself a Know-it-all.
"ok class! listen up, I'll give you the questions and some blank sheets for you to fill, complete name and date, no cheating please" the teacher instructs
I'm not trying to brag or anything but in less than fifteen minutes I finished the quiz. Earning some looks from the people in the class including Peter. I was allowed to wait in the hallway so I sit down on the floor leaning against the lockers. Absentmindedly scrolling through my phone.
"That was fast"
A pair of blue sneakers appear in front of me. I look up and see Peter bouncing on his feet
"Come, sit" I move a little for him to sit
"Thanks... care to tell me how on earth you did it so fast?" he leans the back of his head against the metal doors
"Oh, that's all my brain" I snort "ok that sounded cocky... but you also finished fast"
"I uh like exams... it's silly I know"
"No, it's not... I like them as well, the best part is when you see everyone stressed and confused" he laughs stronger and I throw my arms in the air " finally! a true laugh! I did it!"
he clears his throat "Yeah... you did..."
"Have you talk to Liz?"
A sudden shade of pink crawls to his cheeks "Oh...ummm... no... why?"
"Maybe you should? she's a senior I get it but she's cool, you're cool... I don't see anything wrong"
A faint goofy smile appears in his face "Yeah, she is... what about Harrold? is Harrold?"
"Oh, you mean Harley? what about him"
He rolls his eyes. First time I see him flashing some sassiness.
"I think he likes you, he seems nice"
"He is... but I don't know... I am a handful" I shrug wrinkling my nose
"If someone wants to be with you... in the end, they'll be with you, you know what I mean? maybe not, I suck at advising" we laugh seeing how more people are coming out of the classroom.
"Hey, Penis Parker!" Flash walks past us holding a hall pass
"I'm gonna kill him" I whisper
"Get in line, Tannie"
-------------
I spent recess with Harley again at the benches, then I went to the changing lockers for P.E. I'm currently playing volleyball with some girls while boys are stupidly daring each other to climb a rope.
"wuuuu Tannie! show them who's the best" I hear a shout at the end of the benches, the voice echoes all around the gym
Soft giggles from the girls beside me. I spin and see Harley leaning against the wall so I quickly jog to him
"a lot of enthusiasm I see..."
"You need a cheerleader, moral support" he smiles scanning me from head to toes "never seen you in sports uniform..."
I grunt and walk backwards "Please don't be a pervert and stare at my legs"
------------
I feel how my head falls forwards but someone pokes my arm to stay awake. I flutter my eyes and realize I'm still in Ethics. I turn and see Peter.
"Thanks" I whisper rubbing my cheeks "what's that?" I jerk my head to something coming out of his backpack
"Uh, Ned asked me if he could borrow my DVD... he just returned it to me"
"Oh... is that a new backpack? I've seen at least three different in the last days"
he scratches the back of his neck "I ummm... I'm clumsy so... I spill coffee or milk..."
"So... now that you don't have any clubs... what do you do the last period?" I slightly lean to him careful that the teacher doesn't notice us
"I-I go to the library and do my homework so when classes end I already finished everything" he assures me
----------
Making my way to the street, I receive a text from Happy saying he's stuck with work between the compound and the tower and that I can take the subway only if I call him at every point. I rush across the street fully enjoying the freedom I'm granted today. I bounce with a smile on my face. Just walking through busy streets like a normal person even enjoying the traffic noise from the city. I take out my phone and open the GPS to walk to the nearest subway station. I study the route and decide to take the shortcut.
Kinda lame if I think about it. A New Yorker who doesn't know how city life is? Pitiful.
Minutes into the shortcut and debating if I got lost or not, I stop in a corner just in front of a set of buildings. I pinch the screen of the map and sigh in annoyance but my eyes stop in a bright orange spot just across the street. A car. An Audi. My dad's Audi. What? I jump back and quickly hide behind a pillar, only peeking my head. He's getting out and reads something on his phone. He enters the third building. When his figure is gone I cross the street and start following him.
The music inside is loud and the chattering of people echoes everywhere. I stop when I see him in front of the lift. Rapidly he enters and once the doors shut I read the counter... and it stops on the sixth floor. I gasp and use the emergency stairs, dodging people who are blocking the way up. He's visiting his friend, I guess.
I catch my breath when I arrive on the floor. I warily open the door and peek inside. He's just stepping out of the lift so I follow him quietly hiding behind a wall. He stops in a door, knocking only twice. A woman answers, I only cath her hair because my phone starts ringing and my heart skips a beat. I pat my pocket and quickly answer.
"He-hello??" I whisper covering my mouth to stifle the sound
"Young lady, I thought we had an agreement?" Happy says in the other line
"I was about to call you!, I'm entering the subway and I know signal could be bad in here" I chirp trying to sound as innocent as I can
"Good, I calculate at least ten stations, ok? be careful"
I hurriedly end the call and spin to see where my dad was standing but he's no longer there and the door is shut. I slide myself to the floor and just wait. So... hs friend is a woman, huh? Minutes later I hear the buzz of the lift. Slowly, the doors slide open and I spot the familiar backpack with orange coating on its sides and the DVD Player.
"oh fuck!" I whisper and try to get up but I slip on the floor and quickly turn my back on him
Peter?
He lives here?
I lift my head to see where he's going and What. The. Hell? he opens the door my dad just knocked on... What? What is happening?... the only thing to do now is to wait.