"We'll be having our first consultation on Saturday. Let's meet in Café Namu, eight."
It was Thursday when Ms. Khan told us to meet for the first time about the festival and since then, I couldn't sleep properly because of how excited I feel. It's a little off to say that I'm more excited of working with Forest than the festival itself. I wouldn't have bothered if I heard about this and got asked to do this if not with Forest. The idea of working with her is making my adrenaline rush through my veins.
"Are you certain Ms. Young knows about the meeting Mr. Lee?" Ms. Khan asked the moment we sat awkwardly in the café waiting for Forest's arrival. It's been thirty minutes and she still wasn't anywhere to be seen – no calls, no text.
"I really did tell her about this, Ms. Khan." I assured her.
"It's been half an hour. She should have been here by now."
I wonder if she'll actually come. It'd be a miracle if she actually does and I can't deny the fact that I was anxiously waiting for her to arrive here in Café Namu like Ms. Khan instructed us. I was extra early because I was undeniably excited for this day. I'm not sure I even got enough sleep wishing it was the morning. Any guy would be hyped if they were supposed to meet with the person they like to spend their time with the most, so when an hour passed, I was hopeless. She was the reason why I wanted to push through this and for her to not come is just heartbreaking.
"I've been trying to call her, she's out of reach." Ms. Khan said in a worried tone. "Are you sure you forwarded this meeting to her in prior notice? She received the text right?"
I couldn't even reply because I know I can't really talk for her when I literally don't know what she's up to. I looked out the window hoping to see her red hair but everyone passing by had just as normal hair as mine. I couldn't stop looking at my phone as if she would even reply to a text.
I shook my head, heaving a deep sigh. "I don't think she's coming, Ms. Khan."
At that exact moment, a loud thug echoed inside the cafe catching both Ms. Khan and I's attention. Forest enters inside looking tired and dull – more agitated than normal. I watched her until she reaches our table. She looked as devastated as I am and I'm guessing she was tired from working all night again. I didn't follow her this time though, I just know.
"Ms. Young, I thought I said to come here by eight. What time is it?" Ms. Khan scolds.
I was more surprised when she suddenly glides next to me as she took a seat. "Ms. Khan, would you leave your house if your fucking father tells you to stay until you finish cleaning the goddamn house from dirt to roof and if you leave he cuts you with a knife?" My eyes widened. Even our teacher wasn't able to respond anything. Her tone was very low and scary even for someone like who's starting to get used to her. "I'm sure you won't."
Ms. Khan sighed. "Very well." She leans back to her chair and looks at the both of us. "Have you started thinking of anything we could do for the festival?"
"I," I started. "I had an idea about a bottle that can purify water in an instant."
Forest scoffs out loud. "That's already being developed somewhere. Are you serious?" She hissed. "Can't you be a little more creative?"
I gulped. Being corrected like that had always made me feel embarrassed and it's a lot worse when it's coming from someone you're trying to impress.
"Okay. I think you two haven't done a proper research yet." Ms. Khan said. "So do it today. I'm meeting with professors from HU to discuss about my thesis. By the end of the day, I'm coming back to check on you and hear your concepts. Are we clear?"
"Yes, Ms. Khan." I replied.
"And the consents?" We both pulled out the paper Ms. Khan gave us a few days ago and handed them to her. "Okay then. I'll see you two later."
After that, Ms. Khan left and we were alone quietly so I stood, stepping out of the table. Forest gives me a bored look but doesn't bother to ask. I wish she spoke more but that's just me, being greedy. Sometimes not-talking is weirdly attractive.
"I'm getting books from the Science department shelf. You can stay here and order a drink if you like." I announced, not that she was interested with my whereabouts.
As I walked away from the table, I stopped and realized what I just said. Why did I tell her to order if she wants, she's earning money for hospital bills so I doubt she'd carelessly use her money for some latte?
I sighed and headed to the counter to order both of us some smoothie to enjoy while we conceptualize. This is right, Mark. It's only right to treat a girl some drink.
Café Namu was surprisingly a decent place where you can relax and order food but at the same time, a place where you can borrow book of different kinds from. It's almost like a library for the variety and amount of books they have in shelves. I went through shelf after shelf to find books we can use for the project.
When I got back to the table with about six thick books on my arms, Forest was already jotting things down in her notebook. I smiled at the sight of her as I sat across her by the table. She looks up to me then to the books I just laid on top of the table.
"That's about every Physics book I can find."
She rolls her eyes and proceeds back to writing. She hasn't touched the food I ordered and I was parched so I grabbed one of the smoothies and took a sip. The cold, sweet taste of the strawberry-banana was delightful.
I moved the other five books to aside and started reading the first book. Quantum Physics. Interesting. I never thought there'd be a day I would actually read things like these. I'm not a lazy student and I do read books but not to this extent.
Curious, I turned towards Forest's direction to see what she was doing and she was still seriously focused on what she was writing. I know she needed money and winning this would help her a lot but I didn't think she'd be really into it, for real. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't attracted to a Forest that's taking a project seriously. "The fuck are you staring at?"
I gulped and immediately looked away as soon as I heard her speak. I cleared my throat and mumbled, "O-Oh, I was just thinking about," Crap. "Uh, thinking about, you know, the—"
"You don't ever really think, Mark."
The sound of my name from her voice was more than enough to complete my day. It's very rare when she calls me by my name. I've gotten pretty used to her calling me a kid. My name feels so different from her. I don't know how - a lot of the things that happened to me that involves her are actually.
"So what?" She looks away and sighs when I didn't reply. "What are we supposed to do with all this?" she flicks her finger over the books I just retrieved. "We can't make a quantum realm with this little knowledge. We can't proceed to physics when we only know about chemistry." I smiled as I stared at her. I've never been this amazed by a girl who can talk effortlessly about science. "You're fucking creepy. You do know that right?"
I chuckled. "Sorry." I look away trying to hide any hint of blush in my face. "You just…" I turned back to her unable to not stare at her beautiful blue eyes. "—seem to be so into science but I just don't get why you're not showing any of this."
She looks away blinking nervously. This is the first time she looked nervous. I want to know why but I don't want to know why either. There are things better off mysterious after all. "Saying sweet words like that won't make me like you back, Mackelmore."
Mackelmore. Interesting. I laughed at her sudden nickname. "Anyway. I take up physics as an elective so I have a pretty fair amount of knowledge in that branch of science." I try not to sound so excited about her being with me. "I have a lot of books about Physics in my house that we can read and base our equations from if we really want this to happen. Since Ms. Khan said she'd be accommodating us for a month, maybe I can bring them once we move to her place." I suggested. "Or we can go to my house after this and work on the equations before we—" I stopped flustered by my thoughts of having a girl in my room. I looked away. "I mean, you know, to read and, uh, do the—"
"How are you even thinking of that right now?" She turns to me with a glare.
I blinked still unable to look at her in the eyes. "I-I'm just defensive in case you think I'm taking advantage of the situation." My cheeks burned even more. I really shouldn't be thinking of these things when I know how much the girl despises me.
She doesn't say anything for seconds. "Fine. But not today." Fine? I turned to her in surprise. "We can do it tomorrow morning 'till late night. We can finish a concept today so we can have enough time to finish the product by the end of the month."
"Great!" I clapped my hands together in satisfaction.
She looks at me and I froze.
"I mean," I quickly hid my hands below the table awkwardly. "I'll make sure you have something to eat deliciously! You know, because it's your first time in my house," What am I talking about? "I-It's a tradition," What tradition? "That my family…" Oh God. "Deeply follows." I'm not making sense.
"Make that beer and smoke zone." She flips through one of the books I brought with a sigh.
I looked at her unsure if she was being serious or not. "O-Okay?" Her hair fell down her face messily and I stared in awe. I thought I liked Forest with her hair up high but seeing her like this was just… breathtaking.
"Can you stop staring? It's fucking uncomfortable."
I immediately looked away in guilt – guilty of undeniably admiring her being, that is. "S-Sorry."
She brushes her fallen hair at the back of her ear and it only made me stare at her more. She creases her brows at me. "What's with the stammers?" She asked.
I shrugged. "I must have swallowed a bee?"
She raises a brow unable to appreciate my sense of humor. "I can't get through a day without cigarette and beer so make sure your house isn't prohibited to any of those." She explained. "You're lucky I'm not bringing cocaine or marijuana."
"I'll get you fries, okay!"
"I said, cigar—"
"Yep, fries!" I cut her off. "Got it."
She looks away and sighs. "Fucking creep."
I chuckled at that and smiled after as I stared at her. My heart pacing at a quick speed. Forest Young. How can I ever not act like this whenever you do things that flutter me?