"Okay, that's all for today. Class dismissed", the professor says as he starts to step outside the classroom. "Edmund, come to my desk".
I wave Charlie goodbye and proceed towards professor's room.
I forgot to do my assignment. No wonder he called me to his desk. I was so lost in all these past things that I forgot that I had assignments.
I look up and see him smiling at me.
Crap!
That's his innocent horrible smile.
"Patrick wanted to see you", he says while passing me a letter.
We both stare at each other for a while in silence.
That's strange. I mean even if Patrick wanted to meet me he could've just told me in person. What's with this passing invitation!
"Is there anything else, professor?" I ask hoping his answer to be negative.
He shakes his head. "No".
Damn.
I did heard him say 'no', right?
Thank god. I don't have to do it.
I turn around but find my right leg being stiff as he says, "You still need to complete your assignment. And yes... twice. Its just Patrick has some work with you so I'm letting it go for now". He takes a sip from his glass. "You can go now, and close the door behind you kindly", he smiles.
I nod, and walk outside.
That's just my luck.
I open the letter.
Seriously dude!
He just wrote 'meet me at park' for I don't know a hundred times maybe. Is he mad or something?
I twist the paper into my fist and through it away in a dustbin and head towards home.
Last night after talking to Elora I came home and slept. I was so tired. She hasn't texted me yet so I text her.
- Wanna meet up? At usual place?
I stare at my phone for few minutes. She isn't replying back. Usually she replies me immediately. But... Maybe she's busy. She's in new high school now.
I see the time. Its four past forty.
I make up my mind to meet up with Patrick instead.
I'm standing on the other side of the road. He's the one who asked me to come, and now he's the one who's being late. Crossing the road, I walk inside the park and see Patrick.
Oh never mind. He came first.
I take a step towards him when I see Elora holding his arm.
What's she doing with him though?
Why is she even holding his arm?
They are walking together with identical steps. I watch her as she laughs every time he says anything. She looks... happy. Last night when she cried I thought those were tears of happiness.
But she looks so damn happy right now...with him. She glances up towards me as if she sensed somehow that I'm staring at her, but I hide myself behind a tree. After I return my gaze, I see him holding her hands, and whispered something in her ear that cause her to smile. No wonder why he called her "my Elora' the other day.
I start to take steps backwards. I don't know what's with them or how they know each other.
I close the door of my house behind me. I don't want to think about that now. Maybe Patrick called me intentionally. To make me feel jealous I know. Of course Elora has nothing to do with him. They are friends maybe who knows. I will love her no matter where she goes or avoid and who she meets or who she doesn't, no matter where she stays and who she doesn't talk with, and no matter who sees her avoiding to talk with people. I will love her no matter what happens and always.
I bought some beers the other day. Glad I still have two of them. I open the refrigerator, and grab a beer. I take out my phone and text Patrick.
- 'I just did some calculations and I realized that you're full of sh*t.'
He instantly replies me back with a 'thank you'. Dude! I wasn't complimenting you. This is pissing me off more. I take a sip from the bottle and go upstairs. I climb up my bed, grab a blanket and try to sleep. Whenever I'm pissed or upset, I sleep most of the time to calm myself down. But now I'm pissed off than my pissing off limitations.
I hear footsteps.
I hop onto the floor with a flower vase that was over my table. I feel weak now, I can't fight back. I step forward quietly, and see Charlie.
Oh! I left my door unlocked again.
"Are you sick?" He asks with a confused look.
I get over my bed and wrap blanket around me. "No".
"Why are sleeping at this hour then? Its just evening now".
I just nod. "I don't wanna talk right now. I just need some sleep".
Charlie gives me a packet. "Here. I brought you some snacks. Do eat it before sleeping. Bye for now. Talk to me later about the thing that's bothering you".
I nod again. He smiles, erasing his momentary seriousness.
The thing that frustrates me most is that I can't control how I feel. Even if everything is perfect, I'll still find a way to feel like sh*t. I'll lack the emotional energy to even talk to friends. I feel like that most of the time. Just empty.
Am I being so tenacious?
After he's gone, I take out the food from the packet, and take a bite.
Its tasty!
My phone buzzes up. Elora is calling me. I pick up.
- Hey, Edmund. Sorry I didn't notice your calls and texts. I was with Patrick and...
- Who's Patrick?
- Oh! I thought you know him. He even teaches you, right?
Ignoring her question, I ask her instead.
- How do you know him?
- He's my uncle's son. Remember you met my uncle.
- OH
- Are you sick?
- No. Why do you ask?
- You sound different.
- When are you coming.
- I'm coming over to your house right now.
Well I'm glad. She takes a pause.
- and bringing him too. You surely gonna like him.
Oh yeah, surely, I'll like him as hell.
Damn. That just pissed me off again!!!