After dinner I headed back to my room to finish my assignments. But I couldn't concentrate because I kept thinking about Arthur. Why does he keep popping into my head every now and then? This was starting to get annoying.
"What causes you to smile so?" a voice asked from behind
I got up from my study seat and turned towards the door. Diego was standing at the doorway, with a smirk on his face.
"Nothing" I said
"Really, so what's his name?" he asked
"I said nothing Diego, I'm just happy I could solve this math problem without difficulty." I answered
"A math problem caused you to smile the way you're smiling. Wow....that's new." Diego said "I thought you hated math?"
"I don't, he's cute...I mean it's cute" I corrected myself. "No wait, it's easy, was what I meant to say"
Diego burst into laughter. He placed his hand on his stomach and sat on my room floor laughing.
"Stop" I said. I don't know, but I felt embarrassed and angry.
"Okay, okay...so what's the name of the problem?" he asked, still trying to stop laughing.
"Arthur" I answered "No wait- I meant Algebra".
Diego began to laugh again, but worse than before.
"That's it, leave my room" I said in a serious tone. I tried to maintain a straight face, but I was too embarrassed to maintain it.
"I should what?" Diego said still laughing.
"I said you should leave" I whined, dragging the last syllable.
"Okay I'll leave, but let me know if you might have trouble solving this Arthur question" Diego said air quoting before he left.
The door swung behind Diego and I immediately threw myself on my bed. I covered my face with my hands in shame.
Arthur affect me to this extent? I need to get him off my mind, right after I finish my assignments- I said to myself.
The next day I woke up with a smile on my face. The whole night, I hadn't thought Arthur and neither did I dream of him.
Great, what a good start
I got out of bed to get ready for school. Diego agreed to drive me too school, since mama had left early for work. i didn't speak to Diego throughout the ride to school was about 40minutes drive, and I arrived right before the school bell rang.
"I'll pick you up by 4" Diego informed and drove away.
I headed straight to class with bright smile on my face. No Arhtur around to distract me. I took my seat next to Kevin, annoying seat partner for almost three years. He was also one of my closest childhood friends. We greeted each other warmly before Lorenzo, our class rep walked in to make an announcement.
"Good morning everyone, it had just been brought to my attention that we would be having a new student today, and he is privileged to be in our class. So please do welcome him warmly." Lorenzo said. "Come in Arthur"
Wait, did he say Arthur? No maybe another Arthur. I'll just wait and see. The classroom door swung open and I couldn't believe who walked in. Arthur, the same Arthur I saved yesterday evening. This can't be happening, my whole life would tear apart if we were both in the same class. Worst of all, become seat partners. Kevin was seated to my right, but the seat to my left was empty. It had been empty since the beginning of the session.
"Everyone this Arthur. Arthur, grade 12A" Lorenzo said.
I picked up the book on my table and used it to block my face. I didn't want to him to see me at all.
"You can have your seat just right next to Elena over...." Lorenzo said but paused when he couldn't find me.
"She's here, yes the lady with a book over her head" Kevin said.
"What are you doing Kevin?" i whispered
"Helping the young man find his seat, what are you doing?" Kevin replied.
"Not helping the young man find his seat" I replied in an annoyed tone
"Elena please seat up straight, so Arthur can get a glimpse of you" Lorenzo said
I sighed then placed the book aside. I looked at Arthur and watched his cute face light up. He was smiling directly at me.
oh my gosh please leave- I wanted to say.
I watched Arthur walk over to the seat by my left. He still had a smile on his face.
"Hi" he whispered and I responded awkwardly, then I looked away.
The day just felt like it never wanted to end, I had been ignoring Arthur all day and at some point, I had to apologise to Lorenzo and Kevin, my closest childhood friends, for my childish behaviour. Kevin teased me all day and at a point he wanted to invite Arthur for lunch, just to seat next to us. But I begged and pleaded for him not to invite him. Lorenzo on the other hand agreed with me, but he never stated his reason. But Kevin still went ahead to invite him over.