I pouted I didn't want to sit with someone else. He took his books, patted me on the shoulder, and went to the front row desk.
"Jenna and Pierre here. John and Cassidy here and" he hit his clipboard with his pen a few times
"Nathan and Andrea at the end here."
"Dre" I corrected him, he snapped his head up looking over Cassidy's head.
"Dre, sorry" he apologized, I was annoyed that I had to sit with Nathan.
I got up walked to the desk in the opposite corner and sat next to Nathan.
"Hey cutie," he said, I rolled my eyes and turned away from him.
"Oh, so your Nathan" Mr. Morales realized.
"Yep" Nathan replied, Mr. Morales looked at him looked at me then walked away to give the next row seats.
"These will be your assigned seats for the rest of the year." The class groaned again
"Wait there's more, take a good look at your partner because they'll be your partner for the rest of the year!"
You've got to be kidding me.
"With all that being said I have your first project here." He picked up a small stack of papers from his desk and started to pass them out to everyone.
"I want you to do a fourteen-page slide presentation on why you think vaccines should or should not be given to children. This is due next Friday"
I don't know why but every time Mr. Morales looks at me he smiles. Not in a creepy way in an I haven't seen you in forever kind of way.
I need to get out more.
"But I want you to work outside of school hours" he announced. I'm starting not to like this new teacher of ours.
***
For the rest of the class Mr. Morales
was walking through the presentation and told us what his expectations are.
When the bell ranged Nathan had asked "So when and where do you want to work on the project?"
"I don't know" I simply replied trying to get my stuff.
" I can go to your house?" He asked
"Not a chance," I said way too loud and Mr. Morales looked our way.
I struggled to keep my voice down "Look if I go to your house I don't want anything going through your head. I'm so serious Nathan" he put his hands up in surrender.
"I promise strictly work" he smiled, I hate to admit it but I liked his smile it was real and genuine.
"So five o'clock today give me your number and I'll send you my address"
I sighed heavily, grabbed his phone, and put my number in it. Then I grabbed my book bag and hurried out of that class.
English was a drag.
I had to read a line from To Kill a Mockingbird out loud and say what I thought it meant.
I hated being put on blast. To know everyone's eyes were on me, judging me, was excruciating.
Sometimes I feel like I'm the only person in the world that has real problems.
That everyone else makes up their problems for attention or they think it makes them cool.
But depression isn't something you want to have.
Feeling like your nothing. Feeling like your drowning and everyone is watching you but no one cares isn't "cool."
I don't wish this on anyone.
***
When lunch rolled around I was kinda relieved.
I needed to vent about my day.
I sat at the small round lunch table against the sidewall and waited for Barry.
Looking around the cafe I realized that every female in here looks the same.
They all have long hair, pretty eyelashes, high heels, brand-name-designer clothes, acrylic nails, and most of all confidence.
Then you got me.
What do they do to make themselves look like they're going to a photoshoot?
Then I realized that they're all boring.
Not one female in here tries to stand out and be different.
They want to fit in so badly that they don't even realize that they look and even act the same.
And I'm N-O-T, NOT trying to sound like a "pick me" at all.
They're all beautiful don't get me wrong.
It's just no originality. They all have one personality.
I wish I had some female friends. Maybe I can make some if I—
"Dre!" I looked up and Barry is looking around the cafe trying to find me.
I whistle loud and he automatically spots me.
Barry walks over to the table and sits down.
"Was yelling my name so everyone could hear you necessary?" I ask
"You didn't hear me the first time and I couldn't find you." He stated
"One I got lost in thought and two you could've called me."
"My phone died and I left my charger at home."
I reached into my book bag and grabbed my charger.
"I want it back by the end of the day," I said while handing my charger to him.
He rolled his eyes but took the charger.
"You're not going to eat?" I ask
"Do you smell that? They are probably cooking something they ran over on the way here." He said and I laughed.
"So how's your day going so far?" Barry asked.
"Well let's see, we have a new biology teacher who decided it be a good idea to pair me up with Nathan Price. Then gave us a project to do off-school hours and now I have to go to Nathan's house to get it done." I responded.
"So...good?"
I gave him a blank stare.
"I'm just kidding. That must suck." He said.
"Yeah." I had replied
"But at least Mr. Morales is nice." He countered.
"Hey, have you noticed that he gives me this weird smile every time he looks at me?" I ask.
"No, not really but he could know about your depression most teachers do." He stated.
"Yeah, I guess."
"Don't trip over it. We only have 3 more months of school and then it's just you and me." He said and I smiled.
"Right."
10 minutes later the bell ranged and it was time for my next classes.
Spanish and history went by quickly and the next thing I know, I am walking home with Barry.
Since my house is closer Barry walks me home first.
"Are you ok?" Barry asks.
"Yeah, I just have to go to Nathan's house in an hour and a half. I forgot all about it until now. He just sent me his address."
"So you worried about that?" He questioned.
"No, I'm not worried about that I'm just worried about what my mom will think" I confirmed.
Barry's house is the only house I've been to. I don't want my mom thinking that something is going to happen at Nathan's house beyond just work.
"Just tell her it's for a project I'll confirm it for you."
I thought about it for a second.
"No thanks I'll just figure it out," I said.
When we stopped at my house We hugged each other and said our goodbyes.
***
An hour had gone by pretty quickly and I struggled to get out of bed.
I turned around to turn off my alarm telling me it was time to leave.
***
When I walked into the house I went to the kitchen to get something to drink and say a note.
Andrea
I will not be home later today, I'm taking a double tonight. There's a twenty-dollar bill on the counter if you want to order something to eat instead of cook.
Mom
She literally could've sent me a text. Did people forget that technology is a thing?
So I just decided to set my alarm when it's time to leave and take a nap.
***
I finally got out of bed and went outside to wait for my Uber.
***
My Uber came about 10 minutes and I got in.
After twenty-five minutes or so I noticed that Nathan was loaded. He lives in the bougie part of Manhattan.
Of course, he's rich. Why wouldn't he be?
The Uber had stopped in front of a house that was bigger than the ones we were passing by.
It was mostly glass at the bottom but had teal and white curtains that probably move on their own.
I stepped out of the Uber and walked to the door.
The door was also made of glass but had this white cellular shade.
I ranged the doorbell.
A lady turned off the cellular light shade to see who I was.
She opened the door "hello?" She greeted me in confusion.
I must have the wrong house.
"Uhh hi I'm Dre and I'm looking for Nathan Price."
"OH! Dre hi Nathan told me you were coming. Here come in."
When I stepped inside I was in awe.
The house was beautiful. The was a ten-foot-long fish tank.
A 60-inch tv attached to the wall, three large sofas, and teal and white decor.
"Let me introduce myself I am Lorene Price. I am Nathan's mother." She exclaimed
"Hi nice to meet you, Ms. Price," I said politely
"Nathan, Dre is here!" She shouted.
Nathan came downstairs with a soda bottle in one hand and a glass plate in the other.
"Nathan what have I told you about eating upstairs?" Ms. Price asked her son.
"Sorry I forgot," Nathan said.
"Don't let it happen again" Ms. Price said as she kissed her son's cheek, grabbed the plate, and walked into the kitchen.
"You can come up to my room" Nathan stated.
I followed him up the stairs and through this long hallway.
To be completely honest I would get lost in this house in a heartbeat.
When we entered his room I just stood there and examined it.
It was a quarter of the size of the living room which is still huge.
He had his gaming set in front of the tv. His bed in the middle of the room, a work desk on the left side of his room, and a large book self on the right side.
He knows how to read wooptiedoo
He sat at his computer desk.
"Okay let's get started."