"So, if you ever get the chance to go to space, remember to make sure that you eat all your favorite foods before you go. I promise you, space food sounds cool, but it's got nothing on real food. Thanks for letting me talk, and we'll make it through math together," Felix concluded, hoping that it didn't sound too cringe-inducing. In hindsight, it probably did, but he didn't have anything better and he didn't want a headache, so he took his seat.
Professor Dietrich took his place at the front of the room, clapping with the rest of the room. As it died down, the old German man raised his voice and began to wrap up the day's class. "I hope all of you are a bit more excited about derivatives, now!"
After a few chuckles from the more enthusiastic – or kind – students, he continued. "Not many of us will ever get to go to space like Mister Hale, but it's something we can strive for. And if you're claustrophobic, maybe you've got a different dream in mind. I'll see all of you next week," he said, closing his textbook with enough force to get a resounding clap.
The class took that as their cue to leave, and after a thankful nod from the professor, Felix followed their lead. Giving a speech wasn't as bad as he had thought it would be, but he'd still rather get beaten up by Ivan than do that again.
Meeting Garrett for lunch, Felix brought his friend up to speed on the fruits of his boxing training. After relaying the events of the previous night, Garrett stared at him in open-mouthed awe. "Who are you and what have you done with Felix?" he asked half-jokingly.
Felix laughed. "What do you mean?"
"You're fighting people on the streets, like one of those superheroes you see on TV. You wouldn't be a superhero, would you?" Garrett asked, his voice deadpan. Knowing his friend, Felix knew Garrett was kidding.
"Of course not," Felix replied, not considering it to be a lie. Yes, he did have superpowers. Yes, he did beat up a pair of muggers. Did he have a costume or anything that distinguished him from your average good Samaritan? Nope.
Garrett smiled and nodded sagely. "Of course you're not. I know you better than that."
"Uh huh," Felix got out as he shoveled a spoonful of mashed potatoes into his mouth. He'd skipped breakfast that morning, and his hunger could lead him to eat a horse. Maybe.
"Is that your ex over there?" Garrett asked suddenly, pointing at a girl walking past the restaurant they sat in. Felix turned around and blanched.
"Stop pointing, idiot!" Felix whisper-yelled, hoping that Amanda hadn't seen them through the window. Garrett grinned; for a friend, Garrett found humor in torturing Felix over the outcome of his last relationship.
Amanda and he had met in the second semester of college in a physics class, as nerdy as that was. That said, Felix fell for her on the spot, and he made it his mission to get her to go on a date with him. It took a few months, but as spring transitioned into summer, he succeeded.
The honeymoon phase of their relationship didn't last too long, though. As summer drew to a close, whatever passion there had been shriveled up. In terms of relationships self-combusting, Felix thought it could go into the book of world records.
Still hopeful, he'd held onto the relationship as long as he could, but she shot him down. Clearly, his desperation had been obvious. After going their separate ways, Felix had thought things would at least return to the way they were prior to their swift relationship.
They didn't. Amanda liked to gossip about people. He'd ignored it for the duration of their relationship, blinded by what he thought was love. And when she turned it on him, he felt that which he'd willingly turned his back to.
His entire collection of friends from his first year, with the exception of Garrett, cast him out of their group.
"I don't need her to spread any more rumors."
Garrett's smile slipped. "I'm sorry, dude. I know how much she hurt you."
Felix nodded, turning his thoughts away from Amanda and her particular brand of cruelty. He had better and more important things to keep on his mind. Like that English test he had next week.
"If you're really that sorry, you'll make it up to me by helping me study for my test, right?" Felix asked in a semi-pleading tone. Garrett pursed his lips.
"Fine, fine. Just don't sue me for emotional distress, and we're peachy."
Smiling once more, Felix clasped his hands together as his elbows rested on the table. It was something they called a power pose in public speaking, he thought. Okay, maybe it wasn't, but all the supervillains did it in the movies, and they always managed to look intimidating when they did it.
"What in the world is a past participle?"
Garrett sighed and brought out his notebook. "You've got so much to learn, young grasshopper."
"I know," Felix said, cheerfully. With Garrett's help, a passing grade was practically assured. And he didn't need anything beyond that; English wasn't an important subject to astrophysics, so no one would care if he didn't know the first thing about Shakespeare or his contributions to the English language.
It took an entire afternoon and multiple rounds of coffee and sugary drinks before Garrett felt confident that Felix would do well. As for Felix, it felt like an army of tiny construction workers took up shop in his head and were trying to drill a hole to the center of his brain.
"We done?" he asked.
"Yes, we're done," Garrett confirmed, leaning back into his seat in exhaustion. "How can you be so smart and so stupid at the same time?"
Felix grinned. "It's one of the world's greatest mysteries. Let me know if you ever figure that one out."