POV JULIE
Today my parents and Arthur are coming back from their trip. The week they've been away has made me feel even lonelier, I'm missing Arthur, not that I don't miss my parents, it's just that they spend most of the day working, so my only company is my brat.
Since I don't have any friends, my days this week have been all about going to college, coming home and sleeping. Not that my routine was much different before that, but Arthur and I always found something to do. In short, we always watched cartoons. At college, my week was summed up by Scott Wayans stalking me everywhere. Okay, he was stalking me before that, but now he's weird, he's no longer making fun of me and he's even defending me against others. Sometimes I even get suspicious.
How can my biggest enemy suddenly want to be my friend? I swear I don't know why, but whatever it is, I hope it doesn't disappear any time soon. But despite everything, I still don't know what made him change and something tells me there's something strange behind it.
I get out of bed and go straight to the bathroom. I shower, put on baggy dark jeans, my favorite sweater, which is pink with a bear face attached to the front, and white sneakers. I put my hair up in a bun and put on my glasses. My mother always asks me why I need to wear my glasses all the time, since they're only for reading, but I feel safer with them. I put my books in my backpack and go downstairs to get something to eat before I leave. When I get to the kitchen I meet Susan, our maid, who is like part of the family to me, as she spends more time with Arthur and me than with our parents.
- Susan, I'm so happy you're back. - I say, running to hug her.
- Oh, my girl. You don't know how sad I was when I found out you'd be staying here alone for a week. - She kisses me on the forehead.
- No need to stay, Susan. I know you didn't come because you were taking care of your brother. And speaking of him, how is he?
- He's recovering. Thank God it was just a scare. - She says smiling.
- I'm happy. - I say returning her smile.
- Now sit down, and I'll make up for all those days I wasn't here.
- You're going to fill me up with food, I can already see it - I say laughing.
- That's right, you're so skinny. I can even imagine that you ate nothing but junk food in those days you spent alone - She says looking at the stove.
- I had no other choice - I say laughing.
- So now you're going to eat real food - She says coming over with a plate in her hand - Pancakes with honey, your favorite - She says placing the plate on the table, then pours milk into a glass and hands it to me.
— They're delicious, Susan. You don't know how much I miss these - I say with my mouth full after putting a piece in my mouth.
- So you just missed my food? _ She asks, looking angry, but then she smiles.
- Of course not, Susan, you know you're like a mother to me - I say and she comes over to me and hugs me.
- And you and your brother are like the children I never had. Now, eat or you'll be late - She says and I go back to eating. I finish my breakfast and call my mother.
- Hi, daughter, how are you? - She asks as soon as she answers.
- I miss you so much. Are you guys coming already?
- We're at your brother's school. There's a party today and he didn't want to miss it for anything.
- I can imagine. Arthur loves parties. And are you guys going straight to work?
- No, we took the day off. Today we're going to spend the day with you.
- You don't know how happy I am about this, mom - I say with a smile even though I know she can't see it.
- I know, my love.
- Mom, let me pick up Arthur. I'm leaving college early today.
- It's okay, sweetheart. Are you still at home?
- Yes, but I'm already leaving.
- Then go soon or you'll be late.
- I'll be right there. I'll be right there. Bye, Mom.
- Bye, sweetheart. Your dad's sending you a kiss.
- Another big one for him - I say and end the call. I pick up my backpack and walk to college as I always do. My parents insist that I drive, but as the college isn't that far from my house I prefer to walk. I arrived at the college and went into the classroom. I had almost finished the first lesson when someone knocked on the door.
- Can I come in, Professor? - Scott asks from the doorway.
- Of course, Mr. Wayans. Come in and see if you're paying attention in class - the teacher says and he goes in, sitting in one of the last chairs with two of his friends, Leo and Mark. Leo is another idiot just like Scott, while Mark seems to be a bit more relaxed. The rest of the class went by a bit slowly, I think because I'm anxious to pick up Arthur.
I leave the room and go to pick up a book that I left in my locker and that I need to return to the library. As I close the cupboard door, I see a dark-eyed being looking at me and I'm startled.
How did he get there, sir?
- Are you trying to kill me? - I say frightened.
-Calm down, nerd... Julie. I know I'm handsome, you don't have to play scared - he says with a smug smile on his face.
- What's handsome is cocky _ I say and immediately close my mouth as I realize what I've just said.
- What did you say? - He says with an even bigger smile.
- Nothing. I didn't say anything - I say, walking past him and towards the library.
- You called me handsome - he says right behind me.
- You must have heard wrong. I didn't say anything like that - I say, trying to make up for the mistake I made.
-Yes, you did. Stop being a liar and face up to what you said - he says, stopping in front of me.
- I told you I didn't say anything like that. - I'm already angry.
- You think I'm handsome. You think I'm handsome. You think I'm handsome - he says, circling me.
- Can you stop? - I ask almost shouting and he shuts up, but he's still smiling.
- Just admit that you think I'm the most handsome guy in this college - He stops in front of me and crosses his arms, preventing me from passing.
- Get out of my way, I'm in a hurry, I have to pick up my brother from school - I say and he continues to stand there, looking at me with a smile on his face. I swear, if he doesn't stop smiling he'll get a cramp in his jaw.
- No _ He denies it.
- Just tell me what you want and let me pass in peace - I say, already distressed.
- I'll only leave if you agree to go out with me. Today - He says and I look at him without believing what I've just heard.
- I can't, I have to pick up my brother from school. And besides, exactly a week ago you wouldn't even look at me properly, and when you did, it was to make some of your little jokes, and now you come with this thing about wanting to go out with me. It's easier for me to believe that horses have wings than to believe that you really want to go out with me - I say, pushing him, but he doesn't move.
- Hey, what makes you believe that my intentions aren't the best possible? - He says, raising his eyebrow and waiting for an answer.
- Let me see - I pretend to remember something - All this time in college, you were the person who humiliated me the most and made fun of me. I think I have enough reasons not to believe in your "good intentions", don't you think? - I say, making air quotes with my fingers - Now let me pass, because like I said, I have to pick up my brother from school and you're in the way - I say and he makes room for me, letting me pass and I run off.
- Well then, let me give you a ride. I think the way you're walking, you're really late. - He says as he follows me.
- No. I'll pass. - I answer rudely and keep walking.
When I was already outside the college building, I look back and thank God he wasn't following me anymore. I put on my headphones, put on some random song and go to pick up Arthur. When I was turning the corner, I hear a car honk. I don't bother looking. I bet it's someone trying to make a joke about me. So I pretend not to hear it and keep walking.
The car honks again and stops next to me. I look and it's none other than that wretched Scott. He looks at me and gives me a little smile.
- I told you I'd give you a ride to your brother's school. - He says.
- And I already told you I'd pass. - I say and keep walking.
- Stop being stubborn and get in. I'm not going to kidnap you or rape you, it's just a simple ride -- He says and stops the car next to me.
- I already told you that I don't want your ride - I say angrily. Insistent face.
- Get in right now or I'll force you to get in. Can't you see that when you get there, your brother will already be going to college? - He says and I roll my eyes.
- If I accept your ride, will you leave me alone? - I ask.
- It's a possibility - He says and I enter, slamming the door.
- Calm down, stubborn lady - He says with a smile of victory on his face.
- Me accepting your ride doesn't change anything between us, I still think you're the most insufferable guy ever - I say once and for all and he nods.
- Okay, Miss Stubborn _ He says with that ridiculous smile on his face.
- Can you stop? I have a name, didn't you know?
- Sure, but I prefer Miss Stubborn. It suits you better - He says and puts on a radio station that was playing a song that was a little too upbeat for the tension inside that car.
- I really can't talk to you _ I say and rest my head on the window and stay in silence looking at the houses, the people, the streets, the trash cans, everything, except the face of the idiot who is next to me.