It was already break time and I was doing everything I could to avoid having to talk to Scott. When he arrived in class early, he tried to talk to me, but I avoided him. I didn't want him to say anything else that would make me feel embarrassed in front of the others, since that's his favorite pastime when it comes to me.
I sat at a table that was more hidden than the one I usually used and opened the book I had started reading while I waited for the day's classes to start. I was lost in thought when I felt someone watching me. I took my eyes off the book and saw Scott staring at me with a slight smile on his face.
-I found you. - he said as he scanned the library.
- Can I sit?- he asked, pointing to the empty chair in front of me.
- Yes. - I answered, and he dragged his chair across the floor. When he sat down, I put my things away and stood up.
- Where are you going? - he was already standing in front of me. I walked past him without saying a word and walked towards the door. In a few seconds, Scott was walking beside me with his hands in the front pockets of his jeans as if it were the most natural thing in the world. _ I need to talk to you.
_ You're already talking. _ I say in a firm voice and continue walking.
_ Can you stop for a minute and listen to me?
My back was still to him and his hand was still on my arm. I let go of his grip and turned around, facing him.
_ We're late for the next class.
_ It won't even take a minute.
_ Okay.
_ Let's get out of here. _ He says when a girl runs between us, almost knocking me to the ground.
When we were a little away from the entrance, I cross my arms and wait for him to speak.
_ About yesterday...
_ I already understand, you don't need to explain. _ I interrupt him and he shakes his head, disagreeing with what I just said.
_ No, you didn't understand. When I said that, I didn't mean it, not the way you think _ He explains and I'm more confused than before. _ I don't understand _ I say in a whisper and his lips curve slightly in a crooked smile. _ When I talked about your ass _ I feel my face blush at his comment _ It was bad _ He apologizes and continues _ When I talked about you, you know, I didn't mean it, I didn't want to embarrass you in front of others, the words left my mouth before I could control them and that upset you, I know. So I wanted to apologize for my unnecessary comment and for Penny's attitude, her problem isn't with you, believe me _ I nod as I try to assimilate what he just said _ Is everything okay? _ Yes _ I answer at the same time that my mind said no. _ So let's go to class because the bell has already rung _ He speaks in a calm voice and I hurry to get out of there. _ Why didn't you say so before? _ I was walking with long strides, practically running. I was a little desperate and disappointed with myself, I had never been late in my entire life.
_ Don't tell me you've never entered the classroom after the teacher? _ I ask with an amused smile on my face.
_ No _ I affirm and he doesn't seem surprised by my answer.
_ Then you are definitely the strangest person I know _ I narrow my eyes in his direction and he raises his hands.
_ Sorry, I said without thinking.
We continue walking side by side, but keeping a certain distance between us. I enter the classroom and there are only a few students there and no teacher. I look back confused and find a smiling Scott.
_ The teacher isn't here _ I affirm and then I realize that the bell hadn't rung at all and that Scott was having fun at my expense, as always.
_ But he'll be here soon _ He winks at me and goes to sit in one of the last chairs.
After ten long minutes the bell rings and Mr. Montez, the anatomy teacher, enters the room followed by some students.
Mr. Montez is a man in his early forties, always dressed casually. He is the typical teacher who jokes with the students at the right times but gets on their nerves when necessary.
_ Good morning, everyone! _ He takes some papers out of the black folder and sits on the edge of the table with his legs crossed and a serious expression as he scans the room with his eyes _ I need to talk to you, but it seems that the latecomers forgot to go back to the room _ As soon as he speaks, someone knocks on the door.
_ Can I come in, Mr. M? _ Leo just pokes his head into the room and looks at Mr. Montez.
_ Come in and see if next time you leave little stones along the way so you don't get lost and find your way back.
_ It's just that the line for the women's bathroom was really long, so I had to wait _ Leo answers innocently and everyone starts laughing.
_ And since when are you a woman, Mr. Williams? Did you do anything this weekend that you want to share with your colleagues? _ Mr. Montez comments in an amused tone.
_ You misunderstood, Mr. M. Can I sit down? _ Leo points to the table where the teacher was sitting.
_ Sure, feel free _ He answers by patting his side.
Leo sits on the table and crosses his legs.
_ I wasn't in line for the women's bathroom to do my business, since everyone knows I'm a man...
_ I have my doubts _ Scott shouts from the back of the room.
_ I could prove it to you right here if I wanted, but I don't think it's necessary because you know better than anyone what my buddy down here and I are capable of _ Soon the room starts a chorus of Oh!
_ I already told you that my business is something else _ Scott says.
_ If you want to discuss your relationship, please go do it outside _ Mr. Montez says pointing to the door.
_ Don't worry, Mr. M, he has a platonic love for me _ Leo says calmly and Scott mutters "Fuck you" _ Continuing _ Leo turns to Mr. Montez who was watching everything with his arms crossed and seemed to be enjoying the situation _ I wasn't there to do my business, I was just keeping the girls company, you never know what can happen in a bathroom line, right?
_ I understand your chivalry, but next time send a message, a smoke signal, anything, but let me know when you're going to play superhero, so I don't waste my time waiting for your illustrious presence in my humble class.
_ Don't worry, Mr. M, I'll remember to bring the pebbles tomorrow _ Leo answers with a smile and goes to the back of the room.
Little by little, the students who were missing start arriving and occupying the empty seats.
_ Now that you're all here, I have something important to talk to you about. _ Mr. Montez stands up and starts walking between the chairs. _ This weekend, I took the liberty of analyzing all of your grades and saw some things that worried me a lot. Many of you have excellent grades, but I can't say the same about others. So I've been thinking about how to reverse this situation in a way that would work not only in my class but in all the others, and I've come to a conclusion. I know that we're not in elementary or high school anymore, we're in higher education, and it's what you're going to learn here that will determine the future of each one of you. So what did I think of? I thought of forming study pairs. Naturally, it will be one student with the best grade and one who isn't doing so well. These pairs won't be a kind of teacher-student relationship, but a mutual relationship, in which both help each other. _ He pauses and looks at all of the students. _ Got it? Any questions?
_ Mr. Montez, how will the pairs be formed? Are you going to choose? _ Mia, a student from the back asks.
_ No, it will be by lottery. That way, it won't be possible for friends to get together and instead of studying, decide to watch a porn movie or go shopping at the mall.
_ And are you going to do that today? _ Mark asks.
_ No, we'll do it in the next class. We have class tomorrow, right? _ We agree and he sits in his chair _ Great, now let's pick up where we left off in the last class.
_ My partner shouldn't be any of the funny guys from the back or the girls who walk past me with their noses in the air and whispering to each other _ I ask quietly and open my book.