SCOTT'S POV
I arrive at college and go straight to the classroom. I didn't feel like talking to anyone.
_ How's the bet going? _ Leo asks and my few minutes of silence end.
_ Speak quietly, someone might hear. _ I look around and the people around us were too busy talking to each other to have paid attention to us. _ We'll talk later.
I arrive at the classroom and sit in the last chair. I risk a glance at the nerd as I pass by and she's too busy in her fairytale world.
What a boring little life.
I wanted to snatch the books from her hands and see her angry, but I couldn't do that anymore if I wanted to win her trust and, most importantly, the bet.
I throw my things on the table and lay my head on my backpack. I'm not sure how long I stayed like that. I was in the middle of a cool dream, which I don't remember what it was like, but I know it was cool, when I feel someone shaking me.
_ Don't bother. I have a fucking headache. _ I don't even bother to look up and see who the idiot is who is bothering me.
_ You should have remembered that before you went out partying and came to class hungover, Mr. Wayans. _ I look up abruptly and stare at Mr. Montez with his arms crossed right in front of me. I look around and see that everyone is looking at me. I give a weak smile and sit up straight.
_ My bad, Mr. Montez. It won't happen again.
_ That's what I hope. _ He says before returning to his desk.
_ Why didn't you wake me up? _ I whisper to Mark and Leo who still had their attention directed at me.
_ You were so cute sleeping, I felt sorry for waking you up. _ Leo says in an amused tone.
_ You have to stop this, Scott. _ Mark scolding me as always.
_ As if you were the most holy person in the world. _ I retort rudely and he nods.
_ I know I'm not, but you need to set limits and stop acting like a child and wanting to do things just to show that you're better than others. _ His words came out too serious, but they didn't have the moral effect he expected.
_ Okay, that's enough. My father isn't enough, I still have to listen to you acting like you're the one who's right. _ I say, huffing with anger.
Why did everyone take the day off today to give me a moral lesson? I'm already an adult and I know very well what I'm doing.
_ What are you little girls talking about back there? _ The teacher asks, interrupting our not-so-friendly conversation.
_ Girl stuff, Mr. M. _ Leo responds, attracting everyone's attention, who start laughing at his comment, which eases the tension that had built up.
_ Do whatever you want. _ Mark mumbles and turns to the front.
_ Now we're going to draw the pairs. Remembering that this is a way to help those who are in need, so take it seriously. _ Mr. Montez explains and I go back to laying my head on my backpack. I close my eyes and hear only the voice of the teacher and some students as he forms this idiocy of "study pairs".
I don't know how much time passed until I hear my name as if it were very far away.
_ Mr. Wayans? Mr. Wayans?...
Someone nudges me and I look up to see Mr. Montez staring at me for the second time with his arms crossed.
_ Scott and ... _ He opens the little piece of paper and looks around the room in suspense, something this guy loved to do when he commented on my grades and everyone else's. _ ... Julie. _ I needed some time to process what I had just heard. When I realize that I heard it right, I smile for the first time in hours.
Apparently something was trying to help me.
After that, I even started to believe in destiny. I look at the nerd and see only her tense back. It seems that someone wasn't as excited as I was.
_ Dude, this is your chance to make the nerd fall for you. _ Leo mutters softly and I just nod.
Mark looks at us with a disapproving expression and I ignore him. Nothing would make me change my mind, I would see this bet through to the end, no matter what.
Mr. Montez finishes forming the pairs and my eyes are still on Julie who never moves or looks back.
_ The first assignment will be about the locomotor system. I want you to summarize in detail the organs that make up this system and the function of each one of them, in addition to research on how humans and animals can move, using practical actions to exemplify the information obtained. You will have a week to present it in class and hand in the report to me. _ The teacher writes what he just said on the board and I don't even waste time copying it down.
I hadn't understood anything he had said, to tell the truth I didn't even pay attention, but the nerd had definitely written it down letter by letter, so I had nothing to worry about.
_ Did everyone understand? _ The teacher asks and everyone says yes. So I draw a conclusion: either they are lying or I am the only one lacking intelligence in this class. _ Great. And during the classes, there will be tests so I can get an idea of how you are doing. Now, let's continue with the class.
The classes pass slowly as always. During the eternity that I spent sitting in my chair, extremely uncomfortable, Julie didn't even look at my face and I didn't say a word to her either. During the break, she practically ran out and went to the library, I didn't go after her. Since we had to spend more time together, I had no reason to follow her everywhere. When the bell rang, indicating that another tormented day was coming to an end, Julie gathered her things in record time and left the room. I threw my backpack over my shoulder and said goodbye to the boys. I ran through the crowded hallways, dodging the people who were passing by. I was almost giving up when I saw her messy bun turning the corner. I hurriedly caught up with her at the exit gates. My lungs were begging for mercy when I reached her side.
_ Wow, you run like hell. _ I take a deep breath and look at her. Julie looks at me for a few seconds and then looks away. _ It seems you won't be getting rid of me anytime soon. _ I say what I've been waiting for hours to say to her face.
_ Unfortunately. _ She says quietly as if she was saying it to herself.
_ How? _ I ask even though I heard what she said very well and she starts to stare at her hideous sneakers.
_ Nothing. I have to go. _ She hurries to leave but I keep following her.
_ I'll take you. _ I say it with the best of intentions and she, like the ungrateful girl that she is, refuses.
_ No, I can go alone. _ She says before leaving.
I get my car in the parking lot and think about everything that happened today. The day started off bad, but I finally had some good news to brighten up the rest of my day.
_ Thank you, Mr. Montez. You're the best. _ I say to myself, because I would never in my life say that out loud about one of my teachers, never.
I start the car and go home thinking about the endless possibilities I will have to get closer to her and hook her once and for all.