I didn't really like lab periods. I wasn't a social butterfly, I didn't have as much contact with most of my classmates. So most of the time, I wouldn't find anyone to pair up with me during labs. The teachers had to assign me to someone else's group during these periods. By a stroke of fate, today, I was assigned with Evana. And cherry on top, today we were conducting an experinment which required only two people to accomplish.
"What a coincidence." She giggled.
"Yeah." I curtly replied. Ever since I had seen her that day, she reminded me of something. I couldn't quite grasp what it was but suddenly it clicked to me.
"Hey, can I ask you a question?"
"Mhmm. Sure."
"Do you know anyone who went to Merry Center Public School?"
"Oh, yeah. I do. One of my cousins used to go there. Why?"
"Was her name Alina?" I smirked. Yes, someone who looked like her. Back in my old school, I had a classmate who shared a striking resemblance with her. This was why I had a familiar feeling nagging in the back of my head.
"Yeahh....did u attend the same school or something?"
"Guess." I didn't know where I found this new sense of confidence. Just earlier I was stammering after speaking with her once. But suddenly, I was filled with this new found sense of confidence. Maybe it was because I found a common link between us? Or maybe it was because I just stopped being a coward. Anyway, whatever the reason was, this felt truly refreshing.
"I guess I'll have to ask her about your glory days huh!"
"No, no, please don't. It's embarrasing."
"No can do. When I am interested in something, I won't stop at anything." She said triumphantly.
"So you're inerested in me?" I replied cheekily.
"I didn't think you were this kinda guy." She said rolling her eyes.
"What kind?" I became a little nervous. Was I coming off too strong? Was I creeping her out? I just tried something I had seen my classmates do. Maybe I had already ruined this too.
"I don't know. I can't describe it. It just seemed like you were, you know kind of...gloomy? But I was wrong." She giggled.
"I'm sorry." I didn't know what I was even apologizing for. I had no clue.
"No,no, why sorry? In fact, you are better than the image I had for you in my head." She said nonchalantly while cleaning the glass flask. "What's wrong?" She asked again.
"NO, nothing." I quickly interjected. I felt happy. I was feeling giddy. So this was what it felt like, talking to others. It wasn't bad. Maybe I was lonely because of my own fault. I should've socialized more. I silently thought.
"Are you even going to help or are you just going to keep standing around?" I was brought back to my senses. She was the only one doing all the work. I felt bad so I took over.
I had never felt this much fun in forever. The whole hour, we talked while doing the job. The teacher even scolded us a few times to focus on the task instead of talking. But, every good thing must come to and end. The bells rang. We had completed our experinment. I suddenly had an ominous thought, 'So this is it. Maybe we'll never speak again after today.'
I thought of asking her for her social media but my earlier confidence had already vanished. We submitted the apparatus and exited the lab. This was our last period.
"Bye." I told her.
"Okay, bye. See you tomorrow. "
I smiled to her and left college. After walking for a while, I felt someone tap the back of my shoulders.
It was Evana.
"Hi again! I completely forgot that we lived in the same street. Let's walk together?"
"Yes, let's go." I intantaneously replied.
Maybe college life wouldn't be so bad after all.