Liam had gone to New York. He seemed to be settling in and was calling us just like he promised. So I was happy about that, but what I wasn't happy about, was the fact that my dad hadn't spoken to me since our argument after the 'family dinner'.

And now it was another Monday and another day in Calculus class. This might seem traumatizing for some, but I am one of the few people who look forward to Calculus class. To me, calculus is a murder story and I'm the detective. And if you know me, you know I love being a detective.

"Boo, could you please pass me an extra pen?"

Karla. I had almost wondered when the fates started to work with me until she came back from her one-week vacation and blew me a kiss in the hallways.

"Sure." I turned to hand her the pen, making sure my fakest smile was already in place.

She cocked her head and returned the smile.

Damn, she's beautiful

W.T.F. was I just thinking? It was barely one week and I was on my way to losing this bet.

You have to admit, she is pretty

Need I remind you of  the phrase "Who knew evil girls had the prettiest faces."

And the best bodies as well

Stop being so shal...

"Hey everyone pay attention!" My calculus teacher, Mr. Jeffery called out, thankfully, drawing me out of my inner debate.

"Now. Since you have all been behaving better than normal. We're going back to an easy one - Functions." He turned to the board and wrote down a problem.

"Now who can tell me the answer?"

Half of the class put their hand up including me. But it didn't take me two seconds until I put it back down again.

He was now moving around the class and pointing to people. "Ok. Donald go."

"Umm, 3.5"

"Close but not close enough"

"Alicia"

"Four"

He sighed. "Now you guys are guessing."

"Come on you guys, we treated this last week. Don't make me feel like I should retire." Mr. Jeffery said, clapping his hands and trying all the legal ways to get us active.

He turned and his face finally went bright. "Yes, Karla."

"Mr. Jeffery, Astro's hand was up."

Bitchhhhhh

All eyes turned to my little corner at the back of the room and if Mr. Jeffery's eyes were bright before, they were glowing now. He was finally going to make the most silent student talk.

Oh, no

"Yes, Astro do you know the answer?" His voice was so excited, it was almost suspicious.

My eyes glanced at my notebook where the solution was scribbled on.

"U-u-um" My mouth refused to make words.

What if am wrong?

What if they laugh at me?

What if...

Mr. Jeffery's concerned voice pierced my subconscious "Astro, are you okay? You look as a pale as sheet."

"A-a-am fine"

He didn't seem to believe me and my voice did nothing to calm the situation down. 

"I think the answer is seven."

My chest tightened in expectation of the 'No' that was coming.

"Very good Astro. Keep it up" Mr. Jeffery said patting my head in a fatherly manner. I felt a summersault in my chest.

He moved towards the board again. "Now, let me show you guys what might have gone wrong in your solving."

----------------

"Am not the one who shakes when asked a question!!!" Karla screamed, her voice echoing round the empty auditorium.

I couldn't find a counterattack.

Seeing that she struck a nerve, she changed her tactics "Why were you scared of answering the question?"

"Cause I might be wrong and, I wasn't scared. I am just shy."

"Being shy is different from not having any confidence."

My chest tightened harshly and I turned and started walking down the steps. "And you should care why?"

She dodged the question and followed me. "You want to go to Yale right?"

I nodded my head in affirmation.

"Then you will need people to guide you."

"I can do it on my own."

She sighed deeply "Have you always been this way?"

I sat down on the nearest bench and started scribbling in my notebook. "Yup. Am allergic to people."

"Or maybe your just afraid of them not liking you."

Again, another round of silence.

Why couldn't my escape from class go smoothly

"Ok. I am sorry for pushing you into the deep end like that. But, you do have to boost your confidence. People as kind as me won't always be there to help you. So, I have a deal ...."

As soon I heard 'deal' I rolled on the bench like a child and said "Ugh, another deal?"

She rolled her eyes and laughed. "Not a deal per se, more like homework. You just have to answer one question a day."

I laughed. And when she didn't laugh back I turned to look at her. "You're not serious right?"

"Of course I'm serious"

I sighed. "Thank you for caring." She looked genuine, so I decided to go with it, besides I didn't have the strength to object.

"Your welcome" She moved closer and leaned on me. "Don't be so stiff, I just want to shut my eyes for a second."

Despite being an introvert, silence, especially with a girl leaning on my shoulder in an empty auditorium was uncomfortable. "So to return the favor, I will be taking you out to Raging waters."

Now she sent stiff.

"Am just kidding" I said nervously.

Stupid, stupid, stupid

"No. It's just that I don't know how ummm to swim."

We live in California and you don't know how to swim!!!

I wanted to laugh but seeing her red face staring at the floorboards, I instantly changed my mind.

"Fine. I'll teach you."

She looked up at me with doe eyes."You promise?" I gulped.

Too close, too close, TOO CLOSE!!!

"I promise. This Saturday I will teach you the basics of swimming." It was a miracle my voice came out normally.

She suddenly got up from the bench, the sleep gone by now. "Then it's a date then"

My jaw dropped and I turned to look at her. "It's a what now?"

"Told you I'd win the bet, Chestnut." She skipped along happily towards the door.

My heart fluttered and my hand moved to stroke my brown hair without me even knowing. "No. It's more like a thank you swimming lesson and not a date swimming lesson."

 "Whatever you say." And then she closed the door behind her.

I was stuck in a daze until I heard the chime of my phone ring out. A hundred unread text messages.

It must be Joy

Where are you? It's lunchtime.

Have you gone home?

Are you feeling OK

I am reporting you missing.

Answer me!!!

Astro Matthew Winston, where the fuck are you!!!???

Are you skipping class?

Wait what's the time?

As soon as I glanced at my phone, my legs carried me towards the door. I had skipped lunch and the period after that.

I was wondering what the hell I was going to tell the teacher, that I pushed a gnawing question to the back of my head. 'How did I spend so much time with Karla and not be irritated?'

*********
A/N

Hi everyone! So sorry if the chapters seem short. I will do my best to make longer chapters going forward. Thanks