Chapter Nineteen: The Other Angle

Mark wasn’t in a mood to go to school that morning. So that meant I had to take the bus to reach school. I was walking on the pavement, my curls swinging in the fresh morning breeze. I stuffed my hands inside my sweater pocket. Winter was settling in & hoping there would be snowfall soon. I love snow.

Just then a car came & stopped adjacent to me. The windows rolled down & I saw Daniel behind the steering wheel.

“Hey.” I greeted.

“Well, I can drop you to your school cause coincidently I need to go there too.” he grinned goofily & pushed the car door open for me.

I chuckled, getting in the car. He started to drive again.

“Heard Susan’s throwing a big party.” I commented.

“Yeah but I’m not going.” he responded.

“Why? You should go. You’re invited. Besides, there will surely be many hot girls in there.” I teased.

Daniel laughed, “There surely won’t be any beautiful girls there. For example, you won’t be there.”

I raised my brow, “Are you polishing your sarcasm skills by any chance?”

“Oh no no! Can never ever be a Sarcasm Expert like you so yeah, I really complimented you on your good looks!” he grinned widely.

“Sarcasm is in my blood. And yes, thank you for appreciating Nature’s best efforts to make me, well, look beautiful?”

“Are you being sarcastic?” he enquired.

“That was for you to guess & me to know.” I pretended to sound mysterious.

“Smart.” he remarked.

“Are you into something like Daniel and the Compliment Factory cause you’re sort of praising me today.” I gave a confused look.

He laughed. Actually, we both laughed.

On reaching school, we headed to our respective rooms. On my way to the Physics class, my eyes happened to fall on me of the notices on the Notice Board. It was about an Ad Filmmaking competition that was to take place. I thought of Laura. This time I am not going to force her into anything. Its entirely her call whether she wants to take part in this event or not. Hope she does.

I sat on one of the back benches of the classroom.  Thankfully, there were no practicals in the lab today. Just then, Drake came from nowhere & sat next to me.  I rolled my eyes as a mischievous smile crept from the edges of his lips.

“Why aren’t you sitting on your usual front benches?” I asked him, irritated.

“That’s because I know you were missing me.” he said that as a taunt.

“Yes, I was missing you so much that I didn’t eat a single morsel since the past 72 hours. Happy?” I snapped sarcastically.

He smirked widely. I looked away. I was about to get up & sit somewhere else when the professor walked in with his usual strict air.

“Saw you with Daniel in his car this morning. Seems you like to be with him.” Drake remarked in a whisper as the teacher took to explaining a chapter.

“What’ve you got to do with that?” I retorted in a low voice, “Are you jealous?”

I blurted that out without a thought. Damn! Why the hell did I say that for? This is so irrelevant!!

“You want me to feel jealous? Interesting.” his eyes twinkled, flashing a smirk at me.

I was pissed off with that, “You know what, you better--”

“Ms Wilson.” The professor’s raised voice directed towards me, “Come and sit on the first bench. You can improve your talking skills later.”

I mumbled apologies.  Damn! He had to see only me talking & Drake as usual, put up an innocent face. I gave him a silent glare & walked up to the front bench! Sigh!

****

I was on my way to the Locker Room when I saw a crowd outside a classroom. Seems like some sort of registration was going on. I figured out the crowd was for registration for the Ad film event. I was about to move past there when I saw Laura coming out of the crowd.

I beamed at her, “I’m so happy that you’re entering this competition! Can’t be more proud of you!”

She smiled widely, “I’m feeling so good. This time I won’t give up on myself & give my best shot to whatever I do.”

“That’s Laura Robinson I want to see & hear.” I cheered.

“So the loser is once again entering the competition. ” came Susan’s sneering voice from behind. She was accompanied by Amber,

“I think she loves the fact that people would throw shit at her & laugh at her.”Susan looked inferiorly at Laura.

“Aww! Poor ugly child! And Andrea is helping her get humiliated. I feel sorry for you two Losers!” Amber said with a smug.

I clenched my fists as they laughed in a bullying manner. I was about to shoot back but, to my utter surprise, Laura spoke spicily,

“Don’t waste your time feeling sorry for me. Instead, concentrate on your Ad film, else people would be eager to throw rotten eggs at you. Come to think of it, don’t you think you two deserve much worse than rotten stuff?”

Whoa! Never saw that one coming. Susan & Amber didn’t see that coming either. But their shocked faces changed into glares the next moment.

Way to go sassy Laura!

Laura started to walk away. Before following her, I looked at the two fuming  girls,

“And yes, make sure your bitchy faces don’t appear in your Ad film. You two could be kicked out of the solar system for that!” I smiled insultingly.

Way to go sassy me! Ha Ha!

***

We narrated the entire incident to Sophia at the canteen & we three burst out laughing.

“Man! I regret missing this. I so wanted to see the priceless look on their faces.” Soph sighed.

“That was kickass Laura.” I remarked.

“I don’t know how it came out of me.” Laura admitted sheepishly. Soph & I giggled.

“So have you thought of any concept for making the Ad?” I asked, sipping my hot chocolate drink.

“Well, I have something in mind. I will write the script today itself. The Ad is gonna be of 30 seconds and Andy, I want you to be in it.”

I spat out my drink in shock hearing that.

“You want what?” I looked wide eyed at Laura.

“There is no need to be shocked Andy.” Soph quipped in, “Infact, Laura had told me if she were to make a two hour movie for this competition, she would want to take Drake & you in lead roles cause both of you look great together.”

My shock knew no bounds now, “What the---”

“Hey! Everyone is entitled to his or her opinion.” Laura interrupted, sending a glare at Soph for her big mouth. Soph smiled goofily.

“And as per my opinion, Drake & you make a good pair.” Laura said.

“I don’t---”

“Okay, lets not discuss that.” Laura interrupted me again, “You will be the nest one for my Ad. Please Andy.”

“Laura, I can’t….I mean I don’t want you to lose it out again because of me…” I spoke my mind.

I resisted further when she tried to make me agree with her.

“Come on Andy. You’ll do a great job!” Soph said.

“Fine.” I sighed, agreeing.

Laura gave a wide smile. Dunno what’s all this gonna turn out to be.

*****

As I entered the library after break, I was left in a state of utter amusement when I saw a head buried under a pile of books. Literally. Having some sort of idea of who the troubled soul could be, I walked upto the bench & began to remove the books one after the other. And the head that emerged out was, as I had guessed, Daniel’s.

“Thinking of building a house of books instead of cement?” I quizzed jokingly.

“Don’t ask.” He sighed, “I can’t understand a word of what’s written.”

“Someone was being extra greedy for extra marks.” I pulled his leg.

He gave me a ‘you-aren’t-helping-me-in-anyway’ look. I chuckled.

Daniel had volunteered to take up a research work on a particular topic in Journo. When I saw the books he was referring to, I realized I did have a fair amount on that topic.

“Hey, I think I can help.” I said, “How about me explaining this to you and then you can do the project. ”

Daniel looked at me hopefully, “You will??”

“Ofcourse, yes!”

“Thank you, thank you! You’re Princess in Shining Armor!”

I laughed at that, “Accepted.”

“But I can’t start the project today.  My cousin kid sister is here for Thanksgiving. Have to take her to the park today. Trust me, she’s is very mischievous.” he shuddered.

“Oh come on! I think you’d be great in handling kids, the sweet & patient that you are.”

“Yes, yes, keep the words of optimism coming.” he sighed.

I chuckled. And, well, wished him good luck.

****

“All set?” I asked Laura.

“Positive!” she replied, checking up on her professional camera.

Come evening, we were at a park. It was  filled with the chiming of small kids, running here and there & playing merrily in the soft sand & grass. Laura decided to make an advertisement of a kids health drink & she held that park would be the best suited location.

“Okay so we havta make it look natural, no norms to follow. You are to gel well with the kids.” She said.

I nodded.

Just then a blue ball came rolling & stopped near my feet. Picking it up, I saw two cute little boys running towards us. I hid the ball. Tee Hee!

"Did you see our blue color ball?" said one of the boys who was red-haired.

“Well I--”

“If you’re thinking of lying to us, then don’t lie cause we have seen you see the ball.” said the other boy, black haired, who gave me a know-it-all look. The next second, a horde of other kids gathered there, all looking at me as if I were an enemy from some undiscovered planet.

I looked at Laura. Do I have to get along with these kids?

My friend shrugged. I turned to the kids.

“Umm, if I give the ball, can I play with you all?” I asked them.

The kids looked at each other as if I had asked something that had put World Peace in grave danger.

“You can’t play with us. You are very very old!” a boy remarked as if I would be needing a walking stick any minute from now.

“Hey, I’m not old!” I defended myself.

“You are far much elder than us! You & your friend are way too taller than us.” a small girl justified.

“We are not far much elder than you all. We are, well um, just born a few years ahead of you all. But but that doesn’t make us elder, right Laura?”

I bet I must’ve sounded the most foolish girl to ever walk on the face of Universe by saying that. It was further confirmed by the way Laura raised her brows at me.

Sheesh!

“Okay you can play with us cause you’re very beautiful.” said a brown haired boy.

“Will you go on a date with me?” asked another boy, trying to be husky.

I raised my eyebrows at them. Now the kids are trying to be flirty?

“Yeah okay.” I said airily.

Laura must have found it difficult to restrain herself, so burst out laughing. I frowned at her. She looked away sheepishly.

So yes, after that, I began to play with the kids. We played with the ball & lots of other games which I thought never existed before. I ran around with them in the mud, building sandcastles with them. And I havta admit, it was pretty much fun. Occasionally, I saw Laura taking shots with her camera. She seemed to be happy with everything that was on.

Then some little girls were playing with the skipping rope. They held the long rope at either of the two ends for me to skip. I jumped, the rope going under my feet & then over my head everytime I leapt. I bet I was giggling & smiling ear to ear, my hair flipping in the air. I was still skipping when I noticed Daniel at a distance who was well, kind of, um, staring at me?

I waved at him, gesturing him to join me but he shook his head absentmindedly but kept on staring at me. Strange!

Suddenly my leg got caught in the rope & the next second, I lost my balance & was tumbling down. Uh Oh!!

It was not long after that I hit the ground. Owww!!!

 “Hey, are you alright?” I heard a worried voice & looked up to see that Daniel had run over to me. He stretched his hand to me.

“I’m fine.” I told him, taking his hand &  rising to my feet.

“You’ve hurt your elbow.” he said anxiously.

“I’m doing well. No worries!” I assured.

I found myself slightly limping when I tried to walk. Daniel took my hand in his & guided me to the nearest bench. God knows where is Laura!

“Daniel, relax. I’m alright!” I told him when we were sat on the bench & he was still holding my hand.

“Oh I….am so sorry! I am so sorry!” he let go of my hand at once, very much flustered on realizing he had been holding my hand for too long.

“It’s, it’s okay!” I tried to calm him down but he was clumsy.

“Daniel!”

We saw a little brown haired girl sprinting towards us

“Andrea, this is my cousin Liana & Liana, meet Andrea.” Daniel did the introduction, coming back to normal.

“Hi Liana, nice to meet you.” I said sweetly.

“Andrea, are you a celebrity or something?” she asked.

“No.” I replied, very much surprised.

“You see, Daniel was staring at you so much that he didn’t even hear me telling him that I wanted ice-cream.” Liana said, pouting.

I was startled at that, not knowing what to say. I looked at Daniel. His eyes were studying the geography of the ground out of embarrassment.  

Awkward silence.

“Uh….in that case, lets go & have our favorite ice-creams, shall we?” I asked the little girl.

She smiled ear to ear. I rose to my feet. Thankfully, I could walk properly now.

Liana & I made our way to the nearest ice-cream parlour. Daniel followed suit.

 ~*~*~*~*

Hellos to all,

My first update of 2015! Happy New Year to all! Hope you've liked the story so far, So what do you think abt Andy & Daneil's bond and also Andy's equation with Drake?

How was sassy Laura & will she succeed this time?

Please do leave your feedback via votes, comments & share, Would mean a lot!

Thanks,

enchantedgirlXX