Chapter 2: Unexpected Lessons
As much as I hated school and studying, I was actually looking forward to the next day of summer school now that I'd met C.C.
I'd had crushes before, but none like this. I was completely mesmerized by her two different colored eyes. No matter what she talked about, I'd get lost in her gaze.
There was so much I wanted to know about her-but I didn't know how to ask without coming off as invasive.
The classroom was dimly lit, with sunlight spilling in through the blinds-the only real source of light. The teacher had already gone over the lecture and left us to finish the assignment on our own.
The real surprise? I was still awake.
That teacher's monotone voice was practically a lullaby.
I looked over at C.C. and watched how easily she worked through the equations. I glanced at my own paper.
Nothing. Blank.
Even rereading the formulas in the textbook and looking over the teacher's notes made it all look like alien code.
"Psst."
She didn't hear me.
So, in desperation, I swung my foot to the side and accidentally kicked her leg.
C.C. snapped her head around and glared at me-but her expression quickly softened when she saw how lost I looked.
"You don't get it?"
I shook my head, feeling embarrassed.
She glanced at the teacher, who was completely zoned out reading a book. Her face tightened in annoyance.
"Ugh," she muttered, then leaned over. "Okay. See that number?" She pointed to my paper. "Multiply it by this one."
She started walking me through the steps, and to my surprise... it started to make sense.
"Oh!" I gasped. "Shit. These are easy!"
What kind of math sorcery was this? The way she explained it was nothing like what the teacher had said.
I fiddled with my pencil. "Umm... you clearly know this stuff. Why are you even in summer school?"
"I wanted to get ahead so I could graduate early," she said proudly.
"Seriously?" My jaw dropped. "That's a thing?"
"You didn't know?" She gave me the same confused look I had given her earlier.
"No idea. I thought summer school was just for people who failed."
"Well... yeah," she shrugged. "But you can also take it for extra credit. And summer classes are shorter and easier."
"Damn. I wish I knew that," I said, leaning back in my chair.
"Now you know." She winked.
I puffed out my chest, raised a finger in the air, and proclaimed, "And knowing is half the battle!"
Without missing a beat, we both burst out: "G.I. JOE!"
We laughed like little kids remember the old cartoon PSA catchphrase.
A loud throat-clearing cut through the room.
We looked up. The teacher was glaring at us over his book.
We quickly quieted down. When he returned to reading, I couldn't help myself-I made a very inappropriate hand gesture behind my notebook, just for C.C. to see.
She snorted.
The teacher peeked up again, and we instantly pretended to be focused on our work.
Somehow, we were on the same wavelength. We'd glance at each other at the same time, biting our lips to keep from cracking up.
Day after day, we just had fun in class. We passed notes with dumb jokes. I'd draw faces with funny expressions, and she'd finish the bodies-usually in ridiculous ways that had us laughing hysterically.
I started bringing my Game Boy, and during breaks, we'd play Tetris in VS mode with a link cable. We'd even trade games. Thanks to her, I finally got to play Kirby's Dream Land 2.
The teacher? Yeah, he wasn't a fan of our antics. But weirdly enough, C.C. actually helped me understand math better.
I'd always hated asking for help. I felt like I slowed things down or annoyed teachers. But C.C. noticed when I struggled-and helped, without making me feel dumb.
Even the teacher started noticing my improved assignments.
I was really starting to fall for her. But I was still too shy-and too scared-to say anything.
Summer school was actually starting to feel... enjoyable.
---
One Monday, C.C. seemed especially cheerful. When she sat down, I noticed a slight blush on her round cheeks.
"You look like you had a good weekend," I said.
"I did." She sighed happily. "I just wish it didn't end."
I couldn't help myself-I had to know more. "What happened? What did you do?"
She opened her lunchbox purse and pulled out a photo strip-the kind from those mall photo booths.
"I spent the whole weekend hanging out with Kenny."
Kenny?
The name echoed in my head. I looked at the photos and immediately recognized him.
During our freshman year, Kenny and I had hung out with a group of friends... until he kind of disappeared from the group.
"So that's where Kenny ran off to," I joked.
"Wait! You know Kenny?" she asked, surprised.
"Yeah. I've known him since seventh grade. He's a good guy," I nodded. "I know Kenny really well."
Kenny truly was one of the nicest people I'd ever met. Back in middle school, it was me, Kenny, Adrian, and a kid we called Gilligan-because, you know, Gilligan's Island.
"How long have you two been together?" I asked, trying to sound casual... even though jealousy was bubbling up inside me.
"This weekend was our 10-month anniversary." She smiled and held up her hand. On her finger was a silver claddagh-an Irish promise ring.
I nearly dropped my jaw. "Ten... months!?"
"Yeah," she said dreamily.
"Wow," I nodded, doing my best to hide the sting. "You two must be getting serious."
"Mmhmm. I really think he might be the one. We just... complete each other. He's always there for me. So gentle and caring. You know what I mean?"
I nodded. I really didn't know that feeling. I've never had it before.
I glanced back at the photo strip. They looked so happy together.
All I could do was be happy for them.
Even after finding out about her relationship with Kenny, we continued having fun together in class. She became a dear friend. And Kenny was already a friend too.
I didn't want to feel like I was intruding-so I tried to move on from the crush.
Summer had played a cruel trick.
Maybe I just wasn't meant for love and affection yet.
Hopefully... things would change during my sophomore year.