Secrets and Silhouettes

Did I see what I saw?

At home, I couldn't shake off the weight of what I witnessed. Should I report it? The question gnawed at me as I grabbed my bag and rushed over to The Diner. He hadn't given me my notes, and I needed them. It wasn't just an excuse; it was a fact. Yet, as I arrived at The Diner, a sudden wave of shyness and fear washed over me. How was it possible for him to have such an effect on my mentality, to make me feel so insecure?

He spots me, and I can feel his sigh. "Can I help you?" he asks.

"I need the notes from Science. You never gave them to me," I say firmly.

"They're at home," he responds. "I knock off at 6 pm. If you wait for me outside, we can go and get them."

"Fine," I concede. "I'll wait. It's only 20 more minutes. While I wait, I'll have a cappuccino."

He turns and walks away, leaving me to contemplate what I saw and what I should do about it.

After a long 20-minute wait, he returns with my cappuccino in a takeaway cup. I take it and hand him the money, but he just looks at me and then walks past without taking it. "Come," he says.

I roll my eyes but follow him. His apartment is just across the street. He tells me to wait outside and closes the door behind him. I wait as he reopens the door and hands me the notes.

From inside, I hear a girl's voice. "Hey, Em. Can you help me?"

He turns pale white. "Sure, Emily, I'll be right there," he responds quickly. I take the notes from him.

"Don’t you think she's too young, Em?" I question, puzzled by the sudden interaction.

He grabs me by the wrist, his grip tight and forceful. "You do not know me. You do not know anything about any aspect of my life. You will not pretend you do. And what you thought you saw today. You have no idea. You cannot even begin to imagine," he says, his voice seething with anger and protectiveness, particularly for Emily.

"Let go," I say through clenched teeth, feeling the heat of his grip burning into my skin. I manage to rip myself free from his grasp. "Guess I only had to see you in your full element to get over a silly crush. And thank God I did. We are not friends, at most we are Science lab partners," I declare, my words laced with frustration and disappointment.

I turn abruptly and stalk off, feeling a mix of emotions swirling inside me. As I reach my car, I rub my wrist where his grip had been, feeling a lingering sense of unease. It's not fear that he will hurt me physically, but rather fear that our potential friendship might be shattered before it even begins.

I arrived home and immediately rushed to my room. Grabbing my sleepwear, I headed to the shower, desperate to wash away the anguish that clung to me. The water cascading over me was a temporary solace, but as I crawled into bed, sleep proved elusive. When it finally claimed me, it offered no respite, tormenting me with restless tossing and turning throughout the night.

******

I did not sleep well last night; his anger haunts me. His eyes were all I could see when I closed my eyes. I feel bad. He is right. I do not know anything about his life. I definitely owe him an apology. I try every beauty tip and trick in the book to lessen the bags under my eyes and to look more… alive. I did what I could and went down to eat breakfast.

On my way to school, I tried to rehearse the apology in my head. I have to be truthful if I want to repair what I managed to break last night. I am sure he will be hesitant to accept, but I will try. I hurry to my locker. Then I spot him; he is heading my way. “Can we talk, please?” I ask, my voice a mix of nervousness and sincerity.

“Why? So that you can accuse me of something I did not do?” Pike's voice carries a mix of frustration and hurt, causing a pang in my chest. I've hurt him, and it weighs heavily on me.

“No, so that I can apologize for poking around your business when I had no right to,” I reply with a heavy sigh, my own remorse evident in my voice.

“I am sorry, Pike. I don’t know you, I don’t know Emily. I don’t know anything about any aspect of your life. And if you want me in your life, I am here. And if you decide you don’t want me, then I will make peace with that too,” I continue, my words tinged with hurt as tears threaten to spill from my eyes. “I promise you, I never intended to hurt you. I had a bad day yesterday. And I am not using it as an excuse. I am just saying I am human, and I make mistakes. I do well in Science, and I am trying to do better.”

Before Pike can respond, Allen’s voice interrupts us. “Ali,” he calls out.

“I will be with you just now. Just give me a minute, Allen,” I reply quickly, not wanting Pike to leave without resolving things.

I grab Pike by the arm and lead him to the parking lot. “I don’t want my friends to know what happened yesterday; they are too nosy for their own good,” I explain, hoping he understands the need for privacy.

“I would protect anything you need me to. I promise,” I respond, my voice softened with understanding.

“I hear you. And thank you for the apology. It is accepted and appreciated. Let's take it slow. I need to focus on my school work; I have to achieve all A’s this year. I am on a scholarship and don’t want to lose it.

And that cupcake is a secret I want you to keep,” he adds with a slight smile, indicating his willingness to move forward cautiously and maintain our confidentiality.

“Well, then you are in luck, we could be study buddies. I also need all A’s. I can help you with all subjects. But then you’ll have to help me with my problem.”

“That all depends. What is your problem?”

“Science,” I sigh. “Science is my problem. I have a B+ and need an A even if it is an A- but it has to be an A.”

“Okay, so that means extra work for extra credit?”

“Yup,” I say popping the p.

I can feel Allen staring at me. “I will meet you at your place later then we can discuss it.”

Before he could respond, I was off. Heading to Allen’s prying eyes. “Morning,” I say as I walk to him. “What was that all about?”

“Nothing much. Just Science.” I smile, relieved that Pike accepts my apology and is willing to work with me. “Turns out he also needs an A in science, so we are going to do an extra project for extra credit.”

Before he can probe too much the bell rings. I will see you later. I head to class. To my surprise focus is my best friend today.

Mrs. Thompson addresses the class with enthusiasm, setting the stage for an exciting new project. "Good morning, everyone! Today, I'm thrilled to introduce a project that will challenge your creativity and environmental awareness. Over the next two weeks, you'll have the opportunity to delve into a project that merges artistry with sustainability."

She continues, "Your task is to design and create a 3-dimensional sculpture that represents your personal connection to your spirit animal. This sculpture will be crafted using recyclable materials, emphasizing our commitment to environmental consciousness. Your goal is to capture the essence of your chosen spirit animal, infusing your sculpture with its unique characteristics, symbolism, and energy."

Mrs. Thompson emphasizes the importance of thoughtful design, saying, "Consider how you can convey the presence and vitality of your spirit animal through the form, texture, and composition of your sculpture. This project is not only about artistic expression but also about exploring your spiritual connection to the natural world."

In conclusion, she encourages creative exploration and responsible use of materials, stating, "I'm excited to see your interpretations and how you integrate sustainable materials into your designs. Let's embrace this opportunity to express our spiritual affinity through art while honoring our commitment to environmental stewardship."

Challenge accepted. My mind is open, free to be creative. First I have to determine what is my spirit animal….