Haden Merrick

Chapter Eight

Chapter Eight - Small Talks, Meaningful Talks

          ''Still here?'' Haden asks, walking further away from me as I turn to look at him.

          ''Still here.''

          It has been exactly two hours since I arrived and we've spent the time ignoring one another. He didn't bother going up the stairs to his room but he kept himself locked in the guest room, hearing him moving around only once in awhile. Even though I'd want to know what he has been doing since I got here, I keep my cool and mind my own business by writing simple notes for my upcoming tests-it's easier for me to read the highlighted parts rather than opening the book itself.

          My eyes wander to his figure, eyeing him from behind as he heads straight towards the fridge in order to get a glass of cold water. Maybe because I have a massive crush on the man in front of me or maybe because he was born beautiful but the sight of him putting the glass near his lips and his jawline becoming more prominent from his head tilting slightly towards the back, it's a sight worth seeing. Makes me wonder if I'm looking like a fool.

          Probably, a fool in love.

          ''Don't you think staring is rude?'' He asks, causing me to immediately look away from him.

          ''C-cold water is not good for you,'' I respond as I try my best to sound calm. ''it'll shrink your blood vessels, your digestion becomes restricted and hydration is hindered.'' Our eyes meet in an instant, the beautiful brown eyes that I've managed to find myself lost in. ''so, your body expends to regulate your body temperature instead. It leads to water loss,''

          The two of us stare at each other without uttering a single word, it's as if everything around us has drifted away and we're left behind. Being able to hold his eye contact for this long is a surprise to me as well because I, for a fact know I'm never brave around him. I'm a coward around Haden Merrick but why am I suddenly filled with courage? Well, courage to withstand our eyes.

          ''Okay.'' He replies, walking away.

          It doesn't take me long to facepalm myself. The facts about cold water wasn't needed in our conversation but I had to blurt it out, like a miserable person who couldn't think of anything better to say. So, turning around to watch him enter the guest room without sparing a second glance towards my direction seems like a sensible thing to do before continuing writing down the notes in my notebook.

          The time passes by quickly as I walk around with the book in my hand, memorising the highlighted parts. Just as I continue pacing back and forth, I hear the doorbell ring which causes me to immediately walk towards the front door-peeking through to find a group of guys, somewhat familiar standing and waiting for someone to open the door. I slowly hide the book behind my back before pulling the door open, catching their attention.

          One of them smiles, ''Is Haden home?''

          Just as I'm about to ask, a familiar voice speaks behind me. ''Let them in,''

          I step aside to let them in as they walk towards Haden, pulling him in for a hug while I close the door behind me; unsure of what to do. One of his friends turn to look at me with a small smile plastered on his face which causes me to fix the disposable mask covering half of my face, ''I'll be outside if you need me.'' I say, loud enough for Haden to hear as I quickly make my way towards the backyard; shutting the sliding door to block out the noises from their conversation.

          The longer I look at them, the more I realise that they're his friends from university. No wonder they look familiar but they only seem to know me as Haden's nurse instead of someone who goes to the same university with them-which is good, if they don't notice who I am then I'm completely safe.

          ''While Pasteur and Koch are often considered the founders of microbiology, their work did not accurately reflect the true diversity of the microbial world because of their exclusive focus on micro-organisms having direct medical relevance.'' I mutter under my breath to myself, closing my eyes in order to memorise them. ''It was not until the late 19th century and the work of and that the true breadth of microbiology was revealed.'' I sit on the grass near the swimming pool as I continuously tap on my thigh, ''Who was the first to use disinfectant on the open wounds of patients? Remember, Belle. You read this minutes ago,''

          ''Joseph Lister.''

          ''Exactly-wait,'' I open my eyes to find Haden looking back at me, a smile plastered on his face as he sits beside me.

          ''Didn't know you major in microbiology,'' He replies, glancing at my notebook.

          I clear my throat, ''Should you even know what I major in? And, how would you know it's Joseph Lister? Wild guess?'' I raise an eyebrow, pretending to be oblivious when I clearly know we both major in microbiology but if the question doesn't pop . . . it means I've known. His lips begin to curve up into a smile as he turns his head to look at me, the look in his eyes is calming and softer than before.

          ''I take microbiology. How else would I know?'' He says.

          ''What a coincidence.'' My eyes wander around to find his friends or at least hear their voices but it seems like there are no one else here except for us. ''Where are your friends? Did they leave?'' I ask, looking into his pair of brown eyes.

          ''They left. They came to drop something off,'' He responds, our eyes meeting before he grabs onto my notebook and take it away from my grasps. ''Let's see what you have written in here. Oh-nice handwriting by the way,'' He chuckles, turning the pages and with every page he turns, causes my heart to beat faster.

          Why?

          Because his name is written at the back.

          ''I think that's enough minding someone else's business,'' I take the book away from him which surprises him a little but he manages to hide it away with a smirk. ''Actually, let's see if you're going to be a true microbiologist. Let me ask you a few questions,''

          ''Go ahead. You'd be surprised,'' He smiles, eyes focusing onto me.

          ''Aha, getting cocky, are you?''

          ''Who made two major contributions to microbiology?'' I ask, smiling as we continue to look at each other-not realising the space between us is lessening with every passing second because we're both too caught up in this. The way his lips are curving up into a smile and the sound of his laughter is mesmerising me, I'm blown away. Blown away by his beauty.

          ''Beijerinck.'' He answers, fast.

          ''Okay, what are the two major contributions to microbiology that Beijerinck made?''

          ''The discovery of viruses and the development of enrichment culture techniques.'' He winks, proud of himself for giving the correct answer before leaning back by using his elbows to support himself while I stare at him in surprise.

          ''How can you remember that? You probably learned this three years ago!'' I exclaim, turning the pages to see if he got the answers wrong but he got them right. The man in front of me is not only blessed with good looks but with brains, what can he not do? What can he not make?

          ''How'd you know I learned this three years ago? Never told you I'm a senior,'' He raises an eyebrow, staring at me.

          Suddenly, the conversation has turned sour and we're both just staring at one another with thoughts mingling in our minds. My mind wanders off to think of a better excuse while his is probably questioning more. I immediately clear my throat as if that can actually lessen the awkwardness between us, ''I guessed. You . . . you look old enough to be a senior.''

          Haden scoffs, looking away. ''Ask me some more,''

          ''What is Koch best known for?''

          ''His contributions to the germ theory of disease, proving that specific disease were caused by specific pathogenic microorganisms.'' He replies, ''Come on, Belle-your questions are pretty easy. I'm sure you know them as well without the book,''

          ''You literally know everything in here. So, I'm not going to ask you anything.'' I close the book before placing it beside me, ''You're just going to piss me off by saying the correct answers,''

          He leans his head back, laughing. ''Then? Am I supposed to say the wrong answers just to make you happy? That's not the point of asking questions in the first place.''

          ''Whatever,'' I lay my back on the grass, watching the clear sky above us.

          ''I can't believe I'm talking to you.'' He says, after a few seconds of us being completely silent. From the corner of my eye, I can see him looking up at the sky as well rather than looking at me which eases me slightly, knowing he isn't looking at me-without the mask, he can probably see my cheeks heating up and turning red.

          ''Because you couldn't stay away from me.''

          The sound of his laughter causes me to smile, ''Whatever floats your boat, Belle.''

          Right now, it's just me laying on the grass and him sitting up straight. With my eyes staring at him seem to have caught his attention and causes him to turn and look at me as well, our eyes meeting underneath the stars. ''Are your eyes brown or blue? They seem to be a mixture of both.'' He asks, continuing to stare into them as I try to look away.

          ''Uh, they're blue.'' I frown.

          ''And the mask?''

          ''Comes with the job?''

          Haden turns to look away, making me sigh in relief. If he continues to question me more, I'd probably die of a heart attack. ''What kind of situation do you hate being in the most?'' I ask, out of the blue.

          ''Being lied to,'' He blinks a few times, looking at his hands on the ground as the words stab me in the chest. ''being in that kind of situation hurts the most. Trusting someone with all of your gut and finding out they're lying to you at the end, I wish no one has to go through that. What about you? What kind of situation do you hate being in the most?'' He asks, eyes on mine.

          ''That's-''

          ''-there you are!'' Halley appears near the sliding door. ''Belle, why don't you stay for dinner? I bought extra,''

          I immediately sit up straight, ''I actually have plans.''

          First of all, I don't have plans tonight but staying over for dinner is a big no. How would I be able to take my disposable mask off in front of Haden? He would notice and realise that I'm the girl he met that night, the girl he said he'd find. Second, I wouldn't be able to eat in peace knowing Haden would probably glance at my direction once in a while or he'd simply wouldn't care and eat his food. Then again, I don't want to be in an awkward situation where I'd embarrass myself-especially not in front of him.

          ''Ah, really? Maybe next time?'' She asks.

          ''Definitely next time.''

          Halley disappears inside, leaving only Haden and I by ourselves. Haden slowly grabs onto his crutches as I grab onto his arm but as soon as my hands manage to securely wrap around his arm, he shakes his head to make me move away. The way he struggles to stand up straight leaves me in a situation to help but he doesn't want any, ''I'm good.''

          ''I'll get going, then.'' I say, picking up my notebook and slowly walking inside the house.

          Just as I'm about to enter, his voice stops me. ''Belle,''

          ''Yes?'' I turn, finding him taking a few steps towards me.

          ''See you tomorrow?'' It's more of like a question, as if wanting to make sure if I'll be here or not tomorrow which causes a smile to appear on my face even though he can't see it clearly.

          ''See you tomorrow.''