Four by Forever

Chapter 3: New Partners

Mitchelle's POV

We have science class for our last subject in the morning thus we are sent in the laboratory. There are rows of long tables with sink and other apparatus laid out. I’m guessing we will be having an activity for today. As usual I sat beside Ari on the 2nd row.

The back row is too far and is usually for those who aren’t much interested in listening or busy with other things. First row is for the eager beavers and those who have the hots for our science teacher who is practically single. The second row is perfect, not too upfront and not too far. Being a whole-rounder student, I do pretty well in every aspect. I excel at balancing my time between acads, band practice and my social life.

The class is exceptionally noisy today probably because of the transfer student whom I heard is also in this class. Not that it matters much but what caught my attention was Breana, our band drummer and the transfer student who just entered the room together thru the front door. The transfer student has her arm draped over the other’s shoulders. I think it was not only me who noticed them as I followed with my gaze. Until, I almost turned around to see that mostly everyone else is staring at them also.

I nudged Ari on my side who is busy rummaging inside her bag that she didn’t witnessed anything.

“Ari, what was the name of the transfer student again?” I turned to her.

“Uhh…something like Ali…uh..Alex! I think that’s it. Why? You know her?” She supplied the information, looking at me curiously.

“No, she just seems close already with Breana and it hasn’t been a day. She must be really friendly.”

Ari just looked at them and nod in agreement. At the same time, the teacher entered.

“Hello everyone. Okay, I told you last time that we are going to do observations and an activity today. Also, I will be assigning your partner for the subject who will work with you in the activities and projects. Any questions? Objections? Speak now or forever hold your silence.” Miss Smith, the science teacher explained, though, the last part is seemingly exaggerated.

I raised my hand.

“Yes, Miss Kim?”

“Can’t we choose our partner? I think it would be better if we work with someone who we are comfortable with.” I suggested.

“Well, you may be right at some point but it is also good to widen your circle. Working with others, especially those you haven’t worked with will gain you diverse ideas, new companionship and of course, success, if you work it out. Won’t you like that? After all, you only have a year more that’s left before you graduate.” She reasoned.

She is also right and if I remember I have always been pairing with Ari for most of the subjects throughout the years that we have been classmates. It’s not that I’m complaining but...a little change can do no harm perhaps? And maybe I could gain new experiences and ideas this time. I looked at my best friend for approval.

“Whatever is fine Sunny. If you insist, I’ll be glad to be your loyal partner. If you prefer to have a little bit of change you know you’re still my favorite sister in the world. Besides, I might be paired with someone hot. Who knows? Hehe.” Ari jokes.

“I thought you already like Liam, but well, it’s not bad if it’s not yet serious or just a crush.” I whispered to her. “So who is our partners?” I conceded to our teacher’s plan.

Miss Smith announced the pairing after the attendance was checked. It turned out Ari and Breana are a pair and I’m paired with Alex.

“Okay, you go now to your respective tables with your partners and start doing this activity.” Miss Smith announced while going around distributing activity sheets. I went to sit beside Alex while Ari and Breana settled beside our table.

“Hi.” I smiled at her and then proceeded setting my things on the table.

“Hello! I know you probably know my name but I don’t think got yours.” She greeted me coolly and gave a lopsided smile.

I looked at her intently. It is the first time I’m seeing her up close. She’s beautiful and attractive. Not that I’m interested, but she definitely looks intriguing. She wears a black jacket over her white shirt and she has some kind of chain bracelet on her right arm. Her bangs are carefully and mostly parted on the side. She looks paler than most but her skin looks soft and smooth to touch. Her smile is beautiful but it could be better if she’d smile, for real. I realized I haven’t answered yet and had to stop staring or else I might look weird.

I cleared my throat before speaking.

“I’m Mitchelle. Kim, Mitchelle or Sunny. People usually call me that anyway. How should I call you?” I answered her. 

“Mitchelle. Unique and beautiful. I like it. Your name suits you. Just Alex or Lex is fine by me. Choose to call me whichever you want.” She said without removing her gaze at me.

There is something about how my name sounded from those lips, specifically how her tongue rolls as she pronounce the 't'chelle’ on my name. I feel my cheeks heat up. To stop getting flustered I cleared my throat, for the second time.

“Erm, thank you Alex.” I feel shy to be complemented about my name.

Not most people do that. They complement me mostly for my voice, my face and other things but not my name because they find it sounding like a man’s name, my full name that is.

She is a smooth talker, I see. 

“So, Mitchelle. I’m wondering, what else is fun here aside from looking at slides of those morbid looking tissues of organs?”

She was saying to me as I tried to adjust the lens of the microscope and observe the slides given to us. She’s been staring at me while I’m doing most of the activity procedure. She doesn’t seem too into it, like she’s bored with what we are doing in class.

I sighed. “I could probably let you in a few secrets if you would help me in here.”

Our activity is barely answered. It is adding to my discomfort that she is not helping and the activity requires us to draw what we see, where the skills I have are comparable to little to almost none. I’m starting to regret this pairing.

“That’s the most interesting thing I’ve heard in this class. Give it to me.” She eagerly said as she pulls the microscope and slides towards her.

After a few minutes, she’s manipulating the device, switching from slide to slide, describing what she sees as I write down her observations. We continue this routine including the occasional brushing of our fingers and shoulders whenever she wants me to verify what she observes. We had to draw the view together considering neither of us is good at it so collective effort is a must. 

Despite our lack of artistic touches, we finished the activity with spare time. I decided to do some small talk to occupy the silence between us. I also don’t want her to feel alienated for having transferred here the last year of her high school.

“You’re good at this.” I attempt at complimenting her.

“I might have done this a couple of times in my previous school.” She just brushed it off. 

Right. She is a transfer student. Also, she's probably used to with compliments. 

“Then what made you transfer? Considering what you’ve just said, your old school sound much advance and better than here. Why?”

I anticipated her answer while she looked up like she’s gathering it from the ceiling.

“Uhmm…maybe, it’s better there academically-wise but there are times that I just got tired. I wanted a break for being fed up. Also, I’ve heard there are a lot of beautiful girls here. I mean, I have one in front of me already.” She answered then looked at me while saying the last part.

I feel a blush coming up my cheeks. This is new to me. Jackson always compliments me but it’s different. I don’t know why.

“Hey! Stop being greasy.” I slightly pushed her shoulder as she just chuckled lightly.

Her laugh is more enticing. Of course, the compliment isn’t the only thing I picked up. She indirectly said she’s interested in beautiful girls. 

Does she mean? Is that why she and Breana were together this morn…

“So, what is this fun thingy secret that I should know in exchange for my cooperation awhile?” she cut off my thoughts. I glanced at the table beside us and see Breana and Ari focused on their activity and not minding us at all.

“There is a party after class at Liam’s place. He’s the basketball captain and everyone is coming. You don’t actually have to be invited since it is more like a senior thing to come to a party a senior ha planned and organized as long as you are not enemies, it’s cool to come.”

Though it would actually be special if the host invited you himself, like Ari. I internally added.

They would really match, the basketball captain and the cheerleader.

Isn't that how it always is?

“Will you come?” She asks. Her smile starting to creep on her face.

“No.” I said flatly.

“Why? You said…” Her smile disappeared, she looks confused.

“I know you’ll say you’ll go only if I will or probably along the lines of that. One of your greasy antics, probably. Ha! Beat you to it.”

She smiled and held up her hands like surrendering. “Okay, okay, I was really going to go for that but for real, are you really not going?” Her pouting face is cute.

Oh, her duality. I suddenly want to pinch those but no, we are not that close. Yet. 

“I’ll be there.” I assured her.

“Five minutes left. You better be wrapping it up. Those who are already done you may pack up and go after passing your papers.” Miss Smith announces.

“Then I’ll see you there.” She concluded.

“Yup.” Then I turned to the table beside and pat Ari’s arm lightly whispering that I’ll be waiting for her outside and went along with others who are turning in their papers and walking out. I glanced one last time to Alex who is still sitting in our table probably waiting on Breana. I smiled at her. She smiled back, this time, her genuine one, the kind that shows her full set of straight pearly white teeth.

Miss Smith is right. It can be good to break some routines once in a while.