She's an A

Chapter 6 - One Wrong Move Leads to Another

    Lenette was worried about Nicholas getting sick. With all the years they've spent together as friends, Nicholas has not sounded like he did a while back when they talked on the phone. He sounded groggy, and seems not alone when talking to her. Well, she can't really be sure if what she heard as a woman's voice before Nicholas turned off the phone is real. What she is saying was unclear. Maybe, it is just caught from the background. But wait, as far as she knows, there is no one else living in Nicholas' house in the city. He lives alone. How come someone is talking on the background? 

    Lenette frowned. She knows that something is fishy but she cannot pinpoint clearly. What is it? Something seems to change in the way Nicholas spoke, the way he treated her call and the way he behaved today. Suddenly, her heartbeat got faster than usual. What could have happened to him? Well, she can say that she didn't totally buy the idea of him being sick as he claimed. She can feel that something is wrong, but she has no solid evidence to back it up. None yet. Anyway, she will just ask him tomorrow. Hopefully, he gets well and come to class.

    Buzz, buzz, buzz, buzz!

    Upon the sound of the buzzer, she picked up her books and placed them in her backpack. Then she carried her backpack and headed to their original hideout. She has to read all the chapter assigned by the professor today; otherwise, she will get a failing grade in their recitation tomorrow. She walked out of the classroom, out of the campus and headed to their usual reading place. 

    Everyone stared at her when she went in alone. She flinched. Why are these people staring at me? She wondered.Although she is not sure, she seemed to have seen some people frowning at her sight. Nevertheless, she shrugged all reactions off. She has done nothing wrong. 

    Proceeding at the table in their corner as usual, she laid her bags, brought out her books and laid them all there. Then she stood up and walked towards the counter to order food. She must order for her to stay there. As a rule, anyone can stay with unlimited time provided that they buy food there. She proceeded to the counter. Lyra is there.

    “Where is Nicholas?” she asked upon seeing her. 

    “Oh, he did not come to class today. He is sick,” she answered briefly.

    Lyra frowned. “Ah…” she replied and shook her head. "Anyway, what will you have today?"

    "The specials," she answered.

    "Oh, okay. Today, we have fish and chips with a twist. Would that be okay with you?"

    "Yes, that is fine," she answered.

    "Okay then. Drinks?"

    "Yeah. Orange juice, please."

    "Okay. Please wait for a while."

    After paying her order, she waited for it to be put on her tray before going back to her seat. Reaching her table, she laid the food there in between the books. She said grace and started picking the food while reading. It's good that she ordered finger foods. At least she can pick and eat while studying her lessons. That's the life she is used to anyway, multitasking. She can finish two tasks in one period of time. She finished her reading assignments earlier tonight and headed back home. Deep within her, she can feel that something is missing, or someone is missing to complete her day.

    The next day, Lenette woke up and did her work as usual. After timing out, she went straight to school. Again, Nicholas did not show up in their first class. She got really worried this time. What is he sick of? Is it something serious? She was deep into thinking when she heard her name being called by her professor. 

    "Miss Lenette, define residual jurisdiction," the professor said.

    Slowly, she stood up and delivered her answer. The professor did not comment at all. After her recitation, the professor just drew a vertical line on her index card and called another student to recite. This class that she is taking now is a piece of cake. It is all about procedures, her favourite. Therefore, she is just enjoying this class instead of getting stressed by it. Two hours of class with this favourite subject is an enjoyable time for her so she did not notice when time passed by so quickly.

    Buzz, buzz, buzz, buzz! The buzzer goes.

    It's time again. Her subject is done. However, she still has another class for an hour today. Slowly, she picked her things and proceeded to the next classroom. She was supposed to sit on the first row when she spotted Nicholas on the third row. 

    He's here! She secretly shouted for joy in her mind. Automatically, her feet walked towards where he is seated. 

    "Nicholas!" she said cheerfully, joy evidently heard in the sound of her voice. 

    "Hi," he simply answered with a poker face. 

    "Are you okay now? Are you still sick?" she said with a concerned tone. 

    "No. I'm fine," he answered simply, still not smiling.

    She attempted to sit in the chair next to him, but he stood up suddenly and excused himself.

    "Excuse me. I need to use the toilet before the class starts," he said softly.

    Lenette was taken aback, not anticipating his actions towards her.

    "Ah, sure," she said and gave way for him to pass by. Wondering what's all about the cold treatment that she is receiving from him, she sat on the chair on the first row instead. Bowing her head with a frown on her forehead, she opened her book and focused on her class. Whatever happened to him, it can wait, she thought. 

    The one-hour class easily passed. When the buzzer rang, she packed her books and automatically turned her head to where Nicholas is sitting down. He is not there. He should have gone first. Trying to understand what is happening, she thought that somethings is really fishy. Anyway, she would still go to their favourite spot. Who knows? Maybe, he is there waiting for her.