Chapter 45: Chapter 45

I looked at the rows of desks in front of me. I was standing in the front of the History classroom and thinking which desk I should choose to sit along with Michael. Which desk would Michael like to sit on the most ?

Only three girls and a boy was inside the class cause the time was only 8:45 and class begins at 9. I couldn't wait to see Nate that I came here early hoping he also comes early.

I had thought about joining Grace and Michael for breakfast but then today there was extra practice until 8:10 and when I reached Canteen at 8:25 after changing my dress, Michael and Grace had left.

Grace had messaged me Michael headed to the library after breakfast to return a book. So he should be here now after returning it. But he isn't here yet.

Maybe he is searching for some other book. Or wait ! Will he skip this class as he don't want to sit with me ? Should I need to go to the library and drag him here ?

Okay, I'll leave him a message.

I fished my phone out from my pocket and went to Michael's WhatsApp.

' Hey, I hope you don't skip first hour. Forget about yesterday. I understood the things and I decided to move on. I'm really sorry for yesterday.'

Okay that's enough. I clicked on send and then looked back at the rows of desks again.

The desk in the third row near the window is empty. Yes ! that's the best place. I will let Michael sit near the window. It will be nice to watch his soft chestnut brown locks moving in the gentle wind blowing in.

I walked to the desk and sat down on the second seat after placing my bag on the seat near the window. Outside the window is our vast football ground and soft wind in blowing inside like I expected.

After sitting there simply looking at the ground for a minute or two, I checked my WhatsApp and saw Michael has seen my message. And he is typing.

Soon I received the message.

' I'm not skipping class. And I'm glad you understood. Thanks.'

I smirked looking at the phone screen and placed it back in my pocket. Michael is so naive.

Oh..! Not Michael. I need to call him Nate.

Nate Nate Nate Nate Nate Nate Nate Nat..

Oh Michael is here !

Heck ! Nate !

Nate stepped into the class and looked in my direction. Our eyes met for a brief second before he quickly broke the eye contact. Then he walked towards me, his gaze on the floor.

" Hey Nate ! Glad you came.", I said smiling as he sat down beside me.

He raised his eyes and looked at me confused. Like I earlier thought, his long soft hair was already fluttering in the wind. He looked like a confused little anime character at the moment.

" Uhm..what happened?", I asked pretending clueless.

" N..nothing..", he shook his head and tilted his head back, unzipping his bag and pulling out his history note and text.

" Nate..", I called.

" Uhm..?", he tilted his head again in confusion.

" So, you don't have any problem with me, right ? We can be friends, hmm..?", I asked.

" Uhm..yeah I g..guess.", he nodded.

" Thanks Nate. Let's forget what happened yesterday and be friends.", I said.

" Ahm...wh..why are you calling me Nate ?", he asked finally.

" That's what everyone calls you here, right ? I guess I will also call you that. Cause I'm nothing special to you, am I ?", I asked. He was almost taken aback.

" Ethan..I..I'm sorry..", he stuttered.

" Hey..you don't need to say sorry. You didn't do anything. We are good. Just I thought I don't need to have anything special with you. I'd call you ' Nate' like Grace and Gavin. Let's be friends. Cool ! ", I said.

" Uhm..okay..yeah. That'd be b..better.", Michael nodded.

Yeah that would be definitely better. I don't want to be your brother.

Michael tilted his face back and started reading the questions we had prepared last day. I don't need to say it was really difficult for me to sit straight without looking at him. I was efficiently side eying him and was stealing occasional glances at him. Michael once tilted his head and quickly glanced at me while I was using side eyes.

The next time he tilted his head again, I also turned my face. " Uhmm..what Nate ?", I asked.

" Nothing.", he said and turned back quickly.

Mr Jacob stepped into the class after sometime. " Okay students, today we are discussing the questions you prepared from second chapter. We can rotate desk wise. Each group read two of your questions and if you still have questions remaining after we finish one round, we can go one more round and again. Put a tick to the questions that other groups read, so that you won't repeat.", he said. We all nodded and the two girls on the first desk near the doors, started reading their questions.

" Ethan..", Michael whispered while the people on second row were reading their questions.

" Uhmm..", I tilted my head.

" You read both q..questions.", he whispered.

" No, you are reading one.", I whispered back. I wanted him to boldly face his insecurities.

He bit on his bottom lip. " P...Please ?"

" No..! "

Michael didn't speak after that. When our turn came, I first read one question. Then it was Michael's turn to read. He gently nudged on my arm, asking me to read one more question. I kept my mouth closed shut.

" C'mon..quick ! Read one more question.", Mr Jacob said.

Michael nodded at last and opened his mouth. " N..name the founding f..father who was the leader of the s..sons of Liberty?" A few people around us laughed at his stutter while most of the people were concerned at shouting it's answer out first, which was apparently ' Samuel Adams.'

But Michael looked hurt from the few mocking laughter he received. At that moment, I wanted to pick those few people up, twist them and throw them out of the class through the window.

When the second round came, Mr Jacob asked each group to read only one question and I was the one who read. Michael looked so pained that I couldn't ask him to read.

As the bell rang indicating the end of the hour, Michael picked his books and stuff and quickly rushed out of the class without waiting for me.

Okay, now I will see him at lunch break. And then in Arts.