Introvert

11

Mr. Suttel,"Time for Chemistry."
...
Classes and school is the same as yesterday.
...
Cameron,"Hi Averi."
Averi,"Hi."
Cameron,"I know you can handle yourself. It's just that, I don't know. I'm sorry."
Averi,"Okay."
Cameron,"You're not mad?"
Averi,"No."
Cameron,"Okay. That's good. So how has class been? Has it returned to the same before you met Kori?"
Averi,"Yes."
Cameron,"Well. How has class been?"
Averi,"Good I guess."
Cameron,"That's good."
Averi,"Yea."
Cameron,"Well my day has been okay."
Averi,"Why?"
Cameron,"My friends are ditching today. So I'm just here."
Averi,"Welp."
Cameron,"You can make my day better."
Averi,"Huh?"
Cameron,"Talk to me. Entertain me by telling me who Paityn is."
Averi,"You really want to know?"
Cameron,"Yes."
Averi,"If I tell you will you leave me alone?"
Cameron,"Yes."
Averi,"Paityn is my best friend. The only person that I've kept contact with. We've always been there for each other and now she goes to another school."
Cameron,"Oh. That must've been rough."
Averi,"Yea. Well stuff happens."
Cameron,"You're so calm without it."
Averi,"I can't control it so I can't get mad over it."
Cameron,"That's a good way to think of it."
Averi,"Now you leave me alone."
Cameron,"A deal's a deal."
I eat my lunch and he stays at the table inn silence.
...
Miss,"We are going to do group projects. Due next Tuesday. I need someone to pair with Kori and Farran who has contact with them."
I feel as if people are staring at me.
I look up to see the whole class looking at me.
Get a life.
Miss,"Averi, would you be Kori and Farran's partner for this project?"
Averi,"Sure."
Miss,"Alright. Be sure to let them know about it so you don't do it alone."
Averi,"Okay."
Miss,"So the project will be running for president. You must state which side of the political spectrum you are on. State what you stand for and what you could do for this country. Add a speech and a two to three minute video."
So who wants to be running? Not me. I should text them. They don't have their phones. Great.
...
Malachi,"Hey."
Averi,"Can you drive me to Farran's house?"
Malachi,"Why?"
Averi,"I'm her partner on a school project and I don't know where Kori lives."
Malachi,"Okay. Let's go."
Malachi drives me to Farran's house.
I remember from going to her house before the dance.
We knock on the door.
"Hello."
Averi,"Hi. I'm a friend of Farran and this is my brother Malachi. I'm Farran's partner on a project for class and I know she has her phone taken away. I need her help."
"Can't this wait?"
Averi,"It's due next Tuesday and we need to run a campaign for presidency."
"Oh. Well, come in."
The man lets us inside.
I see her mom on the couch.
Mrs. Leler,"Well hello Averi. Farran said she had a really good time at the dance. Did you?"
Averi,"Yes. Is Farran home?"
Mrs. Leler,"She's upstairs. Who's this?"
Malachi,"I'm Malachi, Averi's older brother."
Mrs. Leler,"Malachi Keagen?"
Malachi,"Yes."
Mrs. Leler,"Well then. You two head upstairs she's in her room. On the left."
Averi,"Thank you Mrs. Leler."
We head upstairs to Farran's room and knock on the door.
Farran,"Yes?"
Averi,"It's Averi."
Farran,"Come in."
We walk inside to find Farran sitting on her bed.
Farran,"Malachi!"
She falls off her bed and stands up quick.
Malachi,"Hi."
She then runs into her closet and comes back out with a sweater on over her pajamas.
Farran,"Why are you two here?"
Averi,"Miss made us partners and I need to know if you want to run for presidency. Plus I wonder if you have Kori's home phone number so we can call her. Or know where she lives."
Farran,"You haven't been over there yet?"
Averi,"No. She always comes to me."
Farran,"We can go over there now since it's for homework. I'm sure they'll let me."
Averi,"Okay."
Farran,"Come with me so we can go ask."
She grabs my hand and we both go downstairs into the livingroom where her mom is.
Farran,"Mom, Kori is our partner too. She has her phone taken away so can we go over there so we can work on the project?"
Mrs. Leler,"For homework only?"
Averi,"Yes Mrs. Leler."
Mrs. Leler,"Okay. Be home before dinner."
Farran,"Alright. Let me go get changed."
Farran runs upstairs.
I sit on the couch.
Malachi comes down and joins me.
Mrs. Leler,"So Malachi you are a senior?"
Malachi,"Yes m'am."
Mrs. Leler,"Okay. You have your license?"
Malachi,"Yes."
Farran comes running downstairs.
Farran,"Let's go."
We leave out saying goodbye and head over to Kori's house using Farran's directions.
We go and knock on her door.
Genesis,"Oh hi."
Farran,"We're partners with Kori for a school project."
Genesis,"Come in, she's upstairs. First door on the right."
Farran,"Thank you."
Farran pulls my hand and yanks me upstairs with her.
Malachi,"Can I just sit in your living room?"
Genesis,"Yea. Let me just go tell my dad you're here."
Malachi,"Okay."
Genesis,"Here's the remote."
Malachi,"Thank you."

Kori,"Oh I missed you!"
Kori is currently squeezing the life out of me.
Farran,"Don't crush her!"
Kori,"Oh yea."
She lets go of me.
Kori,"To what do I owe this pleasure?"
Farran,"We are partners in a school project and are running for presidency."
Averi,"Who wants to run?"
Kori,"I do."
Farran,"Alright. I'll work on the presentation."
Kori,"I'll do the speech."
Averi,"I'll think of things we can discuss."
Kori,"Did you bring the outline?"
Averi,"Yes."
...
Farran,"Ah, I need to get home."
Kori,"Oh."
Averi,"Yea, we can drop you off."
Kori,"Well bye."
Farran,"Bye."
Averi,"Bye."
We go downstairs.
Malachi,"Done?"
Averi,"Yea."
Malachi,"Well bye Genesis."
Genesis,"Bye everyone."
We head to drop off Farran.
Farran,"So you and Genesis were talking?"
Malachi,"Yea."
Farran,"Do you like her?"
Malachi,"As a friend, yea."
Farran,"Oh. If she liked you would things change?"
Malachi,"Things would change because she liked me. I would try not to lead her on, make sure she doesn't confuse anything."
Farran,"Oh."
Averi,"Why are you asking Farran? You want to marry my brother?"
Farran,"Well, he is a fine gentleman."
Averi,"Oh my god."
I laugh and Malachi's cheeks turn a light pink.
Farran,"Yea I would."
Averi,"Malachi, you have bride to be."
Malachi,"Looks like it."
He turns to look at Farran.
Her face looks serious.
He turns back facing the road.
Malachi,"You're serious?"
Farran,"Yes."
Malachi,"Okay."
Farran,"Okay what?"
I look at Farran's red colored cheeks.
Malachi,"Okay."
Farran,"So you would marry me?"
Malachi,"No promises."
Farran,"That makes no sense."
I am so uncomfortable.
Malachi,"Here's your home Farran."
Farran,"Thank you for the ride. Goodbye."
Averi,"Bye."
Malachi,"Bye."