TURBULENCES

   I balanced six of my books in the crook of my arms and head towards the passenger door of my car, I deposited them in the passenger seat I looked up at the dark sky. It appears like it might rain. I debated going in and grabbing a raincoat and umbrella, in the end decided against it and hopped in the driver seat. I was halfway to the college, when it started to rain. I sighed. I should have taken my day off and just enjoyed the rain with the company of a book and a perfect view of the rain from my window. I park my car and looked down at the pavement, it was flooded with rain water, and the students were running for cover into the buildings. I shouldn’t drop the books, as I make a run for it. I sighed. I got out and ran to the other side of my car, I grabbed all my books in my arms and hunched over it to protect it from the rain. I stepped back to kick-close my door with my right foot, suddenly the car door behind me opened and hit my back. I stumbled and dropped all my books.

“Oh, shit! I am sorry Ana!” the beautiful voice said.  I did not even look back at the so perfect owner of the angelic voice. I groaned and quickly crouched down to pick my books up as fast as I can and dumped them on the passenger seat. They were completely drenched as I am, I shut the passenger door angrily and turned on him. I don’t take it lightly where my books are concerned.  I was furious. He was holding up an umbrella for both of us and was standing close to me. That bastard.

“I’m really am sorry Ana” he said sincerely. I was too angry to speak, I know he did not do it on purpose. I just shook my head glaring at him and stepped  away from the shared-umbrella and headed straight to our class.

“Ana please wait!” he cried, closing his car door. I did not bother to stop. I picked up my speed.

“Hey, cupca…” Maggie trailed when she appraised me. “Jeez Ana you are drenched. You should have called me, I would have brought the my umbrella to the parking lot” she said looking at my wet clothes.

“It’s okay Maggie” anger lingered in my voice.

“What’s wrong Ana?” she asked sensing my mood.

“The so-called handsome face decided to hit my back me with his car door. I dropped all my books in the rainwater puddle Mags” I said with irritation.

“You mean Ethan?” she asked.

“Yeah that jerk” I said. As if on cue he came in with Kate ruffling his wet hair. He looked mildly irritated. As soon as he entered the room his eyes flashed to me. My murderous glare quickly darted away from his.

“Kate and Ethan have started date after that goddamned birthday party of hers” she said bitterly. I frowned at her tone.

“I don’t care” I snapped, she fell silent assessing my mood. I instantly felt guilty for taking it out on her.

“Sorry, it’s just my books they were completely drenched. I am worried if I could ever use them” I muttered.

“Don’t worry Ana, we will shop this weekend okay?” I gave her a curt nod.

I treaded off to the locker room. It was usually empty during the lunch hour, that’s exactly the reason, why I always choose this time particularly. Around the further corner, I saw two shadows. As I got closer I realized that, it was Ethan and Jessica! To my great horror Jessica was hugging him and was crying. Eww…he was dating Kate and was with Jessica now. He could see me. I had no way but to walk past them. Suddenly Jessica kissed him. I glared at him and turned my head away in disgust. I picked up my speed as vomit threatened at the back of my throat. I have heard of boys cheating. But, I thought he was good, I don’t know when I reached this conclusion despite the constant irritation mode I am in, in his presence for no particular reason. It felt like none of my thoughts or feelings make sense in his presence. He seemed good. So much for pretty face, I thought with disgust. I tried to ignore, even the very thought of him. After lunch Mr. Snitch enters the class with a map.

“Well this must be interesting” I murmured under my breath and closed my book.

“I hope so too” Maggie muttered.

“Hey guys, our university insists on, the final year students to take up a challenge. So you guys will be doing a project on report writing. Our department has arranged for a field trip to a jungle where humans rarely go, and we will be staying there for a week, we will be using the essential food and water resources from the forest. Now about what you have to have to do is, you should write a report on its resources, richness and the adventures you go through. The best one of yours will be published in Seattle Times, earning you an opportunity for an internship in Seattle Times” he said. There were howls and cat calls in the room. That was a great opportunity. I can feel the excitement running through my body. Who wouldn’t be keyed up for adventures? I turned back and met Sharon’s eyes. She gave me a thumbs up and winked at me. I grinned at her.

“I can’t wait to go!” Maggie squealed, I am sure my face mirrors her expression.

“We will have fun together” I said grinning. “So who is up for an adventure?” I said raising an eyebrow. She grinned.

“We will be starting our trip day after tomorrow” he said and left the class. Maggie was talking excitedly as we walked out. As Maggie left with Peter to the sports court, I headed out to the parking lot. In today’s extraordinary morning events I forgot to grab my library card. It was still drizzling… I was about to treat into the rain when Ethan suddenly appeared out of nowhere holding up an umbrella, for both of us. He was standing pretty close to me so that he could share the umbrella too. What is he doing here? Isn’t he supposed to be at the sports court? Whatever. The image of him pinned against the wall popped in my head. Even if it was just Kate, who have broken several people’s heart, it still wasn’t fair. What about being morale? I turned on him.

“I don’t need your help” I glowered at him, and walked into the rain.

“Ana! Wait! Please!” he exclaimed and was jogging towards me. I pretended not to listen and picked up my pace. I seriously don’t want to talk about it.

“Ana!” he cried, right beside me. I dint want to say this out loud, and he was making it extremely difficult for me.

“If it is about your secret kiss don’t bother I would never tell that to anyone” I was frustrated. I walked as fast as I can with my short legs. Honestly, did he think I could say something like that to anyone for that matter?

“What!? What are you talking about?” he asked looking genuinely confused. Uh-uh innocent acts doesn’t work with me. I ignored him and reached for my car door. He grabbed my hand.

“Ana just wait a minute” he said in a tired voice as if he was exhausted.

“Ethan I honestly don’t want to talk about it” I said mirroring his voice and looked pointedly at my hand he was clutching. If he is so bothered about being caught maybe he shouldn’t have done it at all.

He immediately released my hand as if I had electrocuted him. I grabbed my card and closed the door hastily, all the while he was standing there looking helpless. I was about to make a run for the building.

When he said, “At least take this” and extended the umbrella towards me.

“No, thank you” I said without looking at him and ran towards the building. Once I was inside I looked back at him reflexively he was completely drenched. I wondered where his umbrella went.

When I was standing behind the library counter, Mrs. Sophia informed me that yesterday’s inspection ended smoothly and that she was so anxious ‘cause, the inspection was made uninformed without any notifications unlike the other times. I noticed Alan, one of my classmates occupying the front table with loads of books stacked in front of him, he wasn’t even looking at them. His face looked dejected as if he was not interested in any of the books he has picked. It almost looked like he was hiding behind those books. I walked towards his table.

“Hey if you are not gonna need these, I could help you put them back” I offered, concerned about him.

“No, please leave them here” he said. I guessed that he wanted to be left alone. I decided to give him his space, and went on with my work. As a result if the yesterday’s uninformed inspection,  I had a whole lot of books to arrange today, I was running late. Just when I was done with my work, Alan walked right past me his head bowed down. I frowned. I headed towards the parking lot that was almost deserted. I was about to turn on the music in my system, when I found Alan making his way towards his car, his shoulder hunched. Ethan was trailing right behind muttering something. My hands froze, it looked like they were fighting. When they reached Alan’s car, Alan turned back at Ethan and snapped at him. He quickly got in, revived the engine and sped towards the entrance. Ethan was standing there forlorn. He suddenly looked in my direction. I quickly followed Alan’s cue. What’s wrong with him? First I found him cheating on Kate and now something about him have left Alan distressed.  Was he up to something? He did join the college towards the end semester. Honestly? I have never seen someone do that. I wonder how long I have been ruminating about him. I was driving through one of the few deserted streets, when I came across a car that has gone out of its way, and has smashed its front part on the pavement.  Glass was scattered all over the place. I was sure that there was someone inside it. I quickly parked my car behind it and ran towards it panicked. When I opened the driver’s door, I realized that it was Alan! How did he get here?

“Alan! You okay? Alan do you hear me?” I almost shouted seized by panicked. His forehead was bleeding and he looked like he was about to pass out. Crap, I looked at the empty road helplessly and grabbed my mobile from my pocket trying to steady my hands to call 911. I put the receiver on my ear and looked up to see a black car speeding towards me. I hung up and rushed to stop the vehicle, but it stopped right in front of me before I could make any move. Ethan walked out of the driver’s seat. My eyes widened.  

“You okay?” he asked panic evident on his face. His eyes quickly traveled the length of my body, his tense body relaxed. He gazed at the car beside me, his eyes widened as if he dint notice it before. He rushed towards it and grabbed now unconscious, Alan under his arms and threw him over his shoulder. I stood there wide eyed my heart beating wildly.

“Ana call the nearest hospital and alert them” he cried walking towards the back seat of his car. I quickly obeyed him and climbed in the back seat of the Mini Cooper and sat with Alan’s head pillowed on my lap. Ethan quickly revived the engine and sped towards the hospital. I anxiously looked down at Alan, his forehead was still bleeding but other than that he looked unharmed. Please let him be okay. I chanted. Within minutes we were parked in front of the hospital and they scuttled Alan inside in a gurney. I walked behind them to the emergency room. I couldn't walk in. I stood there helpless, Ethan was standing right beside me. My mobile blared to life. It was my dad! Crap! , it was half past nine! I picked it up and told him all that happened, and assured him that it was not anything major. I refused him when he offered to pick me, Clare gets extremely anxious when she is alone, it’s a childhood problem she never overcame. It took me a lot to convince him. I put my mobile back in my pocket and looked up to find Ethan looking at me.

“Do you know how to contact his family members?”

“No” he said and continued after a beat “Ana, let me drive you home, Don’t worry about Alan I will stay here with him, and I will make sure that one of my friends drops your car at your house in the morning.”  My eyes widened in surprise. 

“No I will be fine. I will take a taxi” I said as if on cue the doctor came out.

“His forehead needed stitches, he fainted ‘cause he lost lot of blood, other than that he is okay. He is deeply sedated and he will be sleeping all through the night, he just needs to rest” the doctor said and I thanked him. He marched towards the next room.

“Ana, he is going to be okay, just let me drive you home I am not gonna let you take a taxi” he said firmly resolved. I frowned but accepted his offer. He followed me to the parking lot and opened the passenger door for me. I quickly climbed in embarrassed, no one has done that for me. He the engine purred to life and was speeded through the city. He was quiet. And I dint bother to start a conversation either. We were back on the main road.

“Take the next right turn” I said before he asks. He just nodded and obeyed. 

“Second right” I instructed and glanced at him he looked calm and was driving with ease as if he knew this path. We were almost home, and he still hasn’t said anything. I guess I was too hard on him in the parking lot. I shouldn’t have been so hostile. Well… I he shouldn’t have cheated on her. I sighed why I am I debating on this topic? His eyes flashed to me in response to my sigh.

“The red one” I said and pointed to it. He parked right in front of my house.

“Thank you Ethan” I said sincerely. He just nodded breathless?

“Ana your car keys!?” he asked. I shook my head.

“It’s ok I will manage” I opened the passenger door. He looked defeated.

“Ana…?” he called me. I stiffened, the way he said my name was so different. No one has ever said it like that. I turned to look at him.

“Good Night” he said and breathed out a gush of air.

“Good Night Ethan” I murmured and got out. Once I reached my door I twisted around unconsciously, he was still there. I don't know what to do I just waved at him and got inside. As soon as I flopped into the sofa, my dad bombarded me with several questions until I have told him everything.

“It was so nice of him to stay with his friend and making sure you are safe too” he said “ And, I will drop you in college tomorrow and will let my friend to leave it in your college by evening okay?” he asked. "Okay" I climbed up to my room refusing to have supper when my dad insisted on it. I was so tired. Once I hit the pillow I realized that he owned a Black Mini Cooper, just like the one I came across few days ago, in the park. I shook my head there were various black Mini Coopers in Seattle. I assured myself. I was trying to make sense of all that happened. His deception, him holding an umbrella out for me and looking apologetic, his desperateness with Alan, his panic when he thought I was the one who was harmed, and his silence in the car, his defeated look when I climbed out of his car. He helped me and Alan today. I don’t know what to make out of this.