Chapter 6

"And that, class, is the full explanation of Newton's Third Law of motion. Any questions?" Mrs. Berry, the Physics teacher asked. Every hand except mine went up, since for sure no one understood what the old lady had explained. 

Her explanations were always so vague, and going all over the place with no apparent ending. After twenty minutes, she just keeps talking rubbish. She knew this, which was why she obviously chose me instead, even though I didn't raise my hand. 

"Paris" She beamed, sticking her pen in her hair bun. " 

I groaned internally, but smiled at her anyways. "Sure Mrs. Berry. I understand that to every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction"

I never learnt any of this from her, but after my very first class, I've resorted to watching YouTube videos to teach me physics, since I absolutely have to pass this subject. 

I proceeded to explain everything else to the listening and confused pupils around me just like every class, and by the time I was done, a series of 'ooohs' and 'that makes sense' vibrated around the room. 

I had a feeling Mrs. Berry purposely does this every class, since she knows no one ever understood her. However, no one disliked her. She was a sweet, kind mentor-ish type of woman. She would more fit a guidance counselor position than Physics teacher though. 

Luckily, while she was announcing a quiz that no one was prepared for, the bell rang, indicating lunch time. We quickly gathered our stuff and made for the exit while she shouted topics at our retreating forms. I was starving, so I didn't even stop at my locker, I simply headed straight for the cafeteria. 

"Paris wait up!" I heard someone call from behind me. It was Ariana, my Biology partner and sort of friend. 

She was an odd girl . Sometimes she would be happy and jovial, while on other days she would seem like she hated the whole world. Today seemed like one of the good days, so I slowed my strides so she could catch up. 

"How are you mate?" She asked once she was beside me. 

I shrugged. "Fine I guess. I've had better Mondays" 

"I can tell. Eddie was the sole victim of your mood today" 

I couldn't help but laugh at that. Eddie, as Ariana named it, was our frog that we got to dissect in class. Apparently, she got attached to the little fellow, and I 'murdered it', as she put it. 

"Eddie understands" I chuckled. "I just had a long weekend" 

My eyes widened as I saw the one person I had been avoiding since Thursday. I haven't sent him a single text since the day at the rink, and I hadn't answered his messages either. From what I could see, he looked sort of stressed, and I felt bad. But I wasn't ready to talk to him just yet. I was still accepting reality and recovering from a broken heart. 

I quickly grabbed onto Ariana's hand and pulled her into the closest bathroom. I shoved her in a stall and jumped in beside her, slamming the door shut. I thought I met his eyes for a quick second, but I wasn't sure. 

"Woah there Paris. If you wanted some, you could've just asked" Ariana laughed from beside me, and I quickly threw my hand over her mouth with a glare. 

"SShh" I placed my index over my lips for exaggeration. "And I'm not bent. I just don't want-" 

"Paris?" 

"Shit" I cursed lowly when I heard his voice booming through the bathroom. 

"Paris what are you doing in the male's bathroom?" 

'I'm in the male's bathroom?' 

"What are you doing in the females' bathroom?" I asked back in unsurity. Come to think of it, I didn't quite see what bathroom I ran into. 

"I'm not" He said back, sounding a bit confused and sad. "And why have you been avoiding me, Paris? Did I do something wrong?" 

"Uh-no you didn't I've just been.. Um sick?" It came out more of a question, and Ariana giggled from beside me, causing me to hit her on her shoulder. "Sshh!" 

"Are you in there with someone?" I could hear that he was right behind the door, and I could just know that he was pressing his ear against the door. 

"Uh-no" 

"Oh give it up Paris "Ariana laughed as she unlatched the lock from the door, sending it open and revealing me to Colton's eyes. 

He regarded me oddly for a bit "You don't seem sick to me" And then his eyes landed on Ariana. He looked even more confused, but then his eyebrows shot up and he threw his hand over his mouth. "Oh my gosh is this why you've been avoiding me? Par, you know I wouldn't have seen you differently because of your sexual preferences." He pulled me towards his chest and out into the open, and it was my time to be confused. 

"What?" 

"It all makes sense now. That's why you were so confused on Thursday, and why you've been avoiding me ever since right? It's okay Paris" He lowered his voice as he brushed my hair from my face. "If you are not ready to come out yet, then that's okay. But just remember you can always tell me anything okay?" 

It then occurred to me what he might've concluded. Ariana was stifling a laugh from behind me, and Colton only kept talking about how my sexuality doesn't matter to him. 

But still, I couldn't find the words to deny his belief that I was gay, which I wasn't . He just totally misread the situation, and Ariana didn't deny it, she only laughed and made jokes as we went to get lunch. 

Way to go Paris. Now you're a broken hearted, third-wheel gay best friend. 

*** 

"Why am I even here?" I asked myself as I sat in my car. There was a light drizzle tapping against my windshield, but I could see the entrance pretty clear. 

After school and a very long and awkward day, I made up an excuse about going somewhere so I didn't have to ride with Colton. I then found myself coming to the roller-skating rink, in tiny hopes of seeing a certain someone, even though I wouldn't admit it to myself. 

It was dumb of me to just come here like this, when I didn't even know if he would be there. I didn't even know why I wanted to see him. But after a long day of Colton talking to me about sexuality, I realised that I was different indeed- I wasn't a lesbian or bisexual. Nope. I was a Coltonual. 

Yes, I made up a word. It seemed like Colton was the only guy I could love, and I hated that I was so dependent on him for happiness, and yet he would never feel the same way. 

And so, somewhere in the midst of my self wallow, I remembered how a certain brown eyed boy with a single ear piercing made me feel...different. 

Over the weekend, I didn't forget him. His stupid sexy smirk and toned arms as he crossed them over his chest was stuck in my mind. Yet, I didn't give it much thought until today. Perhaps it was the fact that my mental health was deteriorating, or the fact that both my best friends had lovers except me. But maybe, just maybe... 

Nah. 

I shook my head as if clearing my thoughts, as I fumbled with my car keys. "Stupid Paris. You're so stupid" I mumbled to myself as the keys slipped from my butter fingers and to the ground. 

With a huff, I retrieved them and horridly looked around to see if anyone spotted me in all my stalkerish creepiness. But luckily I was alone. 

"Hello!" 

"Aaah!" I screamed with a jump at the sudden calling and tapping at my window, sending my keys falling from my hands again. 

My head whipped around towards the window as I threw my hand over my heart. My heart raced as I caught my breath, and I saw a familiar but amused face on the other side of my window. 

I rolled it down as I caught my breath, and he leaned his head against the pane and smirked at me. "I thought I recognized you Skates" He said as I completely slowed my heart. 

"Oh did you?" I turned to face him fully, and I tried to avoid the skiddly-bop that my heart did when I gazed at his dimpled face. Gosh those dimples. 

"Yea. What are you doing on this side of town?" 

'Oh you know. Just stalking you like the crazy lonely freak I am' 

"I thought I left something here on Thursday" I lied instead, though he didn't look convinced. 

"What did you leave? Maybe I can help you find it" I panicked, knowing damn well I didn't leave anything. 

"Uh- No need for that. I just found it in my car. Guess I didn't see it" An awkward laugh tumbled from my chest as I avoided eye contact at all costs. But instead of dropping it like I hoped he would, he simply questioned more. 

"Oh? What was it?" 

I panicked even more, my eyes darting quickly around my car for something...Anything. 

"This" I offered victoriously, holding up an old kitten designed pen. He eyed it weirdly before looking back to me in confusion. I shrugged. "What? I love the pen okay?" 

"Okay" He finally dismissed. I was glad that he did, even though we both knew that was never my reason for coming here in the first place. 

I was surprised when he opened my driver's door as if it was his own. " Scoot over" He instructed, and I hesitantly lifted myself over my gears and plopped my bottom on the passenger's side. 

He took my former seat behind my wheel, and I could see little droplets of water in his dark hair. It looked so good on him, like he was prepping to take a photoshoot or some sexy shit. 'I wonder how he looked shirtless-'

"So how have you been?" 

"Huh?" I shook my head as his voice snapped me from my naughty thoughts. "Oh. I've been good thank you." A blush crept up my neck when he smiled at me, as if he could read my mind. 

Could he? Was it all over my face? Was 'THIRSTY' written on my forehead? 

"I like your hair" He added, reaching over to touch the ends of my shoulder length bob. My heart actually soared at this. He was the first to acknowledge it in a nice way. Even Shanae had said I looked like Dora the Explorer, even though I knew she was just teasing. 

"Thank you" I genuinely smiled at him, subconsciously reaching up to touch it. "Means a lot" 

"Don't mention it." 

After that, we just fell into a session of awkward silence. Well, it was awkward for me, since he seemed as chill as ever, just staring at me as if I was a Netflix movie. I got uncomfortable after a while, remembering how he stared at me like this on Thursday too. 

"So aren't you gonna go in?" I asked, causing him to shrug. 

"I don't have to. Are you busy?" 

"No why?" I asked, after mentally scolding myself. Why else would a teenager ask if you're busy, Paris? To go buy an elephant? 

"Wanna hang out?" He asked suggestively, though there was a hint of 'duh' in his tone. I bit my bottom lip at the sudden shyness I felt, tucking away a lock on my hair and directing my gaze from him. 

"Yea sure. Why not?" I was surprised at how casual I sound, despite the storm that was going on inside me. What do normal people even do when they hang out? 

"Great. Keys?" He extended his palm, and I then realised that he was asking to drive my baby. 

"Why can't I drive?" My eyes narrowed as I peered at him through the tiny slits, and the laughter that rumbled from his chest was almost soothing. 

"Because if we're gonna be friends, you're gonna have to trust me Skates" 

"Trust is earned" I mumbled, handing him the keys nonetheless. "And we're friends now?" 

"Anyone protesting?" He gazed behind him playfully, as if searching for a third party. I giggled at this side of him , actually excited to meet all his sides. I was more than shocked when he pushed his head out the widow and screamed: 

"Anyone objecting to this friendship? Speak now!" 

I laughed so hard as I hit his arm continuously. "Get back in here you twat! Okay friends it is then" I agreed as my laughter died down. He actually made me laugh. 

He made me laugh genuinely. 

"Thought so" He winked as he started up the ignition, but I quickly held onto his hand when I remembered something. 

"Wait!" I stopped him. "What's your name stranger? How can we be friends if you're nameless?" 

His eyebrows shot up as if he just realised that he hadn't told me his name yet. "My sincere apologies... The name's Fabian..Fabian Smith, at your service mah lady" He did a formal bowing thing that had me giggling again. 

I took his hand as he offered it, smiling genuinely at my new friend. "Nice to meet you Fabian. This will only work if you call me Paris and not Skates" 

"No promises there Skates" He winked as he pulled out of the parking lot. It still annoyed me, but I couldn't help the smile on my face as Fabian pulled onto the road. 

I guess Newton was right after all. What started out as an unhealthy stalk from a lonely broken girl, resulted in what has the potential to be the start of a new friendship. 

And I was indeed ready for this.