180 Days (TeacherxStudent)

Chapter 3 - What is sleep?

The rest of the day consisted of hugs, summer conversation and rumors of Master Min's class. Liem suggested hanging out after school.

At the end of the day, we all got our Student Metrocards from the main office and headed towards the phone truck. We fought through the crowd and finally got our phones.

"Where to?" I asked as we walked past Chipotle. I spotted two friends eating at the window and waved at them. Smiling in response to their wave back, we turned the corner. "Today's pretty nice, how about Chinatown?" Aimee nodded and Liem shrugged. We entered the train station and swiped our cards. "I want bubble tea." said Aimee as she yawned, "I'm hoping the sugar will keep me up."

"You know what's funny? Yawning is contagious. Even reading the word yawn can make you yawn." Liem yawned and rolled his eyes at me. "Fuck you." he muttered. I couldn't control my laughter and he smacked me on the back of my neck. I hissed and pinched his arm.

"You guys are ridiculous." I looked over my shoulder to see Alaric trailing behind us. "Oh God." I sighed.

He raised his eyebrow and nudged my shoulder. "Unless your ass want to get roasted, I suggest you don't do that." Alaric laughed and stayed beside me. "Where are you guys going?" he asked as he stretched, "I'm bored."

"Oh? The Asian Mafia ditched you?" I asked with a smirk.

"Oh please." he said and nudged me again, "They would never ditch me."

"I'm about to get your bum ass, nudge me one more time." I hissed.

He smiled and touched my hair. I glared at him and he only returned it with a smile. "Why must you touch my hair? What did I ever do to you?"

"You used to kill me in sophomore year!" he exclaimed as we dodged people, "And plus, I can do that since I'm alpha."

I responded with a sarcastic laugh. "You would've thought! I'm alpha, me."

"Keep telling yourself that."

He patted my shoulder and I flicked his ear. The 6 train came and we boarded it. As Aimee and I made conversation, I caught Alaric staring at me from my peripherals and stifled a laugh.

"-those push-ups had me dead."

I snapped out of my trance and nodded as Aimee kept on talking about how much she hated Master Min. To be honest, I find him to be a great teacher. Strict, yes. Scary, yes. But his actions has the class paying attention to him. The fact that he even threw a pencil on the ground because he was annoyed showed what little patience he has. This is the first day, but I'm interested to see where he goes.

"Yo bum, get off the train!"

Again, I snapped out of it and rushed off of the train, sliding through the doors as it closed. I saw the train conductor roll his eyes at me and then he stuck his head back in. We walked through Bleeker and transferred to the B. Finally, we reached Chinatown. We purchased noodles and bubble tea and chilled in Columbus Park.

Alaric nudged me again and I rolled my eyes. This guy is going to make me kill him, I swear. He laughed at my glare and put his elbow on my shoulder.

"You're seriously about to get killed." I muttered as I played around with the noodles. "Is that so?" he responded, "You wouldn't kill me." I shrugged his elbow off and began to eat.

I wouldn't kill him, but I definitely would slap the back of his neck.

"Alaric, I hate you so much." I muttered.

"You don't hate me."

"Oh, then I what? Love you?"

"Exactly." He laughed as I threw him another glare.

Alaric sipped on his Taro bubble tea and we stared off at little kids playing around with each other. Today is like every other day. The squad, well of some the squad, hang out in Chinatown and just have fun.

"You should transfer into Taekwondo." I said breaking the silence. Alaric looked over at me and let out a soft chuckle. "Me? I don't think I should. It seems too intense. I heard the teacher is really strict. I'm not looking for that in my senior year, you know?"

I nodded. "I mean, that doesn't mean you shouldn't try. I'm sure he's a great person, just strict when it comes on to the martial art."

Alaric's eyebrows furrowed and he held his chin. "I don't know. I guess I'll think about it, but if I do transfer, you have to always be my partner."

"We never had partners yet, but if we do, it's a deal." He smiled and patted my shoulder. I narrowed my eyes at him and put my attention back on my noodles. "I'm not sure if Aimee will be pleased, by the way. Like two or three of the Mafia is in it, I think. I'll check again next time for you."

"What about our deal? You can't back out of it now."

I slurped up some noodles and wiped my mouth with a tissue. Liem and Elias were chasing Aimee. She cut off Liem and nearly had him run into a pole. I laughed and he glared at me. Turning my attention back on Alaric, I shrugged.

"If you want to feel the wrath of a Scottish girl, go ahead." I said as I put my hands up, "But just know that if she gets mad at me, I'm going to kill you."

Satisfied, Alaric nodded and devoured his noodles. When he chewed more, he looked up at me and grinned. I rolled my eyes at him and tried to hold back my smile.

One thing I can relate to him is that we both smile a lot. Although mine meant different things, he ignored that and never asked. I'm guessing he's able to translate them. I'm self conscious about my smile sometimes, it sounds so stupid, I understand.

"Yo, are you even listening to me?"

I scoffed and raised my eyebrow. "Why should I listen to your bum ass? Give me a reason."

Alaric chuckled and threw our empty containers away. "Because, you just should." Hitting him on the shoulder, he winced and gave me a playful look of horror. "Woman, are you trying to kill me?"

"Are you now getting the memo, Alaric?"

--

"Hey Dad." I said on my way home, "Everything good?"

Everyday I call my dad, or he calls me, to check up on each other. He left about four years ago after getting tired of my mom's ways. I honestly can't blame him. I think she's bipolar or something, either that or it's menopause.

"School was okay, I'm tired though. I have no idea how I'll get through this. Just a couple of more months and I'm gone."

"You're leaving the city because of your mother. You're leaving us behind as well, Len."

I frowned and felt tears well in my eyes. I didn't want to leave Dad behind, but I have to. I don't want to stay in NYC anymore. I sniffed and gripped my phone tighter. I crossed the street.

"I have to, Dad. I'm sorry, but I promise I'll visit on breaks and holidays." He was silent on the other end. "Don't get yourself killed. You know how the people upstate are crazy."

"I know, Dad. That's everywhere when you think about it." I pushed the key into the lock and opened the door. "Good night!" I yelled as I walked into my apartment. I walked into my room and slung my bookbag off of my shoulder.

Dad and I spent the next ten minutes talking and I told him good night. I opened my window and let the cool Autumn wind flow into my room. The curtains waltzed with the wind and I stared at my toes.

I responded the knock on my door and my mom walked in. "Dinner's ready, are you hungry?" I nodded and she smiled, "I made fried fish and rice. Do you want gravy?" I thought and shrugged, "Sure. The fish will be a little too dry." Mom gave me an okay and closed my door.

I'm honestly surprised she knocked. Usually, she would just walk in and I would get upset. Maybe she's starting to realize I'm approaching adulthood. I checked the time and decided to do my homework. I felt my eyes strain at the physics equations and nearly fell asleep trying to finish them.

I ended up waking up with the side of my mouth glued to the problems. I wiped at my eyes and checked the time: 4:56. I went to the bathroom and ended up falling sleep in the shower. When I got out, it was 6:40. I got ready and finished the last two problems.