Never Have I Ever

• Chapter Ten •

     I knew this day was coming. I dreaded it. I begrudgingly walked in my biology class. I got here early and before anybody else as usual. I thought about taking a different seat, but just opted to take the one I picked my first day. Eric wasn't anybody to hide from. Not that I could anyway, the classroom wasn't even that big. Also, I wasn't a bitch.

If anything I had a bone to pick with him. I waited, as others kids piled in and filled the remaining seats, but the one next to me remained open. I rummaged through my book bag for my supplies and set them up on my table. Maybe he wasn't showing.

"Good morning, good morning, everybody." Professor Hermans cheered as she came through the door, holding a cup of what I assumed to be coffee. Her hair, at bob length, bounced as she walked. I never had a teacher that consistently showed up after their students.

"I take it you all did the reading," She started and she walked over to the chalk board and picking up a piece of chalk. I did not. Well, I did half, "So, let's discuss genetics." She spoke as she wrote the word big across the board. At that moment the door opened wide and the man himself walked in hurriedly.

Professor Hemans stopped in her tracks and started down Eric, "You're late." I finally remembered who she exactly reminded me of. Fucking Viola Davis in that show about a law students that can't stop murdering people.

It seems that tardiness could sour her mood quickly. Eric stood at the entrance way, looking disheveled, "Sorry," He muttered. I eyed him. His jacket was half off, his was in a regular tee and sweatpants but his toes were out. He was wearing Adidas slides without socks. I chuckled to myself. His feet were ugly.

"Don't make a habit of it, sit down." She turned curtly back to the other students. I held my breath and didn't even acknowledge him as he came and plopped down next to me.

"Hey." He whispered to me, "Hey." He said again. I didn't react to either. He groaned, "You can't like just not talk to me." That's exactly what I planned on doing for the rest of my life actually.

I could feel his eyes glaring at the side of my face. I sighed, weighing my options. I could just continue to ignore him, but that would mean putting up with this for the rest of class. Or option two, I could answer now and hopefully save me a much more mentally draining conversation later.

Without facing him, I spoke lowly so the Professor wouldn't hear, "Look, Eric, we don't even know each other for real. We don't have to fucking talk." As harsh as it was, it was the truth. We met a week ago, kissed, that's it.

He leaned in close and whispered just as low, "Okay, but what if I said I want to get to know you." I froze in shock because he ain't just say that for real. The same man that didn't even know if he was attracted to me wanted to get to know. Red sirens started going off in my head. He was a walking red flag. Closeted men never end well. For me, anyway.

"So, you got my roommate baking you cookies now?" I diverted. Eric rolled his eyes and opened his mouth but closed it quickly. I continued, "So thanks for taking away my fucking Wednesday afternoon."

"Hell yeah. For breaking that damn mirror. Crazy as hell if he think I'm paying for it." I could see he was having an internal battle but he didn't fight me, "You helping him?"

I glanced at him and nodded, "Yup. Me, Amy, and Drea." Figured we get done faster with more hands and I was excited to see Drea again, too, so that was another plus.

His eyes narrowed then relaxed, going back to the front.

A few moment later he began scribbling down whatever notes were on the board. He glanced at me and mumbled,  "You, Amy, and Dreaaaa..." He drawled out, "Where?"

"I guess in the cafeteria. Amy's a culinary student apparently and Hudson's connect." I air quoted and rolled my eyes. Every time I said it out loud it sounded so corny. Eric went quiet again. It didn't look like he was gonna say anything else so I went back to the lesson.

"Shit." I flinched back seeing all the words. I missed a fucking lot. The board was covered in points. Like fucking wall to wall. I hurriedly sat up straighter and went to writing. I don't know if it was gone be Eric or this class, but one of them is going to be the fucking death of me.