More Than This - n.r.

Chapter 4

I nailed the English final, just like Nick said I would. 93%. He wasn't so lucky.

Today was the start of a new term. That meant new classes, new teachers, and new students. I was nervous, especially because of how lonely I had been feeling lately. I hadn't spoken to Becca or anyone from Millcrest in months. Ava had a new boyfriend and she was spending all her time with him. My only redemption was a girl named Daphne that I had met in last term's Spanish class. We had been spending a lot of time together.

"So are you ready for a new semester?", Daphne asked as we were walking to school with starbucks cups and brand new textbooks.

"Nope, but what choice do I have", I answered as I sipped my coffee. "Sucks that we don't have any classes together."

"I know!", Daphne said. "Maybe you'll find someone you know in some of your classes."

"I hope so"

We entered the school reluctantly and went our separate ways to our new classes, not forgetting to wish each other luck. As I made my way to my social class, I heard an excited squeal behind me followed by an ecstatic voice. "Haven!", it yelled.

I turned around, curious, and saw Dylan walking towards me. I hadn't seen or spoken to Dylan since we grew apart like 6 years ago and now here she was, in my school.

"Hi Dylan", I said, trying to look as excited as she did. "I can't believe we've gone a whole semester without seeing each other."

"I know! It's been so long! We need to catch up."

"Yeah sure, I just have to get to class right now, but I'll see you later", I said as I started to walk away. But Dylan wouldn't let me go so easily.

"What class do you have now?", she asked, catching up and walking alongside me.

"Social with Mr. Grey", I answered.

"My boyfriend has that class too. Maybe you know him? His name's Nick?"

Oh right. I completely forgot that Nick was dating none other than by former best friend. What a small world. Maybe too small.

"Yeah, I think I know who you're talking about", I muttered. Just then the bell rang and Dylan left to get to her class. I walked into class just as Mr. Grey, my new teacher, was doing attendance. I scanned the room for a place to sit and saw Nick sitting a two person table alone.

"Haven", he said as if he knew I'f be listening. He nodded toward the empty seat beside him and I made my way over.

"Looks like we have another class together", he said.

"Lucky me", I answered sarcastically, still shaken from my encounter with Dylan.

"Shut up", Nick said with a laugh as he bumped my knee playfully with his.

"I ran into your girlfriend this morning", I said.

"Dylan? She talks about you a lot, you know. You two must have been close."

"Yeah, we were."

"Hey, let me have a look at your schedule", Nick said, holding his hand out to receive my paper schedule. "Maybe we have some more classes together."

I complied and watched as he scanned my schedule with hopeful eyes. "We do! We have math together after lunch. Now I have a reason to look forward to that class."

I blushed subtly and took back my schedule just as class was starting. I pulled out my textbook and got ready for a semester that I feared would be a lot more complicated than the last.

+ + + + + + + + + +

Nick sat with me in math too which surprised me because he had so many other friends. He had every other person to choose from but for some reason, he chose to spend two out of 4 classes per day with me.

Our math teacher was an idiot and it took a lot of me to do well in that class. By teaching myself, I managed, although Nick didn't. And he wasn't afraid to ask me for help.

"Hey Haven", he said, interrupting me from my social work in class one day. "You know that math test we have today?"

"Yeah", I answered, only half listening.

"Do you get the stuff that's going to be on it?"

"Uh huh", I muttered as I searched through the social textbook for an answer.

"Can you help me at lunch then? I'm really stuck."

I looked up from my textbook and faced him. "Maybe if you paid attention in class instead of trying to talk to me, you'd understand what's going on", I said.

"Yeah, maybe", Nick replied. "Come on, Haven. Please."

"Alright, fine. But you have to actually try."

"Cross my heart", Nick replied, putting a reassuring hand on my shoulder. I shrugged him off playfully and continued working and although I shouldn't have put so much thought into it, I was really looking forward to lunch.

+ + + + + + + + + +

Nick and I found a quiet spot in the back of the school library to "study" at lunch. By study, I mean I was putting in an honest effort but I couldn't say the same for Nick.

"You said you'd try, Nick", I breathed as I demonstrated a polynomial question for the 5th time.

"I'm trying, I really am, I just can't focus", he replied.

"Why not?"

"It's just so quiet in here", he said as he ripped a piece of paper from his notebook and crumpled it up.

"Yeah, that's kind of the point-", I was interrupted by Nick throwing his crumpled piece of paper and hitting me in the head with it. I squealed and threw it back at him, hitting him square in the face.

"Hey!", he yelled and he compiled another piece and whipped it at my head.

The librarian came around the corner with an offended look on her face. "Excuse me!", she shrieked. "This a library! Not a playground!"

"We're very sorry", Nick said sarcastically as he took a spare ball of paper and threw it directly at the librarian. We watched as the paper sailed through the air and hit the librarian right between the eyes. The look on her face went from offended to absolutely enraged.

"Run!", Nick yelled as he grabbed my hand and we raced out of the library and away from the librarian that would for sure hate us until we graduated. Once we were safely out of the library, I dropped Nick's hand.

"Are you crazy? We could have gotten in so much trouble", I said, panting.

"Lighten up, Haven. Have a little fun! Besides, my aim was perfect", Nick justified with a laugh. I couldn't help myself and I laughed until I couldn't catch my breath.

"Who cares about math anyway?", Nick asked as we made our way to class.

My hand still tingled from when he held it.

*************

Hey readers,

So I know this chapter is a little longer. I feel like they will probably usually be this length since I have a lot of material I'm going to get in here. I also know it's been a slow start, but there will be more, I promise. 

Movie Recommendation Time!

- While We're Young (2015): This movie is about a middle aged couple that meets a young hipster couple and how they are influenced by their young, hipster ways. It's really different and I liked it a lot. All-star cast too! It has Ben Stiller, Naomi Watts, Amanda Seyfried, and Adam Driver (from the new Star Wars movie). It's on Netflix, check it out!

Thanks for reading,

That_Epiphany