Just Be Friends

PROLOGUE

Settled in the seat right behind him, with my open palms supporting my chin as I struggle to come up with the right words. This place is reserved by me and I always sit here. Even on the days  when I'm absent if someone dares to sit on my place, they deserve a good beating by my sneaker on the other day.

All other girls in my class  beg me to let them sit in my place, but this has been reserved by me for myself since the last two years and that is why all the female population hates me. I still remember the first day of this class, the way I jumped over all the other girls to get this place as our sitting arrangement is fixed on the very first day.

You know why? Because I kind of... like him.

The first day he entered the school, wearing a blue shirt with black denims, making all the females fall on his feet. He is my first crush. He was a transfer student from New York. That was about two years ago.

I have been crushing on him since that first day, but being the coward that I am, I never got the actual courage to confess. There are many girls around here who daily confess their love for him but he ignores them all. He could become a play boy and play with their feelings, but still he doesn't change. Usually when guys get attention from females, their ego levels increases making them arrogant jerks who play with the girl's feelings. But he isn't like that, not at all. He is a totally different person.

On the other hand, all the guys are afraid of him. He has a history of sending guys to the hospital. People believe he is a street fighter. There are rumors that he has killed a guy while fighting. But obviously, I don't believe them. Rumours and gossips are a part of high school. So I believe nothing unless and until I witness it with my own eyes. A quiet guy like him can't kill a person. But who knows what the truth is?

Today I made up my mind taking my mother's blessings that I'll confess to him about my feelings. I know he will ignore me but I'm April East and when I want something, I know how to get it.

'Last time you wanted to climb the tree even after being warned by your brother and ended up hanging your butt upside down.' So maybe I don't always get what I want this time I can feel the conquest trying kiss me.

"April, come here and solve this question." I hate mathematics with every bone in my body and this teacher always insults me in class by asking stupid questions. Like seriously, how will the value of X and Y will help you in life?

"April East, I want to finish this lesson in today's class. So, will you please grace us with your presence here?" Ugh!

When I stood up from my seat, my cellphone fell down since it was in my lap. I bent down to pick it up and hit my head on table. Great, just freaking great!

Oh universe, please don't insult me in front of my crush with a huge bump on my head.

The cellphone was fine with just a scratch at the side. I saw the teacher standing with her hands folded across her chest, sending glares at me.

I moved to the blackboard but my nervousness got the best out of me, making me trip on my own feet because of the damn shoe laces.

Why does the universe hates me so much?

All students started laughing at me, except Zain. I knew there was a reason why I liked him. I was thankful to the universe that Zain didn't look at me as if I were a clown entertaining the audience.

"How long will it take you to come here?" She asked with her voice filled with annoyance.

I walked there, finally reaching the board. I read the alphabets and numbers mixed up.

I'm not at all clumsy. It's just that his presence makes me feel giddy and I trip over everything. I think my leg has sprained or something, as the  pain starts to overtake.

"I don't know how to solve this." I say to her face without feeling any shame. I wasn't the intelligent one in the class but somewhere near average.

"Did you listen, class? That's what happens when you don't pay attention in class. If you don't study now then how will you make a better life ahead? How will you get accepted in respectful colleges-" after that I tuned out.

This was my daily reputation in this particular class and the same routine follows. She calls me here and I come tripping all the way, then I shamelessly say that I don't know the answer and she starts with her lecture.

Do I feel bad? Nah! I don't care about her blabbering as I can check him out clearly.

The lecture was cut off by the bell. Ah, how I love this sound. Finally out of hell, or heaven? Definitely hell because he seems to move out of the class.

I picked up my books and rushed out following him.

You can do this April. You have got your mum's blessings and you are ready to do this.

But what am I going to say him? That I like him? Won't it sound dull?

He stops walking and turns around since he must've felt me following him. I turned my gaze so it didn't look like I was following him.

He resumed walking again but collided with a girl wearing a headscarf. All her books flew out of her hands straight onto the floor. I thought he would go past her but he didn't. Instead, he bent down picking all her stuff and handing it to her. I freeze on my spot taking in the scene. That prick, when I bumped with him yesterday he didn't offer any help.

The girl took her stuff and left. She didn't flirt with him and didn't even say 'hi'. Is she crazy? If I would have been in her place, I would surely see it as a chance to interact.

But who was this girl? He offers help to no one but he helped her. Is she his girlfriend?

I felt myself growing angry at my own thoughts. Is this what jealousy feels like? Thinking ways to pluck her head out from the body?

I was so lost in my own thoughts that before I could move, he passed away from my eyes.

And like always, I failed to confess my feelings.

'But there's always a tomorrow', I said to myself, patting my own back supporting.

Yup, come what may, I'm going keep trying until I succeed.

__________

This is officially the worst start of the story but... It gets better ;)