Hacking The Relationship Code

Chapter 4: Lab Coat

The next day at school, I greet Adrian with the most dazzling smile I could muster up.

"Good morning Adrian."

No response. He didn't even look at me. If I thought yesterday was a breakthrough, it clearly wasn't. We were back to square one. It was a task to dig into his steeled exterior.

Miss Myers was calling us out for roll call and Adrian was so deep into his fantasy land that he forgot to answer his.

"Number 42" Miss Myers called out. No one responded. Adrian wasn't obviously paying attention which is why I answered for him.

"Present maam"

As soon as I called out, he came out of his bubble. A bitter expression made its way on his face as if I had just asked for his kidney.

"Just because you helped me last night doesn't make us friends." He said bitterly. By now I was so used to his attitude.

"I know, but I am generous enough to also help those who aren't my friends." That shut him up.

Eventually we got lost in Miss Myers's discussion on the Shakespearean era. I was awed to consider the possibility that Shakespeare was actually a female who was impersonating to be a man to live another day in the patriarchal world. I always liked how Shakespeare had strong female protagonists. His work wasn't solely based on the masculine lineage. He did not limit his female characters to merely romantic interests of the male characters. They had their own personality and their own story.

By the end of the class, we were given an assignment due by the end of the week. This year our English lectures were centered around Shakespeare's, 'Othello'. We had to come up with a report on 'How did Othello's race play a factor in the play?' My mind was getting overworked with Shakespeare which is why, I decidedly to work on the assignment later.

***

Trigonometry was really a pain in the ass. I barely survived that lecture pretending that I was understanding every word. Aurelia could tutor me any day before the test. I was prancing in my head by the time the bell rang.

In the recess, I told Kylie about my date with Nick. I skipped everything which happened after that with Adrian.

"Charmed you on the first date, didn't he?" Kylie chuckled.

"Yeah we had a good time."

"So......."

"So....."

"How do you feel about it?"

"I don't know. It was just our first date. He made me feel comfortable and most of our conversation was pretty generic. I don't know him well to comment on anything but I would definitely like to get to know him more."

"Do you think he's cute?"

"I think he's hot." I confessed proudly.

"ooooooohhhhhhhhhhhhh.....Ginna thinks Nick is hotttttt......"

I elbowed her to stop her from teasing while I blushed into a light shade of red.

The rest of out group joined us and we chatted away till the end of our recess.

I entered out classroom to find Adrian already in his seat playing with his pen. I went and sat beside him. As I took my seat, Nick Garryson came along.

"Hi Nick." I greeted him.

"What's up Ginna? Did you reach home safely yesterday? You did not respond to my messages."

I could feel Adrian tense up beside me.

"Yes. I did." I answered his question while Adrian was trying his best to go back to his poker face.

"I am so sorry I did not reply, something actually came up and then I forgot to charge my phone so my battery is still dead."

"No problem."

"So, what are your plans for the day?"

"I just have dance class in the evening. Apart from that I might just hang out with Kylie. What are your plans?"

"Some of the guys are meeting up for football in the afternoon, I might just join them."

"Tell me how it goes."

"Sure, I'll text you Ginna."

Nick retreated back to his seat with Mia Davis. Mia and I went to the same dance class. She was one of the star dancers of the batch. Also, she had a great figure. She could give any girl a complex with her tall height, apple face and toned body. Come to think of it, Mia and Nick looked cute together. I didn't realize that I was staring at Mia while having this discussion within myself. She gave me a wink which said that she was aware about my slight interest in Nick. I faked a 'I don't care, you got to be kidding me' look just to restore my cool composure.

Adrian shifted beside me making a squeaking sound from his chair.

"Does Garryson know his girlfriend passed on his rose to me?" he smirked.

"Nick isn't my boyfriend and we promised we wouldn't talk about yesterday, didn't we?"

"I was just thinking how he would feel if he got to know you gave his rose away to me."

"I passed it on to make someone feel better. I am sure he will understand." I retorted back.

Don't lose your control Ginna. People tend to act like pricks when they are suffering. I wanted to ask him how he was feeling now but our recent encounter just guaranteed his sullen response.

***

Our last lecture for the day was Lab. It was undoubtedly my most favorite lecture. I loved playing with different liquids and test tubes. We were given basic assignments only but it was sufficing to make me feel like a scientist. We were also given partners to work with. I, fortunately was teamed up with Andy since both our surnames began with M.

Andy came to my desk before leaving for lab. Adrian was preparing his stuff for lab. I pulled out my lab coat from the bag and my journal. I was very particular about neatness. My journals were my masterpieces and they exuded finesse. All my experiments and observations were neatly drawn. It took a lot of time in making but I was proud of my journal. Yes, I was the ultimate geek.

"Hurry up Ginna we got to go or we will end up with all the rejects." Whoever got to the lab last had to adjust with the rejected apparatus since the good ones were already taken.

"I am stuck Andy." My hand was stuck halfway into the sleeve of my coat. I couldn't move my arm to undress it or to straighten it.

Andy laughed at me goofily and helped my elbow out of the sleeve. He then helped me put it on again and straightened my collar.

"Thanks Andy. What would I do without you?"

"You wouldn't survive Ginna." We shared a friendly laugh. Andy and I were super comfortable with each other. He was my best friend among guys.

Adrian had stopped arranging his stuff and was paying close attention to our banter. When I subjected him with my gaze, he averted his.

"Aren't you getting late for lab Adrian?" I taunted.

"We all are, Ginna. Let's go." Adrian announced.

He left the classroom leaving me and Andy slacking behind.

"What are you, friends with him now? Finally cracked the ice prince, did you?"

"Nope, nothing like that. He's obnoxious to me too."

"Yep can see that. Very obnoxious." Andy mused.

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