Chapter Four - Partners
"Been a while hasn't it, Avery?"
I shift my eyes to meet Oskar leaning back on his chair, the usual calm and laid-back demeanor he puts out. I huffed a breath, sinking my cheek deeper on my palms.
"Tell me about it."
The library was closed for a week due to inspections. Something about pest control and stuff I wasn't slightly interested in knowing. I wonder how that went, then again I probably wouldn't have my job if that went wrong.
"Why are there so many kids?" I murmured under my breath, trying to come up with any conversation. Amazing I know. Me? Trying to come up with a conversation? Get real.
He chimes in. "They're visiting for an activity or something."
"Huh," I replied. "---but they're so many. Isn't Bloogle the new way around?"
He snorted. "Well Avery, we'd probably be goners if they'd stick with good old Bloogle—plus, reading is fun, isn't it?"
My eyes narrowed into slits, snickering to his remark. "Oh really? You read books? Surprising. Name one book you read recently."
He thinks it over, making sure to put a thoughtful look on it with a finger propped to his chin. He grins at me. "English 9 page 101-110."
I stifled a laugh, eyeing him in amusement. "Told you, Mr. Hypocrite."
He shrugs, the earphone around his other ear dangling to his chest. "It is technically a book."
"Stop being a smart-ass, will you?" I retorted.
He looks over at my shoulder and I narrowed my eyes, looking at him in confusion. "What?"
He points from behind him, an amusing face plastered on his lips while he does it. Now what? I turn my head around, expecting to find him laughing at me being fooled by him but only to find two kids sitting on the back of the library near the windows.
They were kissing discreetly---at least tried to. I think they were around the same age as Lance. I scrunched my nose in disgust, my face contorted to a wry. Oskar sees my face and laughs silently.
He places a hand on my shoulder, squeezing it gently. "You're such a hypocrite, Ms. Summers," he retorts.
"Excuse me?"
"Well for starters," he removes his hold off my shoulder and retracts back to his seat, crossing a leg over his other. "-you've been kissing someone too. What's the difference between you and that kid anyway?"
"Oskar!" I whisper-shouted, my cheeks defiantly red by now which further proved his point. "---Unlike that kid, I never agreed for a...a kiss!"
"So if I asked you to kiss me, would you agree?" he asked.
I stare at him, seeing him collected and not bothered, but there was something in those crystal eyes that I couldn't make sense to. I snort, slamming my hand to his face, slightly pushing him away. "Shut up."
He chuckles, taking my hand off his face. I think it made a small imprint. "I was kidding. Can't take a joke?"
"It wasn't funny anyway," I look away, grumbling under my breath as my hands fling to my side.
Now the atmosphere has gone awkward. Applause to Oskar to make it turn this weird. I roll my eyes, somehow making a side glance to the kids kissing---by the time I looked, they were all fidgeting and blushing looking at anywhere but them. I sigh, feeling my mood turn sour. Get a booth, will you?
Kids these days. Kind of funny, aren't I technically a kid? Well, yes and no. Plus, I never agreed to kiss him or initiate it anyway. More like it just so happen or who the hell am I kidding.
That totally happened because I consented anyway.
Idiot.
"Thinking about the kiss, Avery?" a voice murmurs on my ear, making my body involuntarily shiver.
I pursed my lips, meeting Oskar's face who was inches away from mine, a pique look on his face. "No."
"Well, I won't judge," he takes a space back from me, then leans forward to the long reception desk and buries his head on it with arms as pillow.
"If you want a kiss, can't you just get a girlfriend?" I mused, placing a hand on my chin.
"You're not even dating Tom and you two are kissing," he muffled with his head low. "---so what makes you say I need to have a girlfriend to kiss?"
"You---!!"
He laughs, his shoulders heaving up and down uncontrollably as he knew it struck me a nerve.
And yes, it annoyed me so much I leaned forward and slung my arms around his neck.
Well, I tried. Keyword : tried. He continues to chuckle, my hands unsuccessfully managing to throttle him when he lifts a hand up and tries to wrestle with both my hands.
Even with my body leaned forward to place my hands on him, he still managed to control me with just one hand. No matter how I try to break in, he seems to manage to push my hands away. I purse my lips, starting to get agitated as I pour every ounce of strength in me.
"Let me choke you damn it!" I hissed. I think I'm getting more violent every time I see him. Not sure if that's good though.
"Give it up, you can't choke me," he entertained, head still buried with an arm only up to try and tackle my hands flinging towards him. "—I'm too strong for you."
After what seemed like a struggle—my part at least, I gave up, retracting my hands in defeat as I pant, my stamina drained the moment I fought him. I grabbed the collar of my uniform and used it to fan myself.
"You're so annoying," I grunted.
"Thank you. It's a talent," he murmured.
I clicked my tongue, eyes straining to find the kissing kids nearing to our reception desk. The boy shyly glances at the girl and they finally arrive in front of me.
The girl sheepishly hands me the book she was going to borrow with a light blush to her cheeks. I pursed my lips, though trying to pursue a tight smile.
I opened the book and grabbed the library sheet, as well as the library card of the girl. I placed in the date, signed it and then tucked the sheet to her card.
Then I hand her the book. "And kid?"
The girl looks up at me. I teasingly grin. "Make sure to kiss behind the bookshelves, not where I'm inches away from you."
That earned a blush from both of them and a loud snort from the guy beside me. I was feeling rather sarcastic and prissy right now, so I apologise. But the look on those kids' face will probably be something they'd hold on forever.
. . .
It was currently English time. If anything, it was rather chill than usual. I huffed, placing a hand under my chin whilst a small ghost smile curved the edge of my lips. I'm so evil.
Oskar playfully scolded me, trying to make a scowl but failed. In the end, he laughed and repeated my retort like a broken record.
"Why are you smiling to yourself?"
I snapped out of my thoughts, eyeing Tom who sat beside me and who stared at me in curiosity, his lips slightly purse and brows raised.
I wave a hand off. "Nothing."
"Well that's alarming if that's the case," he eyed me in concerned and yet amused. "—we'd have to get you a check-up or something. Smiling all by yourself isn't healthy."
I clicked my tongue. "Well---"
"Alright class. I have an announcement to make," the teacher in front calls out. My words were cut not long after and we both glanced back to the teacher who was in front, standing up.
She clears her throat. "Well, the coordinator in English area proposed that we do a joint project. What I mean is that, the two classes will be combined. So, you'll either get partners from the other class or from here. "
The class erupted in noises, mixed emotions rather. I was one of the annoyed type. I mean, I barely knew people here—what more if I get a partner from the other class? And this seems more of a hassle really.
"—and I'll be using this raffle."
She continued, shaking the transparent jar with rolled up papers. "I will pick up random names and that will be your partner for the project. NO BUTS. Whoever your partner is, will be your partner."
Everyone groaned. I huffed, glancing at the windows with the field empty. It's going to take her a long while to finish that.
After what seemed like forever, my ears pricked when I hear Tom's name being called. Somehow my heart was racing but not in a good way. I try to brush it off but it's getting persistent.
I would be lying if an eensy teensy bit of me wished that we'd be partnered up together—not that because I like him, but I know him and it won't get awkward...ugh..why am I explaining myself right now.
"Tom Beckett and..."
"-Hannah Kelly."