Chapter 2

Nate looked at the slab of clay in confusion.

“What are we doing with that?” he asked.

“Well, I will be creating a model of a Lily flower, and you will write down the names of the different parts,” she said.

“Thrilling,” Nate rolled his eyes.

He opened the book and started to write down the information while Amelia worked with the clay. After watching her for a few minutes, he couldn’t help but admire her crafting skills. She looked focused and determined to get things perfect.

“I think that’s good enough for now,” she said after 40 minutes. “We can pick this up tomorrow since the project is not due till later this week.”

“Great, I’ve had enough myself. So, I’m going to go. Peace out.” Nate said and stood up to leave.

“You sure you don’t want to stay and hang out for a few minutes?” Amelia asked.

“No thanks,” Nate said.

“Oh…okay,” she said in a disappointed tone.

Nate felt kind of bad when he saw the look on her face. Maybe he had been way too harsh. She had been nothing but nice to him despite his rude behavior.

“I just got other shit to do,” he said reluctantly.

Amelia nodded.

The next day, he found Amelia sitting at his table again.

“You are shitting me again with this?” he groaned.

“Oh, did someone forget to tell you we were friends?” Amelia smirked. “Stop being so angry and sit down already.”

Nate glared at Amelia for a minute. She expected him to say something mean and walk out of there, but he just sat down to her surprise.

“Why are you so annoying?” he asked.

“Most people say I am friendly,” she smiled.

“I don’t need any friends, especially not someone like you,” Nate said.

“Someone like me? And what am I like?” Amelia asked.

“Someone so preppy and cheerful all the time. Your highly pretentious attitude of positivity makes my blood boil,” he declared.

“I am not pretentious. Did you stop to think I might be genuinely happy?” she said.

“Well, stop acting like it because it’s annoying,” Nate said.

“Okay, fine. From now on, I will greet you with a scowl and only groan as an answer if you ask me anything. Turning off the positivity and replacing it with negativity starting… now!” Amelia said and pretended to look sad.

Nate sighed. “I am not asking you to change your attitude. I just need you to go away.”

“Not going to happen. In case you couldn’t tell, I like you for some crazy reason, and I am determined to make you like me too.”

“Good luck with that,” Nate scoffed.

“Challenge accepted,” Amelia declared.

Nate stared at her intently. He can’t figure this person out. People usually avoided him, especially when he glared at them with fiery eyes but this girl didn’t back down. Why did she attach herself to him of all people? He didn’t understand. He observed her features closely this time. She was actually very pretty.

It doesn’t matter, he thought. He still didn’t want her to get too close to him.

“What?” Amelia asked all of a sudden.

“Nothing?” he replied with a question.

“You were staring at me,” she said.

“No, I wasn’t,” he denied.

“Whatever you say, grumpy boy,” she scoffed and slurped her juice.

Nate was at a loss. No matter what he said, this girl always ended up arguing with him.

“So… you want to come over to my house after school again and work on the project some more?” she asked.

“I can’t. I am busy,” Nate said.

“What are you up to?” Amelia asked.

“Well, not that it’s any of your business, but I am building a car so I can race next week,” he replied.

“Wow, you can build cars? That’s impressive. Are you any good at racing?” Amelia was intrigued.

Nate’s eyes lit up. It was the first time he showed any type of excitement on his face. He must really like building cars and racing, Amelia thought.

“I’m decent. I just do it for fun,” Nate shrugged.

“Cool! Can I come?” she asked.

Nate raised his eyebrows. “What you mean, can you come? Come where?”

“Can I come watch you? At the race, I mean,” she replied.

Nate scowled. “No way, woman, I’ve had enough of you at school. I don’t need you following me around to other places.”

“Oh, come on! I promise I won’t bother you. I just want to watch the race. I’ll even cheer you on, or I’ll keep my mouth shut the entire time. Please!” Amelia gave him her signature puppy eyes.

Nate hesitated. He never had anyone from his school come watch him before. Especially not someone like Amelia. It wouldn’t hurt to have a pretty girl cheering for him on at the track, even if it’s someone as irritating as her.

“Alright, fine, you can come. Just don’t bother me there.” Nate said, frowning.

“Yay! I can’t wait. I’ve never been to a race before.” she said excitedly.

Later that day, Nate went home feeling exhausted. He had been working on that car for weeks, and it was almost ready for the race. But he didn’t mind the exhaustion. Building cars and racing was his passion. He loved every minute of it. That was the only time he truly felt happy.

He fell on the bed and closed his eyes, and slowly started to drift into sleep. His phone chimed all of a sudden.

Who the fuck was texting him? He looked at his phone with annoyance.

“Hey, grumpy pants! It’s Amelia. Some of my friends and I are going to a party tonight, want to go with me?" the text read.

Nate typed furiously, “I’d rather pluck my eyeballs out one at a time," he replied.

“Geez, so violent. A simple no would have been fine,” she said with a sad face emoji.

Nate didn’t reply and drifted off to sleep again. He slept for a few hours, then suddenly woke up with a start as his phone chimed again.

What now? He thought.

“Can you come to get me? I need help!" Amelia texted.

“Um…how about no?” he replied.

“Please, I’m begging you. I am really in trouble.” she texted back immediately.

“Why don’t you ask one of your friends?" he said.

“I don’t know where they are, and I really need to get out of here. Please? I’ll owe you one.” Her reply read.

Nate groaned. This chick is turning out to be a handful. He debated going back to sleep since this wasn’t his problem, but what if she really was in trouble?

“Fucking pain in my goddam ass,”…Nate cursed under his breath and started his car. If this was a trick, he’d strangle her skinny neck. He promised himself that. He looked at the address she texted him and drove to his destination.