Chapter 3 - Aligned

“Okay, how are we going to do this?” Kelly says looking at Jameson, Oliver and I. “I know you have poetry sessions every Wednesday at 4 pm and you have to work Sundays. How do your schedules look?” she asks looking at the boys.

 I’ve been dreading this moment since I found out Kelly and I are partnering with Oliver and his friend. I still can’t believe my luck. How is it possible that I was grouped with the one guy I would rather die than spend time with. Every time he looks at me I feel like he can see all the secret thoughts I’ve had of him.

I feel like I’ve been caught.

Kelly told me we had to meet up in Miss Una’s class after school so we can figure everything out. I was tempted to fake a headache so I wouldn’t have to do this. The proximity to Oliver is giving me a headache. I’m tense, anxious and hyper sensitive to everything. I don’t know how I’m going to survive this.

 Oliver is sitting on his new desk, his feet on the chair. Why does he have to look all cool and relaxed when I feel sweaty, weird and awkward?

 He’s looking at Kelly, so I can really look at him. He looks like he has better things to do than watch her tapping on her phone screen. I look away scared he’s going to look in my direction and catch me staring at him. That would be so embarrassing.

“I have rugby practice Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays. And I have a game every other Saturday.” Jameson says leaning on the wall.

“My weekends are fully booked.” Oliver says after a beat.

“Shit.” Kelly says lifting up her phone so we can see. All the days of the week are marked red.

“What does that mean?” Jameson asks leaning in closer to see the screen.

“It means we don’t have any free days to meet up to do the work.” Oliver says sighing deeply.

“I still think we’re better off doing the work individually.” Jameson says shrugging at us.

“That might be the only option we have.” I say and Kelly frowns staring at the phone.

“Is it possible to move a few things around?” She asks looking at the three of us.

“I can’t unfortunately. I have to work on weekends.” Oliver says looking at her apologetically.

“Neither can I.” Jameson says looking at me. “The coach doesn’t play with practice. I might get kicked off the team.” He says when Kelly looks at him sideways. She’s getting annoyed with all this.

“But if you don’t mind we can meet up at my job on Saturdays. I have an hour break at 3 pm; maybe I can ask my boss to make it a little longer.” Oliver says making Kelly smile a little.

“That sound like it can work, where do you work?” She asks looking at him hopeful.

“Downtown.” He says and her smile disappears.

“How are we supposed to get to downtown? Take the bus?” She says looking at him like she has death written all over her face. 

“Hey, I’m just trying to come up with a solution for our predicament.” Oliver says raising his arms in defense.

“You can take an Uber” Jameson says looking at him like duh! “But I can drive you guys on days I don’t have games.” Jameson says coming in to calm the situation down.

“Okay, I guess.” Kelly says at getting closer and closer to being very annoyed.

“I can ask my manger alternate my Sundays and Saturdays, that way I work on Saturdays Jameson has games and I’ll be free on the Sundays we’re all available. But that means I’ll have to see your game dates so everything aligns.” I say and everyone smiles.

“I’ll send you the schedule right now.” Jameson says taking out his phone. He sends the schedule to both Kelly and I.

It takes us a few minute to adjust everything but in the Kelly is able to sync the schedule she’s creating for the group and our individual ones. 

“Now we’re talking. We have weekends sorted. Now we need to work out weekdays.” Kelly says tapping on her phone screen a few times. “How about we meet at 7 pm on Tuesdays and Fridays. We can sort out the where later.” Kelly says after a few minutes of silence.

“That sounds good to me.” Oliver says getting up from the table. He stretches his body taking a step closer to me. Kelly gives me a look and I nod.  I take a few steps away from him. He keeps coming closer to me and moving around and his scent keeps hitting me directly in the nose.

I’m going to have a hard time trying to forget what he smells like. It was easier when I imagined what he smells like. Like I said he was fake back he only existed in my head but now that I’ve talked to him a little he’s very real. I can’t just ignore him anymore.

He’s a real living, breathing, talking and complete boy. I won’t be able to stop thinking about him anymore. I hate this.

“That does sound good but I have one question.” Jameson says just as the rest of us start to leave. We stop and look back at him. “Today is Tuesday, does that mean we’re meeting and if yes where?” He asks and the three of us grunt in disapproval.

“Do we have to meet up today?” I ask hoping they decide we don’t have to. I’ve had enough exposure to Oliver for the day. I can’t take anymore contact with him, I need to get home and reset. I have to go get more strength in order to be able to deal with all this.

“I think we should get started on this and get it done as quickly as possible.” Oliver says and my heart sinks. “I’m pretty sure neither of us wants to work on this assignment for the whole year.” He says making sense but I don’t want to meet up today. I need a break from looking at his beautiful face. I need a few hours to get rid of the tension I’m carrying around from spending all this time with him.

“Well that makes sense.” Kelly says agreeing with him. I die on the inside but keep a straight face on the outside.

“Okay, we can meet at Jodie’s then.” Jameson says heading for the door.

“Wait, isn’t Jodie’s a little too loud?” Kelly asks following him.

“Don’t worry about it, we have that covered. See you at 7.” I hear Jameson say as he walks down the hallway. I pick up my back pack and head out the door. Oliver follows closely behind.

“I guess I’ll see you later.” He says when we get to the front entrance of the school.

“I guess so.” I say the only thing I can think of to say.

Text conversation between Ryo and Kelly (a few hours later)

Can you believe we have to work with patient O

Kelly

I know right?

Is this some kind of cosmic shift?

Is the universe playing a joke on me for fantasizing about him?

Ryo

I think this is the universe telling you to date him

I was right

Kelly

Please don’t start with all of that

There’s no way Patient O and I are going to date.

But do we have to work with him for the rest of the year?

I’m freaking out!!!!!

Ryo

Don’t freak out. We’ll figure it out

You have me.

I got your back

Kelly

I don’t know how I’m going to spend time with him and not die.

Ryo

I think you should just ride it out

Take everything as it comes

You might spend time with him and not like him

He might turn out to be a terrible dude..

Kelly

I guess…

Ryo

I’m creating a group chat with Oliver and Jameson.

Don’t freak out.

Kelly

I look at Kelly’s text and sigh. Now we have to be in a group chat together. I turn my phone to flight mode and open the front door.

“How was your day?”My mother says when I walk through the kitchen door. She’s home early today; she’s already in her comfy day thoughts. Usually she’s at the office until six pm.

“My day was long.” I say placing my school bag at the door. I’m mentally and physically exhausted. I can’t tell you left from right, right now. I feel like I survived an emotional typhoon.  

“Do you want to tell me about it? I’m making a snack, would you like some?” She walks walking to the fridge. She looks back at me and I nod, she turns back around looking in the fridge.

“Yeah sure.” I say taking a seat at the kitchen table.

“So what did you get up to today?” She asks taking out fruits, cheese and cold meats out and placing them on the table. She takes the charcuterie board from the kitchen counter and places it on the table.   

“I made the school’s poetry team.” I say and she jumps up and down excited. She walks around the table giving me a warm hug.

“Oh Ry, that’s amazing.’ She says making me smile. She walks back to the board, cutting the cheese and arranging the fruit beautifully.

Yeah, I’m going to represent the school in the regional poetry slam soon. And I heard the top three win money.”  I say and she smiles at me so happy.

“I’m so proud of you honey. I need to get a cute outfit to go to the completion.”  She says looking at me proud. My mother never misses any of my poetry sessions, she makes sure to make the time. She thinks I’m the next Maya Agelou, no one can argue with a mother’s bias.

“Mom, you don’t need an outfit. It’s a normal school completion.” I say and she shakes her head at me.

“I have to look the part. I know you’re going to win so I need to be ready for the photos.”  She says moving around posing for me. I laugh when she pretends to show the photographer her best side.

“I don’t know about winning.” I say and she looks at me like I’m crazy.

“Don’t say that about yourself, you know how good you are and you have to show up to that competition like you already won.” She says moving closer to me. “Do we understand each other young lady?” She says serious.

“Yes ma’am . ” I say knowing she doesn’t want to hear anything else from me.

“Okay good.” She says smiling at me.

“I have a study session today at seven I have to go to.” I say taking a piece of cheese from her charcuterie board.  I always get nervous when I have to let my mother know I’ll be out late. I never know what she’s say. I don’t normally stay out late so we don’t have these conversations often but I always feel some type of way when we do have them.

“Who are you meeting up with?” She asks taking a seat in front of me.

“Kelly, Jameson and Oliver. We’re in the same English class.” I say before she asks me who the other two people are.

“Why so you have to meet up so late in the day?” She asks looking at me curiously.

“Everyone has stuff to do now. This is the only time we’re all available.” I say and she sighs.

“Okay, but please don’t come home late. Get your study session done and then come home immediately.” She says looking at me with a stern face.  I say surprised it was that easy, I was sure she was going to give me a whole third degree. But she doesn’t seem t care.

“Okay.” She says and she smiles.

“Do you want to know what I got up to today?” She asks smiling at me.

“Yes, tell me all about you day.” I say and she sits back getting comfortable.