20 - Almost Soft

JUNE’S POV

Somewhere between fake dating and tutoring sessions, Adrien has become a routine.

I noticed things before I meant to.

The way he complained every time I made him revise essays. The way he turned studying into a social activity.

It was unsettling.

“If I fail this exam, I’m blaming you publicly.”

I looked up slowly, “Doesn’t even make sense.”

Adrien dropped into the seat opposite mine with the dramatic sigh of someone being forced into manual labour.

“We’re almost done with the syllabus, your grades have improved.” I mentioned.

Coach Rogers called me in earlier in the day, commending me for my good work.

In his words, “I don’t know how you’ve done it June but Mr Emmanuel says he’s been brilliant.”

“Does that mean we can do something else?” He looked at me excitedly.

“No. You still don’t know why Thomas Hobbes resisted the idea of separation of powers.”

He groaned dramatically and let his head fall against the table.

Locks of hair fell on his face and the sun hit his blue eyes just then.

“You enjoy torturing me, don’t you?” He said.

“Maybe, but I enjoy passing exams.” I replied.

“Same thing apparently.” He added.

I tried not to laugh as I highlighted another paragraph in his notes.

“Explain Hobbes’ argument.” I said with a serious tone.

“Easy. Humans are terrible, society is doomed and we all need supervision.” He stated.

“That is possibly the worst political analysis I’ve ever heard.” I told him.

“Yet technically correct.” He said with a wink.

“Unfortunately.” I rolled my eyes.

“We’re going over it again.”

I made him write it down like an actual exam and timed him. As he wrote, I noticed how he explained things.

The constant use of similes and metaphors, he worked better with examples.

“Stop staring at me and I’ll be able to think clearly.” He said.

“Focus.” I told him and he obeyed.

“Wow.” I said as I read his paper. It was impressive, really impressive.

“I could’ve done better if you would’ve stopped distracting me with your stares.” He mentioned.

“I wasn’t staring at you.” I said defensively.

“That was terrifyingly fast but sure.” He said with a grin.

“You’re smarter than you know.” I complimented him.

He leaned back in his chair and turned to face me.

He smiled at me.

I felt my heartbeat rising.

“Thank you, only if my mum believed that.” He said.

“Surely your grades will prove something.” I said.

“Maybe. You should come for the football match on Friday.” He said.

“Are you inviting me?” I teased.

“Yes, I want you to be there.” He said, so sincerely. I felt compelled to go.

“No problem, will your parents attend this time?” I asked.

His expression shifted, almost not noticeable but I did.

“Probably not,” he said lightly.

“They travel a lot, don’t they?” I said.

He let out a small laugh, “Something like that.”

I closed my notebook slowly to pay attention.

“You don’t sound convinced.” I said. Why did I care?

“My dad’s usually busy lecturing somewhere and my mum is always planning another fashion show or attending Lucas’ events. She treats football like a temporary teenage phase.” He explained, sounding almost sad.

“That’s a bit harsh.” I blinked.

“But accurate. My dad doesn’t really have much of a problem with it but my mum.” He paused.

“It’s like she wants me to move from it, go on to be a doctor or something.” He said solemnly.

I didn’t speak, listening quietly as he opened up.

“They care, just professionally.” He added.

“Professionally? What does that mean?” I asked.

“For example, my mum sends a paragraph after some games. Like she’s writing performance reviews.” He said with a laugh.

I laughed before I could stop it.

“I’m already used to it, them not being present. At least I have you now.” He said with a small smile.

There it was again, that look. The same one he gave me at the party.

He looked at me so softly.

“Even if it’s fake.” He added.

I looked away first, something uncomfortable twisting in my stomach.

That was becoming a problem. He was becoming a problem.

I suddenly became aware of how close he was sitting.

Moments with him slipped into something softer before I could stop them. He said things so casually, unaware of whatever effect they caused.

His lips curved slightly, “Are you flustered?”

“Don’t make it weird.” I replied, and turned my face to him.

“Too late.” He responded.

“Let’s go.” I said as I noticed the time.

We walked hand in hand till we reached the courtyard.

“You changed your phone.” He mentioned as we sat.

“Surprise.” I said simply.

“Aww, you deserve it.” He smiled.

“Same thing my parents said. That I’ve been working hard and stuff. They made it a whole thing.” I laughed as I recounted the memory on Friday.

“That sounds wholesome.” He said softly.

“You could say.” I replied.

We sat in silence together for only God knows how long.

When I heard the bell, I noticed our hands were still intertwined.

I stood up first.

“I have to go now, bye. Theo’s probably going to be here soon.” I said.

“Yeah, bye J.” He said.

“Jay?”

“I’m using my free will. I can give you a nickname.” He said.

I rolled my eyes and walked to the parking lot.

Jay. I thought as I walked.

“Damn who got you smiling like that?” Jules asked as soon as she saw me.

“I’m not smiling.” I responded, sounding like I was trying to convince myself.

She only looked at me as if she already knew better.

“Hmm, today is Tuesday. A lesson with-

“Don’t start,” I warned.

She raised her hands innocently, “I hadn’t even said anything!” She defended.

“You can’t keep this up for long June. I can tell.” She warned.

I ignored her and changed the topic instead.

She let me, but kept giving me that look every now and then. Like she knew something I didn’t.

Later that night, I thought back to the way Adrien sounded when he talked about his family.

About the way he spoke sometimes, like he was forgetting this wasn’t real.

That was the problem with blurred lines, someone eventually stopped seeing them.

This arrangement had an expiration date.

He needed to remember that.