15. Oh Gosh ! He is coming

Nate’s POV

I finally get up from my seat and slowly walk out of the Physics classroom. I look on either sides of the door and make sure there is not many people in the corridor before quickly stepping out and rushing down the plethora of stairs, not wanting to gain anyone's attention. The end of the day bell has rung almost ten minutes before. But I was sitting in the classroom waiting for everyone to leave.

Yesterday also I did the same and I could safely reach my dorm without anyone calling me to them or bullying me on the way. I don't want to stutter in front of a group of people and humiliate myself or want to be in a situation like I was in last day.

I stopped placing my books and things in the locker. Because you know, locker room is always the place were people like me gets bullied. So why invite bullies myself when I can avoid it ?

And as soon as the lunch bell rings, I'd rush out of the campus and go to a restaurant nearby, from where I have my lunch and only comes back after the bells rings at 1: 45 indicating the next hour. So literally I stopped going to school canteen too. At intervals I stay inside class and read a book until the professor arrives.

If you say I am fucking coward, then I agree I am. I don't have a friend or anyone to stand by my side or help me when a group of jocks together bullies me. So it's better I avoid such situations.

Fortunately I have only caught the attention of one group of jocks yet- of course Ethan's gang. But I haven't jumped in front of them after the incident at the canteen on Tuesday and today it's Thursday. Luckily I only share a physics class with Sophia. That was yesterday first hour and she didn’t bother to trouble me during that hour. None of the others were in any of the classes I attended these two days. I actually had Calculus today but I bunked the class and sat in the library.

They might probably be wondering where I am hiding. I hope Ethan won't tell them my room number and they won't take the trouble to somehow find out my dorm themselves. I totally dread going in front of them once again. But I don't know how long I'll be able to play this hide and seek with them.

Once I reach down the stairs, I run like a rabbit in direction of my dorm room. I need to reach there and shut myself from the world as soon as possible. I notice a few people lingering in the corridors, mostly couples walking hand in hand, conversing with each other, exchanging sickeningly sweet smiles, a few making out behind the pillars or inside the vehicles parked in the students parking lot.

Love is overrated in my opinion. Maybe I am just jealous because I was never able to date someone in my life. I've looked at boys from my middle school and high school who changes girlfriends every week. I don't want to be like them but I really wish to find a girl who would accept me with all my flaws and love me and stays with me forever. Anyway I don't have any hope that love would find me. Whom will I attract with my stupid stammer ?

I pant uncontrollably as I finally reach in front of my dorm room, fumbling with my key. I quickly jam the key into the hole and twist it inside, pushing the door open, hastily stepping inside and closing the door shut. I leave a relieved sigh then leans against the door, trying to catch my breath. So, one more day successfully ended without me getting bullied. A smile automatically creeps into my features.

I leave my backpack on the floor before walking to the desk and throwing my wallet, phone and watch on it. Then I walk into the bathroom to take a shower. When I come out of the bathroom after almost twenty minutes in a damp towel wrapped around my waist, my phone is ringing on the table. Who is calling me at this time ? I think as I walk towards the desk to pick the phone.

It's an unknown number. I distractedly pick the call and answer it whilst walking towards the cupboard to pick a t-shirt and shorts.

" Hey Michael, it's me Ethan.",

My mouth hang open at that. He might probably be calling to ask about the assignment. I haven't forgotten about the assignment but I thought I'll be doing it alone, judging by his participation in history class. I mean he was sleeping in class and that just shows how much he'd cooperate in assignments. So I thought I'll do it alone and let him copy my work after I finish it.

And that is why I decided to agree to be his partner. Since he won't be coming to work together, I don't have to worry about his friends knowing. Also I could get good scores only if I work in group.

But I won't deny that a part of me also wished for him to come and work with me. Because he is the only person who at least know my first name in this school and who cares for me at least a little bit. I am sure he cares, because he asked me whether I had lunch last day. And he saved me from dying out of panic though it was his fault. And more than anything he looks like my brother and I love to look at that handsome face.

" I called you to ask about the history assignment.", he says as I don't say anything even after a few seconds. " You didn't say anything about it and I didn't see you for two days. Shall I come to your dorm today to start working on it ?"

That takes me by surprise. " You..you want to come ?", I asks.

" Yeah, we need to do it together, right ? And tomorrow evening I am going home. Then I'll be coming back only Monday morning. Then there's only Monday evening. So shall I come today or Monday evening?"

" I'm okay to d..do it alone and let you c..copy if you want. ", I say carefully.

" I'm not okay with that. It's a group work. So we should do it together. It won't be fair if I simply copy your efforts.", He replies. " Are you free today ?"

" Yeah, I am f..free. You can come.", I reply.

" okay, I'll be there in ten minutes.", he says in a happy tone before ending the call.

Oh Gosh ! He is coming. I throw back the baby blue t-shirt and cream shorts which I had earlier distractedly picked up from the cupboard. I grab a dark blue t-shirt and grey jeans instead and quickly gets dressed up in it. I then stand in front of the mirror and observe myself. My hair is still dripping wet. I quickly take the towel and again starts wiping it whilst tidying up the room a little. Heck ! I hate wiping hair.

By the time I finish piling the books that were lying scattered on the table and arranges my history textbook, a notebook and a black pen in the center of the table, a gentle knock is heard on the door. It must be him. I quickly goes to open the door.