ALIN

Finally, the day of submission is tomorrow and I have just returned from Sebian’s house. We have almost finished up; just a few finishing touches are left. Sebian told me he will finish up his part and directly bring them to college tomorrow, so I am sitting here working on mine. I have seen a lot of changes in these few days, some in others, some in myself. After that incident in college, the kids talked but it didn’t bother me much because Sebian was always there with me. He takes me to and from college now that none of his friends accompany him. He attends classes regularly and also sits with me for lunch. People’s looks and talks did not bother me because he being with me gives me the courage to face everyone. I can’t fathom what would have happened to me if he was not with me.

Sebian was supposed to take me to college but because of working late yesterday he ended up sleeping. He called me in the morning to tell me that he will meet me in the college during lunch. I sighed. His laziness is unbeatable you know. On my way to the college I kept on thinking about how to cope up with the situation today when Sebian will not be there with me but then again I think I can manage. It’s been weeks and now everyone must be used to it, right?

I reached at college and without looking at anyone walked directly towards my class. I was astonished at the reaction of everyone. They didn’t give me a glance for more than a minute. No hooting, no teasing, nothing. Everything is back to normal I guess. I sat in the class with a smile. What was I thinking all this time? Of course, people have better things to do than gossiping. Sebian was right; they don’t care who I talk to or what I do. I was a nobody in their eyes and I like it that way.

As the bell rang I hurried to the cafeteria. Sitting there I waited for Sebian. When he didn’t show up for a long time I tried calling him but he wasn’t picking up either. The project was supposed to be submitted today by the end of the college hours and there was still time for that. Maybe he was driving or maybe he is still sleeping. Oh God, this boy! When calling him didn’t work, I just texted him once and got up to leave. My eyes fell on Natalie when I was leaving the cafeteria. Did I just see her snickering at me? But why?

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I stood in front of Mr. Crauser’s office, fidgeting in nervousness. There was only about 15 minutes left for the college to get over ad Sebian was not here yet. Where did he go? I was so scared right now. “Hey Alin” Natalie told as she came out of Mr. Crauser’s office. “Your partner is not here yet?” I didn’t want to talk with her so I turned my face away. “Don’t wait for him darling, he is not coming,” she spoke again. I still didn’t look at her. “Trust me darling, he told me. Want to hear it?” she took out her phone and started pressing some buttons. What was this girl up to?

“You called Natalie?” Sebian’s voice came out. Did she just call him? “Yeah, I did. What was that in college today Sebian?” Natalie’s voice. No, she didn’t call him, this was a recorded call. “What about it?” Sebian spoke again. “Why did you go and talk with that weirdo?” “Natalie, we are paired up for the science project, I needed to talk to her about that, that’s it.” “Oh really? Then you could have just talked to her there, why did you drag her out of the college?” “She was not ready to talk to me there in front of everyone, so I took her out.” “Oh don’t you fool me Sebian. I’ve already asked Ruth about it. she told me that you told her to change partners with Damon, why was that?” “Stop spitting nonsense Natalie. Don’t you understand that I did all of this for you?” “What? For me?” “Yes, for you, didn’t you tell that you wanted the scholarship? Didn’t you tell that she is the only one in your way?” I stood there, listening to all of this. “What are you going to do now?” “What else, I am going to ditch her on the submission day.” The conversation was over. “I am telling you Alin, he is not coming. Don’t waste your time waiting here.” She kept her phone back and with a smile on her face, left.

This was all a lie, right? Natalie was lying to me. Of course, he will come. I know he will or at least I hope he will. Would he really do that? He knows how important this is for me, would he still do that? No, no, he will come, let’s wait a bit more. All these positive thoughts of mine came shattering when I heard the bells ring, indicating that college was over for today. Over, it was all over now.