Even though the bell had rung, the peace wasn't eternal. After a short break, we were once again back in philosophy. It was only for a little while, but it felt eternal. Had class always been like this?
"Alright, before I conclude the lecture, I will now assign your partner for the project. Rowan and Elizabell. Marcus and Markus. Noah and Nathan. Sandra and Lilly…" The voice thinned out. Until - "And last Elian and Kieran. This will be your groups."
For a second my mind tried to comprehend what he had just said. Me and Elian. No way! Wasn't it bad enough to be stuck with him at school? Now I am outside too? What does fate have against me. I wanted to ask the teacher to reconsider, but he was already gone. I cursed.
Besides me, Elian basically beamed. I was convinced you could see actual stars blinking around him. His smile the same as always. Why is he like this? Its annoying. But as annoying as it may be there was nothing to be done. And my mood only seemed to improve his.
---
How did I end up here? I would like to know the answer myself. It seemed like I could never gain the upper hand. I had no intention of doing the project, so how did he end up convincing me? And why did we need to work here of all places?
These thought filled my mind as Elian welcomed me into his home. It was an apartment located on the second floor. It wasn't big, but not small either. But something that struck me was how clean it was. It was my first time being here, but it was the opposite of my imagination. With Elians careless personality I thought it would be a complete mess. But everything shined as if brand new. Though Elian didn't talk much about himself, I had found out he lived alone, which made it odder.
The apartment was made up of two bedrooms, one bathroom, one kitchen, one living room and one study.
As we entered the living room the first thing that caught my mind was the stacks of paper on the table. And something that looked like files. But before I could get a closer look, Elian blocked my view. Whether intentional or not.
"Sorry for the mess. I had a lot of studies to catch on up since transferring." I couldn't see his expression. But I could imagine it. A smile tugged on his lips, thin and practiced.
"Make yourself at home, I will be back in a bit." He took the documents and quickly left. Leaving me with no room to talk.
Not knowing what to do I went to the kitchen. My throat dry. The kitchen was just like the rest clean and neat. I argued whether or not to open the fridge. He had told me to 'make myself at home' but would it be too much to go through the fridge. Honestly, I didn't know. It had been so long since I had been at someone else's home. Not family nor friends. I didn't really know whether to call Elian a friend or not. Sure, they spend most school hours together but knew barely anything about one another.
I bit my lip, stopping the train of thoughts. I had grown accustomed to my thoughts taking over but now wasn't the time. The fridge opened with a soft thud. The cold air felt welcomed against my hot skin. Inside was neatly stacked cans and glasses. Each seemed to be filled with something he didn't really know what was.
I instinctively reached for something resembling soda. But before I could take it out a hand wrapped around my wrist.
"I wouldn't drink that if I were you" the voice light but determined. And maybe a little bit of amusement could be heard as well.
"I know I told you to make yourself at home, but I didn't think the first thing on your bucket list was to raid my fridge."
I quietly noted not to open another person's fridge ever again. But still wanting something to help with my dried throat I asked. "Why can't I drink it?"
"Well, it is not that you can't I just wouldn't" he simply answered. As if that answered everything. When in reality it didn't answer anything. Noticing the silence he continued.
"Or that is unless you want to be drunk while working." He said chuckling. Why in the world are you laughing?! What's so funny about this?! I could have gotten drunk! And why the hell do you just keep alcohol in your fridge?!
Still smiling, he reached past me grabbing a can, and replacing the one I already had. "This one is safe."
I stared down at the can, then back at his stupidly calm face. How does he act as if this is normal?
I opened my mouth but before anything could come out, he was already heading towards the living room.
"Come on partner, we have a project to work on."