38) I'm Still Working on My Communication Skills

Used scrunched up tissues surround my desk.

The dark room can't hide the tears on half the classes face. Sadly the surround sound can't cover up the sound of constant wailing either.

"Just kiss her already!" the girl behind me yells at the projected screen. Should I tell her that they can't actually hear her?

"Don't let go Jack," another voice calls out. If they're going to banter with the movie could they at least get the movie right?

Groaning I close my eyes and rest my head in arms which is protecting me from the disease infected desk. Please let this be over soon.

A loud synchronised honk comes from around the room. There they go blowing their noses again, I wait for their attempts to throw them in the bin but instead just hit me.

Apparently, there are very few who are able to resist Ryan Gosling's charm. This includes my English teacher who stormed into class today with an aim to make herself feel better after a date that I'm guessing didn't go very well.

I watch as Charlie walks over to our teacher with caution.
"Miss," he taps her on the shoulder lightly but doesn't get her attention. He attempts to push her a little harder but all this does is make her shoo his hand away like it's a fly. Whimpering, he throws his head back in exhaustion. This is great entertainment but I do feel his pain. Trying to get the teacher attention is already hard enough without a movie playing now throw in some good old overly romanticised Hollywood actor and there could be an apocalypse and she wouldn't notice.

I yell "FIRE!" But nobody reacts. Well, it's good to know if there was an emergency we would all still be here watching a movie while the school burned down.

"Ryan Gosling Sucks."

Silence.

That may have been a bad decision on my behalf.

In a split second the movie is paused, the lights are turned and Mrs Beehag is standing over my desk.

"Mackenzie, what did I say about talking during the movie?" She leans forward to stare me down.

"You said that I should keep my mouth shut and enjoy the cinematic genius of The Notebook. I also remember you saying something about nobody disturbing you unless it was an emergency."

"Yes, does there seem to be a problem with my requests Miss StClair?"

"Oh no, nothing's wrong, I just thought it would be appropriate to get your attention as one of your students is in desperate need of the facilities that lie outside of this classroom."

"Pardon?" The entire classes' eyes are on me, ready for her to pounce and blow up the entire room in flames.

And where is Charlie in my time of need? He is standing in the same position as I left him but now he is jogging on the spot.

I motion towards my friend who is to distracted by his own problems to notice the whole class watching him. "He will pee on the floor if you don't let him leave this instant."

"What?" He turns his head in our direction in confusion after hearing his name.

"Just leave. Flee this place. Relieve yourself from the misery you're in. Release your bladder," according to all the disgusted faces I've gone too far "too much information?"

Charlie awkwardly shuffles out without another word.

Clapping her hands together the teacher gains the attention of the class that is now noisy and disrupted, "As we've got that nonsense out of the way and I don't think starting the movie again is appropriate so I want you to write an essay. It will be on the struggles of love while referring to The Notebook and your real life experiences. And remember it's your opinion so there is no wrong answer."

That's one of the biggest lies a teacher can tell, your opinion is always right as long as it is within the guidelines.

Everybody puts their heads down and gets to work, not wanting to get on her bad side but I'm not motivated to start. There is no way I'm writing about my love life or The Notebook, some things are best unanalysed.

"Miss."

"Yes, Mackenzie," She reluctantly lifts her eyes from her romance novel to glare at me.

"What's the use of this exercise? How is this going to help me in my future endeavours?"

"We're exploring the different types of romances and the effect it has on the pair as individuals and as a couple I want you to ask yourself questions like what is the definition of Love? How do we display our love to others? Why would he chase her into the rain?"

"A romantic gesture," someone suggests, you can practically see the cartoon hearts in her eyes.

"Because he loves her and wants to show that he will always chase after her no matter what," another calls out.

Maybe I should give some input "He's an idiot who obviously wants to catch a cold. Who goes outside in the rain without an umbrella? Now both of them will become sick and be bed bound for a week."

Silence again.

Wow I'm really leaving everybody speechless today, aren't I?

Mrs Beehag stands up abruptly. "Just because you don't have a love life doesn't mean that you have to put a damper on everybody else's day. It's not always about you, okay."

I nod silently and focus on the blank pages in front of me. This would be a great time for Charlie to come back. Playing hangman by yourself doesn't work very well.

Thankfully the bell rings just in time to stop me from playing a one-sided game of noughts and crosses.

Quickly packing my bag, I go to leave when I am summoned to the teacher's desk "Mackenzie, can we have a word? I want to give you a small assignment."

I hold back the urge to groan dramatically "But we're going on holidays in a couple of days, you shouldn't be able to give me work on break. I've technically done all the required assessments for the year so I shouldn't have to complete unnecessary work."

"No this is more a personal assignment rather than educational. You might even benefit from it. I want you to write a list," She says this like I understand exactly what she's talking about.

"I can write many types of lists: why I don't want to be here, People who I don't like which is fairly long, my favourite foods which is also a very long list. I can keep listing lists if you really want me to."

"I want you to make a list of traits that your boyfriend possesses."

Blinking a couple times I repeat what she said over in my head. I think my teacher has become delusional. Boyfriend? What universe is she living in?

"Ah Miss, I think you made it clear before that my love life is non-existent, which it is."

"I mean; I want you to write what he would be like, what you want from a relationship, who you want them to be. I can tell you're going through some conflicts at the moment and I think this may clear a few things up. And don't try to deny it; I hear all the rumours that go around the school. I know what happened in the library," she gives me the look that says she knows something I don't.

It's never a good sign when the English teacher knows more about your life than you.

"You do?"

"Yes. I know about the fire in the library. What were you thinking of?" She pushes down her glasses and looks at me curiously.

I run out of the room before she can ask any more questions.

***

"What you got there?" Zoe looks over towards me while we're driving home "it looks you're reading somebody's last wishes before they die."

"It's a list" I mumble more to myself than her.

So I may have decided to write a list. I only did this because I was bored out of my mind in my free period. It started out as something fun and trivial to pass the time but as I kept writing I started to feel strange, like a weight was being lifted off my shoulders. This led to me writing a letter that actually talked about feelings. Who knew a human could contain so many emotions.

I'm not great with words or expressing feelings in a normal human way. Whenever I need to talk about something serious my mouth either has no clue what its saying or the connection from my brain to my mouth isn't working so I end up talking gibberish. It never works out well for me. So I thought jotting down all my thoughts and feelings on a piece of paper would be easier.

Let's just say I used up a lot of paper.

As I wrote and read over my list it started to dawn on me that finding someone like this is impossible and that it would only lead me to disappointment.

Without thinking I get a pen out of my bag and scribble 'IMPERFECT ' underneath the list.
I fold it up and put it in a safe pocket in my bag.

"Of..." She tries to get me to expand more on the piece of paper.

"Of things that don't concern you."

"You're being very vague and unhelpful."

"I thought being vague, mysterious and distant was attractive."

She gives me a pointed look saying 'please don't try to find someone like that. You will most definitely die.'

I change the subject quickly "Can you drop me off at Charlie's house?"

"Why? Are you going to try and break in again? Just make sure that there isn't someone already robbing the house or keys are actually super hidden. I wouldn't want you getting in the easy way."

I roll my eyes. How did I get stuck with such a supportive best friend? "Oh, hardy ha-ha. Aren't you just a hilariously funny person?"

She tosses her hair to the side with a flick "I have my days."

"All you need to know is that I'm dropping off something."

"A love letter maybe?" She teases.

I cringe "Opposite to that. It's more of an 'I love you and all but you will always be like a brother to me no matter how many times you kiss me."

"Oh, he's going to love that."

"Your sarcasm is not appreciated," this is not making me feel any better.

"You'll be fine honey, just rip it off like a Band-Aid. Quick and painless." She gives me an encouraging smile that doesn't help me one bit.

"Band-Aids hurt when you take them off, especially when it's sticky and it gets stuck to the blood a-"

We stop abruptly in front of his house, "Okay we're here. I love you. I believe in you. Don't break his heart too much because he owes me a chicken burger which I want to redeem tomorrow."

She leans over and extends her arm. I take that as a cue to hug her but instead, I hear a clicking noise and turn to see Zoe reaching over me and opening the door.
"Have fun," she says as she shoves me out of the car and drives away.

Taking a deep breath I approach the house and knock softly on the door hoping that nobody is home.

Before I can turn away a voice yells from the other side.
"Enter at your own risk."

This was such a bad idea.

I slowly open the door to find Corey and her best friend sitting on the couch wearing matching while snuggies watching 'Elf'.

Aww, they're so cute.

Corey turns her head at the sound of my footsteps. "Hey Mace, what's up?" I love how friendly and swee-

"It's you," her best friend points an accusing finger at me like I did something wrong. Well technically I did tackle, duct tape and leave him with very minor injuries but that was a while ago.

"In the Flesh" I twirl just for show.

He stands up making the bowl of popcorn spill over the couch.

"James! You just wasted a perfectly good bowl of popcorn, why would you do such a terrible thing?" She hits him playfully on the shoulder.

"Look who's talking. Half the bowl is in your lap because you keep missing your mouth."

I watch the pair pick up all the rubbish, Polaroids, blankets and pillows that surround them "Why aren't you at school?" I ask suspiciously.

They look at each other and have a silent conversation "Sick cough cough" Corey leans into the blanket and does a very unconvincing cough.

I roll my eyes "And what about you twiddle dumb, let me guess you're sick as well?"

His fake cough is almost as bad as hers.

"That's what I thought. You two happened to randomly catch a cold the last week of school together?"

"It's a tragedy" they say together.

"It's kind of funny house you guys caught the same bug at the same time. How exactly did that happen?" I raise both eyebrows because raising one takes to much effort.

"We shared a plate of nachos," they say together again not missing a beat. They're a whole different level of best friend.

I nod knowing I won't be getting anything else out of them about becoming sick over sharing food. Why would you even share food? You can't like someone that much.

Next question "Where's your brother?"

"No idea," Corey shrugs.

James responds to my question instead, "He went for a run but he should be back soon though."

"I like it how your best friend knows where your brother is. Sometimes I wonder how I am friends with someone that willingly does physical activity? It's such a mystery," I stare at the odd couple on the couch.

"How exactly did you guys meet?" I ask curiously.

A smile instantly lights up Corey's face "Oh we met at the M-"

"It was at the 8th chime of the old town clock when we met." James jumps onto the couch and throws his hands in the air like he's trying to summon rain "the town was trying to find a little glimmer after the flood had washed away almost all the homes."

Charlie walks in through the door wiping sweat off his forehead "What's happening in- Oh is James going on about how you guys met again?"

Corey nods with her head still buried in her hands while her friend goes on about, manatees?

"Desert or old 1800's London?" Charlie asks. I'm definitely missing a link here.

"Flood," She shakes her head mutter to herself. I'm guessing this happens a lot "Don't worry I'll calm him down," she stands up and motions towards the kitchen "who wants fudge?"

James immediately stops his rambling at the word fudge. His eyes light up in excitement and almost falls over while trying to step off the couch in pursuit for fudge.

"They know there is a thin line between being best friends and practically being in a relationship right?"

"Yeah, they're way past that point. I think they may have invented a new type of best friend level" he says.

Our smiles falter when we catch each other's gaze. Well this isn't awkward.

I quickly reach into my bag and pull out the note that feels heavy in my head. "I wrote this for you because I know if I try to say it all out loud it will come out the wrong way and end up in a big mess which I don't want. I really don't want to lose you, you're my best friend and-"

Charlie looks down at my hand and takes the piece of paper carefully. "How about I just read this."

His eyes skim over the note quickly and he pauses for a second to look from me to the paper and back.

"What is this?" His forehead creases.

I let go of my lip that I've bit into "It's a letter."

"No it's a list. See:
14) eyes that look into my soul
15) buys me food
16) lets me borrow his jacket knowing that he will most likely never get it back"

My face turns a darker shade of pink "Oh wrong piece of paper" I take the list and pull out his letter (I double check this time) "that was just some weird exercise Miss wanted me to do for English."

"It's not just a list," he gives me a serious look which is something that doesn't happen very often.

"It's just a silly piece of paper, it means nothing," I try to laugh it off but it comes out sounding like a seal having an asthma attack.

He put a hand on my shoulder "I know you Mace. Have you tried reading between the lines yet?"

This time my laugh is slightly more normal, "I've never been able to do that my entire life. I'm oblivious to everything. It's so much easier when people just tell you what they mean."

Charlie's lips move up into a small smile. The smile holds sadness "Just look at the list a bit closer, that's all I'm saying," he tucks a strand of loose hair behind my ear but it doesn't like staying in place so it's falls in my eye again.

"I think you should go, somebody's probably wondering where you are."

Without another word, he ushers me out of the house.

"I'll see you soon Mackenzie," with that he shuts the door.

Why is everybody so cryptic?

Cupcake Theory #38
Lines are very important.
Apparently you can sometimes even read between them

:):):)

Hey there person that is super awesome!
How are you on this day/night?

Well I can tell you that I am EXCITED!!!

Why? You may ask.

Well The Cupcake Theory has maximum 10 chapters left *sighs and awwwws all round*
Well we'll just see how we go anyway there will be a spin-off about the lovely pair that appeared in this chapter.

COREY AND JAMES HAVE A BOOK!! It will come out when TCT finishes.

You have no idea how excited I am!!!!

Three things that happened this week:
-I ate too much food at Christmas
- went Boxing Day shopping and only came back with books
-went to the beach and didn't get burnt (which is a miracle)

What are your new year's resolutions?

I think I might learn to ride a motorbike.
Let's be realistic, I'll probably kill myself on that

Wishing you a Happy New Year.
I'm so happy we could spend this year together

Theforgottonone