Isabella’s POV

“Come on, Belle! Let’s go see her”

I wanted to ask her how did she know Sam if she would just stop running and wait for me.

“Sorry. Excuse me. Sorry” She was bumping into students in the hallway. Seriously? Is she really that thrilled?

“Cindy!” I yelled. But she kept on running. She doesn’t even know where she is going.

I walked out of the building and went straight to meet Sam. I have no idea where Cindy went. She can just call me once she realizes I didn’t follow her.

I found Sam on the exact spot where I first saw her. Her knees curled up, her head in between. I can’t help but smile. She’s really weird. Like in an innocent way.

“Why do you always sit like that?” I asked.

She raises her head and looks at me.

Why did I bother asking when I know she’s not much of a talker.

“Come on. Let’s go to class”

She was hiding behind my back. Keeping a distance between us. It’s like she’s using me as protection.

I suddenly stopped. She almost bumps into me.

“Are you a germaphobe?” I can’t help but ask.

“Wha.. what?”

“Do you have a germaphobia? Coz I feel like you don’t like people touching you”

She looked at me for a second.

“Are you?” I asked.

She shook her head no.

I feel my phone vibrating.

Cindy: Wru? I don’t know what class Sam is in.

I slowly walk towards our class while reading Cindy’s text.

“It’s haphephobia” I didn’t really catch what she said.

“What?” I asked.

“I don’t have germaphobia. But I have haphephobia”

It’s my first time hearing that word. I was about to ask her what haphephobia is but Mrs. Montgomery asked us to go inside.

Sam gave Mrs. Montgomery her class schedule. She asked her to look for a vacant seat. I was expecting her to at least let Sam introduce herself to the class but like in Art class, they just let her sit.

I looked at Sam. What is the deal with her? Haphephobia?

I slowly took my cellphone and placed it under the table.

Isabella: 4th n 5th with me

I am about to search what haphephobia is but Mrs. Montgomery started her lecture. What is with this woman? She keeps on interrupting me.

—————————

It was the same thing on our fifth period. Mr. Bilson just let Sam take her sit.

“I want you to do a 100-day diary. Just like from Extracts from Adam’s Diary. Except that you will write about another person. We are going to do this by pair. Each day you will write something about your partner. I already have a list of the pairings. However, I made sure that your partner is not someone you are close with”

I can hear the disappointments of my classmates. As for me, I don’t have a problem with it because I get along with everyone.

“In this way, you can get to know more and spend time with your partner. You will see the development of the relationship. The method of getting to know someone. Seeing them from another viewpoint. And who knows, you might gain a new friend at the end of the project”

Mr. Bilson announced the pairings and asked the partners to sit together. I am still waiting for my name to be called.

“Isabella” he said. I lifted my hand.

“You are all 23 in this class so I’m afraid you will work alone, is that…” he didn’t finish what he was saying.

He sees someone raising a hand in the corner at the back.

“Oh right! I’m so sorry I almost forgot you, Miss Delgado”

I am looking at the back and I see Sam lifting her hand.

“Perfect! Isabella, your partner is Sam”

I was waiting for Sam to stand up and sit beside me. But I guess that’s not gonna happen since she’s not moving in her seat.

I rolled my eyes and sigh. What is the deal with her?

I gave up and sat beside her. Mr. Bilson gave us a small journal to use.

“Is after class okay with you?” I asked.

“With what?” She’s totally confuse.

“Spending time together” I said.

“You can just text me with what do you want me to write”

“But I thought you don’t have a phone”

I looked at her. And saw how she realized what I just said.

“You can text my mom”

I chuckled.

“Your mom is not my partner. And I believe the main purpose of this project is to know more about your partner. So texting is off the table. We need to spend time so we can write together”

She’s still seemed confused.

“Okay Sam, listen to me” My voice is serious and that’s enough to get her attention.

“I know it’s just the second week. And it’s too early to be serious about it. But I need to have high grades this year”

I am feeling the pressure again. I just don’t want to disappoint her like last year. I was the class president. I was on the volleyball team. There were a lot going on so my grades suffered. I didn’t fail any subject. It was just not enough for her.

“Okay” she simply said.

“It doesn’t need to be an everyday thing. We just need to have days where we can talk and spend time together”

“Every other day” she said.

I can barely even get two sentences with this person. It’s always a one-liner answer. Seriously, why is she like this?

We both didn’t hear the bell rang. We just saw our classmates going out of the room.

I stood up and started fixing my things.

“Sam?”

We both glanced at the door.

“Omg! It’s really you!”

Cindy ran towards Sam and hugged her. It was so fast Sam didn’t get to react.

And then I saw Sam’s face. She was not astounded. She was terrified.

“Cindy” I said.

She didn’t hear me.

She pushed Cindy away from her. It wasn’t that strong. It was just enough for her to get away from the hug. She looked at me and Cindy. Before we can say anything she immediately runs out of the room.