BESIDE YOU

AJ ROBERTS

I sat beside her that day.

There were a lot of other vacant seats but I chose the one beside her, even though it is at the
backmost and directly facing the aisle and the professor. She didnt look up as I made my way to
her side. She just scrolled through her phone and faced the opposite direction.

Finally, our professor entered.

Sorry, guys, but I have to do something. For now, I want you to watch this documentary. Take
notes and well have a quiz on Friday. He said after setting up the projectors and stuff. He left
quickly after that.

As soon as the prelude was shown, I felt like I was watching a movie with her. Sadly, I am not
technically with her and were not watching a legit movie.

The whole time, she never spoke a word. She smiles infrequently but aside from that, shell just
stiffly sit there and stare at the screen. I purposely rested my elbow on the armrest so that well
be as close as possible.

After an hour of silence and occasional laughs, the movie ended and our professor went back to
our room.

Thats all for today. Quiz on Friday, remember. Ill see you guys around, which is our cue for
dismissal.

I was packing my things up very slowly because I dont want to go yet. Aside from our Asian
Studies class, I have never seen her around the campus, which saddens me so. Im not sure if
shes just taking her time stuffing her things or if shes just too bored to do that. I was about to
stand up when she spoke up.

What was the title of the movie, again? she asked.

Mankind: The Story of All of Us. I said, almost too bored and informative.

Right. Thanks. And with that, she left.

I just gaped as I watched her leave.

Wrong move, Gabe. The professor winked.

What did I do, sir?

Well, you sounded like you dont really give a damn. Apparently, she does not seem to be one
of the girls who like bad boys.

My bad. I said and dumped my head on my armrest.

Here. the professor said, handing me a card. Five minutes.

I took it and realized it was her index card. Index cards are our birth certificate in this class.

Name: Ashley Juliana Grant

Nickname: AJ

Degree: BS Biochemistry

College: College of Science

Contact Information

Present Address: A1-418 Lincoln Residence Hall

Home Address: Downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota

Email Address: ajgrant@dakota.com.mn

Educational Background

Elementary School: Moricultura School of Science

Middle School: Moricultura School of Science

High School: Moricultura School of Science

Thank you so much, sir. I said, giving him back the card, and running off to the void.

Unfortunately, she already was gone. And because I have classes after that, I forced myself not
to think about her, which I miserably failed.

I spent the rest of the day thinking about how I could see her again. I dont know if she hangs
around the Institute of Biochemistry building for the rest of the day or she goes straight to
Lincoln. I dont know how or why but I just found myself walking to the College of Science
Complex.

Gabe! someone called from behind me. It was Paul, my sisters boyfriend.

Hey, Paul. I said as he caught up to me.

What brings the communications researcher to the College of Science? he asked. Im taking up
BS Communications Research, obviously, and I have no reason to go here.

Paul, where did you finish high school? I asked. He was a year older than me.

Moricultura School of Science. He said. I began there and ended there.

My eyes widened as I realized that he was practically with AJ his whole life.

Do you know Ashley Grant? I asked, making sure I dont sound too interested.

Gabe, tell me my name. he said.

Paul?

My full name.

Patrick Lance Grant.

Do I know Ashley Juliana Grant?

Then it hit me.

Is she your sister? I asked with wide eyes.

Yeah. Shes my baby. Your sisters future sister-in-law.

Thats great! Paul can you do me a very big favor? I asked.

And that would be?

I told him my plans. He eagerly agreed because I promised my sister would be there.

Gabe? Paul interrupted as I was contacting my sister.

Yeah?

Do you like my sister?

There they are! Paul said, pointing to a diner along the mall. Shes still in the counter,
ordering.

Go, Paul! my sister, Isabelle, cheered for her boyfriend.

Paul went to greet her sister. Hes supposed to act like hes just going to introduce his girlfriend
to her.
Im nervous. I blurted.

Im more nervous. What is she doesnt like me for her brother?

The question was left unanswered because Paul and the company got back.

AJ, this is Isabelle, my girlfriend. Paul said, introducing her.

Oh. Its nice to finally meet you. My brother never shut up about you. AJ said, shaking my
sisters hand.

Really? By the way, this is my brother Gabe. Isabelle said and patted my back.

Hi. She said to me and turned to my sister and her brother quickly. Isabelle, this is Alexa, my
best friend.

They all shook hands while Im totally ignored. We decided to get ice cream on Cold Stone.

AJ began digging in her peanut butter ice cream when a man came up to our table.

AJ? Alexa? he asked.

The two girls looked up and smiled when they saw the guys face. Alexa just waved happily at
him as AJ stood up.

Paul and Isabelle, this is Josh. She said happily, putting an arm around his shoulders.

Isabelle glanced at me. This Josh must be AJs boyfriend. Ouch.

Josh and a few more guys joined us. The whole time, I didnt speak. Turns out, AJ is a really
loud person when shes with people she knows, and Im not one of them, apparently. I shouldnt
have thought of this in the first place.

I have to go. I blurted, earning a glance from Isabelle. I stood up and left the mall quickly. The
plan didnt work out.

That night, I opened my SNS. I saw that she sent a friend request to me three weeks ago. I
confirmed it but I immediately unfriended her. I dont know but I dont think she wont have any
notifications about me so Im clean.

No. I shouldnt have unfriended her. I like her!

Yes. I shouldve unfriended her. I must also unlike her.

But what if she likes me, too? Then why is she with Josh? Ugh, this is so irritating. Whatever.
I went to school early the next day. I sat beside where she used to seat, praying shed sit there. I
rested my head and pretended to sleep. I heard some shuffling and there she is! There she is
sitting on the seat beside the one next to mine.

She didnt sit beside me. Ouch.

I glanced at her. And I stole a one too many looks at her. On the seventeenth glance, she was
looking at me. She quickly looked away and tried to hide her smile. I MADE HER SMILE!

The class ended and we went on our usually slow routines.

After second class, I went to the third floor for my last subject. On the other end of the hallway, I
saw her with Josh, smiling happily. They both entered room 324 and were out of sight. I
grumblingly entered my class.

As I await the bell to ring, I devised a plan on how to get to talk to her, or at least how to prove if
there something going on between her and that Josh.

On my way out of the building, I saw her and that Josh again. I decided to come near them where
I can hear their conversation.

Why didnt you tell Paul? the man asked.

How am I supposed to do that, Josh? Should I be like Hey, Paul, I like your girlfriends
brother,? AJ said.

So she likes someone wait, what? Pauls girlfriends brother is me. Is it possible that AJ
likes me?

I almost jumped at that but they already left. They didnt even notice I was eavesdropping.

From: Isabelle Clinton

Where are you, brother?

To: Isabelle Clinton

Im at Engineering Building. Why???

From: Isabelle Clinton

Go to College of Science Amphitheater NOW.

I wondered what would be in there but I just do as I was told.

When I arrived at the amphitheater, it was deserted. Is my older sister playing a prank on me?
I heard woos and yeahs from one of the classrooms nearby. I decided to take a peak on whats
happening there.

There are students on the front who seemed to be having a talk show.

Ms. Gold, the host said, talking to the girl wearing everything gold. For you, is Mr. Oxygen
the right one to be the most abundant element on earths crust?

Yes, Ms. Gold said, glancing at the man wearing all white. Mr. Oxygen is very handsome and
having handsome men abundant on earth will make our planet a very happy place to live in.

The class laughed and Mr. Oxygen blushed.

Woah. Next, we have Ms. Calcium, aside from calcium, what are your two favorite elements?
the host asked. I recognized Ms. Calcium as AJ. Shes wearing pearls and a dress as white as
pearl.

Gallium and Beryllium. She said, putting up two flash cards.

GaBe. Gabe. SHE LIKES ME!!!

I waited for her class to end. As soon as she got out of her room, I quickly snatched her bag and
the things on her arm.

What are you doing? she asked.

Why didnt you tell me? We were classmates and we usually sit beside each other. Our siblings
are even together. How can you not tell me? I snorted back.

Tell you what, exactly?

Tell me that you like me.

That made her speechless. Gotcha!

Dont worry, I like you too. Ill drop you by your dorm. I told her. She just stood there, frozen
on the spot.

AJ. I cooed. She wont move.

How did you know? Did Josh tell you?

Nope. You told me.

When? she asked, looking up at me. Finally, a movement from her!

You said Hey, Paul, I like your girlfriends brother. And I believe my sister is Pauls only
girlfriend and I am my sisters only brother. I said, putting an arm around her shoulders and
hauling her to my car. She didnt resist but she looked down. She must be embarrassed or
smiling. That alone made me smile myself.

On our short way to her dorm, we did nothing but argue.

Youre such a hypocrite. How can you accuse me of not telling you when you never told me
yourself? she said.

I always sent signals. I was always looking at you. But you were too insensitive, oblivious and
busy to notice. Its your fault.

Its not. Ive sent signals too, you know. I only smile at you at our class. Whos insensitive,
oblivious and busy now?

I always had to wake up early to be able to look good to you. I dont fix my hair back then and
you dont even notice my efforts.

Says the bastard who unfriended me. she said.

I glanced at her. How could she possibly know about that?

You knew? I asked.

Yeah, thanks for unfriending me, Mr. Clinton.

You didnt even sit beside me this morning. I grumbled.

Oh, sorry, I didnt know I was supposed to sit beside someone who unfriended me.

Is she not going to let go of the unfriending thing?

Wait, how did you know my dorm? she asked, eyeing me suspiciously.

The professor showed me your index card. I admitted.

What? That was for public viewing?

No, it was just me. I just

Were here. she said and I glanced outside to see her dorm.

Well, goodbye. Text me when you get there. I told AJ.

I dont even have your number. She denied.

Oh really? I said then snatched her phone from her. I scrolled through her contacts and saw my
name.

Then who is this?

Gabe Clinton <3