How to be a Gentleman

I went to the cafeteria and saw Laura sitting and eating her meal. I remembered what she said earlier and decided NOT to disturb her.

"Niel! Over here, bro!" Connor called me. I walked over to him and Peter and took a seat.

"So, how's it going with Laura?"

"Not good, bro. All I did was walk over to her and she asked me not to bother her. If she doesn't want me to talk with her, then how'll we make the project?!" I grabbed my hair.

"She'll come around", Connor said.

"Um, this is Laura Wilson we're talking about", Peter said.

"What about it?"

"Dude, you know damn well that she hates Niel".

"Nope, she absolutely despises him".

"Exactly. So, how the fuck will she come around, dumbass?!"

"Language", I hit him on the head.

"Ow! I'm on your side here!"

"You think she'll cause trouble?" Connor asked.

"Probably. Probably not".

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Whatever it means, dude".

"What the f-!

No, no! I wasn't gonna swear!" Connor panicked after he saw me death glaring at him. Connor started digging in the food in front of him.

"Ha... I hope she'll interact with me more.."

"She will have to", Connor said with his mouth full.

"But-!"

"Peter, come on\~ don't be so skeptical all the time. She'll come around. She'll have to, at least for the project".

I turned towards Laura's direction, who was scrolling through her phone and eating her food.

I sat straight, prayed and started eating my meal. Peter and Connor kept arguing. Soon, the bell rang and we walked together to our class. I saw Laura walk opposite to us.

'Crap!!'

I slowed my pace and walked behind Peter and Connor to avoid eye contact with her.

I sat in my seat with Connor and Peter sat in his. I looked at Laura's direction who was taking her book out. Connor leaned towards me.

"You should go talk to her".

"What?! No. She'll just get annoyed at me!"

"Don't you want to complete the project?"

"....yes?"

"Then, go!" I stood up and prepared myself to walk over to Laura. But, just thinking about it made my stomach twirl like a roller coaster.

I quickly sat down.

"What is it?"

"What if she yells at me?"

"Oh my god", Connor held his head.

"For god's sake, you're over thinking again. Just go!"

"Nooooo!!!"

"Fine! If you don't wanna talk with her, then I can't do anything", Connor said.

I stared at Connor and then at my desk.

'How am I gonna approach her? What if I approach her, she'll lash out on me in front of everyone? That'll be embarrassing..'

The entire day, I tried to approach her but of course, I couldn't. At the end of the day, me and my friends went to the lockers to take our stuff. I opened my locker and was welcomed by a ton of letters.

"Damn, boy. Why do you always get these many love letters?" Connor nudged me. I kneeled to pick up the letters that fell when I opened the locker.

"Why don't you just throw them away, Niel? The trash can's right there", Peter said, pointing to the trash can 3 lockers away.

"If someone sees me throw these in the trash, everyone will talk shit about me..", I said as I took out all the letters and stuffed them in my bag.

As I did, one letter caught my eye. It wasn't enveloped and it seemed like it was a torn piece of paper. I took it out and immediately recognised the name on it.

"What's that?" Connor said, snatching it from my hands. Peter looked over Connor's shoulder who was reading it out loud.

" "(XXX) XXX-7349

Call me as soon as you see this. We need to discuss the project.

-Laura Wilson"

Oooooo\~ She gave you her phone number! I told you she'll come around!" Connor said, slapping my back.

"Yeah, for the project".

"Uh huh\~ For the project. Of course, of course", Connor smirked.

"Connor, no".

"What? I bet you'll be dating her soon enough. I just know it".

"Her? No! She doesn't even like me!!"

"Trust me bro, the male lead always ends up with the girl who doesn’t like him. I've watched lots of movies and dramas".

"Ugh", Peter made a displeased sound.

"Connor, this is neither a drama nor a movie, this is real life".

"Whatever\~" Connor said in the most sassiest way possible.

I snatched the piece of paper from Connor's hands and stared at it.

"I should go now, guys. See ya tomorrow", I said, stuffing the paper in my pocket.

"What? I thought we could go to the arcade today!" Connor yelled.

"Nope, sorry. Got a project to do. See ya!" I said and ran away from there.

I went home as soon as possible.

"Is mom not home..? I should call her.." I took out my phone and dialled her number.

"Mom, where are you?" I asked her on the phone as I made my way to the fridge.

"Sorry, hun. I'm on my way to the hospital to get Norman treated".

"Huh? What happened to brother?" I opened the fridge, looking for something to eat.

"Oh, nothing. Your brother fell down the stairs and broke his knee. But, he's alright".

"HE BROKE HIS KNEE?!"

"Mom, give me that phone.

Niel, I scraped my knee. Didn't break it. Mom's exaggerating", brother said.

"So, you're alright?" I asked him as I closed the fridge.

"Yes, I'm alright".

"Does it hurt..?"

"I mean, it does sting. But, it doesn't hurt or anything. Your big bro's strong, remember?" He laughs.

"How did you fall down the fricking stairs?"

"A certain someone dropped their glass bottle of paint on the 'fricking stairs'".

".....oops".

"We'll be home soon enough. Go freshen up and eat something, I guess".

"Alright, come home soon. On your way, can you get me some chocolate?".

"Sure", I hung up.

I was done showering and was sitting on the edge of my bed with my phone in hand.

I stared at the phone number for a while and then started dialling it on the phone.

".....

Crap! It's ringing!!" I moved my right leg up and down in nervousness.

"..Hello?" I heard a voice say over the phone. Without thinking, I quickly stood up.

"Uh! Um, L-Laura Wilson? It's me, Nathaniel Roberts. I saw your little note.." I scratched the back of my neck.

"Oh, this is Laura's mom speaking".

"O-Oh, good evening, Mrs. Wilson".

"Are you a friend of Laura's? She didn't tell me she had a male friend".

"We're merely classmates, Mrs. Wilson. I'm her assigned partner for our Chemistry project".

"I see-"

"Mom! How many times do I have to tell you?! Don't just pick up my calls without telling me!" I hear another voice.

"Ugh, who's this?".

"Um, Laura?"

"Nathaniel?"

"...yeah?"

"I asked you to fucking call me as soon as you saw the note".

"Sorry".

"Whatever. When should we start?"

"The project? If you're free now, we can start right away".

"Alright then, give me your address".

"A-Add..ress..?"

"Yes, are you deaf or something? Give me your fucking address so that I can come over".

"...Can't we do it somewhere else?"

"I don't wanna. Are you gonna tell me or not?!"

"U-UM!! It's No.09, XXX Avenue.."

"Nice, give me one moment.

MOM! I'M GOING OVER TO MY CLASSMATE'S HOUSE FOR THE PROJECT!!"

"Will you come back?" I heard her mom's faint voice.

"NO! IMA FUCKING RUNAWAY WITH HIM!!"

"Good luck with that!" Her mom said.

"Um.. Should I stay on the line or-", I get cut off by my phone's ringing.

"...She hung up on me", I looked at the screen, almost tearing up.

"So mean. When will she be here?-" I get cut off again by my doorbell.

' Mom and brother!'

"Coming!!" I ran towards the door. I quickly opened the door to see a familiar figure in front of my doorway.

"Laura?! How'd you get here so fast?!" She pointed towards a house that wasn't very far.

"That's literally my house".

"I didn't know we were on the same street!"

"Me neither.

Are you gonna let me in or am I gonna stand here all night?"

"Ah! Yes, sorry. Come in!" I made way for Laura, who immediately walked in. I closed the door behind her.

"Nice house", she said as she took off her shoes.

"Yeah, thank you", I stood there awkwardly.

"Where's your room?"

"M-My room?"

"Where else are we gonna discuss the project?"

"Let's just sit on the couch over there..", I said pointing at our sofa set.

"You're a man, aren't you? Why're you so nervous around me?" She said as she sat on the couch.

"Um, can I tell you?"

"Shoot".

"It's just that you're always grumpy and cold towards others. So.." I scratched my head.

"I see. Why're you standing? Sit", she patted the empty seat next to her.

I sat on the couch leaving lots of space between us.

I mean lots.

"Why're you sitting over there?"

"You probably wouldn't feel comfortable with me sitting next to you".

"Hm, I see you're a gentleman in your own way. Come sit next to me, I won't kill you".

I stared at her for a while and then reluctantly scooted over. I sat next to her. She looked at me as I kept a couch pillow between us. She smirked.

"I see why girls really like you".

"Huh?"

"You always keep to yourself, very quiet and mind your own business. You also make sure to think about others".

"Oh, um.. I guess", I smiled awkwardly.

"Pfft! Let's just start, shall we?"

We spent the next few hours, planning on how to separate the project work for the both of us. Afterwards, I decided to make her some snacks.

I actually thought she would leave very soon but, she stayed and chatted with me. Then, the worst thing happened.

The doorbell rang.

"Crap!" I yelled.

"The fuck? It's just the doorbell", she said, munching on the chips I made her.

"Mom and brother are home!"

"So? Open the door".

"You don't get it, my mom and brother are home! If they find out I let a girl inside while they were away, they'll think I'm dating!"

"......

What about it?"

"Huh? You're not worried?"

"No..? Why, is your family against dating or something?"

"No. But, if they see us together, they'll tell everyone that we’re dating!!

Go hide!" I shooed her. But, she just sat there eating her chips, completely ignoring me.

The doorbell rang again. This time, my brother banged on the door.

"Niel! For god's sake, open the door!"

"Uh, coming!!", my voice cracks.

I grabbed Laura by the arm and pulled her away.

"Hey! My chips!!"

I made her stand next to the main door and I quickly opened it.

"Hey, mom. Hey, bro. Took you long enough", I said opening the door wide which now hid Laura.

"What in the world took you so long?"

"I- Um.. Sorry", I couldn't think of any excuse to give them.

"Yeah, whatever. Move aside, my knee's starting to itch", brother and mom walk inside. As soon as they walked in, I immediately grabbed Laura from behind the door and pushed her out the house.

"I'm sorry, Laura. We'll meet in class".

"Wait, Natha-", I cut her off as I slammed the door shut.

"Hey! Don't slam the door!" Brother yelled.

"Sorry!"

"Be careful as you sit, Norman. It might hurt", mom said as she took off her heels.

"I'm fine, mom. Seriously, it's just a scrape, for god's sake. It won't kill me or anything.

Although, it's itching really bad", brother said as he plopped on the couch and scratched his bandaged knee.

"Careful. Don't scratch it too much, dear".

"Oh my god, I'm alright. Stop worrying. You'll only make Niel worry even more", he said annoyed.

"Uh, yeah..", I said awkwardly.

"Hm, why're there chips here?" He said, taking one and eating it.

"Were you hungry, dear?" My mom asked me.

"Uh, yeah. Sorta", I walked away from the door.

"I'll make dinner then. You're father will be here soon anyway", mom said and made her way towards the kitchen.

"Norman, take off your damn shoes!"

"Alright!" Brother said and got up.

"Oh, by the way, I got your chocolate", he said as he took out two bars of chocolates from his pocket and threw them at me.

"You're giving me one", he said and left to take off his shoes and socks.

"Ha..", I sighed in relief.

I rested my back on the couch and looked up at the ceiling.

' Thank god..' I closed my eyes and smiled to myself.

"Nathaniel?", brother called my name.

"Yeah?" I asked, my eyes still closed.

"Who's shoes are these?" He asked.

"Hm?" I hummed in question.

"They look like a girl's shoes", He said.

My eyes opened wide like plates. I quickly sat up.

There was a knock on the door.

"Nathaniel! Open the fucking door! I'm not even wearing my damn shoes!!"

"Who the hell's that?" Brother looked at the door.

".....shit".

"Who's outside the door, Norman?" Mom yelled from the kitchen.

"I don't know mom but, I'm about to find out", brother said as he held the door knob.

"WAIT, BROTHER!" I ran as fast as lightening.

I quickly stood between brother and the door, with my hands and legs spread.

"Don't".

"What the hell? Move".

"Brother, you have to listen to me-", Laura knocked on the door aggressively from the other side.

"ROBERTS! OPEN THE FUCKING DOOR RIGHT NOW!!"

"Niel, move", brother tried to reach for the doorknob but I blocked him again.

"Brother, don't open the door".

"Why not?"

"U-Um! I-It's... Just- Won't you listen to your younger brother?!"

"No. Now, move".

"No!"

"You little-!" Brother pushed me away and I fell to the ground. I immediately stood up.

But, before I could do anything, brother opened the door.

"NOOOOOOO!!!!!" I screamed and squatted on the floor. I pulled on my hair, looking down at the ground.

The door revealed an angry Laura.

"YOU FUCKING ASSHOLE! I'M NOT EVEN WEARING MY FUCKING SHOES AND YOU DECIDED TO JUST PUSH ME OUTTA THE FUCKING HOUSE!! CAN'T YOU FUCKING DO ANYTHING RIGHT, YOU FUCKING IDIOT?!?" She yelled at me who was still on the floor, regretting my life's decisions.

".....Uh.." My brother malfunctioned.

"Oh, hello. You must be Nathaniel's brother".

"Oh, yes. That's me".

"Nice to meet you", Laura greeted him with a warm smile.

"Uh.. The same to you..?"

"Can I come in?"

"Sure, I guess?"

"Norman! Who's at the door?" Mom yelled as she walked towards us.

I immediately looked at the direction of her voice. I could hear lightening inside my head.

"Oh? Who's this, Norman?"

"I'd have to ask the same thing", he slowly turned towards me.

"Little bro?" I immediately stood on my feet.