Chapter 13 - Am I scared of falling in love with her
--JASON--
The week has passed with everyone anxious about the quiz and re-reading Harry Potter books including me as I've promised Anna; though I find it really stupid to read them for a quiz. I know this is going to be tough since everyone must have read those books like 10 times already which makes it even more interesting.
The following Tuesday, three days before the quiz our trigonometry professor James walked into our class and told he has an announcement to make. Since there are 20+ groups participating and it's almost practically impossible to conduct quiz for all of us together, the principal suggested organizing a written exam tomorrow which means we have less than a day to prepare.
Based on the result tomorrow the groups will be narrowed down and a final quiz will be conducted on Friday. How idiotic, I thought though I know there's no choice but I just completed Goblet of Fire for god sake and still have 3 more books to complete.
I thought of asking Anna how many books she completed but decided against it as the image of her panicking crossed my mind.
*******
On Wednesday after school is finished, all the students participating in the quiz were told to come to the school's auditorium. Since there were around 150 seats, a couple of teachers arranged the seating of groups as far as possible from one another. I could feel Anna tense up beside me as we sat at the farthest corner of the room.
After few minutes, when all the participants settled down Ms. Ellie, a professor who never came to any of my classes started explaining the rules and time limit and other sort of things. Apparently we have only 15 minutes to answer 30 questions and there's no negative marking, I don't know if that's a good thing or bad.
After few more minutes, the teachers finally handed an envelope containing the question paper to all of the groups and told us to open only when they say to. Strangely, all that happening around us made me feel like I am attending the freaking annual exam.
The moment we heard 'Begin' we ripped open the envelope and took the question paper out of it. I am sure I could feel stars fluttering above my head seeing those questions. I mean, like seriously.
So, the questions were like this:
1. The driver of the knight bus which Harry gets into when he sees the Grim:
2. Ron Weasley's middle name:
3. Complete the sorting hat song
You might belong in Gryffindor,
where dwell the brave at heart
their daring,________ and _________
4. Ron's favorite Quidditch team:
5. Professor Sprout's protection for the philosopher's stone:
6 . When Harry was given Hungarian Horntail for the first task in Triwizard Tournament, Ceddric Diggory had to face________
The questions went like this and I am sure my eyes must have popped out in shock as I was speechless until I felt Anna nudge my shoulder.
Chuckling to herself, she started answering them as quickly as possible while I was still gaping at her. Occasionally discussing with me she wrote all the answers beside the questions except 2 to 3 which were left out.
She didn't know Ron's favorite Quidditch team which seemed as a surprise to me because I found it the easiest, may be because I read Goblet of Fire just yesterday.
Two minutes before the bell rang we answered all of them though I don't know how many were right. But seeing the smile on Anna's face, I hope we get past the exam and participate in the quiz.
After we completed and the papers were snatched away from us, we were told to wait for fifteen more minutes for the results to be announced.
I turned around to see familiar faces, few happy while many looked confused and still shocked from the questions. Well, what can you expect if you were asked to answer the name of the store that bores the entrance to St.Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries. I really wanted to know who prepared this paper, like seriously who had the time to prepare a paper such as this.
Just as they said, after fifteen minutes they called us gaining our attention and stared reading the groups that were selected. First came a group of 2 guys who I didn't even know comes to our school and then Beth and Cheryl who had stupid smirks on both of their faces as they stood and looked at me and Anna. I didn't like the look that Cherry is giving both of us, like she had something we don't which was wiped off the minute the teacher read Anna and I's names. After reading the names of three more groups, she said all of us would be competing with each other on Friday after lunch.
"I can't believe we got into the quiz" I exclaimed with the biggest smile I could muster.
She chuckled "Me too, though I was almost sure after giving the exam"
"Now, we have to win the competition too. I don't want Cheryl giving me smug looks after the quiz. We have to win at any cost." I said seriously
She seemed thoughtful for a while before replying "You are supposed to be happy for her and she you. Why were you looking at each other like enemies?"
As much as I want to answer her I don't want her to think that she is responsible for my strained relation with Cheryl because she isn't.
"Competition, idiot" I said trying to sound cool.
"Are you hiding something from me?" she said sadly.
"Why would you think that?" I asked slowly.
"Because I can see, you know. I see her glaring at me and she always has a scowl whenever I try to make a conversation with anyone during lunch. I know she hates me"
"If someone doesn't like you, it's their problem not yours because from what I can see the person has to be out of his/her mind to not being able to like you." I said honestly not trying to deny what she said. Of course she would know Cheryl doesn't like her when she's so obvious about it.
She gives me a weak smile "So, why do you think she hates me?"
"Honestly, I don't have any idea. I know you expect an answer being her boyfriend and all, but seriously I never cared asking her. And if there comes a situation when I've to choose one of you, I would always go for you; I mean it."
She smiled before replying "But I will never forgive myself if you choose me instead of her"
"I don't care; she is just my girlfriend. Girlfriends come and go but friends remain forever"
She looked at me in awe, staring into my eyes as if trying to see through my soul when I said "Aren't you late for work? Want me to drop you?"
"Yes please" she smiled sheepishly and I tugged an arm around her shoulder pulling her with me.
*******
Friday came very quickly and I somehow managed to complete the 6th book and started reading 7th before lunch that day. I know Anna is working hard and wanting to help her, even I struggled to read those 2 thick books in just two days. Classes were cancelled that afternoon and all of us are back in the auditorium, this time occupying the dais which had 6 desks with two chairs each, a buzzer on each desk. Gabe and Emily are also present sitting in the seats below us with the other audience and I am happy they're here to cheer for us.
The quiz started and as usual I was bewildered with the questions they asked like what is Nearly Headless Nick's real name which Anna answered as Sir Nicholas de Mimsy-Porpington. I sighed thinking what kind of name is that, mentally cursing J K Rowling for her imagination and thinking capabilities and thanking Anns for remembering it. Cheryl and Beth were good too along with Alex and Nyssa, our chemistry class mates. The other three groups lagged behind while the three of us are fighting neck to neck. I almost whistled when I answered Little Hangleton is the village where Riddle House is located. Anna gave me a reassuring smile after going back to her combat mood.
When only one more question was left, we were five points ahead of the other two groups which were tied. If one of the group answers it correctly, we're screwed since it adds 10 points. And if we give a wrong answer, then we're screwed too since it reduces our score by 5 points which means we'll have to face a tie breaking question. Everyone's breaths hitched in their throats when Ms. Ellie asked the last question "What are Hermione Granger's parents' real names and what did Hermione convince them to be while she sent them away to Australia?"
What? Two questions in a single question?
Anna was looking confused and thoughtful just as others while the audience was looking in anticipation of who might give an answer first and emerge as a winner. If none of us answered, then we will win but the other groups will definitely take an opportunity to at least answer something.
So I buzzed making Anna gasp in shock and just like that everyone's attention turned to me. I know I've taken risk buzzing when I am not sure with the answer but I really wanted to take chance, so I gave a reassuring look to which she smiled as if to say continue.
"Yes Mr. Samuels?" the teacher asked, her eyes furrowed together.
"Err-Wendell and Monica Wilkins. She convinced them to be Wendell and Monica Wilkins" I replied remembering their names from the book I stopped reading just before coming here. She raised an eyebrow as if to telling me to continue answering the rest of the question.
"Umm---Their real names... Well, it's Mr. and Mrs. Granger. I think their first names were never mentioned in the whole series" I replied the last bit trying to sound confident.
The yells and whistles that followed once Ms. Ellie announced us as the winners made me grin like a Cheshire cat. I was smiling looking around the other groups until I felt Anna's arms around my shoulders and she was grinning back at me as she shrieked "We did it Jace.. We did it"
My smile faltered for a second when I realized what she called me but it didn't suppress my happiness as I realized how sweet my name sounded when she said it.
She quickly unwrapped her arms as her face suddenly turned sad "I'm so sorry Jason---"
"Shush!!! Never mind. I like it when you call me Jace." I replied honestly giving her a sly grin.
She smiles appreciatively "So, I can call you Jace?"
"Yes, but only you can."
"Deal" she said grinning at me before hugging me yet again as I placed a kiss on her forehead.
After the noise subsided we went to Gabe and Emily and had sort of a group hug together as the four of us yelled to the top of our voices as if we've won Oscars.
Since Thanksgiving holidays starts from tomorrow we decided to go to the nearby diner and have fun for the evening. Just as we were leaving the auditorium, I found Cheryl glaring at both of us before walking away with Beth and Megan.
Not paying attention to her, I pulled Emily and Anna with me to the parking lot along with Gabe and started for the diner. After reaching the place Gabe and Em went to give the order while I stared at Anna who looked genuinely happy with a heartwarming smile on her face. When she was staring at the counter waiting for Gabe and Em to bring the pizzas we ordered, I couldn't keep my eyes off her and her lips which seemed to be pulling me towards her. One wrong move and I know I am out of her life but I don't know how long I can resist this feeling. Sighing, I tried thinking about soccer, school and even my mom but couldn't, my thoughts always wandering back to her.
Once Gabe and Em came back to our table with four delicious looking pizzas, we started discussing about the stupid questions at the quiz and how mad we must have looked to the people at the auditorium with all the yelling and shouting.
After dropping Anna at the store, we went back to school to get Em and Gabe's cars that were left in the school's parking lot as I made my way back to home.
"Congratulations bro." Elle sang once I entered the house.
Chuckling, I replied "You look cheery tonight and you're early too."
"Yep. What did you win?" she asked with a sparkle in her eyes.
"I don't know. As a matter of fact that thought didn't cross my mind at all. I think they will give the prize after holidays."
"Oh.. Wow.. Holidays..." she said dreamily.
"Isn't that the cause of your over-cheery mood?" I teased.
"Maybe.. But we won't get to meet our friends for more than a week now." She replied sadly, all the enthusiasm gone.
Her words somehow changed my mood instantly when I realized I couldn't see Anna for more than a week. Oh My God. A week. Seven days. No, actually nine days until school starts.216 hours and God knows how many minutes.
Why should there be holidays for a week, instead of a day?
Argh!!! I never had this problem all these years. Why should there be a charity event to be conducted at this time of the year?
Our town has a ritual, actually kind of a habit where all the families cook something - homemade food and sell it in the nearby city before Thanksgiving. The money collected would be donated to different kinds of charity and almost all families participate in it; even mine except that May cooks and sells her food instead of my mom. This has been happening since many years and I remember rejoicing holidays every year.
"What happened Jason?" Elle asked looking concerned.
"Wh-What?" I asked snapping out of my thoughts.
"You spaced out?"
"Oh" I replied and walked to my room not bothering to answer Elle.
With million thoughts running my mind I lied down on the bed thinking of methods and ideas to meet Anna. I am her friend and can meet her at her house, why am I overthinking about such a silly issue? She wouldn't mind right?
Ugh.. Why can't things be easier? Why should I have a girlfriend and why should my life be f**ked up? Why can't I just have her?
Wait, what did I just think? Oh My God. Did I really think that? This isn't a good sign but that is a really good question.
Why am I stopping myself from being with her? Are the reasons that I kept telling myself are good enough to stay away from her?
No, definitely not. She is worth trying and I can't deny myself falling for her. She is unique and perfect for me, in every possible way. The way I felt connected to her the minute I saw her in the store, the way I feel protective about her, the way I feel like kissing her whenever she hugs me; I can't deny the attraction that I have for her. Then, why am I stopping myself?
Oh My God.
Am I--- Am I-- scared of--- falling in love with her?
*******
The next few days I refrained myself from going to Emily's house and god, it was tough. It's been 4 days since holidays started and not even a single minute was spent without thinking about her. There were times when I almost walked to our driveway thinking to go see her but managed to return back to my room. Calling her is out of question since she doesn't even have a mobile. How she is managing without a mobile is something beyond my thinking area.
Finally, that Wednesday I picked up courage and drove to her house only to be disappointed. I was told she was busy working in the store with the next day being Thanksgiving. Not wanting to raise doubts I stayed with Em the whole day until 9 PM waiting for her.
"You should've gone to the store" Lily said with a knowing look on her face.
"I wasn't waiting for her" I replied checking if Em's coming anytime soon from her room.
"Don't try to fool me Jason. You've never stayed five hours at my house in the past few years. I know it's her you wanted to meet." She said calmly.
"Am I that obvious?" I asked feeling stupid.
She smiled "Maybe if you stop looking at the door every two minutes, you wouldn't have been caught. But having said that, I already know you like her very much"
"How?" I asked perplexed.
"That day when she was crying, you looked like you wanted to kill someone; someone who hurt her"
I smiled sheepishly, "Oh.. I didn't know everyone could read me so easily"
"You were always good at hiding your emotions Jason; until Anna came. Trust me, she is the best for you and both of you would make a lovely pair."
"Is it scary?"
"What?"
"Fa-Falling in Love?" I asked tentatively.
"No.. But a heartbreak is.. The only thing we can do is hope for the best. You can't stay away from love scared of a heartbreak because everything makes it worth."
I nodded not knowing what to reply when she continued "I know what you're thinking Jason.. Give it a chance, she deserves it. You can't think of what happened to your dad and stay away from her."
"H--How??" I asked shocked by what she said.
"I was friends with Mark during high school. I know a lot of things about him"
Not wanting to discuss about my dad anymore, I left the house bidding a quick goodbye to Lily and left for my house without going to the store.
However the next day I was determined to see Anna and went to her house by 8 AM in the morning which is definitely a record for me having woken up so early on a holiday.
"Jason---" Anna shrieked giving her biggest grin once she saw me in their living room.
"Someone's happy to see me" I smirked.
"Yeah, very" Smiling, she approached me and smacked the back of my head.
"What was that for?" I groaned.
"For not coming to meet me.. It's been 5 days since I last saw you" she said seriously sending an angry glare towards me.
"Missed me?" I said smirking again which was answered with another smack on my head.
"Oww... I was joking" I said clutching my head.
"Next time don't. Because I really missed you" she said with moist eyes.
I pulled her into a hug and whispered sorry for countless number of times before she pulled away and walked into the kitchen not speaking a word.
"I said I am sorry" I whined.
"No, you aren't. You must've forgotten you have a friend." She snapped angrily.
Ouch. That hurt. Though I wanted to shout she was wrong, I couldn't because I myself don't know the reason why I didn't come to visit her the past few days.
"If you wanted to see me, all you have to do is come to my house.. I am sure you didn't forget the route?" I said sarcastically.
Her face looked like she was hurt as she slowly said "I thought of coming since Monday. But the store was really busy that I had to do overtime every day"
Now that hurt. I feel disgusted about myself. How can I say that to her? I was free, yet stayed at home watching movies and playing XBOX while she worked hard and still thought of meeting me.
"I am sorry Anns. I really am. I didn't mean---"
"Just go Jason" she said before walking away from me and sprinted upstairs while Em was lazily coming downstairs with a confused look.
"What?" I snapped when I found her giving me smug looks.
"Nothing. You both looked like a married couple fighting over nothing"
"Shut up" I snapped at her yet again before sitting on the couch.
"I can help you, if you want" she said thoughtfully.
"How?" I found myself asking though I didn't want to take her help.
"I will tell her you came to see her and waited for her to come home yesterday"
"I didn't come to see her" I said clearing my throat.
"Fine. Whatever" she said giving me 'I-don't-believe-you' look.
"If you want to tell her that you can, you know" I replied.
"Now you are OK with me telling the truth?" she smirked and added, "I will tell her before everyone comes. Clear?"
"Who is coming to your house?"
"Oh. I forgot to tell you, we're having a girls' night out today after thanksgiving dinner. Everyone from our group is coming except Elle. She said she'll be staying at Kyle's"
"What will you do?" I asked curiously.
"That's none of your business" she replied in a serious tone.
That sounded interesting. Now I want to know what they'll be doing. Pretending to be uninterested I replied "Yeah, whatever. Make sure you talk to her"
"Fine" She huffed while I got up and left her making my way to Blaise's house.
Blaise, he is the only one who can help me now. He will have exactly what I want. Blaise's dad owns one of the biggest Electronics Company of our state which he is going to inherit; he is one lucky bastard.
With the electronic devices he had, we found out lots of things about people around us. Like, for instance Hunter who is very calm and rarely talks; he looks really innocent too. So one day we put a secret camera in his room wanting to know what he does at home since we never saw him having girlfriends or interested in other stuff. And guess what we found? We found him watching porn and the expressions he gave while watching it made us roll on the floor laughing.
We did pretty stupid things like that last year but everything stopped when his sister complained their dad about him interfering in her life. I know it was a mistake on our part to stalk her date but he wanted to know how the guy is. So, he put a transmitter in her bag and followed them; she still accuses us for ruining her first kiss which instead of being special to her led to a fight between her brother and boyfriend.
Their dad took all the things he had and warned him not to do that again but Blaise, being the stubborn ass that he was sneaked few equipment secretly without their knowledge. I even doubt sometimes if he has secret cameras all over his house, may be apart from the bedrooms but never dared to ask him.
Once I reached his house, I explained what I am planning to do to which he happily agreed, this guy really loves doing this stuff. We went back to Emily's house and found out she left to the store to buy groceries and drop Anna for work.
We really are lucky to come at the right time; while I was trying to distract Lily by asking stupid questions, Blaise went to Emily's room to fix the necessary equipment. I just hope whatever the girls are planning to do; they do it in Em's room.
After he gave thumbs up I left their house pleading Lily to tell Em to message me once she returns. Not wanting to arise suspicions I messaged Em to ask if she told anything to Anna about me.
I received a reply after an hour or so, Lily must've told I came to their house once she came from groceries shopping.
From: Em
Chill dude. I will, when I get time ;)
I replied a quick thank you while Blaise was still setting up the receiver at my study table. After thanking him, I asked where he put the transmitter.
"In Emily's room, beneath her study table" He replied with a wink.
"It's hidden, right?"
"Yep, not to worry. And this is some advanced stuff, so you'll have to pay me if it's damaged. I can't ask my dad now, you know that right"
"I know" I said raising my hands in surrender.
"We could have put a camera there and watched it from my home, man. Why go through all the hardships"
"That's a girl's room idiot and she is our friend"
"Fine. Be careful"
"Sure. Thanks man" I replied while he left giving me a bro hug and handshake.
I spent the next few hours alone in my room, as usual playing XBOX. I know many families have Thanksgiving dinner tonight but mine is missing, even Elle isn't home.
So, this day is spent like every other day until May called me downstairs and what I saw on the dining table is nothing less than a banquet.
Oh My God. My mouth watered seeing all my favorite dishes, especially May's special Lasagna which alone is enough for my appetite. After savoring a bit of everything, I ended the meal with chocolate mousse cake. Thanking May I marched upstairs ready to listen the fun at Emily's house.
---
Please consider voting if you liked the chap. Thank you for reading
I am sorry if you find more grammar mistakes than usual since I have severe head ache(migraine, I guess) but I wanted to update since it's Shah Rukh Khan's birthday today; the person who is in a way responsible for my passion for reading & writing.
I want to thank every person who likes and support this story. 600 reads and almost 100 votes, thank you so much.
About HP, I hope it's not too much. When we had this quiz, a 100 or so questions were asked and there was this guy who answered 80% of them while the rest of us managed to answer only 20%
I didnt see his face but he surprised all of us answering so many questions that we didnt have the slightest bit idea of.
So, yes!! This chap is dedicated to every Harry Potter fan.
Thank you Arnav_Khushi for your support and encouragement. I love you :) :)
Happy Birthday Shah Rukh. I love you so so much.
A pic of him is attached.
-Janaki
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