The Nefaliem's Duty (Ordinal Novella, 1) Read Online Free Page B

have no right what so ever to have any form of
feelings for him.
    “He . . . I’m
afraid said yes.” In that moment, the world wasn’t the same. My
heart felt like a dagger had been run through it and my eyes stung.
I glance over at Andrew and see the saddest look in his eye. “I’m
so sorry Kal.” He could tell I wanted to cry but I didn’t. I don’t
want to, not with so many people around.
    “No big deal.”
I manage after some time.
    “But aren’t you
still his partner in chemistry?” he asks.
    I slowly nod,
“Yeah. And I have chem first thing in the morning. After home
group.”
    Andrew places a
hand on my shoulder and I meet his eyes. “He’s an idea. Get him
alone, you can hold him down and I’ll punch.” The idea of that
makes me bubble in laughter but the pain continues to linger. “Why
don’t we head to our spot?” I nod and Andrew leads the way. When we
make it to our spot at the back of the school near the oval, I
begin to think about things. I count the amount of things I have to
do and realise that I have too much as it is. I’m a soldier but I’m
also a teenage girl so why could life be so cruel. That’s when I
notice Bernadette at the opposite end of the oval. She’s looking
down at her phone when I notice she glances from left to right than
back again. Andrew continues to talk about what he would do if Mark
was in the situation that I’m in with John and I realise he’d do
what he’s doing now so I remain silent. Instead, my eyes linger on
Bernadette than rest on a stranger walking towards her.
    It’s a man.
    He hands her
something, speaks to her than takes off. I regard Bernadette and
suck in a mouthful of air the moment I realise her eyes lock on
mine. I can tell without a doubt whatever happened she didn’t want
anyone else to see.
    Our eyes held
each other’s gaze a little longer. In one moment, Bernadette breaks
our gaze and quickly turns her heel and retreats around the corner.
“So you know how it is . . .” I hear Andrew say. I forcibly turn my
attention to my dearest friend, fearing I’d hurt him if I
didn’t.
    “What?”
    “Did you . .
.?” he begins, “You didn’t hear a word I said didn’t you?” The bell
rings loudly overhead as I stand and leave where we sat. Andrew is
quick to follow after me ranting about how my lack of concentration
bothers him. I sigh and apologise. He smiles and forgives me but
demands it doesn’t happen again. I nod and agree.

 
4
Encounter
     
    After homeroom,
I head to my designated class where I often learn and undergo
practical’s for chemistry. Once I head inside, the first person I
notice is John. He’s quick to catch my gaze and I discreetly pull
my attention from him. I could feel him watch me as I ignore him.
Instead, I focus on my teacher who insists on being a bit of a
scatter brain this morning. Everyone in the room can see it.
“Alright class, today we are learning about stoichiometry.” she
says in her old frail voice. I regard Mrs. Luthen as she scribbles
the word ‘stoichiometry’ on the board. “We’ve briefly touched base
with this but at the same time spoke about dynamic equilibrium
which will be explained in your senior years.” As the class
progresses we are split off into our designated groups with our
designated partners and I fight the urge to run away.
    John walks over
to my table with his practical book and mocks, “Ready partner?” I
nod and don’t say anything. I stand feeling his eyes watch me as I
walk over to the benches and begin to set up our experiment. We
conduct our experiment together mostly in silence while I continue
to fight the urge to look at him. “Is everything okay?” he
eventually asks. I force my eyes to blankly regard him. This action
is immediately a mistake as I can’t help but think of
Bernadette.
    “What makes you
think something’s wrong?” I evenly declare.
    John appears
almost uncomfortable and says as he rubs the back of his neck,
“Well you’re always