Capítulo 2: Howdy Partner

Alexander

As I walk to my class it seems like I am following the obnoxious pink long hair girl from the elevator named Natalia. She must think I am following her too. I catch her turning to see where I am headed and she gives me a quizzical stare. I look down, of course, pretending not to notice her. Her clothes are too distracting. At least she's wearing leggings underneath that super short skirt. To my surprise, she gets in the exact classroom I am supposed to be in. What are the odds?

As soon as I enter the classroom, the professor approaches me, handing me the class syllabus. I take them from his hand and he asks me to stay a few minutes after class. I search for Natalia and see her looking for a spot to sit down, holding what I assume to be the syllabus the professor just gave to me too.

There must be at least 30 people here. Natalia sees someone she knows and chooses to sit by her. I simply claim the first unoccupied chair I encounter, sit down and look in Natalia's direction again. She shoots me a weird glance and then turns her attention to the syllabus she was given.

The class continues and I notice the hippie looking professor has made everyone introduce themselves... Such a silly habit of some teachers. I guess we are supposed to say our names, our major and something interesting about ourselves, judging from the information the students are providing. I do not care about calling attention to myself, so I find this unnecessary. I don't even know what to say about myself.

Public speaking does not bother me, I just don't like sharing about myself with strangers. I guess it is my turn to say something now. I stand up and say "my name is Alexander Bailey, I am majoring in Mathematics and I plan to continue my studies after obtaining my Bachelor's Degree this year."

The professor smiles at me and asks "Is there something interesting about you you might want to add?" Hmm, I thought I already said it, I mean, most people just want to get their Bachelor's Degree and call it quits. I stand here, freezing, not knowing what to say.

"You might want to say you like telling people what to do", Natalia says from her chair. I quickly turn to face her. She's sitting on the other side of the classroom.

"Excuse me?" I say, annoyed by her interruption and rude comment. Some people think she's funny and laugh. So I say "Oh, yeah? And what is something special about yourself, other than your pink hair and ridiculous fashion? Are you hiking Mount Everest after school? Is your tent inside your huge backpack?"

People seem to be amused by our childish argument, and I admit, this girl is hitting every nerve in me. Somehow, the professor is allowing this... Not only that, he seems to be enjoying it. He has a grin on his face and all eyes are on Natalia and I. Natalia laughs and says "maybe. I'm sure you would like to know, like the obsessive, controlling freak I know you must be."

I take a deep breath and sit down, and finally, the professor puts an end to our heated argument. It is someone else's turn to speak now and I can't even pay attention to whatever they are saying, because all I can hear is my own heartbeat. I am sweating! I can't believe I am this angry for something so stupid!

Everyone has shared about themselves with the class, so now is Natalia's turn, since her side of the classroom went first and she wasn't here yet. She stands up and says "I am Natalia Díaz, a Junior majoring in Communications, and just so everyone knows, especially you", she directs her attention to me, "I carry my work clothes and shoes in my humongous backpack, so I can head straight to work after my classes and change there."

"Something interesting about myself other than my pink long hair and ridiculous outfit, or fashion... I believe that was the word you used?" She places her index finger on her lips. "I am a member of the Slam Poetry Club here." Natalia smiles sarcastically and sits down. I smile too. Honesty, I am no longer angry. For some reason her introduction eased my strong dislike for her.

"Okay, thank you, all", the professor says after everyone had their little moment of shine. He talks about an assignment that is going to be worth 50% of our final grade. "Like I mentioned before", he says, "you must give at least 5 hours of your time to each other per week. I know you have busy lives; studying, some of you have jobs and even family responsibilities... I don't care how you choose to spend that time. You can break up the time however it is easier for you, as long as you get the 5 hours per week. Remember to log the time as soon as you meet and when you end the meeting."

"Also, please, people", the professor continues to talk about the assignment. "I cannot stress this enough, remember to be super honest! You are going to write whatever flows through your mind. You are getting to know that person! If you think that person is a weirdo, write it down. They are just feelings and opinions. The purpose of the assignment is to see the world through someone else's eyes. You would be surprised at the end of the semester, when you read through your journal and see the changes in those pages. You might even change yourself or get to know yourself better."

"Get your partner's information", he adds, "because your assignment starts today. You will turn it in 2 weeks before the semester ends and no one else will read the journals, but myself and you, of course. If you choose to share your journal with your partner after the assignment has been completed and graded, that's up to you."

You have to be kidding me! Is this a joke? What kind of assignment is this? It lasts the whole semester? I don't even have a partner. I guess he already discussed most of the dumb assignment with the classroom when I was trapped in the elevator. I look through the syllabus and cannot believe the unorthodox style of this professor.

I shake my head as I read through the stupid requirements of this assignment.

The class is over now and all the students leave but Natalia and I. She gathers her things, stands up and goes up front to talk to the professor. I give her space so she can talk to him. Maybe she is as confused as I am about the assignment, since she only got half of the briefing, like me.

"Mr. Bailey, please come join us", the professor says to me.

I get my belongings and walk to meet them up front.

"I have asked Miss Díaz earlier, when she came in, if you two knew each other and she said no." He waits for my confirmation. "That's true, aside from the excruciating time we spent together in the elevator I have never seen her before." The professor chuckles and passes his hand through his beard. "Well, buckle up, because you two are about to spend some more excruciating time together. Starting today, you are partners in the assignment."

Did I just hear correctly?

Natalia looks at me with horror written on her face, almost begging for me to say something... Most likely counting on me to complain. I can't deny the amount of satisfaction I feel to see her worked up about our circumstances.

"But, Professor Thompson, please, is it anyway we can choose different partners?" He shakes his head and says "the decision is final. Everyone else has been assigned to someone they don't know. I made sure to ask who knew each other in the beginning of the class, and there were only a few people. I do this before I even bring the subject of the assignment. That way I know how to pair the students."

Natalia sighs and lowers her head. "Okay", she whispers, leaving the classroom in a rush. I am not happy about this crazy match, but there's nothing I can do. I will not dare to debate with the professor to make him change his mind. "You better catch up with her", Professor Thompson says to me, and I leave the classroom in a hurry, chasing after Natalia.

"Hey, wait up", I say to her before she reaches the stairs. "We need to exchange numbers or something." She stops walking and turns to face me. She looks furious, perhaps not with me, but at the fact we are partners. "Fine", she says to me as she pulls her phone out of her backpack and asks for my number. I give it to her and she calls me right away. I reach for my cell phone and answer it with a "Howdy partner!"

Natalia rolls her eyes at me and says "don't forget to save it." I end the call and tell her, "how could I? We are stuck with each other again." She gives me one last look of annoyance and heads for the stairs. I find myself with no other option but to follow the irritating girl down the stairs. After the bad experience with the elevator, I don't want to take my chances with another one today.

Natalia looks back at me when she hears the steps behind her as we walk down the stairs. "You know you don't have to follow me everywhere now, right? Is not part of the requirements of the assignment." I laugh at her attempt to put me down. "Also, stop staring at my butt!"

That last comment kind of bothered me. Was I staring at her butt? Most likely. "Then wear something decent", I say. "Something out of your wardrobe instead of your little sister's. You should consider shopping from the women's department, the kid's section is not for you anymore, despite your level of maturity."

To my surprise, Natalia actually laughs at my attempts to mock her. I expected her to lash out with a meaner reply. "Good one. Perhaps you should take some therapy for what happened in the elevator... You know? Your little episode of O.C.D."

And… there it is, her comeback comment. Ouch, that one hurt, but I won't let her know that. Besides, I do take therapy with my mother, who is a psychiatrist. I have since I was a boy. I have gotten a lot better. I guess the stress of the elevator's malfunction, the anxiety of going to class late on the first day of the semester and the tension between Natalia and I added up to create an episode.

Natalia reaches the end of the stairs. She walks towards the entrance of the building and opens the door. Then, she waits and holds the door for me.

After what she said, I was expecting her to let the door slam on my face. I walk faster to not make her wait longer for me, and when I get to her, I grab the door. She lets it go, gently, and then turns to face me. Natalia seems shy now, or maybe embarrassed.

"That was out of line", she says. "I am sorry. For that and for what I said in the classroom to you, in front of everyone." I stay quiet, staring at her, trying to adjust to her mood's change. I don't know what to say and I can't help but look down after nodding. Natalia senses my discomfort and says, "I guess I'll see you around, Alexander."

I look at her again and she smiles at me. I smile back. "Text me when you're free today. I know you have to work after school", I say, grinning and pointing at her backpack. She chuckles and I do the same. "I don't know, I may be planning to go hiking", Natalia says, putting her hands up. I laugh and she grins.

"Maybe we can meet at that coffee shop later, or tomorrow?" I suggest to her. "Okay", she agrees. "I promise not to spill your drink."

Natalia walks in a different direction and I yell "I will hold you accountable to that promise."

She raises her arm and points at me with one finger, as she yells back "sure, but just in case, don't wear an expensive white formal shirt!"