He was persistent in his need to discover what caught his attention. Mostly he was ready to bring down the self esteem of his docile prey with a neat string of witty remarks. Looking at Toby I knew he was in deep concentration. I didn't understand why.
Nothing in particular stood out to me in the great landmine of plants. Of course, it would have gone by quicker if I knew what to look for.
Among the rows of plantation I noticed two chatty girls standing the next spot over. They were good looking and had unique features that set them apart
. But it was the blonde that caught my eye. For some reason there was something about her that I just couldn't let go. She had a glow of intensity that I never felt with someone else before.
Maybe it was the bronzer that enhanced the effect her smile brought out. It didn't matter because in the long scheme of things, and it pained me to admit it, she would have every chance at success in the real world. With shiny blonde hair and rosy pink cheeks she was the kind of girl any variety of the opposite gender species like Toby would spend
more time with.In fitted clothes both girls stand close together until the brunet looks my way, giggling.
It upset me how those girls didn't have to worry about stuff like a decent grade point average. So while they continue
to spit jokes at my 'surefire expense' I would do my very best to study using a repetitive method which I found the most useful.Their failed attempt to humiliate me didn't hold up. Sure, I was angry. But for a different reason. I put both clenched hands around the lining of my pocket and try not to let them see my reaction. To distract myself I watch Toby for some kind of general response. Like always, I was not surprised by his utterly clueless demeanor.
Oblivious that both of us were being laughed at by the very same girls Toby crosses paths with, he goes back in the direction we came from without bothering to stop. His sudden change of behavior made no sense, but I followed him anyway because I figured two heads were better than one. Plus, I wanted to get away from those girls.
Toby searches the room with stubborn persistence. "No." he mutters obsessively. "The precious metals wouldn't be anywhere near the Kingdom Plantae."
It didn't matter if I said how strange he was acting. He wouldn't listen to me.
Still, I keep my eye on Toby until he did something that made sense.
"They would be somewhere in the front." He confides out loud.
Since not everyone had the same list as we did other groups were already done. I was conscious of the fact that if anyone else were assigned as my partner I would have long since finished homework
that I was currently in possession of.I finally had my supplies and I was eager to put them to good use. Toby kept his word about me being able to sift through my suitcase before happening upon the professors door. I was glad to report I found everything how I left it.
I heard nasty rumors about petty theft in private schools and I was happy to escape such horrific experience for time being. The professor didn't utter one word my way once I finally arrived to her lecture with my backpack in tow.
If I had to guess I would say class ran under two hours each. That knowledge didn't make time go by any faster. I contributed a high steep in levels of stress were because of Toby and his lack of personal courtesy in regards to other people.
Totally unaffected by the amount of scrutiny we caused Toby walks over to a low shelf that was created to fit along the side of a wooden tool shed that held glass bottles varying in shape and size that were filled with elements found in the Periodic Table.
I was fully aware of how ridiculous we seemed. Two distinct outcasts aimlessly wandering about for everyone to shamelessly bear witness to. I didn't lock eyes with them in fear of witnessing the emotion I knew our little stunt created.
Before I could demand he tell me what's going on Toby grabs a small tube and lifts it up in the air to hang directly above his head all the while aiming it under the UV bulb that was attached on the ceiling as he tilts it on angle until radiant specks of light shine down. I was amazed by its shape. It was a small nugget barely the size of my pinkie ring finger.
"Argentum." he confirms
to my suspicion."Otherwise known as silver." I mumble in awe.
The last bottle he picks out among others has some kind of powder substance filled one-third of the way. I didn't recognize the element but I had a felling Toby did.
"Rhodium powder." Toby reveals. "A rare chemical found in the Platinum group." He marks off the
final item.
Fuming silently I watch him scribble my name in his perfect eligible hand writing. When Mr. Baryo saw the paper he would see one person did the assignment.
"There. All done." Toby says with a content smirk on his stupid face.
I cross my arms. "I could have done that for myself, you know." I say narrowing my eyes.
Toby laughs. "In your chicken scratch? I don't think so." he walks in front of Mr. Baryo and hands in our project.
I resentfully march back over to the desk we shared.
I didn't know what, but there was something about him that got under my skin. He was the most arrogant, impolite, insulting person that I ever met. And, unfortunately, I was stuck with him till further notice.
Toby walks around the desk and sits in his chair.
I purposefully move away from him and diligently wait until the bell rang. Mostly I was doodling obscure drawings in my notebook. It was meant to record impressions of definite evidence which I found pertinent to a lesson. Whatever the reason I couldn't focus on actual homework. Not to my convenience it was due first thing next morning. So for time being it went untouched in my folder until later when I finally stopped procrastinating and got it done.
I put my chin on my fist and take a quick peek at the boy next to me.
Eyes dead set on the clock Toby didn't know I was staring. It was impossible for him to notice since he was more preoccupied in getting lost.
Anyone else would be annoyed easily but not me. With Toby I learned it was best to speak as little as possible. From beginning to end he worked on the assignment without so much as a hello.
It was true I felt more comfortable when the space around me stayed quiet. I had more access to my thoughts when I wasn't busy draining neurons trying to compress words into a semi functional comprehensive sentence. I caught a nasty whiff of the bubble guts each time I had to insert myself with a large group.
I didn't care what kind of parties they were invited to and yet I was forced to smile and nod because that was the polite thing to do. I especially didn't care for those people who insisted that I participate in their shallow debate that was nothing but a contest to learn amongst themselves whose parents had the most fortune. Which I would loose by default. Meaningless chatter meant nothing to me. And neither did they. Well, it seemed Toby and I did have one thing in common. That was a scary thought.
Despite the end of days ensemble Toby actually had decent taste in clothing material when it came to picking out stylish looks. He did not fit the description of just any kid street walker that was for sure. If I had to guess it would be that old money could afford him to go anywhere in the world. That's why his decision to single out Stark House didn't add up. But what did I know? I was just a freak with 'a series of mental issues'.
Unlike most clinically insane patients I wasn't the standard pill and gown crazy. Because I confided in the woman that gave birth to me I was diagnosed with a chemical imbalance which allegedly caused the 'hallucination episodes'.
The meds worked, for a while. Then came the insomnia. Which served as a wake up call. I learned the hard way things wouldn't just up and dissolve. At some point I had to enjoy spending time with the person I became which meant taking a serious look on the inside.
I scribble a bunch of random circles with my ballpoint pen, some large, others more oval shaped, on lined paper. The dye was fresh and tickled my nostrils awake. Which served a pleasant distraction from my not so proud thoughts. I wanted mom to look at me with that same adoration like she used to, but I was deluding myself.
Once Mr. Baryo let us go I begin to put away my stuff. I shake my head when I see Toby run out the room. There was a good chance he probably wanted to find a seat before there were no openings left. My first true lesson was only the quick got lucky.
A pretty red-head stands by my desk. "Wow." she giggles.
I lift an eyebrow. I thought people retired that for good. It was kind of cute on her.
She wore the latest in fashion right down to the miniature bow tie headband. "You actually did it!! Did you see his face?? Red as a tomato." She bites her lip.
I briefly stop what I was doing and focus on her. "Huh??"
"Nothing its just..." she plays with the strap on her backpack and takes in a deep breath. "Two weeks tops. It's the wager everyone says how long you will last before he breaks you. Toby, I mean. You shouldn't worry too much he's always like that. You know, moody." She whispered that last part for my benefit.
For an average-looking girl she was fascinating to watch. If tongue twisters were a unique skill set then motormouth carrot spice would be drafted in the big directory for Guinness.
She continues on.
Apparently she missed the bewilderment that washed right past my forehead.
"Me?? I think no reason is good enough to be resentful at how deceptively intelligent Toby actually is. Stark House is not for the short-winded. For a newbie, I think you're handling association with Toby pretty good so far." Just when I thought she would pass out in front of me her skin regains its natural color.
I lift up my head. "Trust me, I've seen plenty just like him only with prettier faces and shorter iron pressed hair." I grin at her.
When she laughs the freckles on her nose darken. Like bittersweet wine. "I'm blabbing again. Sorry. I'm Mya." She offers a hand.
Though fully assimilated I wasn't properly acquainted with anyone my age. Unlike several combative peers who couldn't give a damn most teachers didn't mind chatting me up. I had to say, it was nice to finally meet another girl besides the ever hospitable Kira. I didn't know what to make of her company if all she did was talk about the most spiteful boy I had possibly ever met. "Aislin." With a firm grip we shake hands.
Once introduced I smile politely even though I wanted to keep away from all matters Toby related. For good reason I didn't want my dysfunctional acquaintance with him leek out into my everyday life outside of Wildlife & Agriculture.
I grab the brown folder and put it to one side of my backpack.
I take Mya by surprise when I put her one-sided conversation to end. I didn't hesitate to use her looped pause as green light for me to leave. With a stroke of luck I made it out unscathed.
"We should have lunch together." Mya says all of a sudden.
I pull the strings tight until the opening of my backpack closes shut. "Okay." What better way to know the kind of angle Mya was playing.
Speaking of, I couldn't wait. There was no room left in my timetable for a quick snack.
I walk out with Mya complaining non-stop about her new unrefined homework collaborator, Dakota, being careless not to mention a nail biter. I didn't know Dakota personally, but I recognized her from orientation.
If asked I would tell Mya to quit it already with her whining and show by example the many ways she lucked out since there could have been no studies companion worse to have than my uncordial partner, Toby.
