Chapter 9 - Deskmate Michelle
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"Okay, that would be all for the introductions."
The teacher gathered everyone's attention with her words as she spoke once again after ensuring silence in the classroom.
"It's time to decide on the class representative. Would anyone be willing to nominate themselves, or should we try drawing lots instead?"
Hey, could such a thing actually be decided by a lottery? No, is a game of luck even permitted in this school?
While I was lost in such a debate within my mind, Clara raised her hand swiftly. Seeing no one other than Calra vying for that position, the teacher nodded and spoke,
"Okay, Clara. You would be the Class Representative for the first year. Now, for the Vice-Representative position, anyone interested?"
"Yes! Yes! Me! Pick me!! I wanna be one!"
A lively blonde-haired girl waved her hands energetically.
Stephanie?? She didn't come across as one for such responsible positions... but maybe she can act seriously when it counts? Let's hope that she isn't just playing around...
Look, even the teacher looks so unsure.
In the end, teacher Thea nodded, and the rest of the positions were filled as well.
Cultural Officer: Colette Davis.
Disciplinary Officer: Carol Yardley.
Sports Officer: Clara Banner.
All with the letter ' C '. What a coincidence.
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As the teacher proceeded with some games & quizzes to build familiarity among the classmates, I instead chose to secretly interact with my deskmate Michelle.
"Hey, Michelle? I was just wondering, but... have you ever been interested in someone?"
Michelle was surprised by the sudden topic as she asked,
"What? Me?"
"Yeah. I mean, even I can tell how amazing you are from our first meeting. And very pretty too. There is no way that you aren't popular."
As I spoke that, Michelle looked stunned still.
I mean, I wasn't just spouting nonsense. Despite the crazy gender ratio, someone like Michelle must be a treasure of a girlfriend to have. Even other women may not be able to ignore her charm.
And even if men don't approach women in general, as fellow humans, isn't it kind of normal to be curiously interested in the opposite sex? So, someone as kind and graceful as Michelle may have had a lover or two in the past.
Michelle didn't refute me as I had hoped she would, as she began to recall something with her ears turning red.
So, there was someone, huh?
Unable to help myself, I spoke tentatively,
"Michelle?"
"Oh! Yeah? Sorry, ahaha, what was I saying? Oh, right. No, none in this school."
"In our school? So, the boys of our class aren't your type? But, what about those from the past?"
Michelle's face flushed red as she began to mumble to herself,
"Um, that, well, you see... I mean..."
As I tried to dig deeper, Michelle's replies kept being incomprehensible as she remained in a state of mild confusion.
And she was so energetic just before. Now she is...
A constriction rose within my chest as I decided to ask again,
"Michelle, you okay? Your face is all red."
Michelle seemed surprised to hear that as she began touching her face to check it.
"Huh? Is it? Oh no..."
"Y-You are not sick, are you?"
Michelle waved her hands in denial as she spoke again,
"No, no, I am fine. Really!"
"Then... was it me? Did I unknowingly say something disturbing? I apologize if that was the case."
Michelle shook her head as she replied,
"No. I-It was just... my first time someone not from my family called me pretty. I was just a bit unused to it, that's all."
Ohh? That was it? Still, it's my poor choice of words that discomforted her.
"I'm sorry, Michelle. I should have spoken with more restraint."
Michelle looked somewhat panicked as she replied,
"Oh no! It wasn't anything that you did wrong. Monica, I was only a bit surprised, that's all."
Ah, such an angel. A total goddess! Michelle is such a saint. But, she isn't used to compliments? Someone as pretty as her?
Isn't it normal to praise someone's beauty? Or, did her appearance change and improve only recently? Then, I have to say it with much more confidence than before!
"In my opinion, Michelle is one of the most beautiful girls that I have seen."
If she doesn't really hate it, why should I hold back my compliments for her? Rather, if I had lived with a male identity and said what I did, I would have ended up scaring her off by now. But now that I am a proper girl, I can summon mysterious courage when complimenting those of the same gender.
Rather, don't girl friends always overcompliment each other to the moon even when they don't mean it? And my praise for Michelle is totally genuine. Yeah, girls can act cute whenever they feel like it and can get away with it. As for the guys doing the same... yeah, not a good idea.
So, moral of the story- nothing wrong with a little compliment. They are one of the best ways for girls to build stronger bonds with their friends, or so is what I had observed in my past life.
Michelle still looked somewhat embarrassed, but she also seemed happy to be praised.
"Thank you, Monics."
As I was congratulating myself on my improved communication and smooth talking skills, Michelle began to study my face closely as she remarked,
Monica, have you ever been told that you speak like a boy sometimes?"
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