A Double Rainbow

The dreaded Monday was about to end, classes had already finished, I was more than ready to leave the classroom and dash towards the campus gates. I could not wait another second to leave school so I could study on my own. The overly judgmental people, the obnoxious teachers, braindead classmates, they were all too suffocating.

With their constant yammering, their pointless gossips and their disregard of the education and knowledge being presented to them on a silver platter partnered with the educators that were all merely serving the food and not bothering whether or not everybody was partaking, I hated it.

I hurriedly packed my notebooks as my usual train of thought passed by.

Pointless. Absolutely pointless. If only I didn’t need to go to this failure of an academy, I’d much rather spend all my hours reading books and scouring the internet. The discourses I had with people whose faces I have never seen were much more substantial than anything these plebeians could ever hope to dream of–

“Ms. Iris Fierro?”

“Yes, ma’am?” I meekly approached the teacher, looking at her with round eyes and raised eyebrows as I tugged on backpack to make myself seem as innocent as possible. “Did I get in trouble?”

Please let me go home.

“No sweetie, of course not,” Her tone was gentle. She was a kind teacher who I honestly did not dislike. “Do you know Mr. Arche Flores?”

I tilted my head in confusion. The name did not ring a bell. I did not want it to ring a bell. Perhaps by setting my head on a certain angle I’d be able to give her the idea that I’m a klutz that shouldn’t be entrusted with any kind of work at all. Please?

Wait, that wouldn’t work since I’ve been upholding a reputation that I’m quite reliable. Why must I be cursed with such talent?! School has started for a while and yet there were still classmates I didn’t know.

“I saw you two talking a week ago, the first time I’ve actually seen him. Can I entrust you with these handouts to pass on to him?” She didn’t wait for my response as she looked at the wall clock above the whiteboard. “Oh, look at the time I need to go to my next class. You’re such a nice girl, Iris. Thank you so much.”

I forced a smile. On second thought, I do hate her. Where’s Daphne when I need her? She would’ve been a good offering to this wicked teacher. Right, she’s been dodging me ever since that stunt I pulled last Saturday where I finished the entire group work early just so she could go and have a date with Laurel. Curse this modern age where gratitude and appreciation is forgotten!

I didn’t know anything about this Flores guy, but I do remember giving directions to a student last week. To think that he’d actually be a classmate–wait. This might not actually be good for me. I gave him wrong directions.

I took the stairs up to the rooftop for a better view of the campus, I’d have better luck finding him. A cold breeze welcomed me in contrast to the blazing heat of the sun, my long hazel hair brushing past my face. Across the horizon, skyscrapers would loom. Standing before the railings atop the rooftop was a silhouette of a male student. Who in the world is this weirdo?

He must have heard my footsteps as I approached him.

“Diamonds and charcoal are both allotropes of carbon.” He spoke calmly and clearly, gazing into the horizon while I was left dazed. “That means despite the fact that a diamond is azure and beautiful, it isn’t that different save for its physical state from the black and dirty charcoal.”

. . . What?

Wait, he might be the guy. What was his name again? Freak! I forgot his name.

“Are you Itchy Forest?” I smiled, pulling out the printout from my bag. “Our last period teacher had these given out, but you weren’t in class so…”

“Do you know what double rainbows are?” He was suddenly in front of my face. Flustered, I took a step back as he took the handout.

I coughed to regain my composure as I gathered my thoughts to explain, “They’re due to the sun shining on droplets of moisture in the atmosphere–”

“They’re two rainbows slapped together,” he cut me off with a straight face, holding his hand out. “I’m Arche Flores, nice to meet you, classmate.”

Was that a joke? I couldn't tell from his expressions.

I shook his hand with a discriminating stare. I was certain I would come to regret this moment for the rest of my miserable life. Regardless, I tried to be cheerful and upbeat as I returned his introduction.

“Iris Fierro, nice to meet you…”

What was his name again?

“Arche, Flores. Arche Flores.”

“Yes, yes, Lychee.” I faked a laugh. This person’s a classmate, someone I’ll be spending a year with in the same room. I have to make him believe I don’t think he’s an absolute weirdo even though he is.

“You seem to have a vibrant personality, Iris. I’m looking forward to being a double rainbow with you.”

…Looking forward to what?

He pointed at the paper I delivered which I did not read. Listed were our Mathematics class pairings. Fierro – Flores.