The Wordless Game

As he walked through the halls, thoughts of potential futures bombarded his mind. A constant and incessant thing that he puts himself through. He walks towards the door to Calc, all ready to get math-ed up and out. Down the hall he sees Joan walking from the other direction, when she notices him her expression changes. A calm indifference changes into a reserved anger. He sees her eyebrows tense into her nose and her lips pucker. They reach the door at the same time; Joan turns into the classroom with a flourish. Imagine a huge gust of wind created by her spin that pushes him and the surrounding students back and away into the lockers with a loud crash. Everyone turns their head and gasps, such attitude! Such grace! Who dares stand in her way! Watson, being versed in Joan's behavior from yesterday, is taken aback but not surprised. He walks in and sits down in his seat next to hers. She glares straight ahead. A frightening bid! Raise or Call?

He waits for about 10 or 15 minutes. Until class is well underway and in full swing. There's a moment when their teacher is silent and instructing them to do something on their own. A moment when it would be appropriate for him to lean over and talk to her. Or perhaps even to turn his head to look at her. Even a slight glance to his right would be welcome. Joan does none of this and is all business. Watson moves his queen to d4. He turns his head and leans over, opens his mouth to speak, (it’s now that Joan has been got, she diverts her eyes to him) and then he shuts his mouth. He gives a look to her of "Oh no. I shouldn't. I can't say that. It would be inappropriate of me at this time." A very diplomatic and transgressive look. He turns back to his papers and goes about his business. From his periphery he sees Joan's face ingulfed by a consuming fire. Embarrassed, defeated, and longing for attention, she crosses her legs in a defensive position and exits all emotion from her body. Now is not the time for weakness. Now is the time for strength. Now is the time for feigning indifference and stubbornness. He’s testing her resolve, seeing how long it takes for her to come to him. He suspects shortly.

They resumed their busy work. Joan severely underestimated his will to ignore. It’s great and stronger than hers will ever be. Not to ignore out of hate but ignore to make a point. He’s playing her game by her rules, and he’s winning. She may not know it yet, but at the end she will bow down in respect for his conduct, and worship at his feet.

They neither look at each other nor make a movement in the others direction the rest of class. The bell rings, and now it’s a game to see who can stand to leave first, and who will follow the other out of class. Joan is prepared and quick to her feet. She’s packed and ready and in haste rushes to the door. Watson stays seated and doesn’t rush after her, another poor move Joan. He takes his time walking out the door, and Joan is standing in hallway alone. She looks at him as he walks out, a look that says, “I’m sorry, take me back.” But now is not the time for Watson to call, now is the time to raise. He looks past her and walks down the hall.