THREE WEEKS LATER
4TH PERIOD
CLASSROOM B
Elise POV
"And for your midterms assessment, you will be working on a project... in pairs."
The teacher announced. The class fell out of decorum from the excited whispers. Some were already putting themselves in pairs.
"Before you get too excited, luck will be used to put you all into pairs. So, you might not end up with who you desire to be partners with."
He stated mischievously. Complaints echoed in the air. This class, being a general class, is attended by students from the three arms of year 5. It is therefore held twice a week.
"The list and deadline will be displayed on the notice screen before the end of lunchtime today. And, no, you can't come to me to change your partner. Any other questions?"
He glanced across the crowd of students for any show of hands. In the absence of questions, he gathered his things and headed out with long strides.
*Bell rings*
Gathering my jotted notes from the recently concluded class, I put them into my desk space. Normally, assignments from this class are solo-done, but now, a group project.
Massaging my temples with my fingers, I close my eyes and try to drown out the conversations around me. I suddenly feel a presence around me, causing me to open my eyes. Max came, a book closed around a black bookmark in her hands. Sitting across from me with her brown hair braided back, as she adjusted her black pleated uniform skirt over her knee. Adjusting her glasses over the bridge of her nose, spotting a calculated look at no one in particular,
"Luck is just an occurrence bound to ensue but unidentified, however. There is constantly a plausible justification for everything. Why? Because it was bound to take place nonetheless. We, humans, are just restricted in our capacities. Precisely?"
Noticing the confused look on my face, she purses her lips and opens her book in embarrassment. Sometimes, I think to myself that Max might be going crazy anytime she goes on her philosophical rants. I found myself giggling at her childish display causing her to playfully roll her eyes at me.
A fit of laughter coming from the back of the class caught my attention. My smile fell, my face turning sad. This caught my attention of Max. Following my line of vision, she noticed the reason behind my look. Samuel and a few other people were conversing about something funny, hence the laughter. Turning around, still laughing, he caught me staring. His laughter died off before he looked away, back to the group.
"Elise..."
Her worried voice snapped me out of my little trance. Turning my focus back, I faked a smile back at Max.
"I'm fine. It just needs a little getting used to. I promise I'm fine."
She still didn't look convinced. Putting on my most reassuring smile, I placed my hands on her shoulders and playfully shook her from side to side. Noticing that I was about to tickle her, she lightly hit my arm with the bookmarker in her hand.
"Elise, did you start a dispute with Trent?"
I scoffed at her insinuation. I would say he was the one avoiding me ever since the incident at the cafeteria. I tried at least three times to start a conversation, but he kept running away. It's safe to say, no one has ever avoided me that much in my life.
Rolling my eyes, I gave her an annoyed look.
"Max? He is the one avoiding me like a virus. I didn't even do anything...okay, maybe I fell on him. But that wasn't my fault now, was it?"
She held her hands up in mock surrender, trying but failing to hide the smile on her face.
"No, it wasn't. I simply long for you two to reconcile. Who knows, maybe some sparks may fly"
With these last words, she walked away laughing.
"Maxine!"
I followed her closely behind as she made her way to the girls sitting in a circle conversing. Oblivious to our presence, Hannah chatted away animatedly with the other girls. Her blond waves bounce with every movement as vines dance around her arm, all the way to her fingertips.
"Oh! I wonder who I will get paired with. I mean I'm fine with anyone honestly. That reminds me, speaking of pairs, Valentine's is in two weeks! What should I get for– Elise? Max! You should join us for lunch"
A warm smile graced my face as I nodded at her. Sometimes, I wonder where she gets her burst of energy from. She and Senza might be the complete opposite but they do complement each other well. I guess that's why they are still so in love. Max just took a seat in silence, lost in her book. Her social meter must be full for the day.
As Hannah was about to speak, Bri quickly cuts her off,
"I think we should go for lunch before Hannah talks our ears off"
Everyone laughs as they stand up, getting ready to head out.
"Bridget!"
Her face blushed pink in embarrassment, pouting as she got up to join us. Bri can be quite straightforward at times, but we know she means well. Gradually, everyone makes their way out.
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DINING HALL
LUNCHTIME
"Do you think the list will be up by now?"
I questioned vaguely, before eating a spoonful of rice. Bri turned towards Fancy expectantly. Her eyebrows shot up in question. Without looking up from food, Fancy answered curtly,
"Nope. Don't even think about it."
Noticing the persistent growing stares at her, she gives up on eating. Sighing in annoyance before murmuring something about stress and peace of mind. She checks the time on her watch, then shuts her eyes. After a few seconds, she lazily opens her eyes, her left hand reaching around to massage her neck. Glancing at her watch,
"7 minutes from now."
Hannah excitedly reaches over and hugs her. Fancy pried her hands off her, clearly not in the mood for the display of affection. She runs her hands through her dark-brown shoulder-length hair, before returning to her food.
Guesses about who and who would end up as pairs became the topic of discussion. I anxiously kept glancing at the clock placed on the wall of the cafeteria. My mind was too distracted to pay attention to the talk around me. Somehow, I kept getting a weird feeling.
Quickly, five minutes flew by.
Fancy stood up suddenly, her plate in hand. Making her way out of her seat, she called out to the table behind ours.
"Awesome, let's go. We need to start researching for the task"
The boy whose attention she called, got up to his feet. His face was very similar to hers but he had more defined masculine facial features. Slowly, it dawned on everyone that she must have seen the names on the list. Looking back at our shocked face with a sly smile on her lips,
"You asked for the time and not the names."
Turning on her heel, she led him out of the hall. Fancy played us smoothly. Unfortunately, Sophie wasn't nearby, or we could have made her read Fancy's mind. For a moment, we had all forgotten about the time we had anticipated. Looking at the clock, the seven minutes were up.
"It's time, guys"
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CLASSROOM BUILDING
HALLWAY
Anxiously, I looked through the list slowly. At the sight of my name, I traced it outward to see who my partner was,
Elise Redfox | Trent Lee
My eyes blink multiple times before widening in realization. I tried to comprehend the words that I was reading. This is not going to be easy at all.
Out of nowhere, I heard someone clear their throat. Quickly, I moved away from the screen. As I turned to offer an apology, my voice failed to come out. The culprit behind my concern standing right in front of me concentrating on the list. His eyebrows shot up in realization, before quickly dropping into a frown. Turning to me, he sighed in irritation, rolled his eyes and walked away.
Yep, I am going to fail midterms.
Like and Comment or else, Elise will fail midterms and it will be all your fault!
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