The New Kid

The Project

At school the next day, when Mr. Mason brought out partner sign-up sheets, Liza was one of the first to the front to put their names down. Elizabeth Shaw and Tony Wilkins. She couldn’t help but think their names looked cute together. When she sat back down, she saw Ryan coming up to her.

“Do you want to be my partner?” he asked, with a hopeful look.

“Umm… I already have a partner. Sorry, Ryan.” She glanced at Tony, then looked back at Ryan apologetically.

“Oh… that’s okay…” he mumbled, turning away.

Before they started working, Liza snuck a glance at Ryan. He seemed really down. Maybe she should have been his partner… But Tony had already asked, and… well, it was Tony. After reassuring herself, she started her work on the poster. She immersed herself in the project, and it took her a while to realize Tony wasn’t doing anything. “Hey Tony, can you help me with this?”

He looked at her intently. “You’re really pretty when you’re working, you know that?” He smiled playfully.

She blushed. “Thanks. I guess I can do a little more without you.” She worked some more, until it was almost done, then figured she might as well finish. “Done! How does it look?”

“Wow, looks awesome! You’re amazing,” he said, grinning. They handed in the poster right as the bell rang. “Thanks for being my partner.”

“No problem. See you tomorrow?

Yeah, see you.”