The Garden of Eden

Chapter 3

It had been a week and I still didn't know his name, but that didn't matter to me anymore. I was here to focus on my studies, nothing else. So as I walked into my English class full of purpose, the last thing on my mind was that boy.

"Today we begin our first and only project for this year." My teacher says as the students finally settle down.

"I will be pairing you up with someone who you will work with throughout the course of this year to find a special place in London."

The groans of the students are not suppressed at her words, and I have to agree with them too. A partner will slow me down, and not to mention the fact that I can't even pick my own.

"But, but..." She continues, understanding our frustration. "You get to choose the place, and once you find it I want you and your partner to write about your journey there."

That doesn't help at all Mrs. June.

She ignores the complaints from students and begins walking around with a piece of paper, which I can only guess has the partner names on it.

Almost everyone is placed with someone when she gets to me. I look around at the people left and try my hardest not to visibly frown. Nobody seemed willing to work or even try to complete this assignment.

"Ms. Chantelle, you are with...." She begins, reading her paper to find the matching name.

I adjust my head to see the paper better, and see my name almost instantly. But right beside it the partner's name has been scratched out.

She turns the paper over and sees a note to herself on the back.

I wonder why I have a different partner.

"...Mr. Sinclair."

No. Way.

I was going through all the people I could possibly be with, but when she said his name I was truly surprised.

Was he even in this class? This has to be a mix up.

But sure enough, he emerges from behind a group of people, the faintest grin on his face.

Great.

The teacher goes on, pairing up the last few partners and I still don't say anything to him.

But it turns out he has a lot to say to me.

"Mystery girl, we meet again. Do you want to hand me our paper or just argue what I say?" He says sarcastically.

I bite the inside of my cheek and answer, "Here."

He grabs the paper from my hand and reads the instructions out loud.

1. You must work with your partner for this project, no slacking or ditching.

2. The location you pick must be in London, and must have a significant value to one of you.

3. Once you find your location, you must work with your partner to write a story about your journey.

My mind shoots to the secret field Olive painted on the wall, and I decide to offer it as a location.

"What do you think about that secret field people are talking about?"

To my surprise he understands what I'm talking about right away.

"You mean the Garden of Eden?"

I didn't know it had a name.

"Ya."

"Sounds perfect." He says.

His eyes are distant as he's answering me, like he's remembering something.
And I start to get the feeling maybe this Garden of Eden is more significant to him than it is to me.