The Community Service Project

Chapter 5: French Class

"Guys, you know my 17th birthday is coming up." Says Lucy as though she's hinting at something.

"Yes Lucy, we know. You've only told us about 50 times." Sofia says focused as she is currently driving us around in the golf cart. Me, Sofia, and Lucy's parents decided to play golf this morning at the country club in our area that we often go to.

"What are you thinking of doing?" I ask her.

"Well my parents pitched the idea of renting out a boat for the day." Says Lucy.

"That sounds so fun." I say. "Who would you invite?"

"That's the thing, I was thinking of inviting a bunch of people. Kind of like a party on the water. I'm sure people don't get a lot of those." She's right, she'll definitely be known for that one.

"Okay but specifically who?" Sofia asks.

"Hmm well you guys obviously, some people on our field hockey team, some people I know from my classes, and the lax boys." She says.

"Yay Ellie, Nathan will be there. So you'll have an opportunity to talk to him!" Sofia cheers.

"Will Matthew be there?" I ask. Even Sofia turns around to look at me after I ask that.

"What?" I ask as they both stare at me.

"Since when have you liked Matthew Haze and how have I not known about this?" Lucy says.

"He's the biggest red flag ever." Sofia adds on.

"Chill guys, I do not like Matthew Haze. I was just asking." I say. I hadn't even really thought about him like that. I mean sure we've gotten closer to where I would consider him my friend possibly, but I never thought of him like that.

"I don't know, you guys have been getting pretty close ever since he started volunteering at the same senior center as you." Lucy says.

"Guys just stop." I dismiss that idea real quick.

"It's nothing to be embarrassed about, every girl in the school has gone through the Matthew Faze crush." Lucy says. "It's just it's never been more than that for people because Valeria has her paws all over him."

I'm in the middle of english class right when suddenly the bell rings, signaling for next period. Which happens to be French class for me.

"Hey Nathan." I say as he meets me at my locker.

"You ready for class?" He asks me. I don't know if I mentioned it but Matthew is in my French class. It's the only class we have together. In French we get to sit wherever we want and I'm seriously debating on sitting with Nathan and Matthew today. I am feeling bold. Nathan and Matthew are good friends so they usually always sit together. But I think I might join them.

Once I enter the classroom with Nathan, I look around for Matthew but he isn't here yet. No surprise.

"Wanna get a table together?" I ask him. Nathan nods his head yes and we grab a table in the back of the classroom. I look up to see Matthew has just entered the classroom but he's talking to some girl. I can't help but get this weird feeling of annoyance when I see him talking to her. I know I shouldn't be surprised but why am I so upset over this? What does this have to do with me? I need to get it together....

Now the question is, if Matthew chooses to sit at the table with Nathan and I. When he makes eye contact with our table he looks a little surprised but the look on his face goes neutral right away. I'm relieved to see Matthew begin to head to our table.

"What's up?" He says as he takes a seat across from me. He greets both of us with a fist bump. A fist bump? Seriously. He's never done that before.

"Man am I tired." Nathan says. "I am not looking forward to this long ass class."

"Me neither." I reply.

"Think about how we get to leave early today for our game." Matthew says.

"Lucky." I reply. "I've left school early for a field hockey game once."

"Sucks for you." Matthew says, which makes Nathan laugh.

"I hate you guys." I say.

"Aww you're so sweet." Nathan says holding his hand to his heart.

"Stop Ellie, you're going to make me blush." Matthew says jokingly which causes them to both erupt into laughter.

"Ahem." Mr. Dubious, our French teacher says. For a second I forgot we were in class.

"If your table is done with your little chat, I would like to start class. Is that okay with you, Ms. Fosset." He says which causes everyone to stare at me. I can't help but go red due to everyone's gaze.

"Yes Mr. Dubious." I reply.

"Good, now I would like to say that we are going to be doing group work today. I am giving you some workbook pages to complete. You may work with your table if you wish or you can work individually. Pages 178, 179 and 180 are expected to be completed by the end of class."

I get to work right away because I do not want to end up on Mr. Dubious' bad side.

"Wait is this workbook or textbook?" Nathan asks.

"Workbook." How did he already forget?

"Ellie." Matthew says as I feel a poke by Nathan's pencil.

"Yes?" I ask, finally looking up from my workbook page to see that they're both staring at me desperately in need of help.

"We need help." They both say in sync.

"Well first let's start with opening up our workbook pages to the assigned page." I speak as if they're toddlers.

We all ended up finishing in time, which was surprising because we spent most of the class laughing.

I walk out of class and start heading to the cafeteria. When I look to my left, I see Matthew surrounded by a group of girls. Why is he always with girls?

I scan the cafeteria for my friends until I find their table.

"Hey guys." I greet them with a smile. A round of hellos goes around.

"Where's Izzy?" I ask and as soon as I ask it, she comes and sits down next to me.

"I'm here, no need to fear." She says.

"Okay good you guys are all here. We need to discuss my birthday plans." Lucy says with a big grin on her face.

"I thought we already discussed it." I state. I'm not really a big fan of birthdays to be honest. I never really do anything for mine. I mean I have the option to, I just don't like the whole concept of it.

"Yeah but we didn't discuss outfits, times, etcetera."

"Well what are you thinking for when it would be?" Izzy asks, taking a bite from her apple.

"On my actual birthday." Lucy says which causes us to all look at her like she's crazy.

"Luc, that's this saturday." I state.

"And?" She asks unfazed.

"And how do you expect to plan a whole birthday party on a boat when you haven't even sent out invites yet?" Francis asks.

"Relax, my parents already rented the boat out and what does it look like I have here?" Lucy says as she opens a bag filled with envelopes.

"Wow I'm not going to lie, I didn't think you'd be this on top of it." Sofia announces, looking at all the envelopes, with an impressed look on her face.

"You guys underestimate me." Lucy says annoyed.

"Sorry queen. We love you." Francis apologizes and gives Lucy a side hug.

I'm walking down the hall to my next class when I feel someone run up from behind me. I turn around to see it's Lucy with a big grin plastered on her face.

"Look who got all her invites out!" She squeals.

"Yay! How many people did you invite?" I ask.

"Hmm around 25." She answers.