✧ ˡᴼᵛᵉ ᴹᵉ ᵉⱽᵉⁿ ⁱᶠ ⁱᵀ'ˢ ᶠᵃᵏᴱ ✧

✧ picking sides ✧ pt5

Sasha watched her friends nervously.

A week ago, they had partnered up for a science project. And now, here they were in science... and not speaking to each other. Sasha had been up all night before, getting the project ready for her partners. But they wouldn't even open it up. Stella was researching for her next debate and Min was playing Run 3.

She just felt awkward. She didn't want to have to do the project on her own. She didn't want her friends to fight.

Anger began bubbling up. Sasha rubbed her arms, annoyance prickling at her skin.

Stella glanced up at her, then glared at Min. "Dude, help her,"

They angrily tapped their keyboard. "I thought you told me to stay out of other people's business," they sneered.

Stella's eyes lit up, clenching her teeth. "You're gonna make Sasha do the project on her own?!"

"Why aren't you helping her?"

"I'm working!"

"So you're yelling at me even though you're not doing anything either, huh?"

"Are you serio-"

Sasha sniffled, tears dripping down her nose. Her friends looked at her, Stella's anger turning to concern. Min on the other hand, whipped around to Stella. "You made Sasha cry! You are such an insensitive prick!" they exclaimed.

"Says the person who trauma dumps every time they get a chance," Stella crossed her arms. "You have no respect for anyone's boundaries! And then you ask me to respect yours? Take your own fucking advice!"

"Hey!" the teacher yelled. "Watch your language and knock it off before I write you both a referral!"

Min grumbled and Stella turned back to her laptop, pursing her lips angrily.

Sasha tried to suck it up and wipe her tears, but soon they dripped onto her computer and she accidentally restarted it trying to wipe it down.

"Mrs. Jahara? Could Sasha and I work outside?"

Sasha glanced over at the teacher's desk, where one of her classmates was standing. Her name was Laquera, and they'd met in the interracial club. She was also an immigrant, and Sasha had found her to be quite a nice person.

"Sure, but sit where I can see you,"

Laquera smiled and walked over to Sasha. "C'mon," she whispered. Sasha nodded and grabbed her stuff, then cleared her throat.

"Uh, be right back guys," she said to her partners. Min glanced up in acknowledgment, and Stella nodded. Sasha frowned sadly and followed Laquera out of the door. They sat down on the hall carpet and Sasha sighed.

Laquera put a hand on her shoulder. "You alright?"

"Yeah... thanks," Sasha smiled, wiping her eyes. Laquera smiled, lipstick bright in contrast to her skin.

She took out her laptop and typed in her password, then plugged some earbuds in and handed one to Sasha. "Show me what music you like!" 

If she was being honest, this surprised Sasha. She'd always thought of Laquera as the popular girl. She was extremely pretty, with thick black hair and long eyelashes. Her brother was on the football team as well. 

Sasha smiled, blush warming up her cheeks. "Okay,"