Longing

Chapter 4

Hope nearly chokes on air. She doesn't even want to think about how red her face is right now. "Isn't it uh- up to the teacher?" She manages to say, gaze still pointed to the wall across from them.

"Oh. Uh- yeah, you're right." Josie responds. Hope can hear the deflation in her tone, and can no longer feel Josie's burning eyes on the side of her face.

Hope turns to her after mentally facepalming herself for coming off as if she didn't want to sit with the brunette. "Maybe you could ask Mr. M? I mean, uh- I would, but he's not my biggest fan..." She trails off, feeling like she got the message across.

Josie turns back to Hope and opens her mouth, about to speak when, "Oh! You two are quite early." Both Hope and Josie jump at the eager teacher's voice. They crane their necks to the doorway and give Mr. M a wave. "Josie, always a pleasure. Hope, why are you here early?" He acknowledges them as he makes his way to his desk, setting down a cup of coffee.

Josie gives Hope a small smile accompanied by an encouraging nod. Hope takes a breathe, "About the new seating arrangements, I was wondering if-"

"No." Mr. M cuts her off, having heard enough. He plops down on his desk chair and begins stacking some papers.

Hope looks back to Josie and gives her an apologetic half-smile. The brunette pushes herself off the wall and walks straight up to the desk.

She leans forward, firmly planting both her hands on the teacher's desk before saying, "Now Mr. Maxwell, I truly believe you should account for the students grades when it comes to seating. There have been studies that have shown that the students who sit in the front are much more likely to earn higher grades than those in the back. I know for a fact, Hope and I have the highest grades in this class. Statistically, putting students like Hope and I in the back of the room would simply benefit the well being of the student body. Who are we to deny the scientific method?"

Hope swallows.

Jesus fucking Chri-

"I see." Mr. M says, setting aside a couple papers. "You and Hope do excel in this course. It would be nice to have eyes on my less successful students." He considers out loud while Josie retracts her hands from his desk and Hope attempts to regain her composure. "You two can sit in the back."

"Thank you" Josie nods dismissively, as if she hadn't expected any other outcome. She turns back to Hope and flashes her a smile with a double eyebrow raise. Hope guesses it's some type of facial victory dance. Either way, she can't help it when her lips involuntarily curl up in return. Josie hoists her bag up from where she left it on the floor against the wall, "So... you're clear to sit in the back now." she says in passing.

"Uh, yeah. Do you maybe still-" Hope tries to ask, but is cut off by the bell. She sighs, pushes herself off of the wall, and heads toward the back of the room where there are two small tables. Josie chose the left table. That means either sit with her, or sit at the empty table. Students begin to file into the room while Hope has yet to make up her mind. Josie must finally notice her indecision, because when Hope switches from glancing between the empty table and Josie's table, she sees Josie give her a 'come here' motion with her hand.

Is she motioning for me?

Hope nearly turns to look behind her to see who's gotten Josie's attention when she remembers she's standing in front of a wall. She clutches her backpack straps and strides toward the brunette. When she gets to the table, she pulls her backpack off her shoulders, tosses it to the ground, and ever so gracefully slides into the seat. She scoots her chair an extra inch or two to the right, away from Josie, scared she might combust if the other girl's leg bumps hers.