The Barefoot Violinist

Cornered

The next morning, Cory almost jogged to the English class, hoping that he would be able to catch the sub before lessons started. While he was driving from Blue's house, the thought suddenly struck him. What better way to get to hang out with Bennett than to work on an assignment together? It had worked before, so there was very little reason for him to think that it won't happen again.

"Mr. Riley?" he asked standing in front of the sub's desk.

"Yes?" he looked enquiringly up at Cory.

"Eh, I was wondering... I'm struggling with the work set for us in class. Do you think there is any way that I could get some extra help with that?" he pushed forward, hoping the sub wn't be too difficult.

"Do you want to take classes after hours?" his frown deepened.

"Well, no sir. I don't think that would help much. I learnt a lot more the last time you set us a group assignment." he held his breath. Hopefully he wouldn't have to lead the sub all the way to water.

"So you want me to set another group assignment?" he asked perplexed by the request. Student's don't ask for extra homework or assignments in his history of teaching, but this was the strangest class he'd taught in a while. Mainly because he had a genius in his class who was allowed to come and go as it pleased him. It wasn't until after speaking to the principal that he realised why the rest of the faculty never stopped or questioned Bennett. It was rumoured that the math teacher was on sabbatical because of him.

"I think that would help, sir." he was trying to hide his grin. It looked like his plan was going to work.

Cory sighed in relief as he left the classroom. Thankfully the sub didn't ask too many questions and accepted the fact that he wanted the same partner to help him study without argument. That was the easy part. At least being dense was a good thing in this situation, he smiled as he walked to the music room to catch a glimpse of Bennett.

"What are you smiling at?" Mason came up from behind him, bumping his shoulder. "Did you get lucky with the missus, or what?"

"Can you keep your mouth shut?!" he snapped at Mason, quickly looking around, making sure that they weren't overheard. "And can you guys stop calling him that? I don't want to piss him off any more than he is already."

"Fine, fine." Mason waved his concerns away. "So, I take it we have a plan?"

"Hmm," he hummed. "Look, was there something you wanted?" Cory asked pointedly when Mason showed no sign of moving on.

"Damn! You're very touchy these days," he observed. "I thought we were friends?"

"Right now, I don't need any friends..." he frowned at Mason.

"Wow, that's harsh! I'll just have to ask the missus myself then." he huffed at Cory, turning around to go the other way.

"Don't you dare go anywhere near him!" Cory warned, calling after him. It wouldn't do well to have Mason scupper his plans. He wasn't sure of whether it would work, but didn't want anything avoidable to mess things up.

--

Midway through the next school day, Bennett found himself staring at the English substitute teacher in horror.

"Sir, I refuse. I'll do the assignment myself or change spots with someone else." Bennett said pointedly, frowning.

"I'm sorry Mr. Cane, but this is a group assignment, and you are needed to even up the pairing." the sub smiled benignly at him.

"I won't do it. I don't need a grade for this class. I won't do it" He stubbornly repeated.

"Yes Mr. Cane, I am painfully aware of the fact that you don't need a grade from me. But, you should be aware that a spot in detention would mar that perfect record of yours. But if you insist..." he trailed off taking out a red slip and looking at Bennett expectantly, his pen hovering in the air.

"Okay, I'll do it!!" he snapped, knowing he was cornered. Outplayed by a substitute, of all people. 'Maybe he wasn't as dumb as he looked, Bennet thought humourlessly leaving the classroom.

Getting to his locker, he found Cory hanging around with a huge grin on his face.

"What?!" Bennett snapped, shooting a quick glance at him. He turned to his locker and sighed. Another dozen roses, yellow this time. He angrily ripped them off the locker door.

"Don't you like them?" Cory asked frowning, looking down at Bennett who didn't seem very pleased to see him.

"What's it to you?" Bennett's gaze flickered up to Cory and back down again.

"No, I just thought if someone gave me roses, I'd think it's very romantic."

"Cut flowers are stupid. They're dead. Nothing new will come from them, so what's the point when you can have the whole plant?" he closed his locker door to find Cory still leaning against the locker. "What did you want?" Bennett asked with hooded eyes.

"Well, we've got to work on our schedule. You know... for the English project..." he smiled a little more confidently.

"I'm really busy right now. I can do the assignment and give it to you tomorrow if you want?" 'Please say yes, please say yes.' He repeated hopefully in his head

"No, that's okay" Cory frowned at him. "We should do it together, otherwise we'll get into trouble," Cory said knowingly.

"Oh, all right!" Bennett said in exasperation.

"What about this evening? I can come over." He suggested holding his breath.

"Fine! Be there at five. If you're late, then don't come at all." he snapped turning around and skulking off, throwing the bouquet in the bin as he passed it.

--

"You seem upset." Ellie observed, walking next to Bennett as they were exiting the school.

"Yeah, I've got to spend time working on an assignment with Cory." he scowled, adjusting his schoolbag on his shoulders.

"Well, it can't be that bad." she pacified him. "If you want, I can come over and join you?"

"No," he sighed in frustration. "It should be fine. It's not like he'll attack me at home." he finished sourly.

"Hey kid!" Mason called, having spotted Bennett and one of his friends.

Looking around to see who was being called, they watched as Mason came running toward them.

"Hey!" he stopped them with a bright smile. Bennett and Ellie looked at him in expectation. "It's really hard to get hold of you, you know?" he asked. When they didn't respond, he continued. "Look all the seniors are having a cheer rally and we're also looking at organising the prom at the end of the year."

"So?" Bennett asked with a frown. None of those things interested him at all and why would they suddenly invite him to join? Most of them thought he was a junior, because he had to spend half his day in junior classes, as was the arrangement with the school.

"So, you should join us!" Mason winked over at him, still with a wide smile.

"Sorry, no. I don't think that will happen." With a shrug of his shoulders, he turned around to leave.

"Just hang on there little buddy." Mason stopped him by grabbing a loose strap. "It's going to be fun and you can bring your friend along as well. The more the merrier."

"The answer is still no." he yanked himself free from Mason and continued walking. He could see that Ellie was dying to get into the conversation, but he only smiled, "I know what you're going to say, but I still won't do it."

"I wasn't going to say anything." she informed him shaking her head. "I was going to write you a very long and pointed email on the subject." she squealed with laughter. "But seriously Bennett, think about it. This will be your last year at school, you should at least go to prom or help to organise it! It's like a right of passage."

"I've thought about it and..."

"I'm being serious Bennett. Give it some more thought. You may even enjoy it, and who knows, this could be our way into a prom even though we're juniors!"

"It would make Victor happy." He laughed, knowing that taking part in something like prom wasn't for him.