I wasn't ready forEnglish class that day, but I was as ready as I'd ever be. We had already hadour first homework assignment of the year, a fill-in-the-blank prompt asking us about our favorite booksand why we liked them. It was an easy introductory assignment and was personalto us which meant it couldn't be given a low score. These were my favoriteassignments.
Mrs. Cliff ended the class by telling us about her favorite book, Little Women, and why she liked it so much.
"I admire most the spirit of the young women and how hard they work to achieve their goals and express their personalities," she stated with a dreamy look on her face. She gazed out the window and I wondered if she was imagining reading the book for the first time, gulping in chapters like breathing in air when you've been drowning.
"My favorite character was probably their mother," she continued, turning and walking down to the other end of the classroom, holding everyone's gaze. "Her heart is so pure and she's so vulnerable with her children, despite trying so hard to make them into women better than she believes herself to be. I hope to do that with my children."
We all clapped our hands as she finished her paragraph and I could've sworn I saw Trinity wipe away a tear.
"Let's get some volunteers to share for us today! Miss Johnson, what about you?" Mrs. Cliff suggested, looking in my direction. I didn't know if she was curious to hear my response or was just punishing me for the distraction yesterday, but I shook my head regardless.
"Oh, come on. I'm sure you did excellent work!"
"Well..." I began with trepidation, holding up my paper to get it over with.
"You can come to the front of the class to share!" Mrs. Cliff announced, like it was a treat. My stomach tensed as I realized that I would be able to see the back of the room as I spoke, which meant James would be able to see me and hear me making a fool of myself.
I walked to the front of the room and paused in front of Mrs. Cliff's desk, keeping my eyes down. My paper shook a little in my hands and I took a deep breath, trying to remember who I was.
I had won debates in class and given speeches in national competitions, and I was scared to read in front of a guy I barely knew anymore? I straightened up and spoke without hesitation.
"My favorite book would have to be 'The Shining' because it's the only book that made me feel so terrified that I had to hide in my closet to finish it," I stated, making the class laugh. I smiled confidently and continued. "Stephen King is easily one of the best authors of his generation, writing stories more frightening than any gory, over-dramatic scene in a movie. I mourned for the characters, prayed for a good ending, and held my breath until the very last second. When my brother turned the lights off to force me to sleep around 4am, I had to turn my phone flashlight on to make sure there wasn't something horrific standing at the foot of my bed or peering out of my bathroom. If a book can make your vision of the world transform and have a lasting effect on how you perceive life or yourself, you know it's a book worth reading."
The class clapped as I finished my paragraph and Trinity let out a whistle that made me laugh. I walked back to my seat hastily, sparing a quick glance at the back corner of the room. James looked up from his laptop and smiled at me, shooting me a little thumbs up.
I sat down and smiled at Trinity who looked from the back of the room to me and then back to James. She wiggled her eyebrows suggestively in my direction.
When the bell rang, I waved goodbye to Trinity and walked out to the front of the school, trying not to be late to meet Bryce two days in a row. I saw the car pulled up against the front curb and someone leaning in through the open passenger window, speaking to my brother. His head bounced and he flipped his dirty blonde hair back from his forehead as he continued to talk. I walked up behind him, placing a hand on his shoulder. I thought it might startle him but he only looked up at me serenely before grabbing the passenger door and holding it open for me.
"What were you guys talking about?" I asked Hunter worriedly, shooting a confused look at Bryce.
"I was just asking him what you guys were up to last night," he explained, eyes unblinking.
"I was telling him that you were watching some girly show while I worked," Bryce said, pulling down his sunglasses so I could tell he was joking. I slapped his arm and then turned back to Hunter, who leaned in the window to cup my face.
"I'm glad you guys had a nice night in," he said, pressing a kiss to my cheek. I didn't think Bryce noticed that he emphasized the last word in his sentence, trying to get his point across.
"We did. I'm sure we'll have another one tonight," I maintained, opening my eyes to show that I was innocent. It was subtle but he received the message.
"Gotta blast, bud. Your friend here will see you tomorrow," Bryce remarked, pulling us into drive.
"Girlfriend," I corrected, before Hunter got a chance. He took a step back and waved as we drove off towards our home at an indecent speed.
"Whatever you say, kid," Bryce said, small smile on his lips.
YOU ARE READING
Perfect Student
Teen FictionYears ago, Adeline's life fell apart when her mother left, dad was taken, and older brother was left to watch her alone. Her brother's best friend had always been her protector; the person she turned to when she had nobody else. When he moved away...
