Burnt

Ep.4

Valerie O'Driscoll p.o.v
______________________

I stood up just as the bell rang, running to Mr Rogers table. "Sir, can I talk to you please."

Mr Rogers looked up at me and away from the notes he was packing. He smiles at me. "Valerie, what can I do for you?"

I know sir never liked when we switched partners, but there's no way in whatever world, am I going to be partnered up with Lucas Miller.

He may just make my life a living hell once he sees who he's partnered up with. Like come on, look at me. An average girl, nerdy and invisible. Lucas probably wants to be partnered up with some hottie, someone like Stacey Walkins or Stella Porshe.

Not Valerie fucking O'Driscoll.

I took in a deep sigh, "Sir, I know you said we aren't allowed to switch partners, but i-"

"I've made up my mind, Valerie, and it's final." Hugging my bag to my chest. I looked at sir in the eyes, a frown upon my lips. "Just this once, sir. Please."

"Valerie." He rests his elbows on the desk, pushing his glasses to sit well on his face. "I'm sorry, Valerie. It wouldn't be fair, people may think I have favorites in class." He smiles sadly. "Plus, Lucas isn't that bad. He's top in all his classes, and takes every school work seriously." He then smiled, "Plus I think you both would make really good partners."

That wasn't the problem, sir. The problem was and is me. "He's a good boy, Valerie."

I didn't believe that, not one bit. Ever since I've known him, he's been cold and closed off towards me, or just to everyone in general plus the mean squad will probably be in my case.

Not once has he talked or looked at me. Maybe he has for less than a second though.

I nodded. "I understand." I said defeated. "Thank you, sir."

I was currently looking for Lucas. This project was due in three weeks, seeing that he's a busy person, I have to at least tell him about it before time runs out. As his partner, it is my duty to inform him.

I was nervous, very nervous. This would be the first time I approached Lucas, and talked to him. I've never done that. He kept to himself, and didn't even look my way once.

We shared two different classes together, this one and Literature. So of course, we had to share a few words here and there. But, it wasn't anything special, in fact I did the talking. The thing is, he's never shared a glance at me, not once.

Moving down the corridor, I took a sharp turn, heading to the gym where all the football players hangout before practice.

As I walked, I could hear them talking and laughing. I can't believe I was about to walk in that gym filled with popular hot boys...but I had no choice.

Lucas is someone you'd know when he enters the room, but he kept to himself a lot. He was either playing football or fucking a girl at some corner. Or not even in the school grounds, I wonder how in the fucking world was he first in all his classes when he was hardly in class.

My heart was beating rapidly, my arms clenched my bag to my chest. Feet shaky and hands clammy. If it's possible, maybe I was even sweating. I'm sure my breathing wasn't normal, because it sounds too loud for my poor ears.

Standing right in front of the double door of the gym, I debated just running away and hunting down Mira to give it to Tyler so that Tyler gave it to his best friend, Lucas.

That wouldn't be hard, right?

The problem is, Tyler and Mira weren't on talking terms, and that favor was not happening. She'd probably think I'm insane.

Shutting my eyes, I took in a deep breath. About to open the doors, when someones' high pitched voice came from behind me.

"Look who we have here, girls." Fuck, it was Stacey. "Valor, what it the world are you doing here, mmh?" I turned and caught her mischievous grin. "Spying on the boys? Stalking maybe?"

"Oh, n-no. I just came t-to give L-"

"Aww, you sacred, Val?" Stella pouted, walking forward and bending down. She held her thighs to be the same height level as me. This left me flushing red on the face, my height was always made fun about at school.

"Your stuttering is so cute!" Stella said, turning to look at Cleome and Stacey. "Isn't she cute, girls?"

Stacey rolled her eyes, obviously not interested in what Stella had to say. Cleome didn't even look away from her phone. Eyes glued to the screen, always leaving me wondering who it was she's always texting.

Stella was definitely teasing me, she was trying to humiliate me, she was not being sweet at all. She knew I hated my height. Being only 5ft0, everyone toward over me.

It's embarrassing, very.

"So tell us, Valor. What were you doing huh?" Stacey cracked a smirk, ignoring Stella's words. She moved to stand before me, her tall frame towering over me, intimidating me a little bit.

"Is this what you like doing, mmh?" A brow raised. "Staring at something you can't have... "

"Uhm." I tried avoiding her eyes, shaking my head. "It's n-not what it looks like."

"Oh, Val. It seemed like that to us." Stella pouted, shaking her head. "Let's see what the boys will say about this. Another lousy nerd trying to get a glimpse of them in the shower-" she paused then smirk, "...maybe we should take this to the principal."

"Please don't report me." Tears were now about to fall down my cheeks. "Please, I wasn't doing anything. I-I came to hand Lucas his research project and in-inform him that we were selected as group partners for this p-project."

Stella smirked but Staceys' eyes turned into slits, her beautiful blue eyes pinned me down as she looked at me from head to toe. "You're partnered up with Lucas?" Stacey asked, and I slowly nodded.

Her frowned deepens, making me look away from those heated eyes.

Stella senses her mood, and instead speaks for her. Her arms folded, she came forward. "We won't inform the principal about your disgusting stalker behavior." My shoulders relaxed too soon, I should have known there'd something I had to do in return.

"On one condition though-"

"Two." Stacey interrupted, making Stella look at her questioningly. "On two conditions." She said, her eyes pinning me to place.

Stacey walks to stand right in front of me. Her eyes were analysing me carefully. With judgement in her eyes, pinning me to place and leaving me feeling small and worthless.

"Tell your best friend Mirabella to break up with Tyler." My heart dropped, eyes wide as I stared in disbelief.

"W-what? I can't do that!" Mira would hate me, she'd think I'm trying too hard to break them up, that I was probably jealous, plus she'd be hurt. "I can't."

"You can." Stella said harshly, her soft tone long gone. "...and you will." There was a finality to her words, this left me speechless.

Then Stacey spoke up, "Second condition." She trailed off, making me nervous about her next words. "You won't be Lucas' partner, find another."

Why were they trying to make my life hard for me. "I can't do that as well." I grimaced.

Stacey tensed, clearly annoyed. "Why not?"

"Well, I already tried asking Mr Rogers to switch partners but he declined."

Stacey shrugged. "Does it look like I care?" Nope, she didn't. "Exactly, figure it out."

Stella nodded, speaking up. "And don't forget the first condition. Don't try play smart, sweetie." She flashed me such a sickening smile.

Laughing at my fearful face, they all left me there, standing there with overwhelming emotions taking over.

Why was it so hard to live? My life was starting to seem stupid, I'm tired of this.

..........

Please vote and comment your thoughts.

It'll truly help me, thank you 😊