Hate You, Love You. | Jenlisa

2

"Alright class, today you all are going to be assigned group projects on the different political systems in Africa. You and your partner are going to pick a specific country and tell me how they handle their political affairs. I want dates, facts, examples and detailed explanations. Remember this is a GROUP assignment so I expect GROUP participation. If I find out that only one person did the work, you're both getting a low grade."

I groan so loud, I'm pretty sure the teacher heard it. I hate group assignments, especially with snobby rich kids.

"All right, I'll be reading out the names." Mr. Kang, our History teacher says.

"Dahyun and Momo."

"Bambam and Krystal."

"Rosé and Taehyung."

"Jennie and Jisoo."

Just my luck, I get partnered up with Lisa's bestfriend. Does the universe hate me or what? Everyone moves around the classroom trying to find their designated partners while I wait for Jisoo to join me because I'm not going to move my ass from my seat.

After 3 minutes and  20 seconds (Yes, I was counting), her floppy curls decided to grace me with their presence.

"Let's get one thing straight, I don't like you and vice versa so let's just get this shit over with and pretend like we don't know each other. Deal?"

Her lips curve. "Deal."

The final bell rings, signalling the end of History. "Don't forget that it's due Friday." Mr. Kang shouts to the students who have already made their way outside. I slowly grab my bag from the floor and pour the contents on my table to the bag. I can feel Jisoo watching me. "Do you have something to say?"

"No."

"Don't you have somewhere to be?"

"No, not really."

"So, you're going to hang out with Mr. Kang?"

She shrugs. "I could if he let me."

Weird.

"Mr. Kang has a life too you know," I point to our teacher who is packing his belongings. "He's about to leave, and you should too."

"Where should we meet for our group assignment?"

"Oh, right," I facepalm myself, almost forgetting the assignment. "Does the library sound good? I have a few errands to run but I'd be back by 3:30."

"Sounds good."

"Great," I say awkwardly. "See you there."

The library, which by the way looks like something straight out of the movie Beauty and the Beast, is filled to the brim with my classmates and other students who have assignments to work on, deadlines to meet and tests to prepare for. The mountain of books on African Studies is stacked on our table in heaps, but Jisoo and I have been here for about 30 minutes and we still haven't agreed on a country to work on.

"Namibia?" I suggest.

"No."

"Ethiopia?"

"No."

"Ghana?"

"No."

"Nigeria?"

"No."

"Is you favorite word 'no'?"

"Yes."

"Okay, I believe I've mentioned over 50 countries in Africa and you've rejected every one of them. What is your problem? I don't want to be here but I don't have rich parents like you and I have grades to maintain. Can you stop having a wedge in your ass and pick a damn country so we can move on. I have other obligations."