Seven Brothers (JENSOO)

Chapter - 14

A whole week went by in which I managed to avoid Jisoo, everyone pestered me a lot, ordering me to sit with them at lunch, but I always managed to find an excuse. Jisoo herself tried talking to me but I would just dismiss her and pretty soon we were back to how we began. We didn't talk to each other at home, just exchanged awkward looks and I actively chose not to sit next to her in class. As much as I missed her and missed the way she made me feel, it was less painful to not be around her.

"Are you coming for ice cream with us after school? Everyone is going" Rosè asked as we strolled down the hallway. Usually I would jump at the chance to partake in any activity that includes food, however, I was on a strictly Jisoo-free diet. "I've got work tonight" I pointed out, faking an apologetic tone. "Since when do you work on a Friday night? Come one, we're celebrating breaking up for Christmas" she urged me.
"I picked up an extra shift" I shrugged my shoulders before walking off into my class and leaving her in the hallway, staring after me.

I decided to sit at the back, not really feeling in a participating mood. All I wanted to do was get this class out of the way and then go home to bed and sleep until Christmas. I'd wake up for food of course. My plans were interrupted when a six foot two tall statue of stupid decided to sit next to me.
"Hi" grinned Jisoo as she stretched out beside me.

"Hi" I replied nonchalantly, looking down at my text book in front of me. She didn't move to get her notebook or stationery out, meaning that she didn't intend to do any work in the next hour. As if it wasn't hard enough to concentrate in English, now I had to contend with a snoring lump beside me.

On the other side of me I had Andrew, the heavy breathing, overweight guy who barely spoke a word. I didn't know which one of them was worse. Our teacher walked in and took her place at the front of the class, opening up her copy of Far From The Madding Crowd. "So why are you avoiding me Jennie?" Jisoo whispered besides me, now reclined on his chair. "Shh" I hissed, trying to listen to Mrs. Streep as she recited an extract from the book.

"I know you were angry with me at the dance, but this is a little extreme, don't you think?" I ignored her croons as I stared viciously at the words in front of me. She was teasing me with her playful voice.
"Jisoo!" Mrs. Streep exclaimed "Will you sit up and get your book out please"

"Regrettably I left my copy of the novel at home today, Mrs. Streep"
"Hmm, regrettably indeed. Share with Jennie" she ordered before turning back to her reading. Suddenly, Jisoo sat up and was leaning over me, breathing in my ear. I slid the book between us, so that she didn't have to come so near, but she didn't move.

"I'll ask you again Jennie, why are you avoiding me?" her hands wrapped around my waist and stayed there. "Answer or I'll tickle". I froze instantly, she knew that I was incredibly sensitive and would most likely wet myself when tickled.

"Get your hands off of me" I hissed, as quietly as possible, but not quietly enough it seemed. "Miss Jennie, are you even concentrating on this novel?" Mrs. Streep exclaimed from her place of honour at the front of the classroom. "Yes, Mrs. Streep, I am. Jisoo just lost her place and was asking for help" I lied quickly as Jisoo finally lowered her hands off of my body.

"Is that so? Well, if you've been concentrating so hard you should be able to tell me which of her suitors Bathsheba would be best suited to" she sat back on her desk cockily, ready for me to fail. "Well, she's a young women with considerable status. Her best option in the Victorian era would be Farmer Boldwood. He's the most financially stable of her three suitors and of the most respectable status".

"Very good, you understand the context of the novel, but I want to know that you understand what Hardy is trying to convey, how is each character presented? If this were a modern book and status were not an issue, who would Batheba's best option be?"