The Mindreader's Classmate

Five

Ms. Ngome stops the lesson ten minutes before the bell to inform us of a new exercise she cooked up. Everyone groans and she smiles at us the way I imagine an orca would after it's done playing with its food and ready to eat it.

"Don't worry, you'll learn to love it. It's graded, after all."

"I'm not liking your aunt very much, right now," Henrik whispers over his shoulder.

Char snorts. "You and me, both."

Nat's answering thoughts are so small and sad, they'd be written in tiny font if they were on paper. And I'm beginning to regret being happy about her crush.

How am I supposed to handle this? I have no right to butt into their feelings nor to manipulate their interactions but I don't want to see one of my best friends sad.

Things would be so much easier without romance.

"Oh, stop whining, won't you?" Ms. Ngome says to us, hands on her hips. "Now listen up. The exercise is simple. You'll all pair off – not with your buddies," she adds when people start turning to their friends.

Henrik turns to us and I'm speaking before he's even opened his mouth, "Work with me?"

"You two did a group project a few weeks ago," a new voice cuts in and we turn in surprise to find Julien hovering beside our desks, trying to appear casual.

"So you're saying I should work with... you?" Henrik asks, bewildered. What about Rebecca?

The girl in question is wondering the same thing as she joins our group. And why are we so popular, all of a sudden?

Julien shrugs, his dark locks falling into his eyes with the motion. "Why not? We're not close." But I want to be.

"What about Rebecca?" Henrik asks, out loud this time.

Another shrug. "She can work with one of the girls."

Don't throw us under the bus in your quest for romance, man, it's not cool.

Rebecca eyes us with distaste, which immediately ignites Char's contrary nature. She plasters on a sweet smile as she says, "What a great idea. I don't think I've ever worked with you before, Becca."

She draws out the last syllable just to get under Rebecca's skin. From the way her jaw clenches, it's a success.

So that's how you want to play it? Fine. "I'd love to get to know you better, too, Charline," Rebecca says, her smile equally syrupy.

Nat and I share a look at these alien match-ups. She turns to search the classroom and finds Céline – a girl she's known since kindergarten and has been on good terms with without being close friends – waving at her. They agree to team up through gesticulations.

Ms. Ngome's voice cuts through the chatter. "Has everyone found a partner? Raise your hand if you're still on your own."

The only other hand in the air beside mine is Martin's. Because my life is a friggin' romcom trope and all that's lacking is a scene at a motel with – oh no – a single bed we must share.

"Now that everyone has a partner, I'll explain the exercise. It's pretty simple: I want the two of you to share something that means a lot to you. It can be a hobby, a trip, a book or a movie – anything, really. You explore it, you discuss it and then you write me a paper about it. You'll also defend the paper for our December exam session. This will count for 25% of your written and oral grade so take it seriously. I
All of this in English, naturally."

The bell rings just as my forehead finds the cold wood of the desk. Not only am I stuck with Martin for the duration of this project but now I have to delve even deeper into who he is?