Riptide

Chapter Three - Project

Billy huffed and before I could say it myself, he raised his hand and asked, "Can I get a different partner?" The teacher simply glared, not wanting to put up with it. "No, Because I get paid based on how well my students do and you're new to this school and my class, so I paired you with the student who is at the top of my class to guarantee your success." The teacher glared, Billy was about to object, "My salary being deducted isn't worth the petty high school drama that you and Ms. Beckett will forget about in 30 years, now sit." She said not to mess around. I couldn't help but giggle as Billy sat beside me, he sat like a pouting child, arms crossed, slouching, and a scowl on his face. "Shut up," He glared evidently not as amused as I was, I cleared my throat, "So we've been assigned Lady Margaret Beaufort," I said getting on topic, "And who the hell is that?" Billy asked, visibly confused, "The mother of Henry the 7th, and the woman essentially behind the war of the roses," I shrugged, "So what did she do?" Billy asked, sighing sitting up fully, I smiled before going into full detail into the specifics you probably have no interest in, so I'll spare you from it. 

"Alright..." He gave me a half-lidded expression that read that he was extremely bored and was most likely not paying attention. He seemed to always have a similar expression, but when arguing that half-lidded look seems to go away and be replaced with something else. I knew in my core what had changed him when he looked at me like that. "You weren't listening, were you?" I asked, much to his surprise, "Nope," He admitted chuckling, "Right I forgot it's a challenge to think when there is only empty space between your ears," I rolled my eyes, he glared furrowing his brows. "What's that supposed to mean?" He asked, getting visibly pissed, I looked at him unafraid, "I think you know, or have you inhaled the fumes from your Aqua Net, If so, I'd be happy to spell it out for you." He looked shocked that someone would actually talk to him like that, when the teacher wasn't looking, he grabbed my wrist. "That wasn't very nice." He glared, "Cry about it bitch," I said pulling my wrist back. He now was borderline stunned. I sighed realizing insults weren't going to get us a passing grade, but they were certainly fun. We sat there in silence glaring at each other, I finally broke the silence, "Are we going to keep having a staring contest or are we going to do the assignment?" I asked rolling my eyes, "Let's get on with the assignment because I don't even want to look at you," Billy glared before turning to look at the piece of paper in front of him. "The feeling is mutual," I sighed, writing down my address on a piece of paper. "What's this for?" Billy asked confusedly, I rolled my eyes. "I'm sorry but there's no physical way to do a school project without one of us going to the other's house or the library, and you probably don't want to be seen with me at the library." I shrugged as I started to actually work on the assignment. "Why do we have to go to your place?" Billy huffed, I looked at him pinching the bridge of my nose. "Do you want your dad to see me?" I asked, moving my hand away from my face to make eye contact with Billy, he bit the inside of his cheek and simply nodded, knowing what I was implying. "Fine," He rolls his eyes, leaning back in his chair again. 

When school was over, I felt a sense of dread as I drove home, I was checking the rear-view mirror like a mad woman, "Was he following me?" I wondered, even though I didn't see his car, I was wondering if he was coming over immediately or if he'd wait like an hour or so, "Would he stay for dinner? Would he bring his stepsister?" Were all questions that were plaguing my mind. I guess given my train of thought I checked the mirror so often that finally Terran spoke up. "Are you okay?" He asked, sounding concerned, I looked at him then back to the road. "Yeah," I looked at him and gave him a reassuring smile, "I'm fine, just stressed out from school." I said, half telling the truth. Terran nodded, looking like he wanted to change the subject, "I got an A on my science test," he said with a proud smile on his face. "That's awesome!" I said beaming with pride. "Osiris got a B, which is good too." Terran shrugged, I smiled looking at Terran, "That's great," I looked back at the road, "Considering how hard you two have been studying." I smiled, almost forgetting that Billy was coming over until, "Everyone else in our party did a great job too, though Max, technically part of our party, didn't have to actually take the test cause she's new." He shrugged, reminding me that I had invited Billy over. "Speaking of Max, how's she settling in?" I asked, trying to figure out how to tell Terran. "She's been spending most of her time at the arcade, and arguing with Mike," Terran looks down then back at me, "He just won't give her a break," He shrugged. "That sucks, so did she mention anything about the jackass who almost turned you into a hood ornament?" I asked, slightly gripping the steering wheel in frustration at everything, hell I had to drive Terran around because when he crashed into that ditch, he damaged his bike. "His name is Billy, and I asked but she just really said that he was a jackass." Terran chuckled, "I'd hate to be in her shoes or to even know him. Though I did think it was kind of ironic that you knew Billy back in California and they're from California, hell they're even from San Diego and-" Terran cuts himself off with a realization, "No..." He said looking over at me, I understood exactly what he was saying so I simply nodded. "There's no way!" Terran said in disbelief. "Yep..." I nodded, biting the inside of my cheek, soon pulling into the driveway. A wave of relief of getting out of this conversation washed over me. I parked the car, then looked at Terran, "And he's coming over later for a class project." I quickly said as I grabbed my things and got out of my car bolting to get to the door.