Dabbling In Sweetness

Chapter 5

I sat in silence diligently taking notes as Ms. April wrote out math equations on the board and explained to us. There is a knock on the door and we all turn our attention to it, wanting to know the mystery of who was behind said door. "Come in," Ms April speaks as she walks to her door.

"Hi, Ms. April," Abacus speaks as he enters the door with a note in his hand, "Mr. Dolten asked me to give this to you." His eyes scan the room as he gives everyone his award-winning smile before they land on me. He gives me a small wave which I eagerly respond back to before slouching down in my chair at everyone staring at me.

Ms April grabs the note and reads it, "Ah yes- I needed to give him these papers. He asked if I could have printed out some of his classwork because his printer broke at the last minute and he didn't have time to go make copies himself today-" she says in a tangent. Abacus patiently listens as he waits for her to retrieve the copies from her desk, clearly forgetting where she put them as she opens and closes drawers while she absentmindedly talks.

The door opens once again with a push, swinging wide open as Grayson steps in red as a tomato and glistening with sweat. His black hair was mated to the side and his annoyed face was more prominent than ever.

"Why- Grayson, what on earth happened to you?" Ms April says with concern as she walks toward him.

Grayson looks up and sees Abacus behind her, his face quickly turns into a wide grin and his whole face lights up in mischief. He extended a note to Ms. April and spoke with bravado, "My bad, but the coach had us running laps because a certain player couldn't be bothered to show up." I can see Abacus fist clench to his side and his jaw goes slack as he trains murdering eyes on Grayson. Noticing the effect Grayson continues, "seems like he was busy flirting with a girl who I bet he wasn't able to get to second base with." I can feel myself slouching down more as I hide my face in my hands, knowing he was referring to me.

"Are you sure he didn't make you run laps for your poor lack of condition-" Abacus quickly fires back.

Grayson pretends to consider this as he nods, "Maybe you're right- maybe he was training me to take over for the current quarterback."

Abacus takes a menacing step towards Grayson who stands there with his chest sticking out, fist balling by his side.

"BOYS-" Ms. April huffs out, seems like she had been trying to stop them but they kept speaking over her, "that's enough." They both seem surprised, barely realizing they were in a classroom and not in an arena. "Grayson, take your seat and Abacus- let me get you those papers. Now make like numbers and divide-" she ends as they just stand there glaring at each other. Grayson rolls his eyes and walks toward the back of the class while Ms. April walks to her bag and takes out the stack of papers. "Here you are Abacus-"

"Thank you Ms. April," he says and walks out. Just like that- the whole situation seemed to have been forgotten by an eager teacher ready to continue her lesson and a half asleep guy in the back.

Half way through the lecture, Ms. April claps her hands together as she drops her marker on her desk with a wide grin. "Everyone, groups of four. No exceptions-" she says as she grabs a stack of papers on her desks and calls on a boy named Allen. "Would you make sure everyone gets one please," she tells him as he nods and starts handing them out. I ignore all the screeching behind me as I grab the paper and start working on the problems on my own.

"I didn't take you for a troublemaker," a deep voice whispers in my ear, causing me to shiver. I can feel my face turn bright red as I turn to look at his piercing eyes on me with a wicked smile. He leans in closer one more time and says, "But maybe after your little show during lunch I shouldn't expect anything less."