Didn't Expect (Book 2 of the KBI series)

Chapter 9 - Text Message From Bonnie

On our way to our inevitable doom to talk about pigs, a vibration from my phone caught my attention. My heart sped up when I recognized the saved number : Bonnie

Kamala. 

Immediately, I attempted to open my phone with face ID, but the camera got to smudged when I was playing a game earlier. While walking through the doors of the classroom, I finally unlock my phone to reveal her message.

Let's talk after school?

My eyes widen, and before I respond, I'm interrupted by the sound of the one and only Mrs. Letti. 

"Harmony." The screeching, calm voice already gave me an ick. I lifted my gaze to look meet her piercing blue eyes that were shielded by her thick-rimmed glasses. 

"Ms. Letti." I responded bluntly. This was the only teacher I didn't respect, and it showed. There is something about her that makes me want to crawl into an erupting volcano and I can't tell if it's because of her unattractive bowler haircut or not. The wicked witch of English continued to ramble empty words as I found my way to my seat.

"As soon as we walk into the class, phones need to be down, out of sight and put away." 

I popped an eyebrow at her stern expression. At times, I feel as if Mrs. Letti knows I don't like her, so she plays with the idea, typically in my own way, I would play back. Unfortunately, today wasn't the day. I stayed silent and leaned back in my desk, watching my friends be instructed to find empty seats but holding in the desire to text Kamala back. Just as the thought entered my brain, another notification vibrated from my back pocket. I looked up to check if Mrs. Letti was looking and, of course, I have two dead eyes observing my every move. The bell rang signaling the official start of class. I supressed my intense irritation which was easy because the anxiety of what the conversation might look like after school outweighed it. 

Focus on the present, Harmony. Focus on the present. 

"She calls you Harmony?" A voice that could only be recongnized as Kai whispered from behind. I turned around sharply to see him leaned over with his muscular arms crossed on the desk. I was in my head completely, I didn't even realize where they ended up sitting. Kai, specifically. I nodded to answer before turning back to the front, just to lock eyes once more with my favorite lizard eyed friend. Squinting my eyes at her, I grew concerned with how much she's been looking at me. At this point, I have to assume she's crushing on me.

Suddenly, she broke eye contact with me and surveyed the entire room while she spoke. 

"Okay,we have seven new students joining us today. They are from an international-exchange program and got transfered here late in the year so if they have any questions, answer them. " She began directing her speech at the new students. "One by one, stand up and introduce youself and tell us one of your favorite things to do."

There wasn't a chance for a debate about who would go first. Val saw a chance to be in the spotlight and he took it. He stood to his full goliath height and cleared his throat before speaking.

"Hello, everybody." His accent was ten times stronger and his voice went down a few octaves. I smiled out of entertainment. "I am Ivan. Nice to meet you. I like to read books." 

Short. Simple. Sweet. And so misleading. 

As Val sat with a proud demeanor, Scarlett stood and spoke with, what sounded like, thick valley-girl speech . 

"Hey, I'm Stephanie! So I'm, like, from here, you know? I just travel alot because of, like, my dad and this program and, like, it's like school but on a plane basically." She trailed off into a dramatic pause before answering the second part of the question. "Anyways. I like to par-tay!"

There were sounds of agreement and validation before Mrs. Letti, of course, had to make sure everyone went silent.

Jack was next, which was the most anticipated in a personal way. I haven't had any classes with him yet and since he never speaks which multiplies my interest. However, it was rather anti-climactic because he just lazily waved. Tiger translated which prevented Mrs. Letti from pressing the silent giant. 

"Hello! You can call me Devon and he is Mark. He does not speak because he recently just suffered from trauma." As soon as he finished speaking audible gasps were heard around the room and Tiger nodded solemly. 

"But, I like to cook and Mark likes to..." Tiger trailed off and when he spoke again, it sounded like an ah-ha moment. "Not talk."

As Tiger sat awkwardly as Mickey rose to the occasion. 

"I am Steve." Mickey did not continue anything after that. He just said I am Steve and sat back down. I glanced at Mrs. Letti to see if she would egg him on, but she wasn't paying attention. Instead, her head was locked into her phone. Immediately, my eye twitched out of pure and utter distate for another human being. 

"Hey, I'm Marcus." Weuss' voice carried itself through my angry thoughts. "English was my first language and I've already read this book so I won't need any help. I like to play Fortnite alone on Christmas Eve while eating butter out of a sock. It makes me feel less lonely."

That's one way to make sure you're never bothered. 

Hearing Kai's chair scrape the ground, I looked up to see everyone's eyes locked on him, mesmerized. I smirked to myself. That's my boyfriend.

"Hey, I'm Alex. Nice to meet you." He said with a flawless accent that I didn't know he had. "And I like to play football."

Several other high school boys chimed in with support after his introduction and Mrs. Letti finally brought her attention back to the classroom. Which is where it should have been in the first place. She should know that phones are to be down, out of sight and put away. 

"Alright, everyone. Thank you." She picked up the wretched book I've been loathing since lunchtime. The Animal Farm. As her fingers flipped rough, off-white pages, I kept nothing on my desk. I didn't take out a single book or notebook. "Flip to page 67, I'll wait until everyone is there. For those of you who are new, share with the person closest to you."

Once again, those leeches of eyes locked back onto me, then to my empty desk then to me once more. 

"Harmony, is there a reason the book isn't out and on your desk?" She questioned. Little did she know, I didn't have an answer. Frankly, I wanted to give her silent treatment after that little stunt she pulled with the phone. Resting the book on the corner of her desk, she lightly rested her own body on the edge and raised her eyebrows with expectation. When more time went by without a response and instead, I chose to gaze at the back of my classmate's head, she took matters into her own hands. 

"Would you like to teach the class today? Since you don't mind holding the class up."

Mrs. Letti thought that she intimidated with that statement. No, she only enabled me. 

"As a matter of fact, Mrs. Letti. I'd love to."