Written in the Stars

Chapter 14

So yes. I've updated again! I'm on a roll! Wooh! I'm relishing my moments of freedom away from all those painful tests. I'll be updating daily again soon! I have a few things I need to take care of. Anyways, back to the story!

"And cellular respiration is when glucose + oxygen will create carbon dioxide + water + ATP. In symbolism, it is written out C6H12O6 + 6O2 will yield or create 6CO2 + 6H2O. Can anyone tell me what ATP stands for?" The science teacher Mr. Graser asked. I was currently, doodling on my notebook since there was nothing better to do.
"Ms. Green!" He said sharply, awakening me from the world of daydreaming. "Could you tell me what ATP stands for?" I smiled at him. "ATP energy. ATP stands for Adenosine Tri-Phosphate." I told him. He seemed startled for a moment, as if surprised that I knew the answer. "That is, um, correct." He stuttered. "Pay attention." I nodded. As soon as his back faced the board, I rolled my eyes and returned to doodling.
Almost seconds later, the bell rang. A surge of happiness and joy coursed through my veins as I packed up my and slung my bag over one shoulder, running towards the door.
Charlotte and Ellie were waiting at my locker.
Once they saw me, their expressions seemed to have darkened. "Bad news." Charlotte said. I warily opened my locker and shoved my things inside. "What is it?"
They exchange worried glances before turning to face me. "Rachel is going to press charges against us for our heist." I raised an eyebrow. "But she has no proof. She can't make any claims." Charlotte gave me a dry laugh. "Throw money at lawyers and they'll eat up whatever you say." I shook my head. "How though? Why? I've already been arrested once."
"I know." Ellie agreed. I didn't need to remind her. Her and my family helped bail me out for something that I didn't do. Rachel's (fake) tears seemed to convince the cops to put me in handcuffs.
"MS. GREEN!" I heard a sharp voice say, causing me to jump. I turned around to see Mr. Cambel. "A word." He motioned for me to enter his classroom.
"Meet us in the lunchroom." Charlotte whispered in my ear before dragging Ellie down the hall. Mr. Cambel shut the door as I entered, guiding me to his desk. "Jack Hawksworth had a math exam today. Do you know what his grade was?" I bit my lip. I hope that studying paid off. But by the look on his face it wasn't very good.
"He scored a 94. That's the best score he's had all year! I've been teaching him all year and all he's gotten is 70s. You come along as his tutor and tutor him for a week and he has a sudden 94! No. I don't think that's possible. Tell me, how do you help him study?" He leaned over his desk, glaring at me. I gulped.
"Well it started with teaching him equations...for two hours before he got the subject. I soon realized that at that rate, he would never get anything done so I tried a different method. I looked in my garage for my soccer ball and used sports, his forte, to help him. We got through five topics per hour so that was a better way to help him study for this."
Mr. Cambel narrowed his eyes at me and pursed his lips. "Hmmm... alright then. That does raise your average as well. You may go." I nodded, rushing to leave the room as quickly as possible. I hated being summoned to a teacher's classroom. I was afraid that they wanted to talk about dropping grades or deduct points. The feeling just made my stomach twist.
I was about to head towards the lunchroom. Instead, a brute force yanked me into the nearest empty classroom. "Well if it isn't Miss Perfect herself?" I heard a familiar feminine voice say. "Rachel?" The blonde came into sight in the dim light of the room with a Cheshire like smile on her face. "Don't forget me." a masculine voice said. "Dominic?" Whats happening right now?
"I need you to do us a little favor." Rachel said. By based on the tone of her voice, I wasn't going to like this 'little favor.' I gulped. "What do you want?" I say, trying to sound braver than I felt. The truth is, I was intimidated. Rachel, the school's rich person who could convince anyone of anything, with my ex who had the strength of an ox, could have anything up their sleeves.
Dominic pulled a crumpled piece of paper from his pocket and handed it to me. Rachel pulled out her phone, staring intently at the screen and moving her fingers rapidly. She pointed the phone to me. "You are going to read what's on the paper into this microphone. And then you're going to walk away."
I raised an eyebrow, unfurling the crumpled paper. It read:
Rachel- Diana, I'm so sorry for being so mean to you. If you want Jack, I totally understand, I'll back off-
Diana- Have him. I hate Jack Hawksworth. The only thing he's ever done is be a terrible friend. All I see him as now is a pathetic jerk.
"Why?" Rachel gave me a sinister laugh. "Wow, Diana. For someone so smart, it takes you a while to catch on." I stood up confidently, hoping it would have some sort of effect on her. "What if I don't do it?" Rachel gestures to Dominic who leans against the table with his arms folded. "He will make sure."
I gulp again. "So what? You're planning on getting this and showing it to Jack? And it seems a bit coincidental that you happened to record the exact moment I called him out." I say using sarcasm in my tone. This was usually my forte. Find the flaw, use it.
But instead of its usual effect, Rachel laughed. "Oh I have it all figured out. Now put those acting skills to work and say it. Then I'll make some edits." I look back at the paper, then to Dominic, to Rachel, to the phone. "Before I say this, just tell me exactly what will happen if I don't say this." Rachel eyes Dominic who nods in response.
"I'll press charges against you and your friends. And we both know that with your record, money isn't my only solution." I pressed my lips into a thin line. She had a point and I was cornered. Just when I started to become reacquainted with Jack, this had to happen.
I lean forward and press the record button. Rachel gives me an approving smile. "Have him. I hate Jack Hawksworth. The only thing he's ever done is be a terrible frie-" my voice cracked in the middle. I couldn't do this. Not to Jack. "We don't have all day." Rachel said in a bored tone. I leaned forward again. "Friend. All I see him as now is as a pathetic jerk." Once I finished, Rachel pulled back the phone and ended the voice recording. "Now just sign this. It basically says you can't tell Jack that this was fake and you have to stay away from him or else I have to press charges against that too."
She pushes a paper towards me with the legal terms of the contract. I pick up the pen, skimming through it. My hand is hesitant. "Just sign it already." I press the tip of the pen to he paper and reluctantly sign my name. I stood up. "There. You won." Rachel smirked. "I always win." And with that, Dominic opened the door as I left. The hallway felt cold and empty.
"Hey." I heard a familiar voice call. It warmed my insides but also stabbed me with pain. "Your friends are waiting for you." Jack said. He wore his boyish grin, his hair tousled and his eyes seemed to have that hidden twinkle. He grew concerned when I didn't respond. "Diana, are you okay?" He took a step forward, causing me to take a step back. I looked back at Jack one last time. His brows were creased with confusion. He looked lost.
I didn't do anything though. Instead, I turned and walked away.

And that does it for this chapter! I was really excited for this one because I finally got some action in. Sorry if it's not good. I don't edit a lot and I really don't know how to write teen fiction. I usually write fantasies or sci fi. This is my first story on Wattpad too. Anyways, if you liked it, leave a comment! I'll see you next chapter!