Chemical Bliss

Chapter 4: Bus Ride

For the rest of drama class, everyone continued to play the introduction game and Yasmine got bored and tired very fast.

Can the teacher stop making us get up and sit down simultaneously? she thought, glancing at Mrs. Delacourt, who looked far too enthusiastic about the whole ordeal. Yasmine sighed inwardly. My feet are getting tired of moving, and these seats feel like they're made of stone.

Meanwhile, Elijah was having the time of his life. He leaned back in his chair, smirking after each introduction, clearly relishing the attention. I love this game, he thought smugly. Never gets old introducing my awesome self to everyone. Plus, who doesn't love a good joke?

When the clock strike 2pm, the bell rang outside the drama classroom, its metallic chime echoing through the hallway signaling the end of the period.

Mrs. Delacourt clapped her hands together, her voice bright and full of energy. "Alrighty, my new thespians! That's a wrap for today." She gave the class a sweeping look, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. "I'm so happy everyone had fun with the game. And remember, tomorrow I'll be picking your acting groups!"

Yasmine froze at that announcement, her stomach sinking.

"Now, it's non-negotiable," Mrs. Delacourt continued. "Whoever you end up with will be the people you'll work with for the rest of the semester! So, that's my spiel. Have an amazing rest of your day, and I'll see you all tomorrow!"

Yasmine slouched in her seat, glaring at the desk in front of her. Don't remind me, she groaned internally. I don't want to work with people who do nothing but fool around and slack off. Her eyes flitted briefly to Elijah, who was still smiling like he'd won some kind of contest. Especially that fool. I just know he's going to drag the whole group down if we're stuck together.

Across the room, Elijah stretched lazily, his expression as self-assured as ever. His gaze wandered back to Yasmine, who looked like she was plotting her escape route. He chuckled softly to himself. I really wonder what she's thinking, he mused, amused by her obvious irritation. If we end up in the same group, she'll have no choice but to follow my lead.

Yasmine had been feeling the weight of the classwork and the presence of Elijah, breathed a sigh of relief as she heard the bell signaling the end of the class. She knew this was her chance to leave before he annoys her. She grabbed her backpack, slinging it over her shoulder, and made her way towards the exit of the door. When Elijah left the class after her, he watched her walking real fast.

"Hey, Yasmine! Wait up!" His tone was light, almost teasing. "Where are you walking so fast to?"

She didn't answer and she continued to walk fast until she was running towards the parking lot and bus stop behind building 13. She tried to find her bus number 365 and finally found it behind 4 more buses. She sat down on one of the aisles up front and she was the first one to get on the bus.

"Finally," she murmured to herself. "I'm on the bus."

She had managed to escape the drama classroom in a hurry, hoping to avoid any potential awkward conversations with Elijah. She felt a rush of relief as she made it to the school bus, thinking she was in the clear. However, after at least 10 students stepped on the bus to look for a seat, she noticed a familiar face approaching through the window. It was Elijah. Yasmine's initial joy at getting on the bus first quickly transformed into a sense of unease.

Panic prickled at the edges of her mind as she sank deeper into her seat, willing herself to disappear. "No, no, no," she whispered under her breath.  "Why does he have to ride this bus too?"