Polka Dots

1.| hi, i'm..

Delilah:

"Okay, settle down, settle down everyone. We'll be starting our family section of home economics."

"Do we get to make a family?" Some meathead question.

He had meant it as a joke, but the teacher's answer shocked him.

"Why, yes. You do. Until the end of this quarter you'll be 'married' to whoever you are assigned to and--"

"Can we choose our partners?" A girl asked.

"No. As I was saying, next quarter we'll add the baby to your marriage to spice things up. After our lesson, I'll read off the partners and give you more information."

Then we took notes and listened to Mr. Quals talk for the next twenty minutes.

"We can finish this next class, I must go over some rules." He said after eyeing the clock on the wall.

"Ahem, as I call your names you are to come up, grab two watches and go sit by your partner. Let's begin. Courtney and Reggie. Ayana and Trent. Isaac and Maudie..."

I zoned out waiting for my name to be called. I was toward the end although I should've been first since we went in alphabetical order.

"Max and...oh, Delilah." Mr. Quals finally called out. I looked around for this so-called Max. He stood from his seat, went to the front then came and sat in the empty seat next to me as he slid me a watch.

"Hi, I'm--"

"I know who you are." I cut him off. I mean, who didn't? He was a football player. Anyone who played a sport was known.

"Oh, do you? Well I don't know you, so why don't you fill me in."

"My name is Delilah, that's all you need to know." I turned back to Mr. Quals as he explained why we needed watches.

"Now this watch will determine your final grade. Please do not lose, break or whatever you delinquents could do to a watch. It regulates you and whenever you're away from your spouse too long it will let you know. You lose points each time you and your spouse argue or stay away, so don't let it happen. Don't worry we've sent emails to each of your parents so they'll understand just in case anything comes up. Please remember, you're married now."

With that the bell rang freeing us to go to lunch.

"So, wife, what's the plan?" Max asked.

"Just stay away until the watches start beeping."

"Aw, come on. That's no fun."

"Do you have any better ideas?" I didn't even turn around as I ventured off to my locker. I knew he'd follow.

"Uh yeah. We could actually try. I don't know about you, but this puts pressure on my grade."

"As I said, got any better ideas?" I glanced back before twisting in my locker combination.

"It's only for a few weeks. What's the harm in trying?" He shrugged.

I was suddenly able to turn around.

"Look, I don't know you and you definitely don't know me. Let's keep it that way. Now excuse me, I'm missing lunch." I walked past him heading to the library.

Finding a seat in the back I unwrapped my chicken sandwich as I scrolled through my phone.

•••

"Hey Delilah, wait up!" A voice called. I turned my head without completely stopping so I could see who it was.

"What do you want Max?" I questioned still not stopping.

"My watch was beeping last night, wasn't yours?"

"Yeah, so what?"

"Delilah, that means we're losing points for being away from each other too long."

I just grunted as I kept walking.

"Hey, I'm serious. This could really affect my grade and I'm not letting that happen because you lack people skills."

"I lack people skills?" I scoffed.

"Of course not, because you just interact with everyone so well and you have tons of friends." Sarcasm dripping of his tongue.

"Look--"

"No, we are doing this project and we will get a good grade, alright? This is not a game."

"What do you want from me?" I huffed.

"Well for one i need your number."

"What?"

"So I can call you."

"Well duh, but--"

"Just for the project. I'll need to call you and stuff." He stated. When I made no attempt to give him my number he huffed and dug around in his backpack behind his back.

From there he produced a sharpie in which he used to write his number on my exposed forearm.

"Call or text me tonight. don't forget" he told me before walking off.

I rolled my eyes continuing to walk outside. I made my way onto the sidewalk beginning my trek home. My bag, a little lighter, allowed me to arrive a couple minutes earlier than usual.

"Delilah, sweetheart. Is that you?"

"Yes, mum."

"Could you come here? I need you to make a list of all the groceries I need to pick up." she called.

I brought myself to the kitchen plopping down at the little island. She slid over a stationery notepad and a matching pen. As she searched through the cabinets I wrote down things she called out. Finally she turned around to look at the list.

"Del, what's that?" She questioned, examining my arm.

"Oh, just a number."

"A phone number? Like from a boy?"

"Yes mum." I rolled my eyes.

A small smirk touched her lips.

"And why do you have his number displayed on your arm?"

"Because, mum, he's my husband."

|| end ||

[so sorry. this lacks creativity. maybe it's my tired brain. I'll try again though, never one to disappoint]

-gg