The Cycle

CHAPTER 3: STREAK

CHAPTER 3

STREAK

The rest of the lunch period was uneventful. Kayden asked the new boy so many questions it was hard to keep track. At some point, I intervened and started talking about nothing in particular and Nayland threw me a thankful look. When the attention wasn't on Nayland, though, it was on me, and I truly loathed that. Kayden asked me some questions that were easy to answer like what my favorite color was, what my favorite genre of music was, what was the greatest book I've ever read...then there were the hard questions, questions like what I wanted to do as an adult, what my long term goals were, what I hoped to do after high school.

I didn't say this out loud, but truthfully, I couldn't spare to waste time thinking about what I would like to do with my life. Unfortunately, the cold reality was I was probably not going to live much longer and I've learned to accept this despite what my parents believe.

Nayland and I walk in silence to our fifth period, weaving in and around the other students and keeping an awkward space between us. He hasn't said a word since we parted with Kayden and I grow anxious by this fact. When we enter the classroom, all eyes trail on Nayland and me as we head to our seats. The kids sitting at my table whisper to each other as I pull out my notebook and I throw them a wary look. From my peripheral vision, I can see Nayland leaning his head down and glaring at the table.

Mrs. Gore calls the class to settle down and announces we will be doing a partner project that will be due at the end of the month before we go on Thanksgiving break. The class murmurs with excitement, but I sink in my chair, waiting for the dread to be over. I hate partner projects, mainly because I am always stuck with someone who doesn't want to do their share of work. Just another thing to add to the "stress list".

Mrs. Gore begins pairing partners together at each table, some students more enthusiastic than others, when she finally reaches our table.

"And, Nayland, you'll be working with Elaina," she says and walks off.

A couple of girls sitting at my table protest that I'm not fit to work with Nayland and I have to admit it stings, a little, but I don't take much notice.

"Mrs. Gore, if Nayland wants to switch, can I be his partner?"

"Or me?"

Mrs. Gore takes a seat at her cluttered desk.

"If Nayland wishes to change partners than you can switch with Elaina," she says and turns her attention to the computer screen.

Without missing a beat, my table swarms Nayland with a million requests to switch partners. I look down at my notebook, holding my head in my hands, and wait for him to answer their heavy pleas.

"So, Nayland," a pretty dark-haired girl with freckles says. "You wanna be partners with me?"

"Or me?" another girl, much shorter and smaller than the brunette says.

"Hey, I asked him first."

"So, what's it gonna be, Nayland?"

There's an idle pause.

"Thank you for your consideration...but, I think I'd like to work with Elaina." The ogling girls gasp in surprise; I can't even hide my shock. I don't look up at him right away, waiting for the girls' murmurs to slowly dissipate, before I turn to him.