Like Romeo & Juliet

Chapter 5

Cavanaugh*

Have you ever been stuck in a place you know you don't belong in? That was French class for Toby. He tried to follow along with the class and use his very little knowledge of French, but it wasn't doing him much good. He tried asking his French teacher for help, but she had a long list of students seeking her for help. Spencer would email him daily trying her best to help him. This arrangement was not working for him. He's been taking the class for two weeks and his first quiz is coming up on Thursday. He knows he's failing the class already.

He started working at Tom's store over the weekend. His job responsibilities included doing inventory as the shop, sanding newly built wood furniture, and taking orders from customers. A few customers gave him dirty looks when they came in to pick up their furniture. On Sunday afternoon, Aria came into the shop.

"Hey," Aria greeted him at the front counter. "I didn't know you worked here."

"Just started yesterday," Toby said.

"I don't see you at school much," said Aria.

"Well, you know I'm only taking one class. I come in at nine for French class and that's it."

Aria laughed, "you really come all the way to school just to take one class?"

Toby shrugged, "I hate it, but my dad really wants me to get my high school degree."

"What class did you end up having to take?"

"I got stuck with French," said Toby. "Year three French."

"French class. That could come in handy if you're planning a trip to Paris."

"Yeah, now I know what to do for Spring break," said Toby, making Aria laugh. "What can I do for you today?"

Aria dug through her bag, "I have an order request here from my dad. He got stuck at work, so he asked me to deliver this on my way home from the mall."

"Didn't you say your father was a college professor?" Toby asked. "Who teaches on a Sunday?"

"That's a good question," said Aria.

Toby took the order form from Aria and logged it into the system. Mr. Montgomery wanted a new desk and a new bookshelf built for his office.

"How are you liking school so far?" Toby asked, while completing the order form on the computer.

"Everyone keeps asking me that," said Aria. "I'm still trying to find my place in the school."

"Have you made any friends yet?"

"A few. I met Spencer," Aria said. Toby froze. "And some of her friends." He stayed quiet. "I uh...I heard there's some history between your family and hers."

"Yeah," Toby nodded, not really wanting to say more about it.

The atmosphere between them changed. Toby felt awkward now. He knew it was a stretch to think Aria could be a new friend. Spencer and her friends had gotten to Aria, and it wouldn't be long before she started spitting his name too. Toby completed putting in the order requests for Mr. Montgomery.

"Tell your dad to expect a call from us tomorrow to let him know when he can expect his furniture to be ready for pick up," Toby said.

"Okay," Aria nodded. Aria noticed the change in his mood. "Thank you."

Aria took the order receipt from Toby and turned to walk towards the door. She took three steps before pausing, turning, then walking back over.

"I shouldn't have brought up the drama," she said. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to upset you. It must really suck to be in the middle of all of that. I don't know what happened, but I'm sure there are two sides to every story."