City Shadows

Chapter 9

Trigger Warnings: One brief mention of murder, miming shooting a gun to a head

After gym, I make my way down to the cellar for everyone's favorite class, AP Chemistry. And don't forget everyone's favorite teacher; Snape.

A pit forms in my stomach as I enter his classroom. It always gives off bad vibes. Like someone was murdered here and the body was stashed under the extra lab coats.

Honestly? Knowing Snape, I kinda believe it. 

I take a seat near the front of the room. It doesn't matter. Snape always assigns seats at the beginning of the term anyway. And lab partners. God forbid his students have any fun or enjoyment in his class...

A few seconds later Enzo enters the class. He spots me and strides over to the next seat. "Hey Annie," he greets, pulling out his binder and planner.

I don't miss a beat. "Guess what happened in gym last period!" It's not even a question, it's more of a demand.

"What?"

"So, after we changed and were waiting for attendance, Draco, Theo, and Blaise came up to me on their own and apologized to me!"

Enzo takes a moment to ponder this. "Do you think they've been possessed?"

"No! Even weirder!"

"What do you mean?"

I open my mouth to answer when I see Mattheo enter the class and walk towards us from the corner of my eye. "Never mind, I'll tell you later," I rush out.

Enzo tilts his head. "Wh-"

"Hey guys," Mattheo greets as he grabs a seat at our table. "What are we talking about?"

"There's a train show out on Long Island this weekend that Annie's gonna go with me to."

Sorry? The fuck I am! I glare at Enzo, but he's conveniently too busy studying the inside of his pencil case to notice.

Mattheo's smile twitches. "Oh, I was going to ask her if she wanted to come with me to the-"

"SILENCE" Snape demands as he saunters into the classroom.

Great, I guess now I'll never find out what Matthew was gonna ask me to do with him. I'll admit, I'm curious. Matthew and I don't have much in common, so it really could be anything. Instead, I get to listen to Snape sneer and degrade us all. Lucky me...

If he hates teaching so much he should just quit. Nobody is holding a gun to his head!

"...Because this is an honors level class I expect perfection and nothing less than perfection. Now, with the pleasantries out of the way, I will assign you your seats and lab partners for the term."

I smirk. Nailed it. Snape's too predictable for his own good.

"Anabelle, you will be sitting in this seat."

I grab my bag and walk over to the corner of the room. I have to admit I'm thankful my seat isn't close to the front. I'd rather not get up close and personal with Snape like last term.

"Sitting next to you and your lab partner for the term will be..." Snape ruffles through his papers searching for the name. "Mattheo Riddle."

I inwardly cringe. I guess the universe hasn't gotten the memo that I'm trying to avoid Mattheo at all costs due to the sucking-on-his-face fiasco from a few days ago.

He sits down next to me and the scent of his cologne immediately hits me. And I hate the fact that I instinctively lean a little closer to him to get a deeper sniff. "Hey," Mattheo greets while pulling out his textbook.