Against the Odds

Chapter 10

Noah

Next day in English class, the classroom was just as goddamn boring as it had always been.
What was expected just from the stride of the teacher was to fill the class with all the briskness and a heap of papers, accompanied by a most resolute face. Bringing along enough, she brought in even the attention from the room; chatter gradually dying down as everybody readied up for the commencement of the lesson. Setting her things on her desk, she started speaking, but the authority meant an alliance of dead silent atmosphere with purpose.

"Good morning, everybody," she started, her voice clear and in command. "Today, we'll be starting a major project that will be a very big part of your final grade."

There was an immediate collective murmur of interest, and the realization of something big was about to happen. Talk of a big project had that magic effect of stirring up both anticipation and anxiety in students. Some looked at each other; others looked down in apprehension.

Mrs. Thompson continued, "You all will be working in pairs for this project. I will be pairing you up, and I want you to make the most of it. I am aware that some of you might have preferences or concerns, but keep in mind that this is an opportunity to collaborate and show your abilities.".

She began calling out pairs, her voice quite distinct on each name combination. "Sarah and Jason," she announced, and the two mentioned exchanged nods and smiles. "Maya and Ben," she continued, provoking another round of congratulations and good-natured teasing. By the time she hit the list, the room became surcharged with anticipation.

Mrs. Thompson finally got to the last pair. "Noah and Ellie," she said, and the words seemed to hang there a second, heavy as boulders, before they hit the floor.

I felt a sudden jolt of tension as I turned toward Ellie. Her face, which had been animated with casual chatter that morning, had gone dark in an instant.

Ellie responded immediately, very firmly. "Seriously?" she said under her breath—that is to say, loud enough that I could hear her but not loudly enough to draw attention. Her tone was sharp; frustration pulsed through her voice. It was like a chill settling over the room as her demeanor changed in an instant, sharply contrasting with the warm atmosphere that prevailed until then.

I felt myself flush up to my face, which was both embarrassed and guilty. I had hoped that with a bit of space and time, things might begin to soften between us, but this project seemed to have raked up all the unresolved tension. I tried to smile, though that felt awkward and forced.

"Look, I didn't have a say in the pairing, " I said without expression. Let's just get through this project.

Ellie's face was a mix of frustration and surrender as she finally gave in. "Let's just get it over with."

"My house or your house?" I said.

"Yours."

I started gathering my stuff as the bell had run for the end of English. I stood up and ran out of the classroom as best as I could. The excitement for the project really wore off quickly; Ellie was going to have all the weight of the inevitable upon her. I met up with Jared and Mark at the normal spot- the lockers- where there was the normal banter and joking imaginable.

Jared saw my mournful expression even before I crossed the room. "Dude, what's up with you?" he asked, his eyes narrowing with worry. "You look like someone just stole your lunch money."

Mark, one of my basketball friends, quipped with his usual smirk. "Yeah, Noah. Did you get paired with someone you hate or something?"

I sighed; I had to let them know because they would never let it go. "Actually, yeah. I got paired with Ellie.