Not Everyone's Cup of Tea

Part 2

"Settle down class" Mr. Jefferson – an over-combed, overweight, middle aged white male – said to the class to quiet them down. The bell rang signaling class has begun. Sitting in the front of the middle row of desks, I could see the small stain from his coffee on his yellow long-sleeved shirt. Tessa was in the middle to the right – almost near the window and the Montgomery Twins, like always, were sitting next to each other in the far-left corner of the room – closest to the door.

"We are doing a group project today, three people in a group. I will assign the groups the specific Country they will be presenting"- the class was abuzz with either groans or jittering in excitement waiting in anticipation – "You can choose" – his voice was drowned out by the screeching of a chair. Tess stood up, grabbing her stuff and maneuvered around desks. Everyone quieted down and watched her walk to the seat next to mine. She pointedly looked down at the scrawny brown-haired boy with glasses.

"Move." She said with a hand on her hip. Said boy got up and scurried to the chair she originally occupied. She sat down, placed her stuff on the floor, then reached over and dragged my desk and chair – the one I'm still currently sitting on – and brought them against hers. Then she stopped – and whipped her head around to the class and raised her eyebrow. It took a second, but the class started partnering up and the room filled with chattering. She turned back to me and smiled – a smile that made her onyx eyes glitter. "Finally," she breathed out "Finally, not only a class but a project with you." She reached out and squeezed my hand – "Let's talk about this upcoming Party on Friday." I pushed my curly red hair behind my ear and gave her a look.

"Ok class, quiet down. Who doesn't have a partner?" He looked around to see if anyone was alone. I took a quick look back and noticed that the twins were with one of their sport buddies: Brody Michaelson. A 6'0 lean machine, who's has not only muscles but a brain. Girls found him drool worthy – if you like that boyish charm – blonde hair, blues eyes, even has the dimples. Then my eyes found the brown-haired boy with glasses – who was alone. Before the teacher called him out and scared the poor kid, I made eye contact and beckoned him to join our group. Much to the disappointment of Tessa who gave me a look.

The boy hurriedly walked over – making a scene since he decided to drag the chair with him. All eyes were now on the blushing boy. He adjusted the chair to the front of my desk and sat upon it hunched over. I stared at his freckled face, which had more freckles than me.

"So, what's your name?" Tessa asked, not really caring to know the poor kid's name.

"Your James, right?" I asked. He looked at me startled, not expecting me to know his name.

Tessa's eyes dragged from her phone to me "You know this kid?"

"Yeah, James. He transferred last year. We were in Biology together."

Tessa looked away from me and cocked an eyebrow at James which made him shrink further into himself. She 'hummed' to herself, adjusting her leopard print crop top – which had most of the boys leering at her. Per usual, she didn't even notice nor care. I got to hand it to James; he didn't look at her once. Probably because the Spanish bombshell was intimidating. She doesn't mean to be rude; she's just direct, blunt, and calls it how she sees it.

The teacher walked over to our table and smiled awkwardly. "You guys will be Russia." And then he walked off.

"Why do we have Russia?" Tessa whined.

"If...you don't want it. Yo-You c-could probably t-trade with t-t t-twins." James stuttered out.

Tessa looked mildly impressed that James spoke, "Why would I do that?" she questioned.

He shrugged, "B-b-because your f-friends with t-them."

She looked over her shoulder and looked over at the twins with Brody, to my surprise they were already looking at us. She shrugged. "We aren't actually friends, just acquaintances."

"B-But you g-guys run in the s-same c-c-c-circle."

"We?" I asked confused.

He nodded, "Y-You h-h-hang Out wi-with the p-popular kids. E-especially Z-Zayne." He stuttered out, his face going crimson as he spoke Zayne's name. Which had me connect eyes with Tessa.

"No, I'm not popular." I denied shaking my head making some of my red curls to escape from behind my ear. "Probably only by association, if that. I only really speak to Tessa and Zayne since we have been friends since kindergarten. I also get dragged to some of the parties." I mumbled the last part.

"Speaking of party. You are going. You got out of going to the last one but not this time mi pequeño conejita." She sang sweetly poking my side.

"L-Little B-B-bunny?" James asked, confused.

I nodded, "Middle name is Usagi – which translates to Rabbit. If we are being technical."

Someone cleared their throat behind me which made all three of us look at the intruder. In all his glory stood Niko – who raked his hand through his hair. Giving us a smile that could awaken the Moon he spoke, "I heard you received Russia." His voice still had a whisper of their original accent.

"Yup, we do." Tessa spoke in a bored drawl. He just stood there looking at us not sure what else to say.

I nudged Tessa with my elbow, "You know he's asking because he wants to trade. Just give Niko Russia, we both know you don't care."

"..what did you say?"

I looked back at Niko – "I said we will give you Russia."

His cobalt eyes darkened a little and jaw slightly twitched. "Right. Thanks." He looked back at the other two before settling his eyes back on me – "We had Brazil, which is now yours." I watched as he walked away, noticing that his eyes were locked onto his brother. I barely noticed the slight tilt of Vlad's head before Niko stopped. He turned back around and faced me – "Will you be at the party Friday?"

"Yes, she will be." Tessa spoke out with a small smile pulling at her lips. He nodded and strode back to his brother and Brody – who gave them both a questioning gaze. Much like the one that was placed on my face.

"W-w-what t-t-the Hell was t-that."