Blossoming Hate

Chapter 4: Detention

I pushed open the heavy door to the detention room, bracing myself for the familiar sight of drab walls and rows of desks that seemed to groan under the weight of boredom. It was the first day of detention for me-an experience I had hoped to avoid. But here I was, ready to serve my time.

As I slipped inside, I could feel the stares of my classmates boring into me, their expressions a mix of pity and mild amusement. I made my way to the back of the room, hoping to blend into the shadows. Settling into my usual seat, I pulled out my phone, wishing for a distraction. No messages. Typical. I let out a frustrated sigh and shoved my phone back into my bag.

Just then, Mrs. Donovan entered, arms laden with papers, her expression as serious as ever. "Alright, everyone, listen up!" she called out, silencing the murmurs that had filled the room. "Today's detention will be a little different."

My stomach dropped. Different usually meant more work. I straightened in my seat, anxious about what was coming next.

"As part of your punishment-and educational enrichment-you'll be completing a group project together," she continued, a hint of a smile creeping onto her face as if this were some kind of reward. "Each pair will work together over the next few weeks, and this will count for a significant portion of your final science grade."

Forty percent of my grade? My heart raced as I glanced at the list of names pinned to the board. The dread settled deeper in my stomach when I spotted my name paired with Xavier Warner.

Of course. It had to be him. I turned to see him lounging at his desk, a cocky grin already plastered on his face.

"Guess we're partners now, Anderson," he said, his voice smooth as silk.

"Lucky me," I shot back, trying to keep my irritation in check.

He leaned back, arms crossed behind his head, looking far too comfortable. "Try not to slow me down."

I clenched my jaw, feeling a mix of anger and frustration simmering just below the surface. Working with Xavier Warner? This was going to be a disaster, and I was already regretting every decision that had led me to this moment.

---

After what felt like an eternity in detention, I glanced at the clock on the wall. Only twenty minutes had passed since Mrs. Donovan assigned our project, but it felt like hours. The air in the room was thick with frustration and the smell of old textbooks. I stared at my notebook, trying to wrap my head around how to go about completing this project with satan himself

Xavier lounged across from me, tapping his pencil against the desk. I could see he was lost in thought, probably daydreaming about how to make my life hell.

"Can we just figure out what we're doing?" I finally said, my patience wearing thin.

He raised an eyebrow, looking slightly amused. "I thought you were all about planning."

"I am, but sitting here while you doodle isn't helping."

Xavier leaned back in his chair, an easy smirk on his face. "Fine. What's your genius idea for this project?"

I took a deep breath, determined to keep my cool. "How about we do a research paper on renewable energy? We could look into solar or wind power and present our findings. It's relevant and mature, and it could actually make a difference."

He shrugged, still seeming unimpressed. "Sounds boring. We could do something more hands-on. How about we build a small solar panel or a wind turbine? Something we can actually show off."

My frustration flared again. "Okay, but we have to plan it out first so we don't screw it up. And let's try not to blow anything out of proportion this time."

He chuckled, that infuriatingly relaxed laugh of his. "No promises. But I like the sound of that. Just don't fuck it up."

Before I could respond, the detention door swung open, and Mrs. Donovan stepped in, her eyes scanning the room. "Alright, everyone, detention is officially over for today. Remember, I expect to see your project ideas written down for next time."

Relief washed over me as I packed up my things, shooting Xavier a glance. "Guess we'll see what happens next time," I said, attempting to keep things light despite the lingering tension.

"Yeah," he replied with a smirk. "Don't worry; I won't let you blow anything up. Unless it's a good idea, then I might."

As I stepped outside, my mom was waiting for me, her expression a mix of concern and warmth. "Hey, sweetie! How was it?"

"Awful," I replied, letting out a dramatic sigh of relief that it's over.

Her brow furrowed slightly. "I heard about the cupcake fiasco. Are you okay? I know it's been a rough week."

I quickly brushed it off. "I'm sorry, Mom, can we not talk about it?

She smiled sympathetically. How about we take a detour for some ice cream instead? You could use a treat after today."

I smiled, grateful for her understanding. "That sounds perfect."

As we walked toward the car, I felt the weight of the day lift a little. I glanced at my mom, her hair tied back in a bun, a few strands escaping. She looked tired but still managed to give me a warm smile.

"It's been hard, hasn't it?" I said, surprising myself with the honesty. "I know it's tough on you too."

My mom nodded, her expression turning serious. "It has been. But we're in this together, and I'm proud of how hard you're trying."

I felt a wave of appreciation wash over me. "Thanks, Mom. I know you work long hours, and it's just been the two of us since Dad..." My voice trailed off, the weight of those memories hanging in the air.

She placed a comforting hand on my shoulder. "We've made it this far together."

I took a deep breath, reflecting on the past. "Yeah, it's just been hard since he passed. I barely remember him, but I know it hurt you a lot. You've done so much for me since then, and I can see how hard it's been on you, working those long shifts. You've always tried to be there, even when you're not home."

She smiled, a mixture of pride and sadness in her eyes. "We've always had each other, and I wouldn't trade that for anything."

As we reached the car, I felt a sense of gratitude wash over me. My mom had been my rock through it all. No matter how tough things got, I knew we'd face whatever came next together, side by side.

Minutes later I'm still lost in thought when her voice breaks the silence

"Is there something going on between you and that boy?" she asked, an amused glint in her eye. "I mean, he is quite handsome."

I cringed, heat creeping up my cheeks. "No, Mom, gross! What? He's trouble."

"Oh, come on, I saw the way he looked at you," she teased, nudging my side playfully. "You could do worse."

I groaned, throwing my hands up in mock exasperation. "You don't know him like I do. He's always causing trouble."

"Just remember, sometimes people are just misunderstood," she said softly, her tone shifting to something more serious. "You know, so was your dad when I met him."

Her words hung in the air . I glanced over at her, surprised by the insight.

"Really?" I asked, my curiosity piqued.

She nodded, her gaze distant for a moment. "Yes. He had his demons, but he also had a good heart. You never know what people are going through never be too quick to judge."

I absorbed her words, pondering them .

As we drove off, I couldn't shake the thought of how my life and Xavier Warner's had intertwined out of nowhere, pulling me into a whirlwind of confusion and unexpected feelings. I had no idea what the future held, but somehow, I felt a spark of curiosity igniting within me.