The Other Half of Me

Chapter 10 ~ Is Love a Strong Word?

Elliot

It was now a day before Atticus's birthday. I knew exactly what I was getting him. I remembered when he was using his fingers as a drumstick. That's when I realized getting him a new drum set would be a great gift. It's been two weeks since his grandma's passing, and I think he's starting to feel better. He knows she's in a better place now, but it doesn't make it hurt any less. However, he's been managing things quite well, especially since he feels alone at home.

Adelaide has been a mess—though we need to give her the benefit of the doubt; she lost her mother, after all. Atticus just wishes that somebody other than his friends would care to ask him if he was okay. He primarily stayed with his mom, and she hasn't been giving him attention since the only thing on her mind was her mother. Atticus's dad hasn't been around since the football game—he's been busy with his job.

What's been roaming my mind consists of Bonnie and Annette, Atticus, Kyran, and AP physics. It was first block today, which meant that I had to go to physics. It wasn't all that bad since I had Priscilla and Warner at my table, but the teacher has something against me. The syllabus was so fucking long, but I read the whole thing and didn't bother studying since I knew it was engraved in my head. I guess he didn't think anyone would actually pass the test with a one-hundred percent, but I did. Now I'm pretty sure he hates me. He didn't give me a bad grade out of spite, but his demeanor changed when he interacted with me.

As I waited outside the door to class, Julius walked over to me. The first thing that came to mind was to punch him, but then I recalled the conversation we had at the football game. I did some reflecting on that over the weekend, and I feel as if he's being genuine. Plus, I'm sure he learned his lesson after I broke his nose when he tried to kiss me.

"Can we talk in private whenever you're free?" He asked.

"About?"

"Jeff."

"I don't think he's gonna take you back."

"I know...I just..." He trailed off. "Please, I need your help."

"You want me to help you get Jeff back?"

"Not necessarily," he answered. "I just want you to help convince him to talk things over with me."

"I don't want to play a role in you hurting him all over again." I crossed my arms.

"I'm not gonna hurt him," he said softly. "I don't ever want to do that again."

I sighed before saying, "Fine. We'll talk at lunch."

"Okay, we can meet outside of this building."

I nodded just as the door to my classroom opened. Julius walked away, and I entered the classroom. I sat down in my seat and got comfortable, pulling my book out. Just as I opened my book, he called my name.

"Mr. Richards," he said.

"Yes?"

"Get up and move to that table." He pointed to the table near his desk.

"Why?"

"You, Ms. Davila, and Mr. Bryant are too chatty."

"We barely talk," I said, which was actually true. Pricilla and Warner are very quiet and focused in class.

"I'm not asking again."

"Well, I'm not moving for no reason."

"You're either going to move to that table or leave my class."

I closed my book and put it back in my bag before I got up, grabbed my bag from the floor, and walked out the door. I wasn't moving just because he doesn't like me. I guess he wanted me to move closer to him so when we're taking a test, he could check to see if I was cheating. I have no reason to cheat in his class. It was a syllabus quiz; me getting a hundred on that shouldn't be a problem, and, yet, it is.