Drumming Heart

three

Brent stood besides me as the whole fourth period classroom stood up in the front. The teacher — Mister Maiden — was looking down at his clipboard.

  “Alright. You younglings might be wondering why we aren't starting history.” He glanced up to see the bored expressions of the classroom. “Or not. We're starting a sitting chart. I'm tired of people falling asleep, not paying attention to my lessons. Viper, you're going to be in the left corner.” He pointed left to the wall, the way in the back. “Hannah, Alena and Jeanette, go sit with her.”

  I smirked just a little. Alena was my ex from last year. Viper hated her before, during, and after the whole thing that happened between us. Viper sat down in the one closest to the wall, just for Alena to sit right next to her.

  I shook my head, refusing to think about any possibilities of her asking about me… again. Viper probably wouldn't tell me anyway.  Brent, Flynn and I got put at the round table in the middle of the classroom. I slide myself into the chair. “I fuckin’ hate this table.” Flynn complained as he rested his elbows onto it.

  “It's kind of cramped,” I admitted. “It is a circle table, with three guys who like to man spread. I mean—” I pause and examine how wide and how much room we had.

  “Does the space really matter to you three?” Maiden asked us and glanced from his clipboard. “Stop talking and sit down. I need to assign these seats and begin my lesson.” Brent understood thankfully and drug his chair with an even space between Flynn and I. I did the same so Flynn could just sit down.

  “It really wasn't that big of a deal.” Flynn spoke up with a shrug. “It's been a problem before, he should know.” Brent just shrugged as he twisted a curl of his hair, able to pull it right above his eye.

“Yeah, but remember, we have to be quiet.” I reminded him sarcastically. Maiden must've picked up on my sarcasm because he turned to look over. “Mister Jordan. If you keep this.. act up, I'm going to have to send you to the office.”

  My eyes opened as soon as I looked that way. I frown and raise my hand up. “I didn't do anything.” I told him immediately and sat up in my chair. “You're starting to act like a fool.” He stood in front of the class. Why couldn't he just have pulled me aside.

  I glanced at Brent and furrowed my eyebrows. I didn't respond and Maiden just squinted his eyes at us before starting his lesson.

—

  “You're stupid.” Viper told me as we sat on my bed, my hand on her knee as she painted my nails red. “Why aren't you doing this with Keion?” She lifted her head and frowned. “He said that's for guys who like other guys. He didn't budge when i told him it would come off.”

  “So I'm the rebound hangout?” I teased her and she just whacked my hand, motioning for the other one. My other hand went onto her knee and she began on my thumb nail. It was silent until she got to my middle finger. “Alena asked about you.” She bitterly muttered out as she ran the brush across the nail. I hummed and tilted my head a bit. “What for?”

  She hesitated to answer me. “Why did she ask about me, Viper?” She grunted and looked up at me. “She was asking how you were, that you seemed a little off and I should go help you before she did.” She explained to me as she finished my last nail. I give her a shrug. “I wouldn't mind if Alena took care of me.”

  Viper snarled. “All you'd do is fuck her the minute she stepped in that room.” I rolled my eyes and dropped my hands from the air. “How do you know about my relationships, please stay out of it.” I mocked her from earlier today.

  She just parted her lips before she rolled her eyes and stood up, grabbing her carry bag. “Oh, c'mon, Viper. Where are you goin’?” I asked, watching her put her shoes on. “I'm heading to Keions a little early today. I'll see you tomorrow.”

  With that, she walked out my room, shutting the door behind herself. I scoff and throw myself back on the bed. I never understood why she acted like this. Never