Breaking the Hierarchy

♤Chapter 9♤

Friday, 27 January 2022
02:00 p.m.

Three days have passed since what happened on Tuesday night between me and Theo. We've been avoiding each other, well, mostly him avoiding him. I just observe him from far, waiting for him to start something. I haven't even seen him in the library since that day.

I haven't told Hana and Zach about the interactions between Theo and me. It has been eating me up, but I'm just waiting for the perfect time, I'm waiting for a moment that will confirm my suspicions.

It was now the last period of the day , the class after the second break, Chemistry. What I had with Theo and Matteo. I haven't gone to that class in a while, I'm interested to see how things will go. With Matteo there, I doubt anything will happen.

I sat down at my desk, right behind Matteo. The two walked into class and Matteo's eyes lit up once he saw me, "La mia bellezza," he sat at his desk with a huge smile on his face. "I haven't seen you in a long time," he said as he placed he placed his chin on his palms after putting his elbows on the table.

From the corner of my eye I could see Theo sitting next to Matteo. My eyebrow twitched up a bit, he wasn't going to break, was he? Well, at least I know that I was right. He can't be caught slipping.

After all, his public image comes first.

"So, tell me amore mio(my love), are you going anywhere this weekend? " he asked, his eyes filled with excitement asking to be shut down.

"No, I'm not, I'll just be staying at my dorm," I answered and his eyes lit up.

Well, in that case, you want to come to my party?" he asked.

"No, I don't want to," I answered and the teacher walked in and he greeted the class.

"But-" he spoke but I interrupted him. I put my index finger on my mouth, "Shh, sir is here" I said and I faced the front.

The class buzzed with chatter as our chemistry teacher announced the group project, his voice barely audible over the scraping of chairs and the shuffle of papers. I really dreaded this moment, I hate group projects, especially in this school because no one will pick me.

I stayed in my seat, pretending to be busy flipping through my notebook, though I already knew what was coming. I felt like I was being looked at and when I looked up I was met with Matteo's smirk but Theo's face on the other hand was unreadable.

"Athena," Matteo started, "You're with us," Matteo said, more like an order than a suggestion but with a smile on his face.

I raised an eyebrow, "Really? Couldn't find someone else willing?"

Matteo laughed, as if my sarcasm was a joke just for him. "Nah, you're perfect for this. Brainy, teacher's favorite—you'll make us look good."

"Wow, thanks for the vote of confidence," I said dryly. My eyes flicked to Theo, who hadn't said a word. He was looking at me, but his expression was unreadable, his usual cocky demeanor muted.

"Come on," Matteo said, motioning to the empty seats beside me. "You're not gonna say no, are you? It's a group project."

I sighed, knowing I didn't really have a choice. "Fine."

Matteo plopped into the seat next to me, sliding his notebook onto the desk. Theo followed more slowly, taking the seat on the other side of Matteo. He didn't look at me, and I couldn't decide if I was relieved or annoyed.

"So, what's the project again?" Matteo asked, flipping through his notes like he actually cared.

I glanced at the board where the teacher had written the instructions. "We're supposed to design an experiment to measure reaction rates using variables like temperature, concentration, or surface area."

Matteo groaned. "Sounds boring. Can't we just copy something off Google?"

"Yeah, that'll go well when we have to present it," I said, rolling my eyes. "If you don't want to fail, we need to actually put effort into this."

Theo finally spoke, his voice calm but with a hint of amusement. "She's right, Matteo. You should listen to her for once."

Matteo shot him a grin. "Look at you, backing up the scholarship girl. Didn't know you were such a team player, Theo."

Theo didn't respond, his gaze briefly meeting mine before flicking away. "We'll do the temperature variable," he said, ignoring Matteo's comment. "It's simple enough to control."

I nodded, surprised that he was taking it seriously. "Okay, we'll need to decide on the materials and how to set up the experiment. I can write out the procedure if you—"

"You'll do the procedure, and I'll make it look good when we present," Matteo interrupted, smirking. "You're the brains; I'm the charm."

"And what does that make Theo?" I asked, unable to resist.

Theo leaned forward slightly, his lips curving into a faint smirk. "I'm just here to make sure Matteo doesn't blow something up."

I couldn't help but laugh, a small, unexpected sound that caught me off guard. Matteo grinned like he'd succeeded in some unspoken goal, and Theo's smirk deepened, just enough to let me know he'd noticed.

"Alright," I said, shaking off the moment. "Let's get started before this turns into a complete disaster."

Theo's eyes lingered on me for a second longer before he looked away, his expression unreadable once again. As we worked, I couldn't help but wonder if the quiet tension between us was all in my head—or if he felt it too.

The class was over, and the rest of the class had consisted of us planning how this whole group project was going to work. I walked out of class and I made my way to the lockers and luckily Hana and Zach were already there.

I opened my locker, "How was your last class?" I asked them as I put some books in my bag and I took the rest out of my bag, putting them in my locker.

Zach sighs, "Tiring," he said and leaned against the locker next to Hana's since his locker was two lockers away from ours.

I turned to Hana expecting an answer, "What he said," and I smiled.

"Oh, what are you guys doing this weekend?" I asked. I wanted to tell them about the interactions between me and Theo, it was eating me up.

"My parents are flying over to Paris for my cousin's fashion show, and I have to go," she groaned and my smile disappeared a bit.

"My younger brother has an exhibition at his school, and all family members have to come. I'm going to church on Sunday, so, I'm booked and busy," he said.

"Well, you guys have fun," I said with a little disappointment in my voice.

Hana looked at me and she embraced me in a hug, "Don't worry we'll be back, we also wish we could spend the weekend with you as well." she said and Zach nodded and got in on the hug and I just laughed.

"Well, we should pack our bags then, Zachary," Hana said, and we walked out the school building and into the dorms. "Do you want to help me pack?" Hana asked and a smile appeared on my face again.

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