Ever After

The Assignment

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This chapter is in Jack's perspective.

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Having to sit next to Mark after what's happened yesterday was like sitting next to a pimple you were trying to ignore - all I could do was look away from him, distracting myself with whatever possible, no matter how retarded I looked. Hell, I even bent down to pick up my purposely-dropped pencil, which I'm sure I didn't act out well enough, for Lord knows how well I did the day my mum attempted at the entire Toddlers And a Tiaras bit. (I wish I could explain how awful I look in a tuxedo.)

I could feel his presence beside me as our teacher, Mrs. Jefferson, began today's lesson. The very thought of him being right there, right beside me, made me want to shrivel up and into a little ball, and it definitely didn't help that he was practically breathing down my neck with his eyes. I could hear everything he did, feel every glare in my direction, could see him just barely out of my peripheral vision, currently digging around in his hideous green backpack. It was a disgusting shade - vomitus, if you will, - one that somehow was the only thing in the room to encourage me to keep my eyes averted, to keep staring out the window. My will power was extremely strong and successful - that is, until he nudged me politely, poking at me with his elbow.

"Here's your umbrella," he said, his voice as silent as a mouse.

I barely raised an eyebrow, my eyes looking as unamused as possible as I looked him over, offering the umbrella that had somehow managed to fit into his putrid backpack. His hands clasped tightly around it, his knuckles as white as my Irish skin, his eyes as huge as saucers, I somehow dug up all of my dignity and scoffed at him, turning back towards the window. Although my will power was strong, I couldn't help but say something to reassure him, for the slight hint of decency within me was crying out for the poor kid. He did work two shifts, after all.

"I told you to keep it."

He stuttered, sputtering out little words breathlessly. "But... I can't..."

"And why not?" I asked, not feeling the slightest bit sympathetic for whatever the hell he was intending on bringing up. It was just a fuckin' umbrella - it couldn't be that big of a deal, could it? I don't know how he and his Hawaiian family would settle the gift of an umbrella, but Irish persons would gladly accept such a kind gesture, maybe throwing in a quick "go fuck yourself" for good measure. Instead, here he was, making an offering to me as if I were some type of spud-eating God.

Just barely, I could overhear the teacher's lesson beyond his deafening stare. She was saying something about a project, something theatrical ("seeing as the school's drama teacher should get to put on a show for her students" being her only voice of reason) that small groups would have to work on. I prayed that I would get to work with my three favourite people (me, myself, and I), multitasking by also praying that I don't get stuck with the nerd next door.

Right on time, Mrs. Jefferson stated, "Bob, Wade, you'll be with... Jack and Mark! And... Felix!"

My mouth flew open to interject, but she was already taking notes onto her clipboard. "Objection!" I wanted to scream, slamming my fists down the table and glaring her right in the eye. This was ridiculous - it was as if she had purposely, intentionally, set me up with the three biggest nerds and my worst enemy, the person I'd thought was my friend. I couldn't believe that this was happening - this was the absolute worst possibility. I was just lucky that Killian wasn't here today, for if he was, I'm sure he'd be a part of my group, sending my life from what was once a solitary heaven to a noogie-filled hell, one that punished you with swirlies in the toilet rather than flames.

I locked eyes with Felix at the very mention of his name, finding that he'd been staring at me since she's said mine. It was a short moment of silence before the class erupted, heading over to certain parts of the room to get together with their groups - I was too busy planning on how I was going to manage to pull off murder within the next few seconds without being detected.