game || kyle david hall

chapter iv. cliche

• one week later •

Oh the glories of school.

"Alright class, get your textbooks and binders out!" I slowly reached into my backpack, grabbing my black binder and textbook that seemed to weigh fifty pounds at times. "Open up your books to page 273, we're going to take some notes on Julius Caesar and the Roman Republic."

"Psst." I hear someone whisper behind me, tapping my back.

I turn around slightly to see that Johnnie swapped seats with the usual guy dressed in sweats, dark circles under his eyes 24/7 and smelled like he hadn't taken a shower for ages. Johnnie quickly hands me a folded piece of paper, my name neatly written on the front.

"Mr. Guilbert!"

"Yes, Ms. Smith?" He rolls his eyes, quite a daring move to pull off in front of the strictest teacher in the school.

"Swap desks with Mr. David Hall. Also, you two aren't allowed to be partners for the project we'll be starting today."

She really didn't think too much about that seating situation, did she?

Ms. Smith turns back to the projection screen as Kyle sits down behind me. I look at the front of the small, folded note to see my name written neatly. I slowly open up the note, trying to avoid the crinkling noise of paper as best as I could.

Hey, hey, hey Eva,

So we're planning I guess what you could call a 'surprise' birthday party for Kyle.

(y'know since his birthday is next month)

(and we're practically professional procrastinators so that's why we're beginning to plan this as of now)

But anyways, text me if you have any ideas.

And you should have my number but if you don't, here it is...

224-949-6382

.: Alex :.

"And partner up!" I shoot my head up from looking at the note to see Kyle directly in front of me.

"Well hello there partner."

"Who said I wanted to be your partner?" I test and he looks shocked.

"Well then..." He scoffs. "Talk to the hand beeetchhh." He says, shoving his hand in my face.

"Well hello there Kyle's hand, how're you doing today?" He pulls his hand away, giving me a stank face.

"I'm forcing you to be my partner so..."

"Goddammit." I say, slapping my knee to emphasize sarcasm.

"So let's see if we can even get and stay focused..." Kyle trails off, smiling a tad bit.

"We could work on it at my place tomorrow." I suggest.

"Yeah, yeah, should be fine with my paren-" Kyle's voice is interrupted by the ring of the school bell.

We both pick up our backpacks, slinging them over our shoulders before walking out of the classroom together.

"Two weeks of school left, eh?"

"There is a God." I make praise hands before both of us laugh a little. "And my class is right here." I stop near the side of the door and Kyle frowns slightly.

"I'll see you tomorrow Eva." He half-smiles, giving me a hug before letting me walk into the classroom.

• the next day •