Separated

Three

Chapter3

I set the book down and sighed. How was I supposed to make it through this project? I barely understood the book let alone the meaning it had. What if Tori thought I was stupid and-

No. Why did I care what she thought of me? She knew the book better than I did. That wasn't a bad thing. It was okay for me to know less about it.

I laid back on my bed and ran my hands through my hair. Beside me, my phone started ringing.

I glanced down at it and my eyebrows rose. I didn't recognize the number. "Hello?"

"Emma, hey. Sorry to bug you but I wanted to ask when a good time to meet for the project would be." Tori. Of course. Why did she have to call me? How did she get my number?

I groaned. "It's not even due for a while."

"You'll regret not starting it sooner. I can promise you that."

"I don't know how things were at your old school but the teachers here don't care if you aren't perfect."

"First impression are everything."

"You really believe that?"

"Well yeah. Anyway, what day is best for you? My mom works a lot so I'll have the house to myself most nights. Or I could go to your house-"

"Your place is fine." I said, hoping the urgency in my voice wasn't super obvious. There was no way I wanted her coming over and hearing my parents fighting.

"Alright. What night?"

"Thursday? Would that work?"

"That's fine. I'll order pizza, too."

"Is that necessary?"

"Not really but it'll help. You can't work on an empty stomach."

"Says who?"

"Me. But it's still true."

I rolled my eyes. "Fine."

"See you tomorrow, Emma."

"See you." I hung up then groaned. She was going to drive me crazy. I just knew it.

"Did you finish the book yet? Because we're going to have to start the project so we don't fall behind-"

I sighed and turned toward Tori, my head already hurting. "Why are you being so pushy? It's just an assignment."

"One bad grade turns into a bunch which then lowers my GPA. Then I can't get into good colleges and I'm a failure."

"That's not true."

"I've read plenty of stories-"

"I bet you didn't even read any where someone turned out okay."

She sighed. "I just don't want to put myself at risk like that, okay?"

I closed my locker. "I doubt you have anything to worry about. But if it makes you feel better, we'll finish it as soon as possible." The sooner, the better.

She nodded. "Okay."

"You should know that worrying's not good for you." I said, heading toward my first class.

She caught up with me and continued to walk beside me. "I think I have a pretty good excuse."

I looked over at her. "Oh really?" It was weird but I was invested in what she was saying. Was I starting to care about her? No, I couldn't be.

She nodded. "Moving towns makes me anxious."

"How many times have you moved?" I didn't want to ask an obviously rude question so I changed the subject a little.

"I think four but I'm starting to lose track. The last place was a big town. The high school had like a thousand students."

I nodded. That would definitely freak me out.

"Anyway, do you know much about chemistry? AP Chemistry is really kicking my butt."

"Mr. Bennett?"

She nodded.

"That's why I took it at the remedial level."

"I was doing okay for a while but there's a lot of math involved and that isn't my best subject either."

"One thing at a time. We can't have a perfect assignment and you understanding chemistry all in one day."

She rolled her eyes. "I know that. I never said it had to be right away."

"But the sooner, the better, right?"

She winked at me. "You catch on quick."

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