Unexpected

Chapter 3

"Wake up sleepyhead!" Groaning in annoyance, I ignored the voice and snuggled deeper into my warm covers. That warmth, however, only lasted for a second before it was cruelly yanked away from me. My eyes snapped open as I looked around for the culprit, finally settling on my two best friends grinning sheepishly at me. There, in their hands, laid my warm covers.

"What the heck guys?" I whined, falling back into my pillow. It was way too early to be up right now; I don't even need to look at the time to know that.

"We need to get you ready for school silly. It's going to take a lot of work since you fell asleep last night before we could finish." Nicole reminded me, and I internally groan as I remember all those clothes I tried on last night. Most were actually quite nice, but it was still very tiring.

"Fine, but make sure not to go overboard." I looked them in the eye, making sure my puppy dog eyes showed. They groaned and reluctantly nodded, knowing they couldn't resist the face that I have mastered over the years.

I am awesome.

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"Come on ElleMarie!" Nicole says while Dani tries to pull me into the school. "Elmo! Stop resisting. You told us that you would." I groaned, trying my best to resist their strength. I did not want to go in there where everyone was going to stare at me with their harsh judgy looks.

"You look fine! Trust us on this." Dani says. "I don't want to go!" I say. "Please Elmo!" They beg. I sighed, giving up on trying to fight them. They grinned as they realized I was surrendering.

They drag me into school and I immediately feel very uncomfortable. I feel like this dress was way too short, and these shoes were complete and utter torture.

I hid my face as we walked down the hall. "Don't hide ElleMarie. There's nothing to be shy about." Dani says. "Dani, can't you see that she's nervous about what Jonah will think." Nicole says. They both smirk. "Shut up guys!" I say blushing.

"She's blushing because she knows it's true." Dani agreed, making me blush harder. "Leave me alone you guys; you know I blush easily." I defended myself. "Mhmm, sure Elmo. Whatever you say." Nicole replied in a sarcastic tone, making me roll my eyes.

Thud.

"Oof!" Pain shoots up my arm as I fall to the ground. I look up, catching a glimpse of cold green eyes staring back at me.

"Watch where you're going." He says and starts walking away. He doesn't get very far, though, as he is stopped by Nicole.

"Um, excuse me but I distinctly remember you bumping into her because your head was too far up your ass to watch where you were going. So why don't you apologize for not watching where you were going." She sneered, putting her hands on her hips. The guy raised a brow amusedly at her, and I bit my lip in anticipation. I don't really like fighting or violence, and I have a feeling Nicole is going to do something stupid.

"Funny, I don't remember bumping into you or doing anything concerning you. So why are you the one in my face?" He replied, making Nicole glare at him.

"Bitch you fuck with her, you fuck with me. You fuck with me you fuck with her, you fuck with us bitch you better pray." She threatened, and I throw a panicked look at Danielle who was also glaring at him. I don't want trouble, especially if I'm the cause of it.

"Calm down girl. Are you on your period or something?" The guy replied, surprised at her reaction. Her eyes turned to rage when he said that, and as she stepped closer to him I knew what she was going to do. I closed my eyes, not opening them until I heard the guy groan in pain and fall to the ground. "I hope you step on a Lego." Nicole says in a cold voice. I opened my eyes as Nicole grabbed my hand and steered away from the crowd that had formed around us.

"Don't you think that was a little bit harsh? He only shoved me a little bit; it didn't even hurt that much." I said as soon as we reached my locker, turning to face Nicole. "I don't care, he pushed you and that was enough for me. Anything, no matter how big or little, is something to me." She replied, leaning on the lockers beside mine. I smile when she says that, knowing she truly meant that. Ever since we were little, she's been beating up people when they mess with me. I've tried to tell her before that I can take care of myself, but she told me that she likes beating up people anyway and if I don't let her she'll beat up someone for no reason. I gave up after that.

"Yea Elmo, that's what best friends are for." Dani agreed. "That's what sisters are for." I corrected, and they both grinned at me. I shut my locker after getting my books, Dani and Nicole looping their arms with me. Walking down the hall, I smile and ignore all the judgy stares as we make our way to first period.

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"Alright class, get seated so we can get started. I have an announcement to make." Mrs. Turner ordered, and the class slowly quieted down and faced the teacher. Mrs. Turner was our sociology teacher, and she was one of the nice and cool laid back teachers. There are times when she gets angry, and when that happens you'd hate to be in that line of fire. Everyone loved her though, even Nicole and Danielle who don't like teachers in general.

"As some of you may know, every year I assign a semester project. Well this year will be no different, but this time you will have partners to work with. You will have until the end of the semester to work on it, but it will take a long time to finish so I advise you not to wait until the last minute to start." She started, and students cheered when she said partners. She waited for a while until they calmed down, and then continued.

"So for next few months, you will be working on this project. Because of this project, you will not receive any homework from my class so you have no excuse for not completing it." They cheered again for no homework, and even I smiled. "I will be choosing the partners for this project, because I know if you're with your friends you will never focus." At this, many people start to argue but stop when Mrs. Turner shoots them a look.

"When I call you and your partner's name, come up and pick a piece of paper which will determine what your topic is. Alright, let's start off with Madison and Perrier."

They go up and pick up a piece of paper.

"Next, is Emma and Samantha." They get up and get their piece of paper.

I get more and more nervous. I hope I work with Dani or Nicole. They are the only ones I feel comfortable with.

Then, comes the worst part. "Danielle and Dylan."

Dani looks surprised. I can tell she didn't like this either.

"Nicole and Andrew." They get their piece of paper. Nicole sends me a sympathetic look as she and her partner pass by, knowing how uncomfortable I get when I'm working with someone I don't know.

"And finally, ElleMarie and Hunter." I get up and my partner grabs the paper. I look up and am surprised to see it's the same guy from this morning. Just great.