Save Me

Chapter 2: First Impressions

Erika

"Psychology will be one of the most challenging and strictest courses you will ever take. I do not accept lateness. I do not accept sloppiness. I do not accept laziness. If you ever commit any of these offenses, then I will be seeing you again next year. Do you understand me?"

We were all standing around the perimeter of the classroom as Ms. Koval lectured us about her class. She was very short but very scary. She had short black hair and scrutinizing brown eyes. She was the kind of person who sized you up, hoping you would crack under the pressure.

"Now that we've gotten to know each other, I will seat you in alphabetical order." One by one, students sat down in their assigned seats.

"Kingsley." As soon as I moved, she looked up and met me with a smile. "A pleasure, Ms. Kingsley." I gave her a small, forced smile as I sat down in my seat. She continued on with her list as kids filled the seat behind me.

"Perry." From the back, McDonald's guy moved and sat in the seat next to me. Perry. I wonder what his first name is.

After Ms. Koval finished seating us, she began to talk about her class. "Psychology will be taught in three parts for the three marking periods. For the first marking period, we will study the history of psychology and how its research has changed over many years. We'll be studying the many scientists, theories, and methods of research, all of which you will have to memorize. For the second marking period, we'll study the different schools of thought, as well as the different themes of psychology. Finally, for the last marking period, we will finish on the different applications of psychology to everyday life. At the beginning of each marking period, you'll have a group research project and paper which will be due at the end of marking period. You'll have the same group every time and it will count for 30% of your grade."

She can't be serious. 30%? I knew when I signed up last year that it was going to be hard.

"For the first research project, you will be choosing a scientist and writing a research paper explaining their research and theories. Since I don't care about what you think and because it will be easier, you'll work on your project with the person sitting next to you. No changing, since these will be your permanent seats for the rest of the year. Understood?"
I looked at the student to my left and he didn't take his eyes of the board. I don't know what he was staring at. There was nothing in front of us. His eyebrows were furrowed together as flashes of anger burned through his eyes. He quickly replaced it with a stony expression and looked down at his notebook and continued to take notes.

I tried putting my attention back on Ms. Koval, but I couldn't. Why would he be so angry? Is there something wrong with me? Do I smell bad? I didn't take a shower this morning.

By the time I snapped out of my thoughts, students were already filing out of the classroom. I guess the bell rang. I picked up my book bag and heading for my locker. I was pulling out my wallet before I felt a figure behind my locker. I pulled out the last of my stuff and closed it.

It was the first time I was able to study his face clearly. He had shaggy dark brown hair, but his gray eyes looked like they were made of steel. He was tall, but not as tall as the other guys in the school. He was lean, but he wasn't very muscular. His eyes were glossier than the normal person, so he most likely wears contact lenses.

"Look, I don't like you and you don't like me. But I need to do well on this project if it means getting into the college I want. So what I need you to do is not fuck up on your part and I sure as hell won't on mine. Next week, this project will be started and it will be finished. Since I know that you can hardly think since you have the brain of a fly, get the servant who does the work for you to do it. Are we clear?"