The Twist In Life

Chapter 22_ Pranks and bad vibes

Warning: Eat/drink something while reading this chapter at your own risk.

"We have covered the syllabus for this week, and we are actually ahead of other history classes. So I have decided there will be no regular homework assignment today. Rather..." Miss David's little speech was cut short by the students' cheers.

"I haven't finished yet," she said, giving the class a disapproving look.

A few students groaned.

"As I was saying, you have to make a model of any historical building, site, whatever you want to. Be creative and think outside the box. Next Monday, you have to give a presentation about it," said Miss David.

"There goes my perfect weekend," groaned Martin.

"Can we help each other in making the model?" asked Lisa.

"Yes, I forgot to mention, you will be working in pairs. Choose a partner and start discussing. There are ten minutes till the lecture ends," said Miss David.

A babble of noises broke out, as most of the students got up hastily, trying to find a good partner so that they would not have to do much work.

I kept seated on my chair. I was quite good at model making and wasn't really bothered who would be my partner.

"Mary, my partner," said Nancy, placing her chubby hands on my desk.

Scratch that, I did bother who my partner was. Anyone but Nancy. I did not want her boogers on my perfect model. I glanced at her hands. At least, the fingers and nails were clean of any suspicious looking matter.

I opened my mouth to reply when Harvey flopped on the chair beside me.

"Hey there, partner," he said.

"She's my partner," said Nancy. "She always is."

"Then it's about time she had a better one," said Harvey rudely.

"Who said you'll make a better one?" Nancy asked, flaring up.

"She likes me more, that's why," said Harvey.

"You?" she scoffed. "I don't remember a single moment when you two were civil to each other."

"Have you been blind since the last ten days?" he asked.

"No, but I think..." started Nancy.

"You think?" asked Harvey, feigning surprise.

"I will..." started Nancy, raising her voice.

"Don't waste your time. Go find another partner," said Harvey, interrupting her.

"What is going on back there?" Miss David asked from her table.

I turned my face towards her and saw that she wasn't looking at us.

"Harvey is being..." started Nancy, but stoped abruptly as she realised that Miss David wasn't speaking to us.

"Justin and Sally both want me as their partner," answered Martin, looking smug.

'Wannabe,' I thought, rolling my eyes.

Both Justin and Sally started talking at once, justifying how they would make a better partner.

"Enough of this. Martin will choose who he wants as a partner. If I see or hear someone arguing again, I'll make them work alone," said Miss David firmly.

"Miss David," said Nancy, raising her hand.

"Yes, Nancy?" asked Miss David, frowning.

"Didn't you hear what she said?" hissed Harvey. "She'll make us work alone."