Instigate.

Instigate a Bond

Three Months and Two Weeks Left

Anna wasn't trying to approach James as much as the first week. James wasn't bothered by this, not at all, because he can finally write his own story and claim it as theirs. He finally won, and only after a week.

"Alright, teens." Hale came in, wearing a big black hoodie and dark jeans, looking nothing but another student "Go get your partner right now." He plopped down on his reclining chair and put his feet on top of his table, snapping his fingers rapidly while sipping his coffee.

James glowered at his English teacher, turning the page of his book instead. He didn't want to participate in Hale's weird antics right now, and bask in his informality.

Everyone stood and shuffled towards their partners. All except for James who was reading a book, sighing in contempt every now and then. All except for Anna who was staring outside the window, looking upwards. She wasn't seated in her usual last row seat, but actually in front, near the big windows and looking out.

James peered over his book to see if Anna would move. When he finally deduced she probably was still too stuck in her own world to even acknowledge Hale's orders, he went back to reading instead.

"Two weeks have already passed since the start of Project Instigate," Hale began, narrowing his eyes at his students as they all moved about "I expect a little progress, even the slightest bit. Maybe a storyline, or an idea, or a whim, or a prompt—anything at all, as long as it's something."

James peered over his book and glanced at the unmoving Anna once again.

"England," The male teacher called out and James glared at him for the unnecessary nickname he found annoying "Oi, don't look at me with such murderous eyes. Where's your partner?"

James glanced at Anna from the corner of his eyes and said rather loudly "Unfortunately, my partner bailed out on me. Well, whatever, I can do better without a nuisance anyway."

Anna's head snapped sideward, but she didn't look at James. Hale regarded the exchange with curiosity and amusement. "And Figueroa? What about you? Whatever happened to your partner?"

Anna faced forward and answered in a completely disinterested tone "My partner is too busy indulging in his immaturity and child-like manners, sir."

"Is that so?" Hale's lip twitched in an amused smirk, but he was completely ignored by James who was too busy staring at the back of the head of Anna Figueroa who just indirectly attacked him.

"Oh wow," James raised the volume of his voice, matching Anna's disinterested tone "What a terrible partner you have, Anna."

Anna nodded once "Indeed."

"But I have to say, my partner is much more troublesome. She's a know-it-all of some superior sort, thinking she's got everybody figured out." James said coolly, flipping the page of his book, pretending to read even when not one word registered in his head.

He still noticed though, how Anna gripped her desk tighter "How overbearing that must be, James." Anna forced a little chuckle, and twirled around in her seat to face James with such a dark face he almost flinched "My partner can be said to be just like yours. Except he's worse, and he's pretentious and officious and absolutely arrogant." She almost sounded like she was growling the words, but her face remained as cold as winter "I pity him."