Turned Over

Robin: English Project

Sitting beside Emily was bad and I used to dwell on this situation for two years. The curse of the sitting arrangement seemed to follow me up until the ninth grade. But assigning her to be my partner for our English project was worse!

I mean, what the heck Mr. Logan!

This project is a complete nonsense! Who would give a two-person project about friendship when my partner isn't even my friend at all! Seriously, Mr. Logan should have asked who my real friend was. I could have picked James or even Coleen, not some girl who creepily stares at me all day!

The project was to create a biography about your close friend. This sucks because:

1. We are not CLOSE.

2. She is not my FRIEND.

3. HOW COULD I WRITE A BIOGRAPHY ABOUT SOMEONE I BARELY KNEW AT ALL!

The moment Mr. Logan said that our partner would be the ones sitting beside us, I want to groan with rage! Why?! Why is this happening to me?!

This project sucks, my teacher sucks, my school sucks! If only Hertfordshire High wasn't the only high school here in this stupid town, I could have lived my life with happiness and comfort!

But, here I am. Facing of what would be like to be branded for life.

As for Emily, she looks very happy, way to happy. Is she a sadist? Can't she just see how this whole thing makes my stomach churn with anger?

"We're partners!" She squealed. The enthusiasm level of this farm girl sure is killing me.

I can't stand this anymore! It's time to quit the friendly act Robin, it's time to be yourself. It's the only way you could get her latch off to your life. You have to show her that you hate her. You hate her!

"As if I don't know that. I'm not dumb. And please quit the excitement, I'm not thrilled as you are." I said with a bored tone.

That's it. I finally had it in me.

"Oh. Uhm, that was a surprise." She replied. I knew she was waiting for me to say something but I just looked at her, indicating that she doesn't have any business with me at all. She was the first one to break eye contact, and after that, silence was between us.

Mr. Logan gave us his time to discuss about the project. It's like, getting to know each other. And I hate it.

Emily and I were still sitting saying nothing, as if we're waiting for each other to speak up. All we'd do is just look at each other and look away, that is until she broke the silence.

"Uhm, I don't want last minute cramming Robin. I want to get this project done as soon as possible."

"That's a great idea. I want this stupi-"

"Okay class. I just wanted to remind you, this is not just a biography writing. I want you to make it special for your partner. I want to see your appreciation for the essence of your friendship. Something that stands out from all the other writings."

Great. Special? What's so special about Emily? Let's see, has a barn? Has a farm? Has pigs and cows and chickens? Delivers homemade pie throughout the whole neighborhood?

"You were saying Robin?"

"I said, it's great. I don't want last minute cramming too." And with that, she smiled. It wasn't fake, I can tell. It was a very genuine smile.

"Okay! I'll see you everyday after class!" The enthusiasm was back again but it didn't irritate me the way it did earlier. Just then, it hit me.

Why is she still so nice when I go nuts showing her that I don't like her?

Now she makes me feel like a bad person. Or maybe that's just the way she interact with a lot of people. That I don't know, but I guess simple things like these should be known, if you like that A+ work.

It wasn't so long before the day actually ends. I was really happy that I could show Emily what I really felt. It's like, the weight that I've been carrying for two years has been lifted away from my shoulders.

But, as that weight was lifted off, something came in return to bug me. There's a part of me that wanted to hate her so she could just leave me alone forever. Isn't that what I always wanted? But there's also this part of me that feels like a complete jerk, though it never beats me why. With these two sides of me, I don't know which is dominant and which is recessive.

I guess I have to see it for myself.

Face your fears Robin. You're a guy. Emily's just a girl.

Just a girl.