Chapter 35: Project Robin
** 3 years ago **
"Okay, class," said Mr. Jameson. "Today I will be announcing your project partners."
Everyone groaned.
They were pretty pissed off that Mr. Jameson won't let us choose our partners.
"First," he began.
I crossed my fingers, hoping I would get paired up with Luke or Cole.
Oh wait, Luke isn't in this class.
I crossed my fingers, hoping I would get paired up with Cole.
"... Cole and Lacey."
I gave Cole a look of love.
He gave me a thumbs up.
Lacey's seatmate stood up and walked to the back of the class. While Cole swaggered over to Lacey.
"Sup Lace." he greeted with a grin.
She smiled nervously and nodded.
"Second, Jarrett and Harper."
I looked around the lab to see where Harper was.
I looked at her. She looked at me. Our eyes met. We shared a smile.
She walked over to me as my seatmate, Bailey, walked away, making kissy faces.
"What the heck is she doing?" I said to myself.
"Hey Jarrett." Harper said with a smile as she sat down next to me.
"Hey." I said.
He announced all the other partners then we got started.
"Okay, your experiment is to launch a rocket." Mr. Jameson said.
Everyone squealed in excitement.
"Did you all bring your 1.5 litter Coke bottle?" he asked.
"Yes, sir." everyone said.
"And your art materials?"
"Yes, sir."
"Well, then, you may start decorating your bottle. And remember, the pointy end is the bottom."
We got to work.
"Let's use my bottle." Harper said.
I nodded.
Thank goodness. I forgot to bring a Coke bottle.
She brought out all kinds of colored Sharpie markers.
"Woah, that's a lot of Sharpies." I exclaimed.
She smiled. "Yeah." she said, smiling. "I love art. Don't you?"
"Um... Yeah, I guess."
She rolled a blue colored paper into a cone and taped in on the butt of the bottle. Then she drew all sorts of patterns on the body of the bottle.
And I, like the stuttering dumbass I am, just stood there. Like an idiot.
Harper pulled out 3 silver cardboard triangles from her backpack.
"Here," she said, handing me the triangles. "You're not doing anything, why not tape the triangles to our rocket so it can stand."
I nodded as I took the triangles.
So I, being the idiot I am, just stood there. Not knowing how to tape triangles to a stupid rocket.
Harper laughed. "Do you, uh, need help?" she offered
"Yes please."
She held my hands and guided them to the end of the bottle.
"Don't move your hands." she instructed. She let go of my hands and grabbed the tape.
She snipped of 3 pieces and stuck them to the triangles so they would stay on the rocket.
"There!" she said with a grin plastered on her face.
I glanced at our rocket and then at Harper then back at our rocket.
"Looks nice." I said.
Looks nice? Is that the best you can say?
"I mean... It looks... beautiful!"
Beautiful? Really?
"Er... not beautiful... Magnificent! Yes, magnificent!"
"Um... Just stop talking." said Harper, covering her mouth, trying hard not to laugh.
Bbbbrrrrriiiiinnnnggggg!!
"Okay class, that's it for today." said Mr. Jameson. "Tomorrow, at the quadrangle, we'll launch our rockets. So don't forget to bring them."
"Yes, sir."
"Alright then." he continued. "I will see you tomorrow. Goodbye class."
"Goodbye sir."
Everyone grabbed their bags and raced into the hallways.
Except for Harper.
"Hey, so, I'll bring home the rocket. Is that fine by you?" I suggested.
"Sure." she agreed. "So, down to business, want to walk a hot girl out?"
"Um... Who? I think everyone already left." I said, rubbing the back of my neck.
"Me, silly." she giggled. "Don't play dumb with me!"
Uh...
She held her hand out, waiting for me to hold it.
Again, I stood there like an idiot.
She laughed, putting her hand down.
"Playing hard to get, are we?" she chuckled. "Alright then. No holding hands. Now come on."
I ended up walking her out of school.
Although, I still walked home alone.
But why was Harper acting so... weird? Was she high or something?
Wait... Was she... flirting with me?!
Oh no. Robin's gonna kill Harper if she finds out... Then she's gonna kill me! Crap. Crap. Crap.
I'm a dead man.
Wait! I don't have to be a dead man! Maybe... just maybe... I can keep this a secret from Robin!
That means no interaction between the 2 of them. That means Robin can't see me with Harper. That means I can't talk about Harper to Robin.
I'll call it Project Robin.
YOU ARE READING
The Girls Next Door
Romance"I had found the woman I wanted to marry... Until I screwed it all up." Eighteen year old Jarrett Parker lives in a house neighbored by his one and only best friend, the young and adventurous Robin Jackson. The time spent together between the pair w...
