Paper Cuts | Luke Hemmings ✔

11. Cuts and Bruises

word count; 2355
edited ✔

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Corrine sat in her spot during English, drumming away quietly with the eraser on the back of her pencil, and listening to Mrs. Danes drone on about something. She wasn't paying enough attention to actually understand what she was saying. In fact, Corrine had barely paid attention to any of her classes all week. Her mind kept spacing out, and she couldn't stop thinking about Luke, and what happened that day in the library.

He admitted to paying attention to her. Him! Of all people, admitted to paying attention to her. Luke Hemmings, the jerk of high school, noticed her!

Corrine didn't know if she should view this as a good thing, or a bad thing.

She glanced over at her shoulder, looking to where Luke was seated near the back of the class. He was staring idly out the window, drumming his own fingers against the desktop. His hair was styled up in that quiff – which seemed to be his signature – and wore ripped jeans and a band shirt. She randomly rolled her eyes and faced forwards again. It wasn't long until Mrs. Danes cleared her throat, and gained everyone's attention.

"Alright," she began, looking around the room. "We're going to do a little project." she explained. "You're going to pair up with someone, and before you start making plans – yes Cody, I'm looking at you – I've already chosen your partners."

A series of groans echoed throughout the classroom. "I know, I know, but there's a point to this. The objective of this little project is to get to know your partner, and you already know everything about your friend, so it'd be pointless. You'll be given a series of questions, and there is a lot of them, and you're going to create a presentation about it. You do not have to present these to the class, you just have to hand them in. Listen very carefully for your names."

Corrine looked around at her peers, wondering who should would get. Honestly, Corrine would much rather do the project by herself, but then there would be no point to it. She didn't really speak to anyone in her English class, and she wasn't friends with anyone either. It didn't matter who she got, this project was going to be weird for her.

"Corrine Lancaster, and Luke Hemmings."

Her eyes widened, as she slowly turned around to look at Luke. He was already staring at her. But he didn't look angry. He looked nervous. Luke swallowed, and quickly looked away from her. Corrine did the same.

This can not be happening Luke thought to himself. Of all people, it just had to be her. Why HER? Luke wanted to tug on his hair, and scream loudly, but he kept himself composed.

The bell rang, and Corrine stood, gathering her things, and slinging her bag over her shoulder. She made her way into the hall. Luke stood up, grabbing his things, and following her. Corrine made a left, heading up the stairs to where her lockers were. She wasn't aware that Luke had been following her until she arrived. He leaned against the locker beside hers, startling her.

"Jesus." she breathed. "Could you not scare me like that?" she asked, opening her locker.

"Sorry." he muttered.

"What do you want?" she asked. It didn't come across as harsh or rudely, but more out of curiosity.

"Uh . . . Well, we are partners for this project." he began. He heard her laugh.

"Didn't think you cared." she said.

"I'm already failing the fucking class, If I don't do this, then I'm screwed. I really don't want to spend another fucking year here, okay?" he snapped. Corrine closed her locker.