Not A Word

Chapter Two

Tara

    I watched as Liam basically got dumped by Zayn and his crew. Liam hobbled over to where I was sitting and plopped down into the seat beside me. He better not talk to me. That was all I could think. Just because he was now an outcast didn't mean shit. He still made my life hell and I wasn't going to soften toward him one bit. He was a monster, a blight on society. At least that's what I tried to convince myself as I looked at his painstricken face. 

    Up close without hate clouding his eyes he was actually a very good looking guy. I swing my gaze back over to my notebook which lay open on my desk. Snap out of it Tara. He's one of the guys who helped put you in the hospital. Do not soften just because he's feeling one eightyith of the pain you feel everyday.

    Finally our teacher walked in the room. Mr. Hanson wasn't your average teacher. He had long greying hair that he wore pulled back in a ponytail, his clothes usually consisted of shorts and tees, and he was never caught without a pair of sandles. His wardrobe was definitely strange because of England's cooler climate. He told us that what he wore symbolized going against the indultrialization of the modern world. 

    Now that I found funny because the man drove a hummer! Those cars use the most gas than any other. If I'm honest though he is my favorite teacher and definitely the most interesting to learn from because during the summer he travels abroud to third world countries and teaches in schools there. 

    "Alright class." Mr. Hanson boomed waving packets of paper in the air, "I'm setting up group projects for you all." The entire class cheered. Even I couldn't help the smile that came to my face. "Before you ask you will not be able to pick your partners." The class groaned and my smile fell away. "I chose your partners using an ancient technique." He paused for effect then simply said, "Okay I drew your names out of a hat but you're still going to have to live with your partners. Love your partners, embrace them!"

    Any other day I would have loved one of Mr. Hanson's off topic rants but right now I just wanted to know who I was paired with. It damn well better not be Zayn or one of his groupies. If that happens I might as well just take the F now because no work will get done. I'll be in the hospital again and school doesn't matter when you're on life support. 

    I waited as Mr. Hanson called out groups of names. Each of Zayn and his groupies were paired up together. All exept Liam. Finally he got to my name. "Tara Williams you are will Liam Payne." I stared at him in shock. Mr. Hanson was usually a cool teacher but Liam?

    When he finished calling names he continued with his rant, "Now there will be no switching partners and there is no solo option on this project. Live with your partners or take an F in the entire class. This project will be worth sixty percent of your quartly grade. Now please meet with your partner and think of things to do for the project. Go forth young grasshoppers."

    Liam turned to me. "Hi Tara. It looks like we're partners." He said......nicely?

    No Tara he's not coming to the good side. He can't be. Remember he's on the dark side like darth vader who tried to kill his own son! Right? That's right isn't it? I don't know my Star wars. What I do know is that I can't soften toward Liam. That would be catastrophic, maybe even deadly.

    Liam waved his hand in front of my face, "Hello? Is anybody in there? Tara?"

    I slapped his hand down. "Don't do that." I snapped. "Look we have to work together as partners and get through this project but that is all that's going to happen. I don't like you and you don't like me. I saw that you got dumped by your friends but that doesn't mean you're going to make friends with me. That's final." Oh, but I really wanted a friend. Just one and maybe I really could be considered normal for a change. 

    Liam flinched back away from me. Yes my words may be harsh but they were necessary to protect myself from him. "Maybe what we both need right now is a friend." He said softly.

    I glared. "No. What we need is to do this project, get it over with, and never talk to each other again. If you think a friendship can come out of this than you've got your head in the clouds Liam. Get back down to Earth. Just because you're out of their group right now doesn't mean shit. In a few days you both will be over your pissy fits and you'll be back to beating the life, will, and soul out of me."

    His eyes widened. Apparently hearing about what he did from the mouth of his victim wasn't as pleasant as when he was actually doing the acts. 

   Mr. Hanson walked over to where Liam and I were whisper yelling to each other, "Is everything alright here children?" He asked in his usual kind and caring voice.

    I nodded quickly, "Of course Mr. Hanson. I love this project we were justi discussing where to meet to work on it." I said smiling. It was such a fake smile. A terrible smile, so I'd been told a million times. 

    "Good work children. I'll allow you to get back to it then." He walked on to another group.

    "Now that you mention it where are we going to work on this project?" Liam asked.

    I groaned. That had just popped out. I had no idea where to work on this stupid project. "Umm, I don't know the library I guess."

    Liam rolled his eyes. "You really think we're going to be able to bring the things we need to make the project to the library? Come on Tara what about your house?" he prodded. 

    My breath hitched in my throat, "No! There is absolutely no way that we're doing this project at my house!" I said loudly.

    Apparently it was a bit too loudly because Mr. Hanson made his way back over to us, "You children are going to have to come to a compromise. If it's what works your house may be the only choice Ms. Williams." He said softly.

    I wracked my brain for an excuse. "We can't do it at my house though Mr. Hanson because my parents went out of town on a business trip and I'm not allowed to have anyone else over. They wouldn't let me have any girl friends over let alone a boy, even if it was for a project. I can't go against my parents." I said makeing sure my voice was laced with just the right amount of respect so he couldn't call me on my lie.

    "Very well Ms. Williams." He turned to Liam. "Mr. Payne I assume your parents are home."

    "Well yes but-" Liam stuttered out.

    "Then it's settled. You will both work on your project at Mr. Payne's house. If your mother has a problem with this I will personally call her." He added to Liam. 

    I breathed a sigh of relief before I realized I was going to be spend a lot of time alone with Liam in his house. Hopefully he wouldn't try anything with his parents around. A girl could only hope.

    The dismissal bell rung and I gathered my books to head off to my second class. Liam stopped me as I stopped out the door. "Meet me on the front steps after school. We'll head over to my house and work on the project." He commanded but flashed a smile along with it. I couldn't tell if the smile was mocking of truly a nice and easy going smile, either way it sent shiver up my spine, both of dread and anticipation.