The Bystander

Chapter Five

Alyssa

"Now! Today we will be discussing heat insulation!" My science teacher bellowed happily, though her eyes practically rolled.

Most of the class had their hands under their desks, texting away as the teacher continued to... Well teach. It was only half an hour until the end of the school day, today had been a lucky one since Kelly and her crew took the school bus to a retreat for the week so I'm safe until then.

I was in content, only a few insults were thrown at me. People only hurt me or swore at me when Kelly did, other than that I was untouchable. "Partner up!" My stomach dropped as I looked around the room with embarrassment.

Everyone took their seats next to their pairs, I was left alone at the front. "Miss?" I raised my hand with flamed cheeks.

"Yes?"

"I don't have anyone to work with." I mumbled, keeping my eyes on the desk in front of me. A few sniggers swayed around the room at my obvious discomfort. My jaw ached slightly, though not as bad as before.

"Who doesn't have a partner?" She asked loudly, cocking a hip and tapping her foot impatiently. It was obvious she didn't want to waste time on finding a partner for little old me.

"Me!" I heard from the doorway, instantly I looked over in confusion.

That guy.

I frowned, looking down uncomfortably. "Great! Noah you will be paired with Angelica." She said proudly, as if she thought of the idea herself.

"Alyssa." I corrected her quietly, the class erupted in loud chatter. The seat next to me was pulled out as a body crashed itself into it comfortably.

"So, your name is Angelica huh?" Noah asked nicely.

My eyes stayed onto the desk, it was strange having a boy talk to me. Well anyone talking to me was strange. I wanted to yell Alyssa right in his face.

"Still not a talker?" He questioned, with a hint of disappointment.

I shook my head.

"That's okay, I have enough talk in me for the both of us. So, shall we get going with this experiment?" He said cheerfully.

I nodded, standing up straight away as I made a beeline for the back bench to grab whatever we needed. Noah probably doesn't want to help me, it's fine. "Here let me take that." I flinched as his chest touched my back.

"It's okay, I'll take these." He took all the equipment off of me and carried it back to our station. I followed behind him, wearing a face of confusion.

As we set up our experiment, placing the test tube between the chunk of pink insulation. He took the jug filled with boiling hot water and poured it down the tube and placed the thermometer in it as we hit start on the stop watch. I watched closely with disinterest though I tried to hide it, if he saw me bored out of my mind then he would try and talk to me.

"So, this is boring." He blew out a breath, he didn't seem bothered by my lack of response. Just continued talking, like he knew I was listening.

How did I not notice this guy was in my class?

"I've never seen you around, are you new?" He asked with genuine interest.