My Buddy Marcel

Chapter Four

Protecting Marcel is not easy.

They come at him from every corner, at every opportunity. I'm not always there to help.

But he's made it through September and October unscathed.

But now it's November and kids are settling in.

                       *******

  "Science projects are due in January, and will be done in partnerships"

A gleam of hope truckers thorough the eyes of every student, including mine.

  "Partners have already been chosen"

  "Aw"the class erupted

She began reading off a list. "Double gender partnerships"

I spun to look at Arabella, who have me a sad face.

  "Chloe and Troy. Have and Spencer. Tina and Sam.just and Eric Arabella and Jared. Danny and Betty. Patty and Marty. Amy and Wade. Kitty and Ryder. Jake and Marley. Marcel and Taylor-Ann"

Jane raised her hand

  "yes Ms. Wiggins?"

  "Ms. Anderson, why did you pair the most popular girl with the least popular boy in the entire school?"

Ms.Anderson gave a look of confusion.

  "What do you mean Jane?"

  "I mean Taylor-Ann is up here" she put her hand up to a point "and... he is down there" and put her fans to the floor "Bad chemistry. Not a good mix." Jane shook her head "Why didn't you pair her with someone like Keith?" I shuddered

Ms. Anderson looked at me

  "Ms.Duncan, do you have a problem with your partner?" I shrugged "no"

have out her fans to her heart "Look, she's to nice to admit that she doesn't want to work with a low-life like him"

I shook my head

  "No, I honestly do not have a problem with him"

  "She is such a role model. don't e all love Taylor-Ann?" have starts chasing "Let's just give her a round of applause"

The entire classes began clapping, even Marcel. I blushed.

  "Go ahead Taylor, be the role model we need!"

                      *******

Despite the publicity of 'sacrificing' my time for a low-life by being his science project partner, there are perks to being Marcel's partner.

Well first, smartest kid in the school here! He's voluntarily doing most of the work!

And, when I don't know our understand something, he just chuckled and explains it to me.

Sometimes, when he would explain things to me, he would put his arm around my shoulders and use the other hand to point out things on his little outline thingy. And everyone he would drape his arm over my shoulders, I would get this warm feeling in my chest, like a bunch of fireworks went off in my heart.

  "...causing the electricity to travel through the circuits into the lightbulb"

I shook my head

  "When we present, will you tell me what to say?" I asked, only half kidding

He laughed, and his smile-with his perfect white teeth, and his adorable dimples-made my heart jump cartwheels.

  "It's simple Annie, just listen"

I looked into his eyes

  "I can't listen Marcel"

He looked confused

  "Why not?"

I looked him up and down

  "I keep getting distracted"