Kirkland Academy- Interracial Fiction

Kirkland Academy- Chapter 6

"Hey Tia! Did you want to go get something to eat after school today?" Jack asked the question of her as they worked on their Chemistry lab assignment.

"I have to volunteer at the community center after school," Tia answered, reading the instructions they’d been given before pouring one mixture into another.

"Well, maybe after you’re done at the center, I can take you home. I’ve been working on this story for creative writing, and I wanted your opinion before I turned it in. Professor Stanley loves everything you write. Maybe you can tell me what I’m doing wrong." Jack said.

"I’ll have to call my dad," Tia said, "but I should be able to do it." Knowing Jack was only interested in taking her out if it involved homework made Tia feel simultaneously relieved and disappointed. She and Jack had grown close. He kept his promise and hadn’t told anyone about Tia’s father. Tia, Jack and Brittany had even begun to hang out as a trio on occasion. The siblings had grown closer and bonded through their mutual friendship with Tia.

Jack and Tia chatted away and worked on their project until the end of their class. Even though Tia and Jack shared a friendship outside of school, at lunch, they operated as strangers. Erica had kept her hands to herself after the tripping incident, but she still found ways to bother Tia at any opportunity.

“Hey, loser!” Erica called out across the cafeteria table to Tia and Brittany who were sharing a laugh.

"What is your problem now Erica?" Brittany shot the question to the girl with a chill in her voice that betrayed her gentle nature.

"Not talking to you,  Hippy Loser. I was talking to your friend.  I should have been more specific," Erica turned to fully face Tia. "Hey, weird, grungy, nerdy Loser."

Tia didn’t bother to speak or even look in Erica’s direction, which only served to infuriate her. Tia addressed Brittany calmly, “I think I pity her. It must be hard having to bolster your self-esteem by trying to tear others down. It seems exhausting.”

Erica’s hands were clenched into fists as if she wanted to strike Tia. Instead, she took the Milk on Tia’s plate, and poured the contents over Tia’s partially eaten lunch before letting out a dramatic, “Oops! Clumsy me!”

"What did I ever do to you? What happened to make you such a giant bitch?" asked Tia, her voice shook as she tried to keep her tone even and neutral. 

"I just don’t like you," answered Erica before walking away.

Tia could tell the girl wanted to say more, but the silence and prying eyes to the exchange made her resistant. Tia took her tray and threw the contents of her ruined lunch away before leaving the cafeteria. Jack seemed to materialize from nowhere, blocking Tia’s path as she headed down the hallway.

"Hey Tia," Jack said, unaware of what had happened only moments ago in the cafeteria.

"It’s probably better if we aren’t seen together," Tia said walking faster to get past Jack.

"What happened this time?" Jack asked irritated knowing that something involving his ex had gone down.

"She poured milk all over my lunch," Tia said plainly. A look of anger and guilt that washed over Jack’s face.

"I’m sorry. It’s totally my fault," Jack said pulling Tia into a secluded cove to talk, "I told her I couldn’t come over tonight because of that assignment I want you to read."

"It’s not your fault that she’s a nut case. You are allowed to be friends with whomever you want. You two aren’t together anymore, and you aren’t even interested in me romantically," Tia declared.