His Obsession

Chapter 7

'I swear if I see you two together again, bad things will happen. You better not see him again, Maci',

Was what I was thinking going into my first class. My head was low as I made my way to Mr. Cipriano's desk.  I had to switch partners. I had to. The letter that they sent me was frightening. They were angry, annoyed,...and jealous. They said bad things will happen if I'm with Augustus. What if they mean bad things will happen to him? I couldn't live with myself if anything happened to a person because of my mistakes, especially to my only friend. I don't know what this person is capable of...and I don't want to find out.

I found Mr. Cipriano sitting down with each hand on the sides of his forehead, slightly gripping looking down. He did not look so great this morning. Seems like he's having a bad morning.

"M-mr. Cipriano?" I stuttered not wanting to annoy him.

"What do you want, Ms. Lancaster?" He asked with a grunt.

My mouth slightly opened, shocked at his tone of voice. He saw my reaction and signed heavily.

"I apologize, that was not okay for me to speak to you like that." He said running a hand through his hair.

"I just wanted to ask if it's okay if I can switch partners?"

An instant, Mr. Cipriano's emotional state changed.

"Of course. Let me see who I can partner you up with." He grabbed his clipboard with a smile.

His smile widened as his stopped on pair of names. "You're just in luck. There were two people missing yesterday. You can be partners with Nadine and Augustus can be partnered up with Gracie."

I nodded, "Thank you."

Out of the corner of my eye I saw Augustus. Panick filled inside me. I stood there as he approached me.

"Hey, Maci-"

I cut him off by walking to my desk.

"Maci, what's wro-"

He was once again cut off but by someone else, by Mr. Cipriano.

"Augustus, please take a seat."  Mr. Cipriano said with a stern voice.

"But-"

"Do you want me to mark you tardy?" Mr. Cipriano threatened.

Augustus looked at me, but not for long. He sighed in defeat. My heart dropped. I hated doing this to him. But I had no choice. What really got to me was the next thing Mr. Cipriano said.

"Oh, and your new partner is Gracie."

I looked down at the desk not wanting to see Augustus reaction. I knew he would be extremely confused and probably frustrated. I wouldn't blame him. He has the right to be.

I sighed taking out my notebook to write notes. I glanced up to steal a look from Mr. Cipriano. He was in a way better mood than before. He even had a smile plastered on his face. Did this incident make him happy? This made me very furious. Did he think this was a joke or some sort of entertainment? I gripped my pencil while I wrote the notes down. I zoned out during the lecture. Now, I was the one in a bad mood.

After the bell rang, I grabbed my stuff and walked past Mr. Cipriano's desk to be stopped. Mr. Cipriano stood in front of me blocking my sight of the door. Everyone walked out leaving us alone.

"I'm going to be late." I said crossing my arms.

"Why were zoning out in my class?" He asked ignoring what I had said.

"What?"

"Don't think I didn't see you not paying attention Maci. What's wrong?"

I roll my eyes at his oblivious question. 
"You think me partnering up with someone else and Augustus reaction is a joke?"