Twins With the Queen Bee

Chapter 12: In the Mess of Things

The morning was torture. More press were on our doorstep, everyone in the house was quiet and awkward and my mom still forced me to go to school. At least my parents paid the police and lawyers not to make a big deal out of this. But nonetheless it still is. Here I am at school in my social studies class with Mr. Deljon for my first period and everyone is staring at me funny. I can hear the whispers going around. Aww poor rich girl doesn't like her family huh and stupid for not taking her other half with her.

I try to ignore them but it's hard. All my ears want to hear is what these people think of me. They're getting their wishes. These people hate me as always, and they hate me for something I don't do. Sometimes I convince myself it's just my imagination but then there's always proof against that. Like the whispers, the notes and the dirty looks.

"...project on the world disasters here on this list." My focus is back on the lesson. Mr.Deljon is pointing to a list beside the door that has twenty or so world disasters. "Partner up, pick one and tell me at lunch. You have two minutes until the bell rings." Partner up. Oh shit. Who will be the odd one out this time? I hate to say it but I really hope it isn't Glen. He's lazy as shit. I had to learn that the hard way.

Thankfully that's not the case this time. His buddy is here and partners up with him. My heart gets a beat of relief. Then the bell rings and I have no idea who my partner is. Everyone hurries out of the class like a herd of sheep.

"Mr. Deljon?" I ask, coming up to his desk while the others race to get out.

"Yes Miss Miles. How may I help you?" The way he says that makes me want to slap him. He sounded like it was the end of the world to help me.

Ignoring it, I ask my question. "Is there any way I could do this alone, solo?"

Mr. Deljon takes a big unnecessary sigh. "No Miss Miles you have to have a partner. There is an equal amount of students in my class therefore you have no excuses." The look on his face tells me there is no way I can change his mind. I sigh and roll my eyes. I miss those few days so much. "In fact you have someone over there who doesn't have a partner." My teacher points to a small and frail looking blond girl who still sits in a desk in the middle of the classroom writing. "I believe her name is Stephanie."

The girl looks up at the mention of her name. "I'm sorry Monsieur I'm almost done." Stephanie scribbles a little faster while Mr. Deljon rolls his eyes.

"That's Mister here and you have three minutes to get to your next class." I automatically look over at the clock. He's right.

I head over to the girl, careful to not be in her way of the board. "So do you want to be my partner?" I ask her very hopefully.

She nods without looking at me. "Yeah we'll discuss it at lunch."

And that's that. With two and a half minutes remaining, I quickly pace to my locker, change my textbooks and head to second period which is physics.

"Hey Partner! So what world disaster do you want to do?" The dainty blond girl walks up to me with her tray of food in hand. It's lunchtime and I'm starving. Lucky for me that at lunch I always get a table for myself because when I sit down with people, they leave and when I sit down alone, no one comes. I have more self respect than to eat lunch in the girl's bathroom. The girl–Stephanie–sits down beside me. "Because we have to figure something out before lunch period ends."

She caught me off-guard. "Oh I thought you'd think of something without me and then I'd find out tomorrow."

Stephanie looks at me like I'm stupid. "We're partners. Why would I do that?"

"Because everyone else does," I mumble into my sandwich.

"Well I'm not everyone else." Great! She heard me. "I am Stephanie Gradette the official New Kid to this school." She moves her arms around for a better effect. Her right hand then reaches out to me. "How about you?"