Unseen | ✔

5 | GROUPS

"If I treated you the way you treat me, you'd hate me.'" — Unknown

[5]

"TODAY EVERYONE WILL be paired with a partner," Ms White's voice speaks out. I silently pray to my demons, asking not to be paired with Adam.

Ms White reads out the list of students that are to go together. I sigh in relief when I hear Adam paired with someone that isn't me.

"Lily and Isabelle."

I visibly relax when I realise I am with one of the most beautiful people in the school. She is what people call perfect, although I know for a fact that she hates being in the popular crowds, despite what everyone else thinks.

Lily turns around and waves at me enthusiastically. I smile softly at her and wave back.

"Your project will be to write a story for any age level in this high school. Whoever writes the best novel will have it published in a hardcover book, or how however else you want it, and given to numerous schools around our area. You have until the end of this year, which is approximately seven months, so be careful on how long you hold off your story ideas. Time runs away quickly!" Ms White emphasises, clicking her fingers.

"Alright, you may leave now."

Everyone stands up and rushes over to their partners and walk out of the classroom together. I wait until most people have cleared before making my way over to Lily.

"Hey Isabelle, I'm so excited to work on this with you!" Lily gushes excitedly. I shake my head with a genuine smile on my face.

"Me too."

Just as we start to leave the classroom, Ms White calls our names. I look over to see Ms White and Adam standing together.

"I'm sorry to throw this on you two ladies last minute, but I didn't realise that Adams partner switched classes this morning. If it's alright with you two, I would like to ask if he could join your group?"

Just when I thought things were going well...

Lily jumps up and down happily.

"Of course I'll have my brothers best friend join our group, but wait..." Lily pauses and looks over at me. "If that's fine with you, of course?"

I muster up a smile and nod my head.

"Great!" Ms White claps. "It's settled then, Isabelle, Lily and Adam in a group. I wish you luck boys and girls as this is a challenging task and will be worth half of your grade, good luck!"

Ms White quite literally pushes us out the classroom and waves goodbye. An awkward silence settles over the three of us.

Lily, whose brother is Adams best friend, has a twin. They seem close, but I don't know. Their personalities seem entirely different from each other.

However, forget them. I am so dead.

Neither David nor Gary will be happy that I am in a group with anyone, especially Adam. David despises Adam.

"Isabelle? Hello..." Lily drones on trying to grab my attention. I blink my eyes a numerous amount of times before looking at her.

"I'm sorry, I didn't get that," I mumble.

"All good. Adam and I were talking about where and what time we should meet up. Any suggestions?"

My eyes widened in worry.