Stuck In The Pages

Chapter 3

Chapter 3:

Three days have passed since the lunch room debacle and I admit I have been trying to keep my distance from the group.

If you were wondering, no; I haven't talked to Connor since the lunchroom and I can't tell if he's avoiding me or if I'm avoiding him. Who knows, we could be doing a fantastic job at avoiding each other.

The saddest thing to come from this, for me, is that Connor could've been the person I was open and honest with, because he has no idea who I am. Yet I still screw it up. Such a typical Cassie thing to do.

I'm seated at my desk in English Literature, it's Thursday and from my knowledge today is most likely group work day. How group day works is we partner up with the person neighboring us and we brainstorm ideas or themes based on whatever question the teacher proposes to us. And most times, I truly enjoy Thursday group work, but today I'm nervous because I know there is a 50 percent chance I will have to work with Connor. Not that I mind, but ever since that day in the lunchroom I don't know what he thinks about me. Leave it to me to say something awkward and make us both feel uncomfortable.

Connor comes into the classroom, trailed by two other boys and Mrs. Wrangler. As everyone gets settled, the bell rings and class is ready to begin.

Neither Connor nor I glance at each other, but you could still cut the tension with a knife. As much as I'd like to say something, I bite my tongue and wait for the teachers directions.

"All right class," Mrs. Wrangler projects, "as you have done before, it's Thursday, meaning we are doing group work."

Half of the class groans, most likely because that half doesn't like having to do real work. For a second, I swear I heard Connor moan out of annoyance, but when I turn to look at him I see he is sitting upright with a slight smile on his face. I must've heard the noise come from someone else. Turning back to the front, I wait for the rest of the directions.

"Turn toward the person to your right and introduce yourself to your partner for the day."

Now it's my turn to groan. I should know that with my luck I'd be the only one to work with him. I turn to my right to see Connor already looking at me with a slight smirk on his face. It made me want to slap it right off of his face. Not because it doesn't look cute on him, because he's very attractive, especially wearing that smirk; but I hate that I feel as though he's trying to appear smug.

"We've met already, but I'm Cassie." I say, trying to sound unanxious and polite.

"So we have." Connor replies.

"Today's question is 'What is friendship?'" Mrs. Wrangler asks, "and how does it affect our lives? In Othello, we learn about different types of friendships. We learn about some downfalls of their friendships, but we also hear about the great aspects that they like within each other. I will write this on the board as well, but take this time to brainstorm with your partner. Afterwards, place, on my desk, one paper with both your names on it at the end of class. Thank you."

She wants us to write about friendship? What do we know about friendship? We're a bunch of seventeen and eighteen year olds who are more self involved than interested in anyone else. We don't know what it means to truly and completely care for someone else, as a friend or otherwise. She, of all people, should know and understand this.

"I think that we should start with words that we associate with friendship," Connor says, pulling out a paper and a pencil, "and I can write them down." I nod.