Just Kidding | ✔️

Chapter 3: The Partner

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"Don't get used to it." I send an unfriendly smile my teachers way and head to my seat, pressing my head against my hands and breathing in the familiar scent of hibiscus.

My thoughts are reunited with the universe by a faint voice from behind me, "Hey. I heard about your parents. I'm sorry for your loss." I swivel around to face a freckled and curly haired girl, she smiles rather pitifully at me then returns to whatever's on her phone. How many people know about my parents? I wonder.

I can feel the start of hot tears welling up in my eyes. I do try my best to keep them hidden with only several minutes left of this period. Then I'll be free. Temporarily.

Those minutes pass by in a flash and I am welcomed by the blaring of the bell. Not wasting any time to be lectured by the teacher after class, I leave the room and into the hall, rounding the sharp corner. My eyes fall upon the students who all walk and talk differently. A younger girl, maybe the age of fifteen is trying her best to push herself apart from the indestructible crowd.

I shuffle back a step once I come in contact with a large and sturdy—well I'm not sure what it is but once I look up at the sudden road block I had mistakenly walked into, my day is immediately distinguished of any happy thoughts. I'm met with Cooper's eyes moments later.

"Want to explain why you're following me now?" Cooper scoffs. He's got himself leant back against the door to my next class. "I'd rather follow a perverted old man. Into his home." I seethe, feeling the negative affects of being around this intolerable boy too long I end up excusing myself and begin towards my next class which just so happens to be the class Cooper is still standing in front of.

"You have got to be kidding me." Cooper groans.
"Is there a problem?" I ask. "You're in this class?" He huffs.

"Don't tell me you're in this class too?" My laughter is uncontrollable as I look up at him. The anger in his eyes only grows as they go from a solid shade of grey to a deep blue. "Actually yes, as a matter of fact this is my next class."

"You know that this is child development right?"
"Yes." He answers bluntly.
"And you're you?"
"Yes."
"Did your parents sign you up for this?"
"Alright, listen bitch, I'm only in this damned class because the principal said I either attend this elective or some fucked up school for troubled kids with deep unresolved issues." Cooper grinds his teeth.

"Makes sense seeing as you do have deep unresolved issues." I mumble. His hand suddenly collides with my shoulder as he pushes me or pokes me, either way his fingers are grazing the skin of my neck and all I can think is:

I am greatly disturbed yet oddly intrigued at how good he smells "You know what—" his voice is distorted by Mrs.Lenard who edges us into the class once the period begins.

"Alright students!" The teacher says. "I will discuss with you how this class works then we'll get into partners and your first project of the year." Her voice just barely reaches the back of the mint green walls of the room.

I take this chance to observe the teachers slim figure and knee length dress. Mrs.Lenard is a much younger teacher than the rest at this school. I predict she is in her late twenties. There is a vibrant glow to her that the other staff lacks.

Watching the world outside eases something inside of me. From the soft breeze to the students running on the track. It's strange how life keeps moving on even through the most troubling times.
Being bored out of my mind I make myself comfortable in the beads of sunlight that shine through the clear glass windows. The teachers voice cuts back in and the yelling grows louder until it sinks into my brain and my eyes lock with hers. "Are you listening to me Miss Daniels?!" She says. Her shrill tone tears at my eardrums.

"Uhm yes?" I respond, clearly nervous. "Okay, then enlighten me. What were we just discussing?" Mrs.Lenard says and once again I'm stumped. It almost feels like the entire school is against me today.

"Child. . .development." I state confidently but it only causes the class to erupt in half assed laughter. "Close. We are discussing partners for the project." She exclaims.

"I don't see why I need to be involved in that decision, I could care less who I'm partnered with. " This only has the teacher reigning in joy as she glances down at her roster and smirks. "Really?" She pokes a finger at the clipboard in her hands. "Well in that case I'm pairing you with Cooper." She taps Cooper's suddenly stiff back and his grin immediately falls into a look of fury.

I jolt upright as I glance between she and Cooper. "What?! Mrs.Lenard you have to be kidding!" I argue.
"Oh, but I'm not. You said pair you up with anyone. So I did."
"Anyone but him!" I whine but the teacher continues with naming off partners leaving me to stand frozen in place in the middle of the aisle. Cooper must feel the same way as he repeatedly argues with Mrs.Lenard to switch the partnership.

"Sit, now Rhodes!" She demands but he doesn't budge. After a minute of staring intently at each other he packs up his things and removes himself from the desk, revealing the lining of muscles along his back and in a matter of seconds he's in the seat beside me. He throws his bag next to mine only causing it to clank together rather loudly.

"Let's get one thing straight, Daniels." He mutters under his breath. "Don't look at me. Don't touch me and definitely don't talk to me or question anything I do. Got it?"

"Let me tell you something Rhodes." I face him, clearing my throat I say. "I don't want to look at you, talk to you, and frankly I rather not touch you. You are crawling with many diseases that I for sure do not want. HIV, Herpes and who knows what else. I think we both know that it will be a lot harder for you not to touch me than it will be for me not to touch you. Seeing as touching women is an addiction for you."

"Just stick to your work." He growls, turning away.
"Our work."
"What?"
"Did you not read the pamphlet? Right here it says," I shake the stack of papers in his face and he flinches back. "In bold lettering: The objective is to take care of the child's needs and provide for it as a husband and wife would. Switch off every other day with your partner and at the end of the seven week mark you will be graded on your skill, maturity, cooperation and most of all responsibility. Remember this is a partnership project. If I do not see the definition of  teamwork then you will be failed on the spot." I read off the crumpled pages.

Cooper yawning has me throwing the pamphlet down and his eyes peel open to find mine again.
"Did you even listen to me?!" I scoff.
"Yes, woman. I listened to the whole excruciating speech." He runs his hands through his natural brown hair. "So when exactly do we get. . .our child." He shudders. Thankfully the teacher is at our table in seconds and answers what information I don't know myself.

"Tomorrow. Now, I need both of you to work together on this or you will fail my class." Mrs.Lenard then continues down the row of students to assist them as well.

"I can't believe you are even allowed within ten feet of a child. Toy or not." I cross my arms over my chest.
"Are you saying I'm a bad father?" His hand clutches his heart, his words are consumed by sarcasm.

"Precisely. How am I supposed to get a good grade in this class when you can barely keep your dick in your pants let alone hold a child?" I answer and when the bell rings I leap out of my seat, swing my backpack over my shoulder and bolt out of class quicker than one can say:

"Cooper fucking Rhodes"