The Boy Nextdoor & The Green Eyed Girl

p a r t • n i n e

Authors note--Thank you for 300 reads; wow. In thanks, I am publishing this chapter early!
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The sun rose the next day, time continued to pass by and school was once again on. I gave my mom a hug as I left the kitchen, she promised me I would have a new phone number by the end of the day, and I headed for the bus stop.
At school the same groups stood in their same spots probably talking about the same stuff they do everyday. I kept my head down walking by the group Conner was in as his friends chuckled to something only they could hear. I made my way quietly to my locker alone like everyday before. My locker combination, 21-03-39, worked just like every day before. I jammed my science textbook into my locker lessening the load on my back and closed the door shut. "It's your fault."

With new found courage I huffed, "Leave me alone before I press harassment charges."

"You don't scare me" he said, his voice getting deeper, "Your the reason your best friend is in the hospital because she's not eating." Oh I wonder what that feels like.

Before I regretted something I looked to my sneakers and walked away.

"Your nothing but a selfish bitch" he said before I assume he left.

Deep breaths Payton. Deep breaths.

And just as I was calming myself down, the world hates me, I ran into a person. Just as I recognized who it was he said, "Those green eyes not working?"

For the first time since we met I gave him my signature glare. He did some weird snort laugh. As his funny laugh died down Conner stuffed his hands in his pockets, "Do you deal with that asshole everyday?"

"No" I lied and continued to walk. Conners long strides quickly caught up.

"So aside from English what classes do you have?"

"Well I take Science, math and business. Where I am going now."

"Hey!" he exclaimed, "my class is down this hall too!"

Oh great. "Cool."

Together we walked side by side to my classroom. On the way Conner explained how English was his least favourite subject describing it as and I quote, "A place my brain goes to die."

Looking back at my fascinating(not really) shoes I rocked heel to toe, "Guess I will see you in English?"

"You bet."

That was the end of the conversation. I made my way to my desk in the back corner of the classroom, after what Carter said it felt weird not having Alexis by my side. But when I looked back to the door Connor remained standing there eyes fixated on me. He nodded, I waved goodbye and he walked back down in the direction we came from. His classroom was not down this hall. Shaking my head at his white lie I pulled out my one page I had from this class, a self made doodle page.

👦🏻🏠 ❇️ 👁👩🏻

PE was first block, going from the third floor to the first on the other side of the school to make it for the bell was a challenge. But I made it at least I thought until The nasally voice of Mr. Hirtle boomed through the hall, "Mr. Dobson two minutes late past the bell, I expect to see you at lunch today."

"Two minutes your kidding?!"

"Wanna make it five seeming as you enjoy to argue?"

"No sir."

With a smug smirk on his face, "Well I suggest you get the flash and change before the rest of the boys are ready."

Groaning and thinking of 1000 ways to ditch this class I entered the changing room. Jacob, Nick and Anthony hooted my name while I rushed to get my shirt off. Nick whistled.

"Not in the mood" I groaned throwing my shirt onto the floor. Mom would be pissed.

"He's on his period" Jacob whispered loud enough for me to hear. I smacked him on the side of the head.

Finally reaching my gym shirt I took time to glance around the room. People were starting to leave. "Fuck" I mumbled to myself.

Just as I was about to put on my shirt I saw Carter, now was my chance, "Carter."

Halting with the sound of sneakers rubbing against tile floor he looked my way, "Yes?"

"I don't know what's going on, but quit being a jerk" is how I shortened things.

For a moment as others passed him he stared blankly. When he did connect one and two together his eyebrows almost connected as his face turned to anger when he felt. With only four of us left in the room I rushed even more. The guys bugged me to know what that was about but I shrugged them off on our way out of the room. "You owe me seven minute Dobson."

What a welcome. I looked back to the changing room door shutting behind Jacob who matched the expression of the other two; confused. "Well Mr. Hirtle I would love to spend time with my favorite teacher during my only free time but by the looks of it I am not the last one out, Jacob is so I do believe I am good."

Catching flies he scanned over our group, "Two extra laps for all of you and it will slide."

Now that was an agreement we could take.

👦🏻🏠 ❇️ 👁👩🏻

"Robert Frost, was an American poet. His work is well, but even though he from here we did not recognize him. It took another place, England, for us to recognize how talented this man was. In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: it goes on. One of his famous quotes."

"So today we will be starting a project on Robert Frost; the entire class. Instead of dividing into different individuals I want us to all study the one. There is so much information out there and it all can be different to the individual. Work in pairs as this will be a stretched out project. Any questions?"

"Yes Mr. Anthony?"

"Can we pick partners?"

"Oh the little thing which still manages to excite eighteen year olds" he said dramatically, "Yes you may pick partners."

Then the room exploded.

It didn't explode like cars blowing up in movies but everyone rushed to claim what was theirs; and by that I mean their partner. And by that I mean their closest thing to a best friend in the class."Pst, wanna be my partner" Conner whispered.

"Why not" I whispered back.

"Great."

"Why were we-why are we still whispering?"

Another funny snort laugh Conner put an arm around the back of my chair, "We are going to make the best partners."

Authors note
So in honor of 300 reads I decided I am going to share chapter inspiration. Each chapter I try to write when I am feeling something. I want my chapters to be able to connect with readers and myself, I want to be proud of them.
Although this book is focusing on a hard topic(bullying), that I have experienced I want to share positive things that helped me get through. This chapter I shared a big one. That life goes on.