Dope (Lauren/You)

Chapter 5

(Your POV)

You've got to be kidding me.

Was there some sort of hex put on me? Out of all the classes she could have moved to, it had to be this one. My English class mates weren't as bothered as I was, but they didn't have a reason to be. Maybe Evelyn would switch places, and I could be seated next to them instead of Lauren.

It would have been fine if the desks were individual like they are in math, but noo, these ones were adjoining. I could hear her breathing, that's how close she was sat. There was even a spare seat in the row in front of me, why didn't she go there? And what the hell was that cocky smirk about? If Lauren was trying to get on my nerves, it was working.

"Since it's a Monday and I know how you all love them," Mrs. Banks began, "you'll all be assigned a speaking presentation."

Simultaneous groans around the room all merged into a long one, and I audibly face palmed.

"Oh, don't be like that! It's a partner project, it'll be fun," she tried encouraging us, only to have an even louder encore of groans returned.

"Do we at least get to choose our partners?" I asked out loud and heard a low snort from Lauren, as if she was saying, how petty.

"Where's the fun in that? I'll be choosing your partners, that way, you can get to know your peers."

Those words made me roll my eyes to the back of my head. There was a reason why I didn't talk to each person in the room, I would have by now if I wanted to. She would probably pair me with Lauren; with the luck I was having today, it seemed likely.

"Lauren, you can work with Y/N," she said straight off the bat, then proceeded to pair everyone else up. Why was I not surprised?

"Fancy the chance of that, buddy," the green-eyed girl smugly.

Sighing heavily, I gritted my teeth together in frustration. Just ignore her. I tried checking my phone as a distraction but saw no new notifications, so I put it away again.

"Y/L/N, you do realise you're going to have to speak to me, right? This is a partner project," she cocked her head to the side and faced my side profile.

God, was it really necessary for her to be this arrogant? Two can play at that game. Swivelling around in my chair to face her, I plastered on the most fake smile I could muster.

"Well until that dreadful time comes, I'm doing just fine ignoring you," I winked back at her, just like she had done moments ago. Then I went back to facing the front with a straight face. Thankfully, she didn't attempt to make another snide remark.

Everyone else was chatting with their partners across the room, and that left Hallie, Evelyn and Lyla clueless to my situation. Somehow though, Hallie and Evelyn were paired with each other, whilst Lyla got matched with her crush. Lucky. Me on the other hand, I was left with the last person I want to talk to.

"Alright, settle down class. I still have to explain what you are required to do," our teacher hushed us, going on to explain the requirements.

Just when I thought today couldn't infuriate me even more, I found out we had to prepare in our own time. That meant alone time. Outside of school. With Lauren. Her triumphant grin was mocking me in my peripheral vision.

The presentation is worth 20% of our final grade, and if that means having to talk to her, then I can manage. It's only a week. I need to set boundaries on strictly work talk, and make it clear I don't want to discuss anything else. On the bright side, she's insanely clever. That's the only positive to this whole mess.