What It Seems | Wattys 2023

Chapter 21

ADALYNNE

When I got to physics, Derek was sitting in my seat behind Jo. I didn't know what to do. Do I find another seat or ask him to move?

"Good morning class!" my teacher exclaimed, shutting the door behind him as he walked in with a cup of coffee. I glanced back at Derek, whose lips were curled into a grin.

"Derek, that is Miss Claire's seat. Please sit behind her or beside Nicole." Thank God he saved the day, but I still have two of the most hated people in my class at once. You've got to be kidding me.

He took forever to move out of my seat. "Derek," Mr. Tress said deeply, "be a gentleman and let Miss Claire have her seat," he said sternly. Derek picked his stuff up from under the desk and moved in the desk behind me.

Once I retrieved my seat, I settled without everyone's stares coming my way. I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned my head, taking a glance at Derek from the corner of my eye.

"Got a pencil?" he asked. I grabbed a pencil from my binder and handed it to him just so he could leave me alone.

"Thanks babe," he smiled.

"Don't call me that," I snapped. His chuckle answered his response.

"Or what? Baylor will come into the rescue?"

Mr. Tress interrupted our conversation. "Derek, no speaking in class while we're reviewing for a test."

At lunch, Jo and I talked about Derek's reappearance. "What the hell was he calling you babe for?" she asked, as if I knew.

"I don't know, but I'm not his babe," I said abruptly.

Our lunch was interrupted with a "Damn prick" coming from Baylor's lips.

I snickered, "Tell me about it. He's in our physics class," Jo said, huffed and looked at Baylor who sat beside me.

"What?" Baylor said.

I nodded, "Yeah, he sits right behind me."

"He called Adalynne his babe, too." I looked at Jo, frightful for what she had just told Baylor. My eyes widened, mentally quizzing Jo why in the world she just told him that. She looked at me and smiled. Baylor tensed, an unknown emotion flashing in his eyes.

***

I pulled the blanket over my legs, and Jo pulled the fleece cover over her, making herself more comfortable. I was using Jo's leg as a pillow, and since Aiden had his arm snaked around her waist, his arm was right above my head. On the other hand, Baylor was sitting on the other side of me. He slouched and he was somewhat ready for the movie, watching the illuminated T.V that blinked different previews on the screen. My feet were slightly touching Baylor's leg, and by that, he didn't seem to care. His arm was hanging over my ankles.

"Tell me why again you guys chose this movie?" I asked out loud.

"'Cause we've never seen it," Aiden answered. While Jo and I stayed here, Baylor and Aiden went to a redbox to rent four movies. Insidious Chapter 2, The Conjuring, and The Purge. They at least had the kind heart to rent The Vow for Jo and me.

"If I get scared, I'm jumping into bed with you. Don't think I'm lying, either," I sternly told Aiden.

"That's what Baylor's for," Jo said, grinning. I elbowed her on her hip while my elbow was near her waist. Jo giggled, lying her head on Aiden's lap, possibly a get away from me elbowing her again. Aiden's hand rested on the side of her leg, and I rested my head on the pillows that were propped behind her, my feet accidentally resting on Baylor's lap.