Why stop at just friends?

C H A P T E R | 13

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With a straightened posture, I concentrated on jotting down important study notes into my book. Everything felt ordinary.

Except Miss Richards personally informing me about her need to discuss something after class. Hopefully the partner change followed through and Talisha agreed, otherwise, I'd be pretty disappointed. I needed to value my worth and time. Time that shouldn't be wasted on arrogant people like Phoenix, and cheating scumbags like Sean. I had more important things to focus on, like myself, education and my future.

I was absolutely glad I did what I did yesterday. A hundred percent. It was better than wasting valuable time further surrounded by someone like him. On the mentioning of him, Phoenix all lesson had fortunately kept to himself. There was one instance catching me off guard, when he entered the class with an unreadable look on his face as our eyes met, but aside from that irrelevant moment, he didn't bother hassling me and I didn't bother with him. There was nothing mentioned about us changing partners, so he either didn't care based on how nonchalant and silent he was, or didn't know as of yet.

The bell rang.

I packed everything up and approached her desk. "Phoenix, stay back too," She suddenly said, making me narrow my eyebrows. Was she really only informing him now? If so, why hadn't she requested for Talisha to remain back too? After all, she was also involved in this change.

"Yes?" I asked, trying to ignore the looming presence of Phoenix who stood beside me. I could feel the side of his arm brush against my elbow.

"It's about the partner change for your project."

"Okay.." I drawled, searching her face for a readable expression so I could at least understand where she's going with this. A heavy feeling hit me. I could feel eyes penetrating the side of my face. He was staring at me and it left me with an intense emotion. My shoulders straightened, trying to shrug off the pesky feeling.

"Well, I discussed with Phoenix yesterday about the ordeal, and I'm glad the two of you have worked out your differences and put them aside."

I paused. "Wait, what?"

She studied me with a cool look. "Yes, that you two are capable to work together now. I'm glad it has been sorted, I truly think it's better to deal with your differences and handle them."

"But, Miss, we-" Fingers gripped my pinky, tugging it. I tensed, sliding my gaze to Phoenix's warning look as he dropped his hand and shot me a stern look. I had to bite back a comment, outraged with his action to shut me up.

"Mhm," She barely quizzed me on my broken sentence, tilting her head and studying me with a curious gaze. "Anyway," She sighed out, picking up a paper and offering it to Phoenix. My eyes dropped to his tanned hand that reached for the sheet of paper, taking it. Slowly, I trailed my stare towards his face. An impassive yet intimidating look stared right back at me. I truly didn't understand why he was aiming that look my way, why he looked both mad and menacing or what his problem was. He suddenly smirked. It wasn't friendly. "That'll be all Phoenix." She dismissed, implying for him to leave. He stared at me a final moment before turning and walking towards the door.

"I don't understand.." I trailed, staring at the slammed door.

"Well," Her voice drawled me back to her. She sighed, "Phoenix said he was improving working with you, and that he didn't understand the sudden change. In fact, that's why I wanted to also speak about. Please just try with Phoenix. Try and actually get along," She stressed out. "I get he's difficult and troublesome, but certain things need to be overcome."