Shards of a Heart

Chapter 17

Chapter 17 - Now

    "You all know from the syllabus I handed out that each month we are going to have a project. Since we are now finally getting into the school year, it's a good time to start on one. The project will be with a partner of your choice, and will be on unresolved school attacks. The time period can be anywhere from the 1800s to present, just make sure you choose an attack you can get a lot of information on." My History teacher explains to the class as she puts a rubric up on the projector. "Now your principal wanted to experiment with this new kind of choosing partners, I don't really agree with it but we have to do it. I'll call a random name from my class list, and that person can choose anyone who has not been picked yet. You must work with that partner. Now, any questions before we pick?" No one raises their hands, but I can tell some people are uncomfortable with this new method. I notice several friends staring at eachother in the normal 'I'm your partner' way, as names start getting called out.
    I don't have much to worry about. One of Autumn's friends, Hailey, is in this class. She smiles at me. If she gets called, she chooses me and vice versa.
    "Alec," I turn towards him, interested in who he will pick. Probably one of the nerdy kids, because from what Francis and Autumn told me, he doesn't have any friends. He looks around the room, his face set in the usual dark expression. His stormy eyes meet mine and I see a hint of a smile.
    "Celia" He looks away as the teacher nods. I glance at Hailey, who shrugs and looks at another one of her friends. Of course, she probably didn't even want to work with me, she's just that nice.
    I stay seated, refusing eye contact with Alec until class is over. My teacher spent the rest of the class going over the rules for the project and handing out the rubric and other papers with requirements on them.
    "What's your address, I'm coming over on saturday," Alec looks bored when the teacher dismisses us for 5 minutes to talk with our partners before the bell rings.
    "Why did you choose me?" I ignore his question and bend my eyebrows down to match my frown.
    "Because you have no friends other than that loser boyfriend of yours, and, because you have a secret that you aren't telling anyone and I'm going to figure it out" He says matter-of-factly, his eyes shadowed with a layer of some hidden feeling. I search them for any hint as to why he's doing this, but they just seem to get darker. "So you argee? You're not saying anything"
    "I hate you" I clench my jaw and turn away
    "I still need your address, I'm coming over Saturday so we can get this over with."
    "Why not your house?" I spit.
"I don't have a computer" he smiles a hands me a piece of paper and a pencil. I take it harshly and scribble my address down. "See you at 11 then. Oh wait, you're probably going to that party with Mr. High and Mighty Player on friday. I'll see you at 2 then" The bell rings as he finishes and slides out of the classroom.

I find Francis after school. He's talking to a tall girl with a high ponytail, but when I come around she gives me a weird look and walks away. He turns with an exasperated smile towards me, shaking his head.
"Hey girlfriend," He hugs me suddenly, and I get squished against his chest.
"Ow," I sigh, as I pull away. He smiles. Wait. He called me girlfriend...
"You're good with being my official girlfriend right?" My face must've given it away. I grin and nod a little too fast. He laughs and shuts his locker.
We start walking, but Francis notices Alec, who is walking the opposite way, toward me. He gives Francis an evil glare, then when a his eyes meet mine, a look of something like regret or sorrow passes his face for a second.
"That kid is weird and broken, like a wind-up toy that doesn't wind."
"I hate him," I mumble. Francis' icy eyes meet mine, and I sigh. "He chose to be my partner for a project and criticized you when explaining why"
"He's just jealous." Francis smiles and wraps his arms around my waist. "He doesn't have to come to your house or anything right? I don't trust him..."
"No, it's all in school" I lie as we head out the door. I stay silent and Francis helps me into my car, and shuts the door as I roll down the window.
"Goodbye Miss Darling Celia" he leans forward, and I expect him to give me a kiss, and he does, just not on my lips. His full lips press gently to my forehead then he pulls away smiling.
"Goodbye Mr. Francis the Great" I reply and he laughs at my name.
"Not a big fan of that nickname, darling, I prefer something along the lines of baby or babe"
"Uh," I scoff, a small smile playing on my lips. "That's to cliche, plus you're not a baby because you are my warrior and protector"
"True." He thinks for a second "Then I am your Knight in Shining Armor, coming to the rescue whenever anyone tries to be project partners with my Damsel in Distress. I will have no mercy" He puts his hands on his hips for emphasis.
I don't want the moment to end, but it does. He waves once more and walks away. I can't stay in the lot forever, so I turn my car on and drive home, hoping that my Dad is fine and that this morning was a dream.

Dear Jade,

I lied to Francis today and I have no reason why. This strange guy, Alec, is coming over on Saturday to work on a project. He's kinda creepy. Anyway, I told Francis he wasn't coming.
Also, Im now officially Francis' girlfriend... AHHHH!!! Why did I lie to him? Ugh.
There is a party Friday... I don't like parties but Alec said I was going to go with Francis. But Francis never told me. Eh, he probably knows I don't like them and isn't going to tell me about it so I don't feel bad. I think I'll surprise him and go anyway. At least Alec won't be there. His sister killed herself at a party. That memory is probably too much for him.. I kinda feel bad, but all the other kids act like he is just a loser. Autumn told me that he used to be popular, like Francis, but I can't ever imagine that.
Ill stop talking about him now.

~ C

• • • • • • •

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