Partners In Crime [On Hold]

Chapter Thirteen

"You're all dismissed."

I couldn't help the exhale of relief as the teacher dismissed us. I rushed my way to the door, but not without noticing Angie's humoured stare, and me looking back confused.

"Don't forget, you're going to do my math."

I smiled sheepishly. "Hey Angie?"

Her eyes rose questioningly, and I grinned before whipping my hair on her.

"Even princesses can be liars."

And with that I walked my fastest to the door and out I went to freedom. The hallways were empty and the chatter of those who were in the detention room came out as roars.

I was walking the opposite direction, another exit that gave way to a shortcut to downtown.

My All Stars squeaked and echoed, and I felt my throat thicken. The fact that Angie's words haven given my stomach a painful churn was not the issue. What was the issue could probably only be this nagging doubtful feeling I had overwhelming me as I went down the way to a building, clear in sight as it was built for. Big and majestic, and host of knowledge beyond reason.

I do not think of myself as a yes-man. Nor as one who could easily pushed over. And I don't change opinion quickly either.

But had he or had he not challenged me upright, face to face, like a man? Had he not put my morals on test?

The question is, would he still be there? Would he be able to see that I was not the one in the wrong, but in fact that he was. That I actually was a decent human being?

I wasn't a stone's distance from Badelton Library and I looked up, chugging down the pride I had. If I could do as I actually truly wanted, I'd be on my way home.

But I'm a woman. So that's pretty much the case. I was sticking up for my gender. Though it seemed pointless for some, it was the freaking James Bond mission for myself. And I was damn straight going to succeeded.

So I took my first wobbly step inside. Then my left joined in. And then I was on auto, moving without thinking the much of it. Slowly I progressed inside.

Then I stopped.

Exactly how in the world of Minaj would I ever find one single individual in this grand place?

Did it ever occur to me that it's like finding the needle in a haystack.

Damn it, I turned around, feeling like an idiot as the people started noticing my strange presence.

Was I dumb enough coming here, I could be dumb enough staying.

I was pumping myself with pros and cons. Stay and keep your pride as a woman. Leave and spare yourself the embarrassment of meeting him. My moments with Awlon had been anything but lovely.

Okay. Okay.

This is as bad as I make it to be.

I could be cool. Who am I kidding? I am cool. So just turn, Avy, and waltz in. Show that motherlover that you're not afraid. Though you maybe are, don't let the surface show it.

Okay, here goes.

I forced my body to turn again, the people not so subtly gawking at what must've only been my stern face.

I made my two legs, who felt as if they had elephants by their toes, move through the bookcases after bookcases, the sofas and tables. I rounded corners and started my search. After a minute, my confidence was swooping. After a good thousands of seconds I decided it wasn't worth it and quickly, before I could change my mind, I turned around.

And that was all it took.

My eyes landed on the frowning face whom was busy reading form his laptop, his fingers quickly tapping around as if life depending on it. His figure was crouched, table messed with books and papers.

The assignment was simple. Yet he made it look as if he was Sherlock and has to crack a case before dawn.

He hadn't noticed my presence. Nor when I started closing in. I wondered if he really was out and about in his work as I sat down. Even the chair creaked, but he didn't flinch or anything.

I slumped down, twinning my hands and decided to make my approach clear.

"I thought you had no interest in this work."

He beat me to it, eyes slowly perking up. The blue orbs met mine.

So he was aware after all.

"Doesn't mean I'll let you do all the work by yourself."

"Oh, the moral thing again." He sighed, exaggerating his irritation by several unnecessary notches. He laid his head down on his hand, raised by a straight elbow. I heard a tapping of a foot. Then he sighed again.

"I didn't think you'd show up."

"And here I am."

"So you're going to work with me."

"Do I have a choice? You'd just do it all yourself."

"That's not necessary a bad thing. It's easy for me to get an A. I could boost your grade up. Walk out now and I wouldn't flinch."

I stared at him challengingly. "Do you want me to leave?"

"Yes," he winked. "But you're not leaving, are you?"

I shook my head and took off my jacket, getting settled and homey as I could. "And the moral thing, Zack, it's something called good conscious. Which I have plenty of and wouldn't dare breaking."

He doesn't answer, only pushing books to my direction. His fingers melodically started tapping again.

"Work." He barked.

Well, the change of attitude was a shock. But I did as I was told and started working. If this was all to it, working in silent, I could get out scarfree. But something told me Dipshit had other stuff in mind.

And after about ten minutes, it was clear the silence had gotten the best of him.

Awlon closed the laptop and instead of putting it away, he looked at me.

"What?" I snapped.

He cocked his head to the side. "Where you from?"

I inhaled, confusingly furrowing my brows. "What do you mean?"

"Your heritage." He says as if that was the most obvious thing in the universe.

I thrust my chest up, pushing the books back to his disposal. "None of your business."

"Puerto rican, Spanish, some mix of Indian?" He raised a brow. "No. Definitely Spanish. But something else.."

"Would you mind?" I rose. "Are we done here?"

His shoulders slumped and he brought his bag up, putting the books and his laptop in it. "For now, I guess."

I was hesitant to ask the next question.

He must've noticed my reluctance by the way I was fidgeting my fingers and he chuckled. "Tomorrow. Same time." He pushed his chair backwards as he stood, hoisting his bag into his shoulder. "See you then, princess."

"It's Avery." I hiss.

He backs away, shrugging nonchalantly. "Wasn't that was I said?"

I cursed him when he turned away, walking to the entrance.

I take it back, I wouldn't leave scare free when this was over. I'd be a bloody mess.

A/N: Hello wonderful creatures of the Earth. This took an awful lot of time posting, but I've been busy moving and planning and all those stuff that comes along with traveling. I hope I can keep posting, but we'll see.

What'd you think of the story so far?