Someone Like You

Chapter 9

"Alright everyone, quiet down," says Mr. Polson says to us in English on Monday. "Today you are going to be receiving your first novel for this semester." A couple of people groan, and I scoff. 'If you don't like reading, then why are you in this class?' I think to myself.

"What's the book?" asks a brainy kid whose name I think is Evan. I probably should know his name by now because he either asks or answers questions at least 10 times a class.

"Excellent question, Ethan," he replies. I almost got the name right. "May I present to you, Lord of the Flies!" He holds up a softcover copy of the book with a worn down cover. I've never read the book, but have always wanted to.

"Now, some of you already know this, but in my class, we read books in pairs. I will draw names out of a hat to determine what the partners will be. You and your partner are responsible for completing all projects associated with the book together. Are there any questions?"

No one raises their hand to ask a question. Everyone stares back at Mr. Polson, waiting for the names to be drawn. I drop my head to my desk and sigh. I know very few people in this class of 20 kids, so I am almost positive that I'm going to get paired with a random stranger.

I lift my head as Mr. Polson reaches into his cupboard. He rummages around and pulls out a tall red and white striped hat. It looks exactly like that hat from The Cat in the Hat, except four times larger. The class laugh at the hat, because it's completely unexpected. He shoots us a goofy, lopsided grin and tries on the hate carefully so none of the names spill out. The class laughs at the off sight in front if them, including me. Then he pulls the hat off of his head, silencing our chuckles.

He begins to read out names out loud, and I look out the window. I used to have no problem with group projects, but back before I moved I was popular. I had a group of friends, and everyone else wanted to be us. I was stuck in a fantasy world where everything seemed perfect, and I never faced any issues when it came to social matters.

Now, though, the only close friend I have is Ava, who isn't even in this class. I hate feeling this alone.

"Olivia Green," calls the teacher after a couple of minutes of kids groaning and celebrating. I lift my head and look at Mr. Polson, anxious to hear who my partner is. He reaches into the hat and pulls out another name, but does it extremely slow which makes me squirm in my seat. He opens his mouth.

"Keiran Jones," he says, and my blood goes cold. He can barely be in the room with me for five minutes. How am I supposed to work with him on several different project for the next couple months? I look over at him to see what his reaction is, but he's not looking at me. Keiran is bent over his notebook scribbling notes furiously. I frown and drop my head back to my desk.

To say that I am worried about this whole thing would be an understatement. I need to get a good mark in this class. Not only will it help me with paying for University, but it will also look good for what I want to do when I am older.

I have always wanted to be a journalist. I think that it would be so cool getting to travel and write about the world around me. My parents had wanted me to go into business like them and weren't completely okay with me becoming a journalist. However, they loved me so they told me they would support me in whatever I chose. I wish they still could.

I feel a tap on my shoulder breaking me out of my thoughts and my head lifts up. I turn and look at Keiran, who is watching me with raised eyebrows. "Welcome back to earth, Olivia," he says to me, causing me to roll my eyes. "While your head was off in space, Polson was explaining what the first group of projects will be. For every 2 chapters we read we have to pick one character and create an analysis on said character giving us a total of 6 in the end."