Project Living (girlxgirl)

One

This chapter is dedicated to the wonderful artist, @-sageheart . Thank you for designing the book's cover!

// without further ado... enjoy//

   "What does living mean to you?" My professor's voice echoes throughout the classroom. A few people raise their hands.

   "You may call out your answers," she adds while walking to her desk and crossing her arms.

   "Uh, breathing?" Some jock says out loud. He smirks to a girl next to him.

   A girl wearing a pair of glasses that look to be too big for her face pipes up, "Eating.. and drinking water?"

   I scoff before crossing my legs, "She asked what living means to you. Not staying alive. Living means taking risks. Doing stupid shit you know you'll regret, but you do anyway because you're in the heat of the moment. Falling in love even when you know it's not love. Not being afraid of everyone else's fears. Doing what you feel you were born to do is living."

   My professor smiles, "Miss Wren Mitchell, is it? Yes, Miss Mitchell's answer was exactly what I was looking for. We are in a writing class.. how many of you enjoy writing?" The majority of the class raise their hands.

   "How many of you would say you have a passion for it?" Some put their hands down.

  "I see many of you still have your hands up. All of you are living by simply writing," she takes a break to smile, "through writing you are all living."

   A boy in all black that sits directly behind me leans forward and whispers in my ear, "She is so full of shit. Nobody here gives a flying fuck about the definition of the word. Plus, I would much rather be dead than alive in this hell hole of a place." As he sits back down I throw a concerned look his way but turn my attention back to my professor.

   "For your first assignment, you all will be choosing a partner and working on a project together for the next semester. All your projects will vary," People look around already mentally choosing their partners.

   "For your project, you must choose something to do, somewhere to go or something to see. Not just anything, either... something magnificent. Something you know will make you feel alive," she winks, "You and your partner must experience this together and make a presentation on it as a whole. The presentation must include a paper of five pages, describing the experience, and two visuals including a slide show and a tangible object." People groan at the assignment, but I smile in amusement.

  "Your paper will be handed in to me at the end of the semester and you'll be presenting the rest of your project to the class. You will have some class time to work on this, but not all. You are expected to get most of this done on your own time," I uncross my legs taking it all in.

   She clasps her hands together and smiles once again, "Let's make this a good year."

   With that, the class ends. Everyone begins to get their stuff together and rush to the people they want to work with. I stand and retrieve my laptop, binder, and notebook before stuffing them in my bag. I walk out of the aisle and as I'm descending the stairs somebody taps my shoulder. I turn around to be met with the guy from earlier.

   "Want to be my partner?" He talks slowly and without emotion.

   "Thanks, but no thanks. I already have a partner," I lie and try to turn to leave.

   "But nobody has approached you yet.." He again says slowly.

   "I already have someone in mind.. my best friend? She's really going to want to be with me," I try to, again, walk away.

   "You don't talk to anyone in this class," He points out, sounding accusing.

   "Do you watch me? Listen, kid, you sound like a nice guy, but I'm not interested, ok?" My tone obviously indicating I'm annoyed.

Before he can respond I descend the staircase and walk out of the doors that lead to the corridor.

    I make my way towards the exit that leads to the parking lot. As I'm halfway down the hall a stranger walks in step with me.

After a few moments she pipes up, "I was thinking we could go to New York or something.. something extravagant. It'd be a hell of a way to get to know each other, don't ya think? A road trip right off the bat. Sounds fun, right?" I slow my pace and glance at the girl.

    "What?" I ask, furrowing my brow.

    "Oh! I didn't even introduce myself, did I?" She stops in her tracks, me following suit, and after giggling holds out her hand, "I'm Savannah, but you can call me Sav or Savy," She smiles with her hand still extended.

    I wave her hand away, "What are you doing?" I ask.

   "Uhm, asking you to be my partner? I heard your conversation with Dominick.. doesn't seem like you have another option," she says before glancing down the hall.

  I sigh, "Dominick? The depresso? Yeah, no thanks," She laughs and covers her mouth.

"The depresso? He is weird, but I've never heard that term before," she giggles before letting out a sigh, "Anyway... I don't have any other options either."

  "Savannah, right? I don't know.." I trail my eyes to the door that leads to the parking lot debating what I should do. She's right, I don't have anyone else and I do need somebody to pass.

  She interrupts my thoughts, " As I said, we don't really have a choice. You seem like my type of person and it'd be fun! This project sounds like something we can both get an A on and we'd have fun doing it. What we gain: a good grade, a new amigo, and a fun time. And what do you have to lose?" She smirks and points to the other end of the hall leading to our class, "I mean.. you could go with Dom," she shrugs her shoulders, "He's a great guy once you get to know him."

   I look back at the door and see the weirdo walk out and start toward us. I sigh and look back at her, "Fine. We'll discuss the project later," I say while making my way towards the parking lot. She quickly jogs back up to me and follows me out the doors and onto the sidewalk.

   She puts her arm around my shoulders and hugs me with her side, "Want to have a sleepover?" I shrug her off of me and stop at my car.

Her still beside me, I take the chance to finally get a look at her. She's wearing skinny jeans and a white t-shirt that loosely fits her. A graphic design of a sun printed on the front. Her white converse with smudges of dirt ties the basic look together. Her attire isn't what catches my attention, though. Her stormy grey eyes are something to behold. Freckles dot her nose and cheeks and her lips are pink and full. Her wavy brown hair blows in her face due to the autumn breeze. She is someone I would imagine receives plenty of attention from boys.

   She clears her throat, "I know I'm hot, but I asked you a question," she giggles and I realize she's taken notice in me studying her.

   I roll my eyes and smirk, "Don't flatter yourself. What did you ask? A sleepover?" I snort, "What are we five?"

   She looks away sheepishly, "I- I... sleepovers are fun." She states and meets my eyes.

   "You know what? You're right! Sleepovers are fun. But first we have to stop at your place and get your stuff," I pause and smirk, "Then we can pick up some happy meals on our way to my apartment," She smiles and starts to walk away.

    I frown, "Where are you going?" I yell after her.

   "Uh, to my car? I can't leave it here," she calls over her shoulder in a "duh" tone, "Follow me. My place isn't far."

   I open the driver's seat door and slide in. I shake my head and sigh, "I was being sarcastic.." I mumble to myself. I can almost hear my mother's voice in my head, "She seems.. nice."

AUTHORS NOTE

Hi, friends :) so I was inspired to write after reading a short story I had written a while ago. I don't expect this to get a lot of attention, but if you are reading and you enjoy please make sure to hit that vote button :)) it would show me you appreciate my work and motivate me to write more! I do very well with constructed criticism so don't be afraid to comment advice or corrections! Happy first chapter, loves✨