The Hog

Chapter 5

My maths teacher is explaining trigonometry to us. I have to give it to her, she is a passionate person. She still has that sparkle in her eyes when she talks about angles and lines and circles even though half the people she is talking to couldn't care less. Half of them aren't even listening. I'm in the half that is listening because- like every teenager with domestic hostility- I value education.  When they say it's the key to better things I believe them. I have to. That's why I come to school every day without fail because I have to believe that there is more to my life than just Frank. Money for university won't be a problem, my relatives will handle that, but my report card is my responsibility. So when Thomas walks into my maths class and sits right next to me I don't notice him because I am too busy listening to the enthusiastic math teacher.

"You left me sleeping in the middle of the forest." the anger is evident in his voice.

"You aren't even in this class." I whisper.

"I transferred this morning.  That's not the point- you left me asleep..."

"You transferred classes so you could come yell at me for leaving you napping in your own back yard?" I cut him off.

"No- I transferred because I needed to take on an extra class for my credits it's just a fucked up coincidence that this is your maths class." he still sounds pissed off.

"And of all the chairs you could have occupied you chose to come sit next to Hog. You know the only thing I like about this stupid name is that it guarantees me solitude. Which means I don't need to listen to the likes of you complaining about being left asleep in their back yard."  I look back at the board.

"You know for someone who is being blackmailed you should be more respectful towards me." he smirks.

"Okay how about I say I'm sorry for the forest thing and you move seats?" the teacher excuses herself from the class and leaves.  People start talking and I can hear that most of it is about the sudden arrival of Mr Greyson into our humble little maths class.

I look at him and he nods with a smirk on his face.

"Thomas Greyson, I, Francisco Daies do sincerely apologise for leaving you asleep in the forest in your back yard." I fake a smile then indicate for him to move.

"Hey Thomas." Lucy Nelson's voice is like a slap to my face. She stands in front of my desk and I can't help the disgusted look on my face. I catch Thomas raise a questioning eyebrow at me but I look at my notebook instead and start on the recommended questions.

The class is on the top volume by now so Lucy has to drop the seductive tone for more of a shout, "There's room with us at the back Tom so you don't have to sit with- it."

"Ah thanks Lucy but I'm not wearing my contacts today so I'll just have to suffer the front for today."

Lucy leaves and I look at Thomas.

"You can't sit here. I sit alone in all my classes." I hiss, "You have to move."

"But I'm blind as a bat and there aren't anymore front row seats." he smirks.

"I highly doubt that there is any truth to your impared vision story. Why are you doing this?" I sigh.

"I'm going to be honest with you Hog because I like honesty.  I've been pissed at a lot of things and people lately- you included- but I found that causing you pain and discomfort elevates some of that anger."

" So you are doing this to annoy me? To irritate me?"

"Yep, Hog" he pops his p.

I hate Thomas Greyson.  I hate that he is blackmailing me. I hate that he is sitting next to me. I hate that he thinks he has the upper hand. I hate that he calls me Hog.