Call me Binali

Chapter 9 "Settling the Score."

"Okay so lets try to use a chromatic scale here but in minor." I instruct Izzy over our FaceTime chat.
"I like what I'm hearing. I knew you'd be a great partner for this project!" She smiles as she taps on her computer.
"We just better get an A for all this effort. Professor Mack seems to have a vendetta for me. He threw one of my scores in the trash once because the tail of my 16th note wasn't flicked enough." I vent, feeling my blood boil again at the thought of the event.

Izzy gasps, "In front of the whole class?!"
"Yes! I was so mad I couldn't even speak! I just wanted to punch him in his big fat face!" I yell as I ball up my fists.
"Woah remind me not to get on the bad side of you." Izzy says as she eyes me wearily.

"Trust me that was a mild reaction." Blake says as he enters our room.
Izzy perks up when she sees Blake, "hi Blake!" She chirps.
"Hey Izzy, working hard or hardly working?" He jokes.
"Oh you know me, I'm more of a write down Binali's thoughts and hope for an A." She grins.
"Smart choice, every project I did with her I got an A+." He grins.
I turn to face him, "an A+? You said you got a B like I did!"
"Oh yeah I was just exaggerating for Izzy there." He says as he grabs his stuff.
"No you're not! Martin gave you A's and gave me B's for the same thing! UGH! I HATE that man!" I exclaim. "Wait where are you going?" I ask as I regain my composure.
He holds up a notebook before putting it in his bag, "my study group."
I nod slowly, "ah okay bye. Text me when you get there and study hard." I smile at him.
He gives me a quick peck then winks at Izzy, "see ya guys later." He says before closing the door behind him.

I turn back to Izzy and catch her daydreaming, "earth to Izzy lets finish this project." I tease.
"Does he have a brother? I'll even take a cousin." She grins dreamily.
I laugh, "I'll ask about a cousin for you."
"You better! I'll be waiting!" She says with a serious look on her face.
I laugh again and shake my head, "let's just focus on the project for now."
*
Izzy and I hold hands as we await our project grade. "He said he'd put the grade in by now!" Izzy yells and throws up her hands I glance around the cafe and shush her.
"Shh princess prissy and her duo are on the other side. I'd rather not get a bad grade and a headache." I scold Izzy.
"Oh sorry, you're right we don't need to attract Icky Vicky's attention." Izzy agreed, "look the page is reloading! Come on A." Izzy crosses her fingers and squeezes her eyes shut.

"Oh there you guys are. Oh is professor prick putting the grades in?" Beck asks as he pulls up a seat.
I nod and go to reply but Izzy beats me to it, "yeah the page is loading now, but I thought the cafe had the fastest internet but here we are waiting like heathens!"She says dramatically.
"You guys will get great grades I read the score." Beck encourages.
"Yeah but Professor Mack HATES me. Nothing I hand in is good enough for him." I sigh.
"Maybe choosing you as a partner wasn't my greatest idea in hindsight..." Izzy mumbles.
Beck laughs, "Izzy. Binali. You guys will do fine. I know it. Look the page loaded." Beck points. Our eyes became glued on the screen as we searched for the grade.

"We got a A!"
"I got a B..."
Izzy and I said at the same time then we look at each other.
"He gave you an A?" I question.
"He gave you a B?" She questions.
"See he hates me! This is so unfair! We handed in the same things!" I exclaimed. I slammed my computer shut and quickly packed up my stuff. "I'm gonna go talk to that asshole!"

"Binali, woah lets just think clearly for a second. You can't just stomp into his office, that is grade suicide." Beck tries to stop me and Izzy nods in agreement.
"Then what do you suggest I do Beck?" I say with a roll of my eyes.
"Ask him if there was something you could have- you're not even listening to me are you?" Beck sighs.
"Nope. Professor Mack will receive my wrath, he hasn't received tenure yet so trust me he will FEEL my wrath!" I say before storming off.