The Life I'm Running From

8\ A Dart Into Debt

Thud.

A dart zipped through the air and struck the second inner ring of the board. Why had I said I have a crush on Peter Parker?

Thud.

I lowered my hand and examined the second dart's placement. Still not quite centre. I furrowed my eyebrows, concentrating on the red dot. Just as I was releasing the dart, a thought snuck into my head. How would Peter feel about it?

Thud.

I groaned in frustration and collected the darts, the last one protruding from the number 20. Why had I ever agreed to this? They didn't really expect me to date Peter, right? I raised my arm and threw a dart, but my thoughts were too eschew to aim.

Thud.

The dart missed the target completely, imbedding itself into the wall. That was the first time I had missed while staying here. Danny was not going to be happy that I had damaged the wall. I had to hang a painting there or something. Maybe Skylar could paint me a landscape of the ocean.

But what was I going to do about Peter? A better Physics grade couldn't hurt, but leading along a guy I wasn't into could.

Thud.

Though... I didn't necessarily have to act like I was interested. For all he would know, I was just after a better grade. Which is the truth, whatever Charlie, Adriana and Skylar might think.

Thud.

The last dart hit dead centre, and I smiled. Problem solved.

★彡 ★彡 ★彡 ★彡

"You know, I was thinking, maybe you should just talk to Mrs. Treenage first. Maybe she'll just say yes and you won't need to talk to Taylie," Skylar said as we packed up our bags. Out in the hallway we were immediately surrounded by students on all sides, bumping and jostling us.

Charlie shook her head and raised her voice to be heard over the noises of everyone else. "You can't just force Taylie into things."

I stepped around someone who had stopped in the middle of the hallway. Physics was next, and I hadn't talked to Taylie. She hadn't been outside this morning, and I had no clue where I might find her. Might as well ask Mrs. Treenage first, maybe I could avoid the interaction with Taylie. She didn't seem pleasant, and Skylar was making her out to be some sort of heartless grinch.

Charlie bid farewell to Skylar as we left her to head off to Physics. The stairs were crowded but we pushed our way through. The classroom was filling up as we entered, and I dropped my bag on my seat before going up to the teacher's desk.

Mrs. Treenage was scribbling on some papers, so I cleared my throat to be noticed. She looked up in surprise. "Yes?"

"I was wondering if I could switch desk partners. I'm not really good at Physics, and I'd prefer to be with someone who knows what they're doing." I smiled, in what I hope was an innocent but persuasive smile.

Mrs. Treenage paused, which was a good sign. Not an immediate no meant she could be convinced. "Who were you thinking of being partners with?" She shuffled her papers, but didn't break eye contact with me.

"Maybe Peter Parker." I shrugged. "I heard he's really good at Physics, and I'm hoping he'd be willing to tutor me."

"Mr. Parker's partner is Taylie Goldmyn, correct?"

"Yes."

A pause. Then, "You'll have to talk to Miss Goldmyn about it first. If she agrees, you two may switch partners."