The Unexpected Deal

✿ Selena: New Partner ✿

I CURSED under my breath as I rushed to my chemistry class. I dashed up the stairway to the science lab. I did my best to attend my classes, but I hated school. I didn't like classes and being told what to do by boring old teachers who had nothing better to do. Would've done me justice if I dropped out earlier but I couldn't. I had a chem teacher named Mr. Langley who most people knew was a sexist dickhead. I still wondered how many times I would be able to piss him off before he gave me detention since it was one of the ways you could ditch class by going to the principal. He would be too kind to do that. He also didn't have it in him to give me what I wanted, which was to leave class so I could go home and sleep.

The second bell rang, and I knew I was late. Shit.

Eighth period was already in progress, so I walked in, expecting Mr. Langley would notice my absence. I didn't want to be in his class, but I didn't want to deal with my dad thinking I skipped class. He'd probably ground me. Damn, he'd probably force me to stay after school with him and I regretted my decision just now. I had to walk past him as he sat at his desk. He looked over his desk, making sure he caught my gaze, and then checked the box next to my name on the seating chart, marking me as absent. Dick. If I failed his class, I might not graduate. At least for my father, he'd probably be pissed and already threatened to pull me out of the school. That was fine by me because it wasn't the first time he did that. This time I had to deal with it because I wouldn't even be able to get into a good school. Or graduate. I also didn't want to fail his class either.

Langley started talking about some project. Our final grade was based on how well we collaborated. My contribution rate was 30%. I was able to scan the room and count the number of students in the classroom. There are twenty-three of us. It was uneven. He might let me work alone this one time and I wouldn't need to do shit. Suddenly, a kid stalked into the room. He didn't seem to care that he was late. Who was this kid? There was something about him that seemed all too familiar, but I couldn't figure out where the fuck I've seen him before.

"Mr. Hayes," Langley said, pushing his glasses up to his nose. "Glad you could join us. You can sit in that empty seat next to Selena Forrest."

He seemed like he was new to our class. Or he probably tried to ditch his class like I almost did. Great, now I get to sit next to him, and I would be forced to work with him. This shit sucks because now I have to actually do work. I looked up from my notebook and caught a glimpse of him. His pale skin was complemented by his curly black hair. His hazel green eyes drew me in, and I almost was caught staring. I averted my gaze. Why does he look familiar? He sat down next to me, and we locked eyes for a moment before his eyes fixated on Langley. I already hated this class, and the new guy already.

In the front of the classroom, Langley droned on about how lab reports and something about grades. I didn't care much about whatever he said. "This vocabulary word you need to remember is right here." He got up and drew the word on the board as if nobody understood perfect English. "This word will be on your test so study it. I'm sure you got that Miss Forrest?"

I stuck out my middle finger at him, which in return he grimaced. He ignored me and continued his lecture. Damn, he's not even going to send me to the principal. Son of a bitch. I really just wanted to call my Dad and ask him to pick me up so I could go home and sleep.

"Quizzes can't be retaken," he said. "Your partners are next to each other, so get comfortable with one another. Head to your stations and I'll give out the rest of your directions."

"This is gonna be a long year," I muttered under my breath.

"Selena, why don't you get up and join your partner at station three?" Langley hollered.

I was hoping someone would end my misery. I got up from my chair and walked over to station three, ignoring the snickers from Sabrina, a girl who for some reason everyone gives a shit about. As I passed her, I gave her the finger and then carried a nearby stool to sit next to my partner. He looked familiar, but I could tell he hung out with Sabrina just by his attitude. The more bitches I meet, the better.

"Took you long enough," my partner muttered, as he glanced over at me in his seat.

"Aren't you great company," I retorted as I sat down in my seat.

Before he could respond, our teacher began the lesson. "Before we begin," he said, "in the top drawer you'll find a white laminated paper titled, 'Lab Guide 101'. Please open the paper."

I yanked on the drawer handle. It was stuck.

"Shit," I muttered. I yanked on it hard. It refused to budge.

"Let me just do it," my partner said as he knelt down to try to help, I yanked on the doorknob once again. The drawer handle swung open, striking him in the face hard. He grunted and stumbled backward, losing his footing and landing on his butt. His stool teetered before returning to its original position. At the very least, I'm glad it wasn't me.

"Kai, are you okay?" Sabrina asked, hurrying towards us. We were never friends. Yet, as usual, she was acting like the fake, grade-A bitch she was. Everyone knew she was the most popular girl at school, but all she did was pretend she had men when in reality, she didn't because all they did was sleep with her and never talk to her again. I knew this because I was friends with her until all she cared about was being your stereotypical slut who had nothing better to do than brag about the men she's been with. She reached for his arm, helping him to his feet. He sat on his stool, wincing in pain. I didn't feel bad for him at all.

"Of all the people in our school, you had to get our football captain injured?" Sabrina snapped.

Football captain? Of all people, I had to get Kai Hayes as my lab partner. Damn it, no wonder why he looked so familiar. I remembered seeing him a few times in the hallways, but I never cared about him or his existence. Still, the fact that I had a jock as a partner made me hate this class even more than I already did. He was probably going to be a self-righteous narcissist or something. If you hung out with Sabrina, it turned you into one. It was almost contagious. I didn't have many other words besides "dislike" in my vocabulary. Maybe that drawer should have hit him harder in his head. I wish it did.

"Maybe you should try to help him since you have been so good at that recently with all the men you've been bragging about," I responded, earning a couple of laughs. I was fed up with her bullshit. She glared at me in response and was about to say something until Kai broke the tension as we watched as he slammed the drawer shut. And then the pamphlet on the table. Damn, why is he mad? It was an accident. Sabrina strutted off towards her station before I could say anything else as she went to talk to Kai's ex-girlfriend Ailee Choi. She was one of the few people who didn't have a large ego, but it was evident she still wanted Kai back. Still, there was something about her that was off with the way she glanced at me. She was full on glaring at me. Jealous and insecure? His breakup with Ailee was a big deal and I didn't get why anyone cared so much about it, but maybe it's because they were together for years from what I heard. All I wanted was just lunch to start right now.

"Accidents," Langley said. "They should be reported. I have a log for that." Not missing a beat, he continued reading. He was already on rule six by the time I opened the pamphlet. "Six: Know the fire exits.' Mister," Langley scanned the class list, "Wilson. Can you tell me where the exits are?"

I was already bored out of my mind. My thoughts were interrupted when I heard him mention partner work and how it would work. Fucking hell, I forgot about the fact we had partners. I wasn't even planning on doing shit in his class, but I just wanted to get out of this hellhole and never return.

"You can read the rest of the information tomorrow. Don't forget you will be working with your partners until the end of the year," he said, as he checked his watch. The bell was about to ring, signaling the end of class.

I didn't want to think about what he had just said. It was almost amusing, in a way. It was better being stuck in a room with two people I disliked than with people I liked. Finally, the bell rang, and I was lucky to leave before I could think about Kai Hayes and his hookup, Sabrina. Out of sight and out of mind, just locked away in my prison I call my mind. 

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