Sunshiny Things (Original)

Ch. 25 Partners

Cole

A week has gone by since my last breakdown. One shit filled week consisting of hockey, parties, and impromptu fuck buddy sessions with Sophie. My head's been pounding lately ever since what happened. And no about of pain killers and alcohol will sooth it. And sitting in a classroom full of snotty, full of themselves teenagers definitely doesn't help.

"I have decided to make a few adjustments to your sunshiny things project," Miss. Woods announces to the class as soon as first period begins. "Every time you see something that makes you happy or sparks a little bit of light inside you, I want you to whip out your camera and take a video of it." Miss. Woods takes her phone out of her pocket and wiggles it in her hand as an example to all of us. I take a scan around the classroom and see that mostly everyone is uninterested in the words that are coming out of Miss. Woods mouth. I personally couldn't give a shit about this stupid report either. Even though this is usually the only class that I enjoy. But I only like to write about things that I want to write about. Not about things that I'm obligated to do. Art doesn't come from force. It comes from desire. And this is something that I definitely don't desire to partake in. I turn around slightly in my chair just enough so I can partially see Freya sitting in her designated spot in the back of the classroom. She's staring down at her desk, arms crossed and hair covering her face as well. The other night confused me beyond belief. Just like every other time I interact with her in any sort of way. She showed up, out nowhere. And it made me mad at first. She's there, she's always there. Even when I really don't want her to be. But she helped calm me down. And I think that's what confuses me the most.

~

After the bell rings indicating first period is over, everyone immediately grabs their stuff and zooms out of the classroom. Some straggle behind, putting their stuff together at an annoyingly slow pace. I take no time following behind the crowd though to get out the door. But unfortunately the words of Miss. Woods stops my movements as soon as one foot reaches the threshold to my escape. 

"Cole," Miss Woods says. "Come here for a second". A few people brush past me out the door as I silently wish that I was them. But slowly I turn around but my eyes don't land on Miss. Woods they land on Freya. She's slowly pulling up the strap of her book bag on her shoulder before she finally looks up. I hear a faded gasp escape form her lips as her eyes lock with mine. But she just quickly brushes it off and gulps down a lump in her throat. I watch as she averts her gaze to her small feet before she starts to head for the door.

"Freya," Miss woods calls out, causing Freya to stop and turn her head in Miss. Woods's direction. "You stay too." Freya stares at Miss. Woods for a second with a blank expression. She turns and looks at me for a slight moment, but just quickly looks back at Miss. Woods before walking over to stand directly in front of her desk. It's not long before I decide to follow her movements and join Freya by standing next to her and standing in front of Miss. Woods as well.

"I've done some thinking about our sunshiny things project for you two," Miss. Woods starts. My eyebrows immediately furrow with confusion and I look over at Freya, but she just looking directly at Miss. Woods with what looks like nerves. "I've been watching you guys and your behavior towards each other lately. And I wasn't sure if I should do this or not but my suspicions were confirmed that I should ever since the incident that occurred in my class the other day." I look at Freya again, confusion still sprawls all over my face, and this time, Freya looks at me with the same expression as well.

"I think it would be best if you two did this project together." Mine and Freya's heads both shoot in the direction of Miss. Woods in shock due to her words.

"What," Freya and I both spit out at the same time in disbelief. Miss. Woods slightly pushes her hideous glasses up her noes before sighing and continuing her slow attack to my ears.