𝐰𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐰𝐚𝐥𝐥

chamber of reflection

The school day dragged on boringly until I reached my last period, French. River was seated in the back corner of the room while Rowan turned round and round in Mr. Melrose's chair. I walked in as the bell rang and he closed the door, trapping all tardy students outside of the classroom.

"Get a pass," he smiled through the door window as two students rolled their eyes dragging on to Student Services. He turned back around as I sat in the empty seat next to River.

"Get out of my chair, Adams," he sternly stated watching Rowan spin absentmindedly. She stopped and faced his direction, slowly getting up and sitting in the chair next to his desk. He rolled his eyes and reluctantly sat in his seat as he stated today's assignment.

In case you haven't caught on, Rowan Adams loves to torture our French teacher. He's been our teacher since our sophomore year when we did French 1 and the fact that he was laid back and nonchalant made him Rowan's target. She especially loved to bother him when her mother told her a friend was coming over for dinner last spring and she saw Melrose sitting at her kitchen table in shock.

I recall her ranting to me about how he told her he didn't think it would be the same Adams, especially her mom. Although she hated the idea at first, she told me he was alright and the fact that her mom seemed happier put her at ease. Her father had left after her older brother, Tommy, died on his way to his junior prom when we were in the 8th grade. It was the first time I had ever really seen Rowan truly and utterly upset. She never wanted to leave her room and that whole summer I came by everyday to watch reruns of old Disney shows and play Candy Land like she did with Tommy on rainy days. He was a genuinely good person, always cracking a joke. I had known him two days less than I knew Rowan. Our second day into kindergarten she showed me a scene from the movie It causing me to cry. Our families had to meet the afternoon to discuss the topic, but we've been friends ever since.

"So, Richard, how's your day been going?" Rowan asked, with a evil smirk.
"It's been fine...how is yours?" He looked as if he knew she was playing on something here but not exactly what as the rest of the class sat and watched the altercation like we always did.

"Terrible actually."
"Oh, that's too bad," he muttered turning back to his desk.
"You're supposed to ask what happened, Melrose," she huffed.
"What happened, Rowan?"

"Thank you for asking. I went online to check my grades and I see you put a 80% for my project. I personally think I did wonderfully on it and made sure every aspect of the rubric was shown. Isn't that right, Lia?" she said in a proper manner to annoy him as she turned to me for an agreement.

I hummed in agreement as I jotted down the translated words on the board along with it's derivatives.

"You failed to show any color in the project, again. And a B- is still a good grade," he said matter-of-factly.
"Not when my mother expects an all A report card next week if I have any plans on going to the Travis Scott Concert in Madison Square with Lia," she said.

"You two are going to a Travis Scott Concert? Don't people get hurt a lot and shit?" Rider asked.

"Language," Mr. Melrose stated.
"Sorry. But make sure to not break a bone or pass out or anything."

"That's no fun," Rowan pouted, "It's not a Travis Scott Concert if you don't leave injured."
"Maybe you two shouldn't go," our teacher suggested.
Rowan swiveled back around, "We've waited two months for this concert, old man. We are going. Right, Lia."

I hummed in agreement again, as I sat back and ate the cupcake I had bought from a club bake sale before I walked into class.

"He's not that old," Emma smiled, swirling her finger through her hair.

Here this hoe go.

"He could have been our father. Stop trying so hard, trick," Rowan groaned as snickers echoed through the class. Emma rolled her eyes and continued messing with her phone.

"River I forgot to ask, when are we going," I put the cupcake wrapper our table desk as I pulled out my water bottle.

I had realized why he wasn't replying when I looked up to see everyone was looking in our direction. Rowan wearing a confused look.

"Is there something we can do for you all," I asked annoyed. They all turned away except for Rider and Rowan who decided to sit in our group.

"Where are we going?" Rider asked.
"I don't fucking know, but it's not with us," I stated before drinking my water.
He looked at River and waited, "Some of my art pieces are being shown at an exhibit on Friday night."

"Congratulations, Atkins," Rowan said clapping slowly like a psychopath.
"Thanks," he muttered and looked down to his feet.
"So I think we should carpool, y'know? We can take my car, my parents are starting to realize I never actually use it," Rider babbled on.

"Woah woah woah. What do you mean carpool?" I said putting my bottle down.
"Basically someone drives to each-."
"I know what it is, but who said you two were going?"

Rider and Rowan looked at each other, genuinely confused before Rowan spoke up, "Well, I usually find art museums a bore but we wanna support, loverboy." She nodded towards River at the end.

"You can. In a separate car, preferably not with us," I stated.
"If it's not a date I don't see the problem," Rider shrugged.
"It is," River said almost as a whisper, "I think?"
"Yes. It is. A date," I confirmed.

Rowan's face showed amusement as Rider looked at us shocked.
"Oh, ok. Well...um, we can meet you guys there. Or maybe show up a little later... or y'know say hi and look around," Rider trailed off before Rowan kicked him under the table.

He coughed as Rowan questioned, "Is there a theme for your part? Or maybe a name?"

River looked up, "Chamber of Reflection."

If you like it make sure to vOtE and cOmMeNt because I'm bored😔
Next Chapter is gonna skip the school week and go STRAIGHT to Fridayyy and the exhibit. So you're gonna find out about River's mommy dearests and the type of art he makes.

Check out my other book Falling for Him bc like, why not?

Leave questions here about the book or about me and I'll start Q&A's at the end of the chapters