IMAGINE

Part 4

• • •

After Mr. Jefferson tells us all that consists of the project, he tells us where to find all of the supplies. Our teacher would be back tomorrow, but he still wanted us to work hard today. It's never like that with high school students though, especially with half of your class being class clowns. I try my best to ignore them and stand up to get supplies. I feel a hand on my shoulder and see Liam standing next to me. "Hey, let me," he grins. "Nah, I'll just go get them," I say, starting to head to the counter across the room. I hear footsteps behind me and see Liam following me. I smile to myself and wait at the counter for him. "So what do we need?" He asks, glancing around the supplies. "Let's see, we need some paper, colored pencils or markers, some colored paper," I start to name off the list as Liam grabs the supplies. I continue naming a couple more things and he holds onto all of the supplies. "Ready to start this?"

"Yeah," I reply, walking back to our table. He follows and sets everything down in front of us. "Which section did we choose then?" He looks at me. At the same exact time, we both say, "Neuromuscular." We look at each other in shock for a moment and then laugh it off, sitting back down and looking at the supplies. We stay silent for a few minutes, then Liam breaks it. "This is due...," he looks at the project packet, "next Monday. Do you want to do some of this after school sometime this week?" He looks directly at me. I think about it. What would Kelsie do? Oh, she would definitely kill me. But then again, who cares what she thinks? But once again, why is he wanting to be my partner? All of those thoughts flood my brain. "Sure, what day and time?" I answer, looking back at him. A small grin forms at his mouth, "how about today after school and at my house? If that doesn't work, maybe somewhere else ?" "I don't have anything going on tonight, just maybe homework that I would get later today." "Okay, same here. I can just text you- wait, I have the same lunch as you. I'll just talk to you at lunch then." "Okay," I grin. We get back to work, with me smiling like an idiot on the inside.

***
It was finally lunch time. I was lucky enough to not be assigned any homework besides the project. I had done all of my class work in the hour, purposefully to have less to do later. I walk over to my locker and put in my fourth hour binder and close it, seeing Andi leaning against the one next to mine. "Heyyy," she says, "have any news about Q?" Q was Liam's code name. We had been using code names for bitches and crushes for years. "Q was just assigned my anatomy partner." "WHAT?!" "Check your phone," I laugh. "Oh shut up," she laughs too and pulls out her phone. As she reads my text from earlier, she looks up at me, her eyes full of excitement. "(Y/N)!" "What?" I laugh again. "This is HUGE! I told you he's trying something!" "Maybe... But I have to watch out for the bitch," I sigh. "Hey, don't think about her, let us enjoy this moment. C'mon, you have a boy to talk with," she winks and guides me to the cafeteria.

"There he issss," Andi coos. I elbow her and roll my eyes. I lead the way to our usual table in the middle of the room and sit down with my lunch. Andi sits down to my left and takes out her yogurt. "You better look quick, Q is sooo checking you outttt!" "Shut up!" I whisper yell. "Nahhh," she opens her yogurt. I look around and find Liam talking to a group of friends. "Oh Andiiii, there's Harryyyy!" "Shut up!" "Payback's a bitch," I laugh, taking out a pack of fruit snacks. Liam looks around and catches sight of me, turning back to his group, whispering something to them, and then walks over to us. "Woahhhh," Andi whispers. "Shhh," I whisper back.

Liam reaches us and smiles at me, sitting down to my right. "So, how about that project?" He says, turning out to be a little nervous. Why would he be nervous? I should be the one nervous. I was, but I was somehow managing to hide it. "Well, so far I have no homework, so I think it should work. What about you?" "Yeah, I did all of my homework during class today, so it works. Where do you want to work on it?" He only looks at me. I glance at Andi, but see she's currently checking Harry out. I laugh to myself and look back at Liam. "What's so funny?" "Wh- oh nothing," I grin. He gives me a look that says, 'I have an idea'.

"Anyway, place?" He tries to hold in a laugh too. "Did you still want to work on it at your house or maybe the small café?" "The small café?" "Yeah, I go there a few times a week. It's never too busy after school, so they allow me to do my homework there and stay as long as I like." "That sounds good. We can try that. If it happens to be busy, we can work on it at my place." "Okay, it's a plan then." "I'll meet you at your locker after sixth hour," he stands up. "Wait, how do you-" He heads back towards his group, glancing over his shoulder at me, he says, "Trust me, I know."

I turn my head at Andi and give her a well known look. We both know what the other is thinking, we just can't freak out and let everyone see, especially Liam, and for her, Harry.

Liam's POV:
"So Liam, what was that about?" Brent asks me. "What? Nothing." "Doesn't seem like it was," Brent nudges me. "Oh shut up," I say. I glance at Harry for possible backup, but I notice he's a little preoccupied. I follow his gaze and see it's on (Y/N)'s friend. I grin to myself and tap his shoulder. He turns around and tries to play it off. Apparently I was the only one that noticed. He's been doing that a lot lately. "C'mon Harry," I gesture for him to follow. "Where are we going?" He asks, leaving the group and follows me. "I have to do something," I say, exiting the cafeteria. "Like what?" Harry asks. "I have to look some things up, and you're going to help me."
// Feedback would be appreciated. Thank you. //