"Miss Lodge, your partner for the rest of the school year will be Mr. Peabody." Veronica's ears were ringing as soon as she heard the sentence escape Mr. Herman's lips. There was no way.
He'd been going on and on about how everyone was doing horribly and that they had to be a team to get through this – learn how to interact with each other. Why in god's name would she need a partner for a Shakespeare class?
As soon as the bell rang she rushed to the front of the class. "Mr. Herman, I really don't need a partner. I understand Shakespeare, I-"
"Well that's wonderful, Veronica, you'll be able to help Sweet Pea out then."
"But, sir!"
"Shakespeare is about language, you two. Discussing Shakespeare is the best way to understand it."
Veronica's head snapped to the back of the classroom, where Sweet Pea was still sitting and taking in the sight of her freaking out.
"But it's not fair. I can't afford to get a poor grade."
Mr. Herman had said that their grades depended on one another. If they were going over the work together and helping each other, then they should both be on a similar level with their assignments and class discussions.
"Then I suggest you and Mr. Peabody get friendly and start discussing."
She wasn't blind to the fact that he'd mixed north and south siders in the pairings. What was his deal? Was he trying to turn the whole school into a bunch of Romeos and Juliets?
"I'll be anyone else's partner," she tried, desperate. "Please?"
Mr. Herman gave her a disappointed stare before gathering his things and exiting the room, leaving her alone with the last person she wanted to be alone with.
She tried to control her breathing, closing her eyes to calm down. She hated the south side – to her it represented the destruction of her family. She wanted nothing to do with it or anyone from there.
"It won't be that bad, sugar. I'm really not that bad if - "
"Oh, shut up!" She snapped, glaring at him for a moment, her blood boiling and feeling like she might faint.
She needed to get out of there, his dark stormy eyes on her, a little confused and... hurt?
Turning on her heel, she exited the room, walking quickly to the dining hall, where she knew Archie would be.
She stormed over as soon as she spotted the guys at their usual table. They were engaged in their usual loud conversation, but thankfully Reggie noticed her approaching and warned Archie.
Archie turned to look at her, a sweet smile turning into a creased brow at her distressed expression. She had tried to appear perfect and strong in front of him in the short time they'd been together, but right now she couldn't.
"What's wrong?" Now that he and Betty were officially over they could be more public about their involvement, but it was still fresh so they kept it to a minimum. Truthfully, it bothered her. She wasn't a dirty secret.
"Mr. Herman paired up north and south siders. I'm stuck with Sweet Pea. It's not fair. It doesn't even make sense. I should get the grade I deserve, it shouldn't have to depend on him. It's not even for an assignment, it's for the whole class!"
Just as Archie was going to reply, Sweet Pea entered the dining hall, his eyes meeting them before heading to the opposite side of the room, his demeanor changing to that of ease around his Serpent friends, everyone happy to see him.
