Pinky Promise

"Come on! It'll be fun. Plus, you get to spend a whole 2 hours with me." Mitchell smiled at me in the desk next to him.

"Two hours? Thanks for the offer, but I'd rather not freeze to death. I can also think of several things I'd rather do than hang out with you." I just had to be sitting with the guy who lives to annoy me?

"I'm so hurt," Mitch makes a point to pull his face into a large pout directed at me. "And I thought we were close."

We both turned to the front of the class as the bell rang. Mitchell Owens has lived to annoy me, Brian Wilson, since the beginning of freshman year. I try my best to avoid him, but that's kinda hard when you've had every class together. it doesn't help i've also been hopelessly in love with him since freshman year too.

"Today I'm introducing a new project. You'll have the next three months to work on it with your partners." Every kid in the classroom excitedly looks at their friends. Mr. Simmons never allows partner work. Almost everything he assigns either in large groups or independent work. This is the first.

Simmons coughs to get the class back in check,  and after everyone is quiet, he softly chuckles.

"Unfortunately, I've already chosen the partners you're going to work with." A groan erupts in unison. Kids excitement levels going to an all-time low

"I know, I know. This project is on identity. Who are YOU? Not just what you look like, or what you act like in front of your friends. Who you are deep inside. There's no real work except for a final essay." Whispers are passed around the room about what each person would write about.

In that case, What would I write about? 'My name is Brian Wilson. I have friends who enjoy my company. I go to high school and I get good grades.' Or would I have to go deeper? Explaining my deep "dark" feelings? I think talking about being in love with a straight guy who doesn't even think of you as a friend is a little too personal for this. Or maybe the deep-rooted internalized homophobia? Yeah, I don't think so. To be fair though, is that all my identity is? My insecurities?

I look to my right and watch Mitch doodle a small flower on the corner of his paper. I don't exactly know when I thought of him in that way. Maybe it was him jokingly flirting with me, or the sparkle his eyes get when he's messing with me. It doesn't help that he's one of the most attractive guys I've ever seen. He's skinny, but he covers it up with baggy hoodies and jeans. His black hair curls slightly at the ends and his brown eyes speak more than his words ever could. Maybe it was his stupid jokes, and the sincere way he would apologize if he thought he'd offended me. Or the persistent way he would ask to hang out constantly, even though I constantly shoot him down or come up with an excuse. I would like to get to know him one day, but would I be able to open up in return? Would I ever be able to tell anyone who I really am?

I look back up toward Mr. Simmons, Mitch too busy with his flower to notice my staring.

"I'm going to call out your partners, so listen up cause I'm only going to say this once."

He lists the name methodically, the order and pairing seemingly random.

"Finally, Mitchell Owens and Brian Wilson" He puts the list aside and starts writing down notes on a separate piece of paper.

My jaw drops and I hear a whispered, "Yes" from next to me. I look over and Mitch is doing a little victory dance. He grins widely at me.

"Now, you're gonna HAVE to hang out with me." He finally stops, smiles wide, and presumes his little paper meadow.

I stare at the paper on my desk. I'm going to have to hang out with Mitchell almost every day in order to get this project done. Mr.Simmons isn't lenient and definitely won't let me switch partners.