Miss Matched // Thomas Sangster Fanfiction

Chapter Thirteen - Exchanging Papers

Fleur POV. 

You sit in Mr. Griffin's English class. The windows have been opened again, so that the mild, warm air is seeping into the classroom. A light breeze sways through the trees, and squirrels can be seen frolicking across the lawn. It would be a perfect day to be outside, soaking up some of the sun's golden rays. But, if you can't be outside, the open window will have to be the second best thing.

Thomas sits across from you, as has become tradition. It's still a little annoying, but you're learning to tolerate it. He isn't looking at you anyway. He, like many others in the classroom, is staring out the open window with a look of longing on his face.

Mr. Griffin strides into the classroom, his hair naturally tousled from the wind outside. He sets down a stack of papers on his desk, looking out over the classroom and saying, "I apologize for the delay in beginning class. I was getting some copies, and the printer was not cooperating with me this morning."

You're not surprised. This is a common occurrence. Not just with Griffin, either. Just about every teacher in the school has a personal vendetta with the printers.

"But," Mr. Griffin continues, holding up his paper copies, "I have printed out your pairings for your writing assignment over this next semester. April, could you assist me by handing these assignments out to the class? Thank you."

One of your classmates stands up, taking the papers and passing them around quickly.

Griffin looks around the classroom, crossing his arms over his chest, "Now, I'm sure some of you will have wanted to be partnered with friends, but these pairings are final. I'm not going to be shuffling them around at all. If you don't like your partner, then you'll have to learn to deal with it. Learning to do things you aren't comfortable with is a useful skill that each of you will have to learn one way or another."

April hands you your copy of the editing partners. Your eyes skim the page earnestly, hoping you get partnered with another girl, rather than some awkward boy. Finally, you spot your name.

Fleur Gordon - Thomas Sangster.

Of course.

Where is Erica to remind you that life is an endless, repeated kick in the nuts when you need her?

So annoying.

"Does everyone have the portion of their memoirs that is due today?" Mr. Griffin asks, looking around the room for confirmation. When he is satisfied that everyone has completed the assignment, he nods and says, "Excellent. Find your partners, get together and exchange your papers. I want you to critique them, edit them, tear them to shreds, if you must. This is to help each and every one of you become better writers. I'm sure I don't need to remind you that this will be completing college applications very soon."

You look up to meet Thomas's gaze. Wordlessly, Thomas stands up, moving his chair closer to you. Continuing in his silence, he pulls his paper from his book bag, sliding it over the table towards you.

"Thanks," you mutter. You too lean over to pull your paper from your bag and hand it to him, feeling rather insecure about him reading a paper about your life. Your very personal, private life.

Thomas glances at your paper for a couple of moments, but then he looks back up and asks, "Do you mind if I mark it or do you want me to just tell you my critiques?"

"You can mark it if you want," you respond.

"Cool. You can mark mine up too," He replies, grabbing a red pen out of his bag and setting to work, skimming your paper.

Hesitantly, you bend over your paper as well, looking over his words for any mistakes.

I will not say that there is nothing important about myself, because I know that it is not true, and I do not tend to fall in line with dramatic statements like that. What I will say is that from my perspective, it is difficult to think of anything important or interesting about myself. My life is mundane, standing in my own shoes.