Repair the Broken

Chapter 8

I walk down the hall towards class knowing that Lexi and Noelle are fast on my heels as well as Zayden and Jaxon.  I can hear them discussing what just happened.  I try walking faster to leave them but it does no good.  They are keeping up and if I don’t get to class fast enough they will catch up and ask me thirty questions.

Brody has stirred up the pot and he did that on purpose.  He knows that I wanted time but he also knows that I like to avoid things that I’m not comfortable with.   He still knows how I think and that can’t be a good thing if I’m going to continue avoiding him.  If he is determined enough, he will seek out the help of Lexi knowing she loves to play matchmaker. 

I walk into class towards my usual seat in the front of class.  As I go to sit down, I realize Brody is in the desk right behind me.  I look around class determined to find another seat and unfortunately the seats are all taken.  I’m going to have to sit here for the next forty-five minutes knowing he is right behind me.

“Alright class, today we are going to start our group project.  We are going to pair off in twos.  It will be up to you and your partner on how you split up the work just know that whatever final product you turn in that grade is yours to share.”

Most of the class grumbles at having a group project but it doesn’t faze me.  I always do the work and I always get an A.  I don’t care if the other person does their share or not.  I can’t let their laziness affect my 4.0. 

“We are going to pull numbers from a hat.  There are two sets of numbers; you will find the person with your matching number and that’s your partner for the remainder of the semester.”  More grumbles are heard when the class realizes that this is a nine week project. 

The teacher walks around the room as students pull from the hat.  I pull my number and pray that I get a partner that will let me do everything.   I take a deep breath and open the folded slip of paper.  Written in big print is the number thirteen.  This can’t be a good sign.

I hear the seat behind me scoot forward bringing me out of my thoughts.  Brody is leaning over his desk and inches from my back.  In a low growl, “Looks like we will be spending a lot of time together the next nine weeks.”  He takes his number slip and tosses it in my lap and then he sits back down.  I can hear him chuckle to himself.

My whole body froze once he leaned into me.  I’ve forgotten what it was like to be this close to him.  It’s like my body is attuned to his with each spark and electric zap that fills the space between us.  I can sense him; I don’t need him to touch me to know he is right there. 

I slowly look down at my lap and touch it.  I don’t want to open that paper, once I do I will know that he is telling the truth.   I slowly lift the paper from my lap and open it.  A sure as I am sitting here, there is a 13 printed on that slip.  I lower my head in defeat. 

“Students go ahead and find your partner.  This will be a good time to exchange phone numbers and arrange a meeting place outside of school.  Don’t underestimate the amount of time this project will take.  You will not be able to complete it during your class time and it will take much longer than a weekend to do it.   I might suggest meeting up at least once a week for at least two to three hours.”

I stay at my desk and listen to the other students walk around the room in search of their partner.  There's no need for me to get up; my partner is right behind me.

“Oh my God Brody please tell me you have number nine.   I would just love to work with you; we would be great partners.”  Triniti is the head cheerleader and she’s always throwing herself at Brody.  It makes my stomach turn and I want to vomit at her obvious tactics.