The Hate Wars (Slow Updates)

Check Four

Charys' POV 

 I can do this. I can face this alone. I don't need help (much). I am strong. I can... I am... a superwoman.

When times get rough, when the feelings change, I like to pretend that all's well, and ignore the pain that's suppose to show itself. I grit my teeth, and I bear with it. Whatever life decides to throw at me, I block it with my shield of pure will.

And I will face this biology experiment without my former best friend. I will ignore her constantly elbowing my deepest crush throughout the entire lesson, and I will hold myself up sitting with my former best friend's enemy seated right next to me.

*****

"What are you doing here, Jeremy?" I put on an annoyed face and flick my eyes over to the unconcerned boy, who looks back at me with a smirk.

"Looking for a lab partner, of course." Came his reply. He casually leans back on the bench, and I resist the urge to shift further away from him. Being my secluded self, I usually don't welcome company, except to tail my best friend around the entire school.

"Dear, we couldn't just leave you like this." Nina gently touches my arm, almost making me flinch. She whips her head at me with a look of surprise, and I avert my eyes. God--- how embarrassing. I cringe at the slightest touch from other people, well, except from Kenzie, whom I suppose will never touch me again. Not that I would give her the pleasure to.

"Shush, I want to hear the procedure." Marc hushes us with a stare. I raise my eyebrows. He's already in his lab coat, his polished brown glasses perched above his nose in a geeky manner. He's sitting straight up in his seat, listening, watching Miss Pearl's every move with intent eyes, jotting down notes at every interval.

"Remind me why I always do my own homework." Jeremy leans towards me and whispers.

This time, Marc really did glare at us. "Because you don't understand what my brain does. Now shut up and take your own notes, I'm never lending you mine again." He said in one breath, before turning away pointedly to listen to the instructions.

"Nerd." Jeremy mutters.

I hide a smile. This is overwhelming to process, but it's not so bad once you ger used to it. The company, I mean. Usually, no one ever sits with me, other than Kenzie. But I guess today marks an exception. Maybe everyone is too freaked out by Kenzie to come between our friendship before, but now that I'm alone and unflanked, I'm more approachable.

"We shall begin the experiment. Prepare your microscopes, everybody..."

Nina rushes to grab the microscope. "Let me." She insisted when I tried to help. So I did. With practiced hands, she maneuvered the knobs like a pro, adjusting the lens to the finest perfection.

"Get into your lab coats." Miss Pearl instructed.

I pulled mine out and began to get into it.

"Here, let me help you." Jeremy held out one sleeve, then the other, while I push my hands into them. "Thank you." I say, genuinely surprised, and pleased at this bit of unexpected kindness. I had so little in my life.

"Let me help you with yours." I suggested, wanting to do something in return. He nods, holding out his sterile white lab coat.

Nervously, I hold out the coat while he slips into it. His arm brushes against mine, and I feel a cold tremor slide down my back. What am I doing, helping my former best friend's enemy get into his lab coat, while she flirts with my crush? This life is a pretty messed up one. Then again, whose isn't?