Upon hearing this, my classmates did not make an effort to hide their protests and disappointed grumble. I didn’t hide the frown on my face, clearly not liking the idea. From my previous school until now, I don’t really like the moment the teacher chooses our partner. I consider these moments to be unlucky because I always end up with a person I don’t really get along with.
“Complain or fail.” She yelled through the motion and everyone got quiet. “Good.” Smiling, she took out a piece of paper from her envelope.
In front of me, a girl with blonde hair raised her hand. “Um, Mrs. Johnson, can we please choose our own partners?” The class agreed to her, not backing down.
Mrs. Johnson smiled in return, but I did not fail to notice the evil smile she sent to the girl before started to call out names. Perhaps nothing will make her change her decision.
“Mr. Wright and Ms. Richards. Group number one,” she started to announce.
Ember turned her head to me and sent me a look that said, ‘See, she’s really one of the terror teachers here, it’s the beginning of the school year and giving us a task.’ I chuckled at her reaction. I don’t have to argue with her because she has a point.
When she was in the middle of calling them names and still, my name wasn’t called, my heartbeat quickened. I silently pray that I would be partnered with someone I know.
Someone I know…..
Thankfully, my name was not called after a while. The odds were really in my favor today. It heard my prayers.
It partnered me with someone I know…
The funny thing is, it was someone I don’t get along well with. Of course, fate wanted to play with me right? I just have to accept this.
“Ms. Waterstrings and Mr. Hudson, Group number ten.” Mrs. Johnson announced and continued calling out names. Ember sent me a sad look, sad that we were not partnered with each other and I did the same.
I glanced at Eion who was already staring at me before diverting his gaze to something.
Mrs. Johnson finished calling out names. I could see everyone was not very pleased with their partners. While some were fine with it, others are obviously not happy with their frowns and scowls.
She then gave us instructions, “Firstly, I won’t entertain those who want to exchange partners. Secondly, I will give you topics that you need to report for the whole class, those topics will be our lesson for the whole semester.”
“I give you the rest of the period to discuss it with your partners. Remember, this task is a part of your grades. The two of you should help each other because the grading will be the same for the two of you. The starting of the reporting would be on Monday.” She added while pacing around the room, eyeing each of us like a hawk to its prey. I shivered when her eyes trailed to me, not feeling comfortable.
“You may start now,” she finished and went to her table. Chairs and tiles screeching were heard from the class. Everyone was settled and now discussing with their partners. Except me. I stayed still in my seat. Glancing at Eion, he looked like he didn’t care about it.
Although we didn’t get along that much, I couldn’t let my grades fall, mom will not be proud, I would feel depressed, then I won’t graduate, then I won’t find a job, then I will have no money, I would be homeless. If I am homeless, I would starve and die.
So the main lesson is, don’t fail. Yeah, I’m exaggerating. But I do have a point, right? Even for a little?
Mrs. Johnson checked everyone if they were all settled. When her eyes landed on me, her brows furrowed in confusion and in fury, seeing me still not discussing with my partner. I flashed her a sheepish smile.
If I could just go and beg for Mrs. Johnson to exchange partners, I could. But she said earlier that she won’t entertain it. And I broke my chance by making her mad. I have no other choice then. Forget about the things I list, I’m sure I would be roasted alive if I don’t stand up and go to my partner.
Either I want to fail or walk towards him.
Heaving a long sigh, I stood up and carefully walked in his direction. Standing in front of him inches away, I coughed to gain his attention. He turned to look at me for a split second before proceeding on playing with his pen in his hands, shrugging me off as if I were a statue.
“Hey,” I said weakly, forcing my voice to look strong even when the hard ache in my head was torturing me. Knowing that the smile on my face looks constipated, I release a shaky breath.
I focus my attention back on him. He didn’t reply, he slightly nodded his head to me and played with his pen again, as if it was the most interesting thing in the world. I calmed myself down and continued.
Fail, or grades?
“As much as I want to ignore your bipolar attitude, I don’t have the plan of failing my grades this year, especially now that we are graduating soon,” I said. He just looked at me before continuing to play his ballpoint, not listening to me. This time, I had enough.
Fuming in anger, I lean towards him before quickly snatching his pen. He stopped. Slowly, he turned his head to look at me. He had to raise his head to look at me since I was still standing. His jaw clenched and his lips thinned while crossing his arms. I stand still even though I am shivering from the inside, afraid of his reaction.
But I couldn’t read the expression he was wearing. Although he was acting like he doesn’t care about the world, I noticed he wasn’t giving me his usual glare at me… And as usual, he wasn’t in the mood to talk.
Silence passed between the two of us, with the sound of my classmates who were deep in a discussion.
“I see you are not in the mood to talk.” I started while grabbing a chair nearby and moving it a bit closer to his chair. When I knew that he wouldn’t reply I continued and leaned forward, lowering my voice.
“Listen, I don’t know what happened that made you act like you don’t care in the world, but please… tell me if I annoyed you, I would apologize if you want, just for the sake of our teamwork and the task,” I said quickly.
“No, it wasn’t you. It was just….” he replied.
My eyebrows rose.” Just what?”
He opened his mouth like he was about to say something but stopped. “Nothing.” His gaze to the ground.
“Okay. It’s your choice since it was part of the deal.” I said calmly even though I was really desperate to know it. We really haven’t discussed it properly and I figured this would be the right time to bring it up. But, if I don’t want to fail, then that means I have to get along with him since it was part of teamwork. Perhaps I should be patient then…
“That deal again?”
“Yes. Why? Don’t you want it? Then I guess not irritating you wasn’t worth it?” I asked. “I can cancel that deal if you want…”
He raised his head to look at me, something strange held in his eyes. “No, don’t cancel it.”
“Okay,” I said unsurely. “So, by doing that deal, maybe we should get along with each other? Even for a bit?”
“Why?” He asked.
“Because our teamwork won’t work if we don’t get along. That is the first step. By doing this, we will succeed at making the report and then, I don’t have to worry about my grades. I really don’t want to fail.”
He went quiet, his gaze on the wall behind me, not meeting my eyes. Gulping down my pride, I said, “If you don’t care about your grades, then help me with it.” He was still not looking at me, I heaved a sigh, “Please…” I said the word, almost begging, my voice was hoarse and strained.
I don’t know if it was because of the voice that made him turn his attention to me. Locking my eyes with his, he said, “Fine.”