Partner
"Ngh...fuck this routine..."
I rolled out of bed like I do every weekday morning, and began my morning routine. I yawned, walking down the road alone. I didn't stop when I passed his house, I never do. He's established that he'll be sitting on his car waiting for me to pass by every morning. I heard him jump off and land on the ground before his footsteps began to follow mine.
"Good morning."
"Morning..." I respond flatly.
"Ew. Why you so crabby?"
"It's 6:32 in the morning."
He didn't speak again until we were almost on campus.
"You smell like a blunt. I think you should at least try to mask it."
"I'll do it tomorrow."
He shrugged, throwing his finished blunt on the ground and stomping it out. I noticed a group of females staring at him and decided to walk a little faster to put some distance between us. Of course, once the bell rang, he still followed me to class. I sighed. At least I don't have to sit next to him here.
"Um, Cara..." my timid chemistry teacher, Ms. Boulia, squeaked.
"Yes ma'am?"
"Mr. Serggero sent out an email this morning...saying that you have to be partnered with Christopher, our new student..."
"Well tell Mr. Serggero it ain't happening."
"Ah, well, I already switched the seating chart..."
I rolled my eyes. I'm gonna be catching contact highs all year long at this rate.
By the end of class, we had been assigned a partner project due in one week's time. The bell rang. I had been assigned Christopher as my partner by request of Mr. Serggero. Great. Jessica gets the class genius and I get a pothead. I wouldn't mind so much if he even pretended to have any interest in the class. He sat next to me and texted all period, he even glared at Ms. Boulia when she asked him a question until she fumbled nervously to the next student. I grumbled internally down the hallway to my next class while he followed nonchalantly. Class was relatively boring and I was glad when the bell rang for lunch. I maneuvered my way swiftly through the halls, making a beeline for the lunchroom. That's where I bumped into some random guy. He was taller than me, and burly. Judging by his jersey, he's on the football team.
"Yo watch where the fuck you goin!" He growled, snatching the front of my shirt.
"Aye fam, it was an accident. Step the fuck back. Don't put your hands on her."
"And who the fuck is you?"
"None'ya business, just keep your fuckin hands off her. She a little ass female, what'chu gon look like puttin your hands on her?" Christopher barked at the football player. "Wouldn't wanna risk your spot on the team for attacking some girl, hm?"
The jock seemed to think for a moment. Christopher looked around.
"You causin a scene, nigga let her go. You takin a major L just cause of how the situation looks."
He shoved me away from him, causing me to stumble backwards into Christopher's arms. I steadied myself quickly as everyone else returned to whatever they were doing before the commotion began.
"Thank you..."
"Don't thank me. Now you owe me a favor."
"A favor?"
"Yeah. A favor."
"Um..."
He brushed me off and went into the cafeteria doors. I followed. After lunch the rest of the day went pretty routinely. I managed to make it through the rest of the day without bumping into anyone or anything. The only homework we ended up with was the project. I smiled softly, hearing the final bell of the day ring. After gathering my belongings I stood and walked out of the classroom. Christopher followed. I paid him no mind all the way across campus until we reached the art room. He all but hissed at the building in the center of campus.
"Why you here?"
"Art Club. Don't you see the other students approaching?"
"Hi Cara...nice day today isn't it?" One of the club members, Jason greeted me.
"Hi Jason. Yes it's nice today."
"Who's the guy. New boyfriend? I've seen you two around campus making a scene."
"Christopher. Definitely not a boyfriend. I know him."
"Yeah? Oh, where's Mr. Mahfud?" He asked, looking around.
"No idea...he should show up soon."
"How about you and I go look for him, huh?" He smirked, wrapping his arm around my shoulder and invading my personal space.
"Withdraw before I hurt you, Jayce."
"You know I'm kidding."
"Still not fond of being touched. Where's your girlfriend?"
"We broke up awhile ago. She wasn't giving it up."
"You're still not willing to wait, huh."
"Pussy is thrown at me. I should catch it sometimes."
"Isn't the only thing you'll catch."
"Good afternoon, students." Mr. Mahfud greeted everyone.
He was greeted with warm hello's and hi's from the students. He unlocked the art room doors and we filed in slowly.
"First order, please write your first and last name on this sheet to say you attended this week."
He passed a sheet of lined paper around the room. After attendance was out of the way, he began briefing us on the next Art Club assignment. We would be painting a mural in town and we were all recommended to come. I frowned and raised my hand.
"Yes?"
"Sorry, Mr. Mahfud...I won't be able to make it. I don't have a way to get to the meeting place..."
"Oh, that's too bad. We could have really used you. And I was all excited to see what you'd paint."
I found myself frowning harder and began gathering my things. I'm of no use here today. I stood up and left. Walking towards the gate, I could hear Christopher talking but I wasn't processing words. I spent the whole walk home moping about not being able to participate in something I love. Christopher grabbed my wrist, causing me to stop in my tracks.
"What?" I snapped.
"Project. You ain't goin nowhere til progress is made."
"...You care about your grade all of a sudden?"
"It ain't the most important shit ever. But that don't mean the project should be ignored."
"I'll do it at home...you don't need to do anything."
"Fuck that. So you can hold it over me later?"
He pulled me along after him, forcing me into his house before I could protest any further. I looked around, it was nice. I just had one question.
"Where are your parents?"
"I live alone. My parents ain't together, moms took a job outta state when I turned 18."
"Oh..."
A high school boy is taking care of this house alone? It's too clean. He's gotta have a maid or something. What does he eat? Who feeds him? I spotted his trash can, full of fast food bags and cups. That answers that, but where is he getting that money if he keeps buying marijuana? Why am I worried about that anyway? Obviously it's working out fine for him. I'll tend to my own business.
"Sit down." He gestured to the couch in the living room space.
I didn't give him any reply, just sat down and began pulling out my materials. That's when I realized I was missing something.
"Uh, do you have a laptop?"
"Yeah," he started. "lemme go get it."
He disappeared down the hallway. I sat silently letting my eyes wander the room for a minute or so before he returned and handed me his laptop. I logged into the guest account and began researching the material for the project. Not long after, I heard his stomach growling. I turned my attention to him. He sucked his teeth and stood up. I didn't question him.
"I'm goin to get somethin to eat."
He walked out the door, leaving me alone in his home. I contemplated leaving but I figured it would just be rude. Also I had no way of locking his door to make sure no one got in. So I stayed, working silently until he returned with yet another fast food bag. He didn't offer me anything, I didn't ask. He watched tv while I worked the project. He was obviously under the influence. Like he smoked while he was gone. He smelled like marijuana, as always. But more pungent now than earlier. He seemed far more spaced out than any other time he's been high around me.
"You were supposed to help...that's the only reason I stayed..." I grumbled under my breath.
His head snapped in my direction. I looked up at him, freezing in place. I hoped he hadn't heard me. He was glaring. His face inched closer to mine. I started to feel violently uncomfortable, leaning away from him until I fell backwards on the couch. He was hovering over me. He pulled me up by my shirt and brought his face closer to mine. I could feel his breath on my face. I prayed to God that this wasn't going where I thought it was. He placed his own cheek against mine and growled into my ear.
"You can fuckin' leave if you ain't happy."
I released a small sigh of relief as he slowly pulled away from me. He chuckled, amused.
"What'chu thought I was gon kiss you or some shit?" He snapped bitterly.
I didn't respond. I didn't know exactly how. I'll look dumb if I say yes, I'll be lying if I say no. But how arrogant of him to assume so in the first place. He smirked just before he brought his face closer, tilting his head slightly with an open mouth. I tried to move away from him only to realize he still had the front of my shirt in his grip. I caught a glimpse of his tongue darting out before it was in my mouth. I froze, horrified at the current situation. I can't believe he's doing this! Push him! He's kissing me! Stop him! My first kiss! Do something! He stole it! And my body won't respond to what I'm telling it to do. He pulled away from me slowly, his eyes fluttering open, looking up through those long lashes of his. By sheer reflex I slapped him as hard as I could. He let go of my shirt to cup his hand over his cheek. I gathered my belongings quickly and dashed out of his home as fast as I could. How could he do something like that without asking my permission or even how I felt about it!? I hate him! I ran all the way home, freaking out about what had just happened.