Chapter 4

You know that feeling you get when you are in a very serious situation and all you want to do is laugh, but it is highly inappropriate, well that is the problem I am facing right now.

Thomas is looking at me and Emily, well at least he is trying to look intimidating, but instead, he is looking like a big puppy. When he realized that we are trying to contain our laughter, he very dramatically throws his hands up in the air and scoffed out "Unbelievable" and walked away

Controlling ourselves Emily and I followed after him apologizing as we made our way to our next class which was Art.

With a pouting Thomas, the three of us made our way to our next class, with a silent laugh at Thomas' dramatics, the three of us made our way to a back table which consisted of the Three and Liz, Josh, and Xavier.

The other asks us in confusion as to why a pouting Thomas is sitting at our table, we both looked at each other, then back at them and shrugged.

This only seemed to make him madder as he dramatically starts narrating the story to the rest of the group, after Thomas's dramatic storytelling they all looked at us with an expression that said "Explain".

We agreed to tell them at lunch, our Art teacher Ms. Gibbs had put us each in groups of two, our assignment, to get to know each other and paint/draw a scene that describes your partner's personality.

And as the universe might have it I was paired up with Xavier, 'Yeah', please note my sarcasm, don't get me wrong he seems like a nice guy, he is tall, had dark hair, soft brown eyes, and a really nice smile, but I don't know something about him just seems off, or maybe it's my imagination, well we'll see.

"So, when do you want to get started on getting to know each other?" he asked.

"This afternoon after school we could go to Mama's Diner?" I nervously asked.

"Cool that's fine" he answered, we then exchanged phone numbers and made plans to meet up outside school after our last class.

The group spent the rest of the period teasing each other, mostly Thomas, but we were all laughing with each other. They also didn't exclude e from anything which I am grateful for.

I felt like this was the beginning of some really nice lifelong friendships. It was then time for our third class for the day which for me and Xavier, was chemistry.

Xavier and I quietly made our way to chemistry class, and the silence was refreshing, it wasn't awkward or anything it was just comfortable, and for some reason, his eyes had this undescribed feeling in them, which just made me want to blush as day.

With a soft smile on both our faces, we made our way to one of the middle desks and sat and got ready for class.

While we were waiting for the teacher to come, Xavier turned to me and asked a shocking question.

"So, you found out about Mikeal being a douche?" he calmly asked.

"How did you?" he struggled to ask him,

"I am a very observant person" he responded

"Oh" was all I could say as I looked down at my hands.

He reached over and grabbed my hands in his and calmly said, "Hey, it's nothing to be embarrassed about, he is an idiot if he does not see what an amazing person you are."

Suddenly feeling shy I looked down at my hands again and unconsciously play with his fingers. Xavier does not push for an answer instead he changes the topic and asked me about my favorite band and we starting discussing that I finally had a full smile on my face for the first time today, I didn't even realize that I was still playing his fingers in my lap.

Our chemistry teacher, Mr. Andrews, came into the class and announced that we will be in pairs this year as most of our units to cover are experiment-based.

He started calling out names of the pairs and thank god my name was called with Xavier's. But, my relief was short-lived as I heard, "Mr. Andrews, can I have Ellie as my partner, I need a little extra tutoring and she is the best student in class?" asked Mikeal.

I instantly start to panic, sensing my panic Xavier quickly raised his hands and retorted, "Mr. Andrews last year Ellie tutored him but he still hasn't made any progress does it mean that they are not compatible with one another?"

If looks could kill Xavier would have been six feet under, as the heat of Mikeal's glare can be felt on the sides of our faces, and mostly directed to our clasped hands.

Mr. Andrews seeing the situation directed his next question to me, "Ellie I will leave the choice up to you on whose partner you will be?"

Xavier squeezed my hand in comfort as if trying to convey some strength to me, "I am fine with Xavier as my partner, I don't think Mikeal and I study habits are compatible" I said.

Once that matter was settled Mr. Andrews settled that matter he went on calling out the names of the pairs, he then went on to briefly introduce us to what he was going to be teaching us this year.

The entire time I still held onto Xavier's hand, and I could feel the heat of Mikeal's glare on our hands.

The bell rang and it was time for lunch Xavier and I starting packing up our stuff talking about what the cafeteria might have for the first day back.

As we made our way out of the classroom, I felt someone grab my arm and pull me back;

"What the hell Ellie, you have been ignoring me all day?" asked Mikeal as he aggressively held my arm.

"Ow, you're hurting me, let go" I cried out.