Some people never seem to know how to respect the fact that you are sleeping and don't like to be disturbed.
My arm is lifted and dropped on the table, creating a loud thud. I let it happen two more times before stopping him.
"I'm up." I stifle a yawn, blinking the sleep out of my eyes. "Were you trying to dislocate my arm?"
"No. I was making sure you didn't die on me." He protests, trying to pick up my arm again.
I pulled my arm away from him, looking around at the now empty classroom. "Well, I didn't."
"Thank God, because I thought you were going to sleep through English." He said as he sprung up to his feet.
"What? Why didn't you wake me?" I exclaimed as I gathered my books and walked out of the classroom. Mr. Smart isn't exactly the kindest person when it comes to lateness. He'll send us to detention, or he makes us do weird plays in front of the class. Sometimes, he does both. I think it depends on his mood.
"If I didn't wake you, you'd still be drooling."
"Excuse you! I don't drool." I gasped, touching my face. He rolled his eyes as we rush through the now empty halls, hoping to beat the last bell. We open the door just as the bell rang.
The whole class turned their heads to us. Mr. Smart glared at us as we made our way to the seat at the back.
Oh, joy. At least, I'm not getting detention.
Today's lecture is about Shakespeare's tragic plays. I want to concentrate on listening, but Gabe's strange behavior is bothering me. He'd been glancing at me nonstop; I am afraid he is going to turn into a bat and bite me on the neck. Seriously, why would he even look at me? It's not like we were friends or anything.
When Mr. Smart turned to write something on the board, I turned in his direction, and he quickly moved his gaze to the front. How I wish I could sit anywhere but here. He's making me uncomfortable.
Groaning, I bring my long dark brown hair over my shoulder, putting an invisible barrier between us so I could see the clock on the wall. A few moments later, something bounced on my desk, a folded paper. I flicked my eyes to Gabe, and he was pointing to it with his eyebrows furrowed.
The note isn't addressed to anyone, so maybe it wasn't for me but for someone else instead. Besides, why would Gabe even pass me a letter? What would he write to me? A homework assignment? His electric bill?
I looked at Aiden, who was already staring at me, and the note in my hand. I passed the paper to him. It might be some sort of family emergency; I'd better give it to him.
He was confused at first, but he collected it from me. As I did, Gabe scrambled of his seat and snatched the note from his brother's hand, making me gasp. He slumped back on his chair, wincing as the object made a grating sound against the floor.
"What's with all the noise?" Mr. Smart stopped writing and turned to face the class. No one dared to speak up. With a shake of his head and a glare, he returned to writing.
"What was that about?" I whispered to Aiden. He shrugged his shoulders as we turn to Gabe.
Gabe stooped over his desk again, and I could see his neck and ears turning beet red. I covered my face with my hands to hide my laughter until I heard something being tossed onto my desk again. Peeking through the space between my fingers, I noticed the same folded paper. This time, there is a message outside, and my chest drummed as I read it.
I lifted an eyebrow at him.
With an exasperated sigh, Aiden said, "Throw it out. He's only messing around."
"Why would I? That would be rude. And you're the rude one." The words flew out of my mouth before I could stop them. He rolled his eyes at my statement.
"Just because."
"Because what?"
"Because Gabe isn't exactly someone you should take seriously. He jokes around a lot."
I smiled, "Badmouthing your brother now, ain't we?"
He let out a frustrated sigh, running his hands through his curls. "Athena!..."
Mr. Smart cleared his throat.
Slowly, Aiden and I turn our heads to the front. Shit! Mr. Smart is standing in front of us, his arms folded to his chest and his mouth formed in a straight line. Everyone darted their eyes in our direction, and I felt my face go hot.
"Mr. Knight and Ms. Brown, you know I have been observing the two of you. What do you think you're doing during my class?" Mr. Smart demanded.
Shoving the note under my desk, I mumbled, "Um, t-talking."
"And what are you supposed to be doing?"
"Uh, listening to the discussion," Aiden answered hesitantly, raking his hair up. His composed facade contrasted with my frantic state. I hope he doesn't send us to detention, or else I'd die.
"When were you planning to join us?"
"Now. Sorry, sir. It won't happen again." Aiden glanced at me as I gritted my teeth.
Mr. Smart nodded and walked back to the front of the classroom. I almost let out a sigh of relief because he hadn't said anything about detention. But I am grateful too soon.
"Very well, then. Since you two have finally decided to join the class," The teacher said, glancing at us. "Please, read the excerpt from Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet on page fifty-four."
Aiden and I obediently flipped our books to said page number, and my jaw fell to the ground. Act two, scene two. Good grief- it was the famous scene! The freaking balcony scene!
"Please stand up and read out loud to the class."
Oh, the horror!
Someone from the back let out a whoop, and I panicked. Why does this teacher have a knack for embarrassing students in front of the class? I take back what I said earlier. I'd much rather be in detention than reading this scene out loud!
Mr. Smart raised his eyebrows. With a sigh, Aiden stood up. How is he not fighting this? The one time I need him to act bossy and rude, he has to be freaking composed. Lucky me! Not!
Having no other choice, I also pushed myself up with the books in my hands. Everyone began to murmur, and I could feel Ari's smile from all the way here. She enjoys it when I'm this embarrassed.
"Lady," Aiden began to read. The chatters stopped, and every ear listened to him. "By yonder blessed moons I vow, that tips with silver all these fruit-tree tops--"
"O, swear not by the moon, th'inconsistent moon. That monthly changes in her circle orb." My voice cracked at every word. Was I even speaking them correctly? I sounded like I was doing a tongue twister. I swallowed and continued: "Lest thy love proves likewise variable."
I am going to Mars after this and having my funeral there.
"What shall I swear by?" He is really playing the role by heart.
"Do not swear at all or if thou wilt, swear by thy gracious self, which is the god of my idolatry, and I'll believe thee,"
"If my heart's dear love--"
And that was when everyone else in the class clapped, giggled, and made yeeeee noises, making blood rush up to my neck and cheeks.
I examined them from the top of my book. They all had huge smiles on their faces. Ari dramatically clapped her hands in the air and wiped away invisible tears. Some whistled, some squealed, and half of the female population have plans to have me barbecued later.
I had no idea how many times my heart skipped a beat throughout the whole period.
I ducked my head, letting my hair fall over my face and hoping it could hide my blush. Peeking through the curtain of my hair, I saw that Aiden hadn't lifted his eyes off the book. His face isn't showing any signs of emotions at all.
But for a split second, I caught him smiling.
I nearly fainted. Up until now, I've never really let myself to check him out. But looking at him now, I can see why all the ladies are dying to be with him. He's well built and tall, has green eyes that seem to change colors randomly, and has curly dirty blonde hair. He's got lickable sun-kissed skin and perfectly kissable lips. The black jeans, a very snug-fit white top, and the school's famous football jacket only added to his already oozing sexiness. The very nicely snug-top allows the definition of his toned stomach to show.
I mustn't be discrete in checking him out because he grins at me, showing me his set of pearly white teeth, and to top it all off, his dimples. The boy freaking has dimples, holy cow! I took a deep breath, trying to relax.
"Everyone, please keep quiet," Mr. Smart ordered, and the noise dissipated. "Carry on, Miss Brown."
Come on, give me a break!
Clearing my throat, I straightened myself and lifted my book. I only have to endure this day.