Chapter-5

"What do you mean you're going back?" I asked utterly shocked. "Michelle, like we said it won't be long," Amanda said, "Only a couple of months,"

"Wow, you really want me to die in this psychopath's hands?" Zach asked earning a glare from his mom and me.

Our moms just told us that they're going back to our actual house, leaving the two of us here.

"Guys," Mom said sternly, "This way you'll know how to live together you know," "More like hot to kill each other." I muttered looking at my bowl of Lucky Charms.

"Please try to understand kids," Amanda said in a pleading tone. Zach and I glared at each other for two good minutes before we sighed looking away.

"Fine, when are you guys leaving?" Zach asked. "We'll be long gone before you return from school." Amanda said, "Now eat you breakfast and go to school."

We quickly finished our cereal and left for school. The ride to school was silent, but not the awkward kind, the silence between us was comfortable. Zach parked the car and got out, followed by me. "See you after school," he said before walking away. I made my way to the lockers, finding Jen and Eric already there.

"Hey guys," I said giving Eric and Jen a short hug. "Thank God, you're here before the bell rang! I thought you're going to be late," Jen said and started rambling about how our new project was going to ruin her sleep for the next eight weeks. The 'baby project' you know.

The warning bell rang, indicting us to go for our homeroom. The three of us made our way to the homeroom and sat down in our usual seat at the back.

'The baby project' was written on the whiteboard in front of us. I think most of us know what the heck this is. The students take care of an infant simulator for approximately eight weeks. Last year, we saw how frustrating this project was for the seniors, so no one is excited for it.

Mr. Stone came in and greeted us, "Good morning class!" he told us enthusiastically. Mr. Stone has taught in Berry High for two years and if I'm right, he's the youngest and most good looking teacher of our school. I can already see the desperate girls fixing their clothes and makeup.

"Anyway, today our lesson will be focusing on the project–" He stopped to look at the whiteboard. After staring at it for a split second, he erased the word 'Baby' and replaced it with 'puppy' and turned back to us.

The students erupted in chaos asking too many questions. "Guys, guys, guys, calm down!" Mr. Stone said.

Eric raised his hand, "Yes Mister Cooper?"

"Why did you change it to 'puppy project'?" Eric asked raising a perfectly arched brow at him.

Mr. Stone nodded, "Good question Mister Cooper, but would you rather wake up in the middle of the night to feed them or would you rather have your beauty sleep? Would anyone want that, no right?"

Everyone cheered, thanking him. "Now that you see my point, I'll explain," He said rubbing his hands together in anticipation, "The puppy project is the same thing as the baby project but it'll be a real puppy. You must take good care for the puppies and treat it like your own child. Remember they have feelings just like us. After the project, y'all can either adopt your puppies or return it back,"

Everyone nodded mutely, "Where will we get the puppies from?" "Will we have partners for this project?" Two people asked from the other side of the room. "My sister owns a dog pound, so on this Sunday we'll be going there and you're going to choose your own puppy and of course you will have partners!" He said taking out a sheet of paper from his file.

"I already have the list of partner for the project, so you can't exchange your partners. Whoever I paired you up with will be your permanent partners for the rest of the year."

He cleared his throat before calling out the names of the paired partners. Groans and squeals could be heard as Mr. Stone read out the names from the list.

I crossed my fingers waiting for my turn. Eric was partnered with a girl from the football team named, Mackenzie and Jen was partnered with Austin. Poor her.

"Michelle Halt and Zach Cameron,"

My heart stopped working. Did he just say Zach? No! Anyone, but that asshole, I thought to myself, God why do you hate me so much?! I grabbed my bag and walked towards a smirking Zach.

"Hey there, future wife," He said smugly, I looked around to see if anyone heard us but luckily no one did. "Don't call me that, I have a name and it is Michelle." I glared at him; Zach gave me a toothy grin.

I look away from him and see Eric glaring at us– wait, he isn't glaring at me, he's glaring at Zach. When Eric saw me staring at him, he gives me a tight lipped smile and turns back around making small talks with Mackenzie.

"We will start the project on Monday as for today; I'm giving you this sheet with some questions that both you and your partner have to answer." Mr. Stone said before giving everyone a white sheet of paper which had many questions.

Zach was excited about answering the questions but I on the other hand, was pissed to be paired with him.

"Also, if you leave it blank, automatic fail for you and this is your seating plan for the rest of year." Some students –including Jen and me– groaned and to irritate us more, Austin and Zach said a loud 'yay'.

"First question, what's your favorite food?" Zach asked.

"Sushi," I answered. "Oh mine is dumplings," he answered enthusiastically. Why is he so happy about this?

Maybe to annoy the fudge out of you, my mind said and I mentally nodded. When the bell rang, Eric was the first one to get up and already out of the class. "See ya later," Zach said and dashed out of the classroom with his minion.

I grabbed my things and walked out of the room waiting for Jen. She came out with a scowl on her face. "Are you okay?" I asked her.

"That potato sack is so freaking irritating!" She complained stomping her foot like a kid. At least she looked like a cute kid.

"Anyways, what class do you have next?" She asked in annoyance. "I have calc," I said sadly.

"I have history, speaking of which I should leave," She pulled me into a quick hug and left for her class.

_______

Jen and I sat at our seats in the cafeteria, I look around for Eric. We haven't seen him seen after the homeroom class. He wasn't the type to bunk classes but I guess he's bunking today.

"You want?" Jen asked offering me her fruit salad that she brought from home, that's better than eating the disgusting thing we call as school food.

I shook my head and pushed the container away, "Michelle, you not eating anything won't explain why Eric is behaving this way." Jen scolded me, "You need to go ask him,"

"But where is he? He's not even picking up my calls," I ask frowning, "I tried calling him but he won't pick my phone."

"Michelle, don't worry we'll talk to him okay?" She said and offered me a hug; I wrapped my arms around her and breathed in her perfume. The bell rang and we got up to leave for our respective classes.

________

"Michelle," Zach poked me with his pen.

"Michelle" Poke.

"Michelle," Poke.

"Michelle-" "What do you want?" I asked turning to him but I shouldn't have because, his face was right in front of mine, so close that our nose were going to touch.

This was the first time I'm being so close to him, I notice the small things I haven't noticed about him. Like the way his sandy blond hairs were sort of brown or the way his hazel eyes had a speck of green in them. I was jealous of how long eyelashes he had or how fluffy and pink his lips looked.

"Like what you see?" He asked and my cheek flushed. "Shut up," I said and slightly pushed him back, "What do you want?" He smiled, "Can you make me something? I'm hungry,"

I rolled my eyes, "Go make something on your own," "Please?" "Zach, I need to do my homework," "Just make me something and continue," "No-" "Please?" "Fine," I close my books and go to the kitchen with Zach.

"What do we make?" I asked, looking through whatever ingredient we had in the fridge.

"Let's make chocolate chip cookies!" Zach exclaimed loudly, surprising both of us at his excitement. He coughed, "I mean, let's make chocolate chip cookies?" I nodded and grabbed my iPad, searching for chocolate chip cookie recipe.

I kept the iPad on the counter and went to preheat the oven but unfortunately it was placed in the crockery cabinet. I stood on my tip toes trying to reach it but I was too short.

"Do you want me to help?" Zach asked turning to me, I scoffed, "I don't need your help," I heard him chuckle softly, "Okay then," I ignore him and try to reach the oven. Why is it kept so high anyway? I looked around for a stool or something but there is nothing.

I meet the teasing eyes of a smirking Zach. "Stop looking at me and help me," I said to him. He raised a brow, "What was the magic word?" I huffed, "Please help me?"

He took a huge step towards me, cornering me, "Now now, Michelle that's not the magic word," He leered, holding my chin with one hand. I felt my brows furrow in confusion.

He tucked a strand of hair behind my ear and said, "The magic word isn't 'Please' it is 'Zach is hot'" I shoved his chest hard, making him stumble back.

"I'm not saying that," I snapped feeling my face heat up, he smirked, "Oh c'mon Michelle, you know it's true," He showed me his cute boyish smile. That tiny curve of his soft pink lips made my heart flutter, soon I found myself smiling back.

A moment passed by and I sighed in defeat, "Zach is hot," I mumbled. He looked as if he didn't hear me and stepped closer.

"I beg your pardon? I didn't quite get that, babe," He said, cupping the back of his ear. I glared at him, I swear to God, I will kill him one day, I thought to myself.

"Zach is hot," I hissed. "I'm sorry babe you need to speak louder if you need my help." Zach said frowning though I could see hi trying not to laugh, his dark brown eyes sparkling with mischievous.

"Zach is hot!"

And there was Zach howling with laughter, seeing my flushed face. He lightly punched my shoulder when he stopped laughing, "Ooh flirty!" he teased.

I rolled my eyes and looked away from him, "Shut up," He gave me a cheeky look and said, "It's tough being such a sex symbol, you know."

"If you don't shut up, I'll kick you where the sun doesn't shine," I threatened him, and his smirk fell off his face. He gave me a glare as he moved past me to pre-heat the oven.