Manipulation High

Chapter 9: a confusing coding class

“Do you want me to walk you there?” He offered, and I sent him a questioning glance, wondering why he would ask that.
“If you want, but don’t you have to get to class?” I asked him, and Clay shook his head.
“I have a free period.” He explained, continuing to walk with me.

He and I walked through the crowd of students towards another classroom, and when I finally reached room 17, which was the Science class I had. Clay gave me a wave before walking off and I smiled as I headed into the class.

Clay POV.

I was able to design my website quite quickly. Mr Richardson had been teaching me in coding since my first class, and before that he had been giving the same task to students for years. Every year this was one of the first things he had everyone do, alongside trying out some basic coding games and challenges to see how well we already know the subject.

The website followed the same design I used almost every year, with some minor improvements to more glitchy aspects from the past year. The background was made of  patterns of green, black, and white, along with some small simple smiley faces and swirls to add simple but effective details.

Along with that I began adding pictures of some work I was especially proud of which I had done in previous years, including a link to a simple 8-bit game, an animation I had done in my first year, and some photos of things that I had programmed and coded like robots.

Just as I was adding some final details to make the website look nicer I saw George raising his hand out of the corner of my eye. Mr Richard walked over to him after a minute and asked what the brunette wanted. “I-uh just wanted to say that I finished my website,” George explained as the teacher looked down at him. “And I was wondering if there was anything else I had to do.”

He watched awkwardly as the teacher looked past him and at his screen and let out a hum, and I found myself looking over at the website he had designed too and it looked quite impressive compared to my more simple one.

George noticed that I was staring at what he had done and so I moved to look into his eyes. “It looks good.” I said as I leaned back in my chair. “I think it is pretty cool.”
He smiled at me, “thanks, your’s looks cool too,” he responded, which made me feel amazing hearing the compliment from him.

Since we both finished our work I took the opportunity to ask him some questions. It turns out the two of us have a lot in common then I had originally thought. We talked for ages about how we both loved coding and history and how we both played a lot of video games like Minecraft. I was sad when the bell rang and our conversation was cut short.

As I walked out of the classroom I kept in pace with George, smiling at him. “So what class do you have next?” I asked the brunette as we walked through the flood of children.
George didn’t seem to know so he pulled his timetable out of his pocket and looked at it. “I have Science.” He told me as he put the paper back into his pocket a minute later.

“Do you want me to walk you there?” I asked, while beginning to lead George towards the row of Science classrooms.
“If you want, but don’t you have to get to class?” He asked me, and I shook my head.
“I have a free period.” I explained when George gave me a confused look.

The two of us tried to continue our conversation, although it was hard with the students pushing past us to head to class. It was sad when we finally reached the Science classroom and George gave me a smile before heading inside, and I sighed as I headed towards the outdoor basketball court that isn’t often used by the school since the indoor one in the gym is more convenient.

This was where I always met up with Sapnap when we had free periods because nobody else ever came out here. As the second bell rang I found myself thinking about George and the conversation I had with him. He was quite nice and I found myself enjoying hearing the sound of his voice, even if it was in my mind.

The ravenette was sitting on a bench waiting for me and he stood up when I walked out of the back doors of the school to see him. “Took you long enough.” He said in an annoyed tone, and I just rolled my eyes at him.
“Sorry I was just busy, it took me a while to get out of class.” I told him.

“That’s bullshit.” Sapnap responded. “You disappear at lunch to go find George, and you are late after coding class, one which Karl told me George was also in. You obviously have a crush.”
I scoffed, “no. Don’t be an idiot.” I rolled my eyes and he raised an eyebrow at me. When I realised he was doing that I shoved him.

“I do not like George so drop it. I’m just being friendly to the new kid, plus I feel bad about the whole detention thing. I don’t know what happened but I feel bad either way.” I said with a huff.
Sapnap hummed. “Fine, if you want to deny it then let's both deny it.”

I gave him a harsh look which made him drop the entire situation, and he sheepishly rubbed the back of his head with his hand to avoid my harsh look. “Why don’t we go to my house early?” He suggested, trying to change the topic.
I nodded. “Sure, I’ll write it in the book so nobody knows we are gone.”
_________________________________________
2017 words

So some of you guys came here from reading my last story Heroes, and a lot of you seemed to be disappointed with the cliffhanger. But since I am nice, I decided to give you the chance to have it written.

Currently, after Manipulation High the next story will be King of the Cell, however I could instead write the sequel to Heroes (I haven't named it yet but am thinking 'antiheroes'. These are the blurbs of both of them and you guys can pick.

Don't vote on actual blurbs, vote underneath both of them

King of the Cell:

George was framed for a crime he didn't commit and sent to the most dangerous prison in America. Now, he wants to make it clear he was never considered feminine in his life, but here among the bulky men who've lived on drugs and alcohol he is like a doll for them to play with (a sex doll).

His only chance of keeping himself in one piece is his cellmate Techno, and a gang led by Techno's rival who wants George to work for him in return for protection... Strange.

Antiheroes:

The heroes disappeared. In less than two months the four of them were considered missing or dead by L'manburg police. But there is suddenly a new superhero on the street, a man by the name of Soot.

But in order to become a hero Soot made a lot of enemies, some heroes and some criminals, both of whom want him gone (in one way or another).
What will happen if they team up to take Wilbur out, and these heroes and villains already have a past relationship that wasn't in battles?

Okay so voting here.

👮🏻‍♂️ • here for King of the Cell

🦸🏻 • here for Antiheroes.

Also, iikxtezz has written another chapter for Rich Romance, so go check it out after reading this and voting on which story you want next