Learn From Me - L.T

01

"Thank you Mr. Malik, have you read the book?" Mr. Tomlinson asks, walking up to Malik as everyone remains quiet and overall, bored.

Me on the other hand, had my heart stuck in my throat and my legs shaking from the intense spotlight burning my skin– a spotlight only Mr. Tomlinson could see.

Let me get this straight, when this assignment was dished out, we were told it was simply another book recommendation and report. something that would be graded then forgotten about within the week, so Val and I thought it would be a funny idea to turn in the most smutty and vile books we had ever read.

Two days after we had turned it in, Mr. Tomlinson announced the little surprise and I just thought he would look over mine because H.D Carlton isn't exactly popular in the school districts and libraries.

"No, but I've been told to read it by some of my students." He scans the room and some people, mainly girls, give him a small wave and smile. "I'm sorry to intrude but I need Valerie Horan and Jacob Walter."

"No problem at all, we're always happy to see your face." Tomlinson nods then turns around to face my side of the class, rubbing his palms together and watching his shoes hit the floor gently.

I could feel the small wiggling vocal cords snapping in my throat as he inched closer while my best friend and random guy left the classroom. Tomlinson's eyes crawled up and met my own, the connection instantly cooking my mind and creating a melted bowl of thoughts and fears in my skull.

He must've caught onto my sensory overload as the corners of his lips curled into a knowing smile, chuckling softly. He looked like the damn Cheshire cat as he swiftly licked his lips then looked up to a random person, "Okay, so let's write a quick summary and opinion about this book then let's take a book from my desk."

What the fuck just happened?

By the end of the school day, Val had burnt up my nerves about what happened in that classroom. Teasing me every time I brought up any homework assignment and saying things along the lines of "Hey, would you rather it be a book recommendation?"

It got so annoying and unbearable that I almost had enough rage to call off our study session tonight at my house but, she promised we would smoke before ever picking up a pencil tonight.

It was a gloomy day, light sprinkles of rain and the air had that crisp cold type that made the inside of your nose sting from the numbness. Luckily, Val's brother picked us up and dropped us off at my house. He had always been our driver ever since he got his permit then his driver's license.

"Okay so when was the last time you watched Nemo? Because I haven't seen that movie in years and I'm feeling like I really need to watch it tonight." Val mumbles through chewed up grapes and crackers, she devours everything in her path whenever we smoke then she crashes not too long after– basically, Nemo means sleep.

"We can watch it, but you have to remind Niall to bring us to that bookstore that has Penelope Douglas's new book. Deal?" I offer, smiling as my skin tingles and my vision lags as if we were in a game loaded in by horrible wifi. "He already said he'd take us but that was two weeks ago and I am dying to read it,"

"Why don't you just text him? I'm gonna go get some blankets from my room, if he doesn't answer you then go down to his room. He'd probably be sleeping since he responds fast as hell to you." Val grabs an open bag of cheetos while walking around the kitchen island towards the stairs that led to the second floor.

"Alright, and hey– don't fall asleep up there! I'm tired of going alone with Niall just because you laid down and couldn't get back up." I warn but she doesn't acknowledge me as she hurries up the stairs, probably drooling at the thought of her warm and cuddly bed.