Cocoa And Vanilla

Chapter 17 "Text Messages And Best Friends"

It had been two days. Two long days of avoiding Justin, further befriending Cameron, acting like everything was fine, and self loathing. I could feel Justin's blatant stare on my skin as I ignored him and waited for our turn. However, that was hard when Justin's gaze was intense and four very dead plants were on our desks.

"Justin and Destiny." I let out the breath I was holding and stood up, grabbing my two plants. Justin was behind me and we approached the front of the classroom quietly. There was the sound of smothered laughter and gasps as they got a look at our dead plants.

"Destiny, I'm hoping you can give me a fulfilling explanation as to why your plants are dead." My teacher was trying to keep her smirk off of her face.

I sighed and put my plants down on the ground. "I'm sorry but there isn't an explanation. We simply didn't do the job you asked," Mrs. Jester nodded and began to write something down before I interrupted her. "However, I'm not getting a zero on this project."

"Excuse me?" I straightened up and I threw away my pride. To hell with being quiet.

"On the day of the project, we chose plants. Flowers, to be exact. I chose a daisy and chrysanthemum while Justin chose a hyacinth and heather. The original plan was to watch them grow in different environments but as time when on, our plan turned into nothing," I glanced at Justin and kept speaking.

"Our private lives and drama kept getting in the way of our project and before we knew it, we completely abandoned it. Although, that is no excuse for our pathetic results, this was also a valuable lesson for me. Our flowers had all of its requirements down in ink and it was simple. If you are devoted to something, give it all that you got. Don't half ass it or give it 99% effort because you just might lose it." The class was quiet until Zay started clapping from the back of the class. I smiled at him and he winked. This started a whole reign of applause from the class. Mrs. Jester hushed the class and turned back to us.

"Justin, do you have anything to add?"

I looked at him and my breath got swept from my lungs as I saw his bright, focused eyes. Focused on me. "No, she's absolutely right."

I looked away to catch my breath. "So you thought that you could turn your science project into a life lesson and get an A?"

"Yes." I said confidently.

She sighed and moved some papers around. "Then I'll give you just that."

I smiled and nodded. "Thank you."

The bell rung and I hurried to grab my bag. "Destiny, wait!!!"

I winced and turned around. "Yes?"

He let out a sigh of relief and smiled. "Thanks for that back there. You really saved us."

I nodded and saw Cameron waiting by the door. "Yeah, I didn't want to fail. I have to go now if you'll excuse me."

I tried to slide past him but he tilted in my way. "Are you busy this afternoon?"

"No but I'm busy right now so-"

"Can you come over? Merissa misses you." I looked up at him and he stared down at me.

"I'll think about it, I guess." I glanced over at the doorway and Cameron raised an eyebrow in interest.

"Is it because you're too busy playing around with your new best friend?" He sounded sour and I frowned.

"Frankly, that's none of your business. I said, I would think about it."

"Destiny, we're going to be late." Cameron stated from the door as he smirked in our direction.