Strings Attached

~Chapter 11~

"I hurt you and got detention. You got it scrapped for me and I got a few tasks instead," I inform her, forcing myself in her line of vision. She immediately distances herself. "I don't want another detention now! So, you see, if you cooperate, I can do those tasks for you." I can't help getting irritated with her.

"Remember? Or you've deliberately forgotten all about it?" She doesn't say a thing or look at me, but she's stopped writing. So, I know I have her attention. "Let me remind you then. I have to carry your books and do your Eco homework for you."

"So, it'd be better for you if you wait for me at your locker in the morning, and hand me your notebook for me to work in at the end of the day. Also, I need your number." Finally, I said that! Feels like a weight off my chest. But instead of nodding her head or anything, she starts writing on another piece of paper. I hate communicating through paper! What is your voice for? But I let her write, hoping that she'd be putting her number on it.

'You don't have to do those tasks for me. I'm perfectly capable of carrying my books and doing my homework,' she finishes writing and I snatch it from her. My anger is slowly getting the better of me. I don't know for how long I can contain it. "I don't care what you're capable of, okay! I'm doing this for myself only. The Princi told me to do something, and I don't wanna go against her and get expelled."

'I don't think you need my number for doing all those tasks.' "What if I don't come to school some day? How will I know about the homework or get your notebook?" I hope I'm being convincing enough in my arguments. 'I have hands and a sane mind. I can do my homework sometimes. The Principal doesn't have to know.'

"And what if she comes to know about it?" I ask her, pleased with myself. 'She won't, if it doesn't reach any other ear. Or if you don't tell anyone.' The girl hasn't realized yet, but in order to read her notes, I've come quite close to her. So close that I can smell a faint fragrance of some moisturizer on her. "I don't want to take chances though," I speak close to her ear and she lets out a small yelp of surprise, shrinking further into her chair. I flash her a mischievous smirk.

She starts scribbling something once again. I lower my head to see what she's writing when she thrusts a paper in my hand, accidentally touching her fingers with mine. 'Let me make it clear to you, once and for all! I don't want anything to do with you. I relieve you of all your tasks. The Principal Ma'am wouldn't come to know about it. The matter is resolved and we can stop this nonsense altogether.'

I have a hard time containing my hands from knocking some sense into her. "Easy for you to say! I have a bad history with the woman. She won't let me off this easy. It was a last warning. She'll definitely check your notebook once the month ends." 'Why do you need my number?' she writes once again. "Same reason I gave earlier. I don't repeat myself twice."

'No. Your motives aren't purely platonic.' I laugh sardonically at that. "Using big words now, I see. Nobody's platonic these days, darling!" 'I won't give you my number.' "And what if I tell you that I will have it!" I state resolutely. 'I will never let you have it! And I will report you if you bother me again.'

And I can't contain myself anymore. I grab her wrist and twisting it hard to make sure she's looking at me, I let her know what I'm capable of, once and for all. She lets out a pained whimper. "You don't know who you're dealing with, girl! Resist me too much, and the current flowing inside me could catch you off-guard. Then a short-circuit would be unescapable, love."