The Story of Us

Chapter 2

                If going back to class wasn't bad enough, this new kid - Calum - wouldn't stop looking at me. I tried to turn around a few times to pretend to be looking at the clock, and everytime, he was staring straight back at me. I turned back towards the board, focusing at the window. World Geography had to be over soon, right?

"And that is called what, Mr. Hemmings?" Mr. Tently, my World Geography teacher asked.

I felt myself go bright red. "I—I uh.."

"Commonwealth," a voice in the back called out. 

"Mr. Hood, the correct answer, but you spoke out of turn. Please remember to raise your hand next time," Mr. Tently said. I turned to see Calum roll his eyes and mutter something under his breath. 

"So, Katie, an example of commonwealth?" Mr. Tently went on.

Katie thought for a minute. "Puerto Rico?" She asked.

"Correct!" Mr. Tently said bleaming brightly. The three ring bell went off, as everyone gathered their things. "Quiz next class! Study up on Latin America!"

I exited the classroom, walking towards my English class. I hated English, so much. I didn't tell anybody this, but I had dyslexia. It made it so much harder to get good grades. I walk into the English department making my way down the hall, as I hear a pair of footsteps following me.

I spin around angrily glaring. "Can I help you?" I spat out at Calum.

He cocked at eyebrow at me, laughing softly. He tilted his head. "You don't have the kind of help I need. Actually, this is my next class."

What? Is he in all my classes? I think. I press my lips into a straight line. "Well, I don't need you staring at me, or answering my questions. Just leave me alone." I say walking into Mrs. Williams' room.

I sit down in the last row, laying my backpack down next to me. I liked being in the back, you never got called on as much. Mrs. Williams walks into the classroom, walking down the isle towards me. She smiles softly.

"Hello, Luke," She says gently. "I just wanted to say, I'm so sorry about Lily."

I flinched slightly at her name. I was hoping that I could at least go the day without anyone bringing up what happened. I nod softly. "Thank you," I manage to say.

Mrs. Williams walks to the front of the classroom, writing her name on the board. She smiles down at all of us, clasping her hands together calling our attention. "Morning, everybody. My name is Mrs. Williams, and I can't wait to have an amazing year with all of you!"

"Whoop dee doo," Calum, who sat a few rows ahead of me, said.

The class burst out laughing, as Mrs. Williams pursed her lips, frowning. "Mr....Hood, is it? I will not tolerate any monkey business in my class. Are we clear?"

"Crystal," He said grinning sarcastically.

"For our first project of the year, we will be writing a poetry book! It will have a total of 30 poems, and we will be writing them in partners that I have assigned." She explained as she pulled out a clipboard.

"Jaimie Peters, Roger Michaels,

Christina Tate, Valerie Porter,

Calum Hood, Luke Hemmings,

Diana Fox, Jake Kydd.."

The list went on, and on, but as soon as I heard my name, I cringed. Of course, just my luck. I look up, as Calum winks at me smiling. 

"Now get with your partner to discuss!" Mrs. Williams says.

I stand up walking towards Mrs. Williams. I tap her on the shoulder. "Can I please switch partners with somebody?" I ask quietly.

"Lucas, this is not a punishment," She explains to me. "You're a great kid. I think you could rub off on him well."

I sigh, nodding. "Okay."

I walk over to Calum, who was sitting on the desk looking over at me. I frown, crossing my arms as I look at him. "Let's get something straight: we work on the project, and we don't talk or do anything outside the project, okay?" I snap.

"Okay, Lucas,"  He replies mockingly in Mrs. Williams' voice.

I glare at him. "It's Luke. Just Luke."

"What did I ever do to you?" He asks curiously, leaning back on his hands.

"I don't like guys like you," I explain boldly. "You're going to crash and burn at this school, and I won't let you drag me down with you."

"Of course," He replies. "We wouldn't want to ruin Mr. Perfect's image, would we?"

"Shut up," I mutter sitting on the desk opposite of him.

"I'm hearing some very nasty words, from such a prestine boy," He says smirking.

I wanted to be angry, but I couldn't help but laugh. He was quoting my favorite movie. "I'm not that prestine," I say.

"Well, you might be a total jock strap, but at least you're well educated on The Breakfast Club." Calum replies grinning.

"And you might be a total misfit, but at least you have a sense of humor," I admit.

Calum laughs, pulling out a piece of paper and a pen. He scribbles down something handing it to me. "Call me if you want to work on the poems, Clark." He says smirking.

"Sure thing, Bender." I say studying the number, before slipping it into my pocket.

Mrs. Williams calls back our attention, as we go back to sit down in our seats. She looks back at us, writing down on the board. "This poem book will be due on October 27th. You will present the book to the class, and each read the poem you are most proud of."

        For the next half hour, it was mostly Mrs. Williams going over the assignment, and some kids throwing paper balls at Calum, before he turned are giving them a look that silenced them. It was odd, everyone was afraid of him, while in the short time I had known him, he had shown me kindness. 

I am snapped out of my thoughts as the lunch bell rings. A feeling of relief washes over me, as I head down the hallway to lunch. It was the one place where I could do whatever I wanted, and the teachers didn't care whatsoever.

I stepped into the lunchline, putting a sandwich, apple, and a Vitamin Water on to the tray. I punched in my lunch code, as I stepped out of the line.

"Hemmo!" Ashton called to me happily as he waved me over to our table. "You are not going to believe this!"

"What?" I ask taking a sip of my Vitamin Water.

"Madison Parker is having a huge party after the kick off game friday. You in?" He asks.

I shake my head. "I dunno..I'm not really—"

"Luke," He interrupts me tilting his head. "Madison FUCKING Parker! You've had the hugest crush on her since grade 7!"

"I'm not into her anymore," I admit honestly. Madison was always a bitch to me, before I became popular. She just thought highly of herself because she was the mayor's daughter.

"Into who?" A voice asks coming behind Ashton. She smiles kissing Ashton's cheek.

"Emma, you have to convince Luke to come to Madison's party on friday," He tells his girlfriend.

"It'll be fun, I promise!" Emma exclaims smiling. "Plus, Madison's brother is going to get us some beer. And I promise, not the cheap kind."

I sigh, shaking my head. I look up at them puppy dog eyeing me. "Fine! Don't make me regret this."

"Yes!" Ashton exclaims, laughing softly. His face goes dark, as he is focused on something behind me. 

I raise an eyebrow, turning behind me to look.

Leah.