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Raising her eyebrows, Janice said, “This is an important part of the job, and we don’t have the time to do it in class. But I trust you’ll exchange numbers and find something that works for you both.”
Susannah’s shoulders visibly sank.
And mine did too, because Janice said she was assigning us partners. That never worked in anyone’s favor.
Janice began reading off the groupings. When she reached my name, I crossed my fingers under the table.Someone good. Please someone good.
“Diego, you’ll be with April.”
“Great,” I said.
Everyone in class looked at me, and I realized I’d said it out loud, but my tone was worse than the word. My stomach sank. Now I was the one who looked like a jerk.
Janice stared me down like I was some naughty kid. “You’ll have to work with all personality types, Mr. De Leon. I’m sure you and Miss Adams can manage to be together an hour a week.”
We’d been together less than an hour since I met her, and she already hated my guts. Imagine what level of distaste I could accomplish with ten hours at my disposal.
Janice glanced at her watch. “That’s time. I’ll see you all next week. This week’s communication project must be submitted by Thursday at midnight.”
Everyone began packing up their bags, and I tried to make eye contact with April to indicate that we should talk, but she was already getting out of her seat, hurrying toward the door.
If she thought she was going to dodge me and leave me with a bad grade on this, all for some dumb grudge... I grabbed my book and my backpack, following her out to the parking lot and rushing to stand between her and her driver’s door.
“Diego!” she hissed. “Get out of the way.”
“Whoa, I just wanted to make sure we’re set for this project. This isn’t exactly a class I can afford to slack in.”
She folded her arms across her chest and stared at her door handle, like if she glared hard enough, she could get it to telepathically open and shove me out of the way.
“Look, I don’t want to work with you either, but you heard Janice. She’s not letting us out of this. So give me your number at least so we can set something up later, when you’re not trying to bore a hole through my chest with your eyeballs.”
“I don’t have time for this,” she said.
I raised my eyebrows. “You’re making it take longer by arguing.”
“No, I’m going to be late to pick up my dad.” She stared at me impatiently. Probably seconds away from tapping her foot.
“Where is he, at dance lessons or something?”
Hurt flickered across her face, just long enough to make me wonder if that’s actually where he was. “Look, I didn’t mean to be rude. I just... Can I have your number?” I stepped out of the way just to prove I wasn’t a complete jerk.
She took the opportunity to get in her car. “Where will you be later?”
“The football game.”
“See you then.” Then she drove away.
I watched her car retreat, surprised April said she was coming to the game.
And as I made my way to my own car, a foreign feeling settled over my stomach. Something close to stomach upset, but not quite.
What the heck was going on with me? I had a game to play tonight and no time for whatever weird feeling this was.
I got into my car and dialed my older sister’s number, letting the ringing sound from the speakers fill my car.
“I was just about to call you!” Des answered.
Backing out of the parking lot, I replied, “You were?”
