Five

The next day dragged on very slowly. During English, I fell asleep while watching a video about - something. I didn’t catch the topic. I doubt anyone noticed though, because the overhead lights were off, so the only light came from the fairy lights strung in between the ceiling panels. 

When the bell rang and I was heading to lunch, Val stopped me. “Hey, Riley. You good? You were asleep in there.”  

I groaned. “I barely slept last night.” 

She smiled and replied, “How about we skip lunch and go pick up coffees instead?” 

I felt like if I declined her offer, I wouldn’t make it to the end of the day. “Yes. Please.” 

When we got to Revive, she parked, walked inside, and not long after, walked back out with two hot coffees.  

She opened the door and handed me one. “Thanks,” I said.  

She smiled and sat in the car. “So.” 

“So?” I repeated. 

“What’d you and Em do at the mall?” 

I shrugged. “Shopped. Grabbed food.” 

“Oh, fun!” Val said. “Did you get anything?” 

I shook my head. “Actually, it was Emma and her friends who were shopping.” 

“Oh,” Val replied. “What friends?” 

“Um...” I hesitated. “Dani-…," 

“Oh, Danuja!” Val said, cutting me off. “I love her! Hate her idiot boyfriend though.” 

I nodded. “He was there too. And Holly.” 

“Holly?” Val questioned, and I nodded. “I don’t know her,” she continued. “Did you have fun, though?”  

I shrugged. “I guess it was alright.” 

 

 

~ 

 

 

We got back to school just in time before the bell rang. Coffee was definitely needed. The last three hours flew by fast and by the last hour of the day, I felt normal again. 

I walked into my last class, Poetry Analysis, and went to sit at my spot in the back of the room. I wasn’t late, but it looked like I would be the last one to enter. I looked up at the chalkboard where two singular words were written on it: Partner Project. Hm. A partner project. 

After the bell rang, Ms. Williams started explaining the project. “Alright class. Now as you know, we’ve been analyzing some great works of poetry recently. Langston Hughes, Oscar Wilde. Even poetry from the 1600s, such as John Donne and Shakespeare.”  

She looked around the room, like she was expecting us to react somehow. When it was clear no one was going to speak up, she continued. “Your job today is to find a partner. Together, you will both choose a poem to analyze. It doesn’t have to be written by someone who we’ve talked about in class. Explain what the poet is trying to say and give your thoughts on the poem and how you relate to it.” 

She looked around the class once more. “Everyone understand?” There were some mumbled yeses and a few nods, but the class stayed primarily silent. She turned towards her desk. “The project is due next Monday.” 

After she had sat down to grade papers, everyone got up from their seats and moved around the room to find a partner. I wasn’t interested in finding a partner. Instead, I opened my book and started reading.  

After not too long, the class grew quieter. People had found their partners and were sitting next to each other, mumbling about the project. I felt someone approach me. I looked up from the book and saw Gideon standing in front of me.  

“Do you-…" He hesitated. “...want to be partners?” 

I continued to stare at him. Finally, I shrugged, “Sure,” and looked back down at my book. He sat at the desk in front of mine and turned around, so he was facing me. I looked back up at him. 

“So... we could work on the project at your house...,” Gideon suggested. 

“Sure.” 

Suddenly, I noticed he had a black eye. This was the first time I’d seen it because Val and I were gone for lunch. The bottom of his left eye was slightly swollen. It was sort of a maroon color, almost the same as my sweatshirt, as if he’d applied eyeshadow and tried to wipe it away with his thumb.  

 

I cleared my throat. “Gideon?”  

“What?” 

“What happened to your eye?” 

“Nothing,” he said quickly.  

I hesitated. Obviously, something happened. There’s no way his eye could bruise all by itself. “Are... you sure? It looks a little purp-…" 

Cutting me off, he said again, “Nothing.” He looked at me with a persistent glare, almost like he was telling me he would get up and leave if I asked him again. So, I didn’t.  

“Do you have any ideas on what poem we should choose?” he asked. 

I shrugged. “Meet me at my house tomorrow at 3.”  

“Why not today?” 

“I’m going bowling tonight.” 

“Oh,” he replied. “Wait, you should let me come.” 

I shrugged. “It’s not up to me. Emma’s taking me with her friends.” 

“She won’t care,” Gideon persuaded. “Remember? She said we’re welcome to come.” 

“Yea, to the mall.” 

Gideon smiled. “I’ll pick you up.” Then he walked back to his seat. 

 

As I was walking out the door after the bell rang, I heard Gideon call after me, “See you later Shakespeare.”  

I didn’t turn around to respond. Instead, I walked out to the car, where Nick was waiting.  

 

“So? How was your day? Did you make any friends today?” Nick asked as I opened the door to sit in the passenger seat. His voice sounded like he cared, but I knew Nick. He was just making fun of me.