Page 53 of Before We're More Than Friends
It was official—the world was against me.
CHAPTER 14
Raina
Dallas gave me a tight smile, like I was the one who wasn’t supposed to be here, as I sat next to him. “Hey.”
“From how hard you’re gritting your teeth, I’m guessing you’re tired of seeing me.” I shook my head. “I hope this won’t affect our chemistry.”
He snorted. “Well, it might. It’s my worst subject.”
“Which type?”
His cheeks were already flushing.Classic. “Both.”
“Me too.” The only thing I’d liked about my chemistry class was that I was the only student who didn’t have a lab partner. The seating was done in alphabet order at the beginning of the year, sticking me with Jesse Watson, who switched classes at the beginning of the school year. I wondered if it had to do with my anxiety during labs, but then again, he was known for being absent for a quarter of the required school days and still passing every class.
Wished that could be me. Especially on the day when we might discover my dad’s fate.
“Today’s my first day.” Dallas stared at the moldy ceilingtiles above us, ones covered in wet stains that no one bothered to do anything about. It wouldn’t be long before the whole thing collapsed on us. “Hayden welcomed me by making me eat by the dumpsters.”
“Please, I knew he’d do something like that,” I said with a giggle. “It’s like their second habitat. That and the café we go to.”
Dallas laughed. “I’d prefer the café.”
“Good afternoon, everyone.” Mrs. Bennett, our teacher who was obsessed with makeup and scientific theories, clasped her hands together, the way teachers liked to do for some reason. “We have a new student with us. Dallas, raise your hand.”
Dallas’s blush deepened as he raised his hand. “Hello.”
The class muttered hellos and waved, but they didn’t seem to be much interested in the new face in the room. Hayden and Arielle waved from the table next to us.
“I honestly hate that some teachers still feel the need to introduce the class to new students in high school,” I whispered to Dallas. “It’s embarrassing.”
“It’s the fifth time today,” Dallas whispered back. “I assume it’ll be the same for the next three periods.”
After attendance, Mrs. Bennett started the lesson for the day. I tried my best to focus, but my mind kept falling back to my dad. Not to mention that having Dallas breathing next to me waswaytoo distracting. His presence was always so dominant, even in a room full of people.
Can my brain not be broken for one day?
Mrs. Bennett pulled up a PowerPoint. While I jotted down the notes off the first slide, an elbow hit mine, sending pain up my arm.
Gosh, and he’s left-handed?
“Sorry.” Dallas laughed.
“It’s fine.” I continued writingdown my notes, but the bony elbow hit me again, this time knocking the pencil out of my hand.
This was going to be an issue.
“Sorry,” Dallas repeated. “I’m known for bumping others’ elbows in my family.”
“I see.” I sighed and grabbed my pencil from the floor.
“Maybe this will help.” He scooted over to the other side of the table.
“Thanks.”
Mrs. Bennett moved to the next slide, and we continued jotting down notes in quiet.
