The Kings IV II

31

Henry

"Look."

I looked up from my paper, seeing Hero sitting on the edge of my table.

"My soccer reel just got posted," he boasted, smiling down at me, "and yours should be up today."

He held out his phone, making me grab it and press play. My mind was most certainly not on Hero's soccer reel, though.

"That goal's going down in history, mark my words," he proudly said, chewing on his bottom lip.

The video ended after a few more minutes of me spacing out, making me plaster on a smile and look up at him. "Looks sick, dude."

"Right?" He asked, slipping his phone into his pocket, "yours is gonna be amazing, I already know it."

I smiled an uncomfortable smile, looking at the door.

"Waiting on Cordelia's smart ass to walk in here?" He deadpanned.

I shook my head.

"Oh, Zach. Never mind. I'm sorry you're stuck with him, man."

I leaned back in my chair and raked my hands through my hair, closing my eyes. "Yeah."

He patted my shoulder, smiling down at me. "Soldier through it."

When I opened my eyes, I saw Zach standing in the doorway, waiting to get in. My eyes went wide and I sat upright, awkwardly placing my chin in my hand.

What the fuck are you doing?

I leaned back in my seat, chewing on my bottom lip. Everything would be awkward, I thought.

"Finished the packet," Zach said, dropping it on the table as soon as he made it to me.

I looked up at him, folding my arms over my chest.

"It really wasn't that bad," he said, "like, five questions I had to redo."

I nodded, watching as he shrugged out of his backpack and jacket. I widened my eyes and looked away from him, letting out a breath.

"It's hot in here," I said, looking back at Mrs. Thompson.

"It's got to be, sorry," she said, "can't have it below a certain number."

I leaned my head back, flexing my jaw.

Zach looked over at me as he placed his books on the table, trailing his eyes halfway down me before darting them back up to my eyes.

Henry King doesn't get nervous.

"Fun news, guys," Mrs. Thompson said, "we're absorbing the other science class today. Fun little project, if you will. And you guys can switch partners today, and only today."

Josie was in the other science class, which made me frown. The whole class piled into the room, making Josie sprint over to Hero.

"I call Hero!" She yelled, sitting on the edge of his table.

"Hi, babe."

I looked up at the voice, lifting an eyebrow at the girl standing at our table.

"Hey," Zach greeted, standing up to press a quick kiss to her lips.

My jaw seemed to unhinge- Zach had a girlfriend?

"Can I sit here?" She asked, smiling down at me.

"Y-yeah," I said, standing up quickly, "for sure."

I looked down at him as I gathered my books, making him sigh and look up at me.