Broken

• Chapter 28 •

"Why is everyone standing outside the classroom?"

Aya looks back at me and shrugs. "We're having inspections soon. So teachers usually give us new seating charts so we don't talk to friends I guess," she explains.

"Does it last all year round?" the thought of being seated next to one of the jock meatheads that make stupid fuckboy jokes and think tipping their chair to piss off teachers is funny makes me want to shoot myself.

"Usually. But most don't care if you move around after inspections."

I nod, sighing in relief. I don't even know who I'm going to be seated next to and I'm already dreading it. Great attitude to have, huh?

"Alrighty, y'all. Ima call y'all one by one and you're gon sit where I tell you to. Okay? Good," Ms. Shanice speaks up from the other end of the hallway.

Everyone grows quiet and turns their attention to her while she looks over her clipboard and clears her throat. "Dustin and Arin, seat yourselves at a desk please," she says.

Arin and Dustin make their way into the class and high five for being able to choose where they sit. Ms. Shanice sighs and frowns, rethinking her decision of seating them together. Name by name, people get seated with people. My name still hasn't been called.

"Clementine and Ashton."

My blood freezes over, seriously? I wasn't expecting that. The thought of being seated next to Ashton brings a wave of horror over me. I'd rather be seated next to a meathead.

I calm my breathing as I make my way into the classroom and pick a desk near a window, at least he isn't here. Well, he's almost never here. Which means I can watch weird YouTube videos in class without getting judged by the person next to me! The thought brings a smile to my face.

___________________

"Alright, now that everybody is seated, y'all gonna start projects for me today. The person sitting next to you will be the person you will be sitting next to for the rest of the year. Yes, people. No changing around unless I say so," Ms. Shanice narrows her eyes at a couple in class who are inseparable, low-key shading them.

I don't have a problem with that since he won't be here most of the time.

"They will also be your partner for this project, which is fifty percent of your overall grade for this semester. Please do not take it lightly, I need even collaboration from both partners."

On second thought.

I look to my right at the empty seat beside me. Great. Maybe him not showing up is a bad thing. Now I'm going to fail this class because of his shitty attendance. My mind wanders to the test we had last week, we're supposed to get our results back today. Does he even have a work ethic?

Considering his attendance, I doubt he has good grades. What if he expects me to let him copy my work or some shit? Ah, fuck. I need a new seat, this won't do. I will not fail this class because of him. Maybe I can work on the project alone—

"Ashton. So glad you could join us."

My head snaps to the front of the class and I am sucked out of my panicked state. Huh, he's... Here.

Oh, shit. He's here.