It was going to be a long day indeed.
First of all, gossip definitely reached everyone before lunchtime! Therefore people stared at her with cold eyes and cold hearts as she entered the classroom. Science was the first lesson on her schedule. This was the only lesson where she and Naveen share the same class. He stared at her with a smirk on his face which she can tell he's teasing her. She hated that good for nothing rich boy who thinks he's better than everyone.
To make things even better, the teacher paired her up with Naveen in a project. Naveen, because the partner he chose apparently, is part of his (trouble making) gang. Trouble plus trouble is nothing but trouble. The teacher must have thought it would be a good idea to pair a goody-goody with mischief. She cursed under her breath.
Naveen wasn't happy with the arrangements either. " But sir, she's a stuck in the mud or rut or whatever. I might die of boredom if I work with her" Naveen's statement made the entire class laugh. Tiana not bothered at all. She's heard all these comments before, she didn't let it get to her. Her one goal was to pass, and get out of this prison.
"At least she'll die successful ." The teacher snapped back.
"Burn!" one of his classmates shouted.
"Yeah, whatever." Naveen said with embarrassment in his voice, walking towards Tiana.
She rolled her eyes.
The moment Naveen reached her table he blurted out ," I will do 25% of the work and you do 75%, deal? I actually have a life to tend to." with seriousness in his voice making a statement rather than a question.
"Hold up there. I ain't doing all the work. It'll be a 50/50, and if you don't work with me in this so called "group" project, I'll make sure that face of yours won't attract any more of your female "friends".
" oohh, a feisty one aren't you? You think my face is attractive?" Naveen asks, smirking and wiggling his eyebrows.
" Oh heck no." as she punches him in the arm. Hard, causing Naveen to shriek in pain.
"Hey! That hurt me and my attractiveness." He says, pouting.
" Please, stop. Meet me in the library after school so we can start on this project. You better turn up or I'll haunt you down."
"Sheesh, okay. Give me your cell number. So I can call you in case I get lost". Naveen grinning his devilish grin once again.
"I bet a big boy like you can figure it out. Nobody's that stupid. Oh wait. I think there is somebody." Tiana gives Naveen a death stare that made him feel about weird inside and yet frightened.
"Haha. Very funny," with a hints of sarcasm in his voice.
"I'm serious, you better be there on time. I have other matters to attend to after school."
Not much people knew about her job at Duke's, except Charlotte, who is a close friend of hers in another school.
More insults, teasing and bullying may come her way if people in her school did find out. It didn't affect her at all. It just seemed annoying because it'll just waste her precious time.
"Fine, Ms. Bossy," as he rolled his eyes at her.
They continued exchanging insults for about 5 minutes. Then they finally exchanged phone numbers.
Little did she know, this would change her point of view in life.
But only time can tell.