Chapter 11 - Last-Minute Partners
Seto let out a sigh as he sat down in his seat in the back of the classroom. The sun was shining in, and a few kids were filing in and taking their seats as well. The teacher, Mrs. Asula, was seating in her seat in the front of the classroom, looking through a few papers. Her long black hair was pulled back in a ponytail, and she was wearing thick glasses and exotic earrings to match her green and red t-shirt and black skirt. Some teachers found her attire inappropriate, but none of the students seemed to mind.
Seto covered his mouth to hide the smile as the demon walked up behind the teacher and looked around the classroom. It was the first time Abraxas had come to school with Seto; he usually stayed home to either travel Domino on his own or stay and meander through Seto's mansion. He then walked over to the air conditioning unit, sitting down and staring outside with a look of curiosity and awe coming from its eye. "He looks so overwhelmed," Seto noted as he watched. "There really must be less to nothing when it comes to life in his realm, like he says. He's looking up at the sky likes it's the most beautiful thing he's ever seen. Something we take for granted...he's never even seen." Seto looked up at the teacher as the bell rang and let out another sigh. "At least it keeps him from talking to me the entire class period. I hate having to look around for a place like a fugitive just to answer his stupid questions."
"Alright, class, the bell rang already," Mrs. Asula reminded her students as she stood up and grabbed a sheet of paper. "That means assignments out and mouths are closed." Seto took out his assignment and placed it on his desk, staring up at the demon. At least he was sitting near the window; it made Seto look as though he was merely looking out the window, which he often did during boring sessions anyway. The teacher passed his desk and marked it down on her paper before continuing around the class.
"I wonder what his realm is really like, though..." Seto thought. He held a chuckle back as Abraxas quickly watched a small bird fly by. "He says that he lives in some holy forest, but his scene sounded a little less than holy. Of course, something holy to a demon and something holy to a human are two different things, I'm sure. But how bored was he that he decided to spend the rest of my lifetime here on Earth? It's not like I'm 60. What was he–"
"No homework again, Gardner?" Mrs. Asula asked, interrupting his thoughts. Looking over, Seto saw Tea staring at her blank paper with a tired stare. The teacher marked it down on her paper before shaking her head. "Good thing we're introducing a new project to bring your grade up with. Let's just hope your partner helps you out."
"Yeah...I guess so," was all Tea said, shaking Seto slightly. Her voice had been meek on the phone, but Seto just figured it was bad reception from her phone. He watched the teacher place the paper on her desk before turning around to face the class.
"Now, as you know, you'll be switching classes soon to other language courses," Mrs. Asula said. "Which means I have time to give you one more project before you change classes." A few students groaned in response, but she ignored it with a wide smile. "I promise it will be a fun project, guys. You all need to have better attitudes about certain things." Seto, along with a few new students, groaned at her response. Her saying it was fun meant that it would be the most boring thing in his life.
"Now, I'll pass out rubrics soon, but I want to explain it first," Mrs. Asula continued. "Each of you will receive a partner of my choosing. You and your partner must come up with something the two of you have in common and write a ten-page report on that trait. It may be something simple like hair color or something complex like musical interests or hobbies. To go with this project, a trip to your partner's house is required. You will include this visit in your report. I don't expect you spending the night, but I want you to see the person's lifestyle for at least several hours and write how this may or may not affect the trait you two share. I'll pass out rubrics now and take any questions."
Seto heard a cackle and glared over at the demon. "Even he understands my predicament," Seto thought bitterly as he faced the front of the class. Mrs. Asula was beginning to pass out rubrics, and Seto snatched his and glared at it. "Great. I have to invite one of these fuck-tards into my house. What am I supposed to have in common with these losers? This is just fucken great...and Abraxas will be loving every minute of it." If there was one thing he had learned, when a human was suffering, the demon seemed to enjoy it. Seto knew he was going to miserable during this project... "...which means he'll be taking notes on human behavior..."
"Now, are there any questions to this project?" Mrs. Asula. When no one raised her hand, she added, "Okay then. I've already picked out partners based on performance in class. I think it's necessary to step over boundaries at times, and I think putting classmates together who aren't used to it is necessary. Once I call out you and your partner's name, feel free to move around, as we will be working on this the rest of the period." Picking up her list, she began to read off the names. "Josh, you will be with Sali. Reagen, you are paired up with Lily. Seto...hmm..."
This caught Seto's interest, of course. Everyone watched eagerly as she took a pencil and quickly erased several names, changing their order, before picking them back up. "I was going to have you paired up with Terrin, but I think this will be better for the both of you. Seto, you'll be paired with Tea."
The class seemed to hold its breath as Seto looked from the teacher to Tea, then back again. "I'm paired...with the fucken cheerleader?" he thought. Sure enough, he watched her pick her things up and head over to the desk beside him. Putting his head in his hands, he thought, "Dear God, shoot me now." Mrs. Asula continued to read the names off the list, but all Seto could do was think about how he was going to handle dealing with this girl for a week. "Talking about having nothing in common...Jesus Christ..."
"You know, I think there's a saying for this," Abraxas commented. "Gtud nayl ujaemf, raqyl ujaemf. 'What goes around, comes around.'"
Seto glared at him quickly before returning his attention to Tea. Her eyes were closed shut, and her head was leaning on her hand and supported by her elbow. She looked dead tired. He went to say something when she turned to look at him and asked, "When are we doing the visits?"
"If we do the visits..." Seto commented sarcastically.
"Can you come over tonight?" she asked. Seto looked over and saw her begging with her eyes.
"What, so now I have to put my schedule around yours? I don't think so. You know how busy I am with the company and my other endeavors. I'm not changing my schedule around just to visit you."
"Please...Seto, please," she said, her voice even quieter than it had been just ten minutes ago when she answered the teacher. "I need the grade, and it's not a good idea to come over for the rest of the week. Tonight's the only good night available for me."
"Why? You have friendship speech classes or something?" When no answer came back, he turned back to face her and was surprised at what he saw. Tears were forming on the edge of her eyes, and she was slowly shaking her head no. "What the...where the hell did this come from? I've never seen her like this. What's going on with her?"
"No, not that. Just...some things are going on right now at home. The rest of the week just isn't good."
Letting out a sigh, Seto realized that he needed the grade as well. It wasn't that he was failing; he had an A . But looking down at the rubric, this project could cost him that good grade, and he couldn't afford it when they were about to change courses. "Fine. Tonight."
"Thank you...very much. Meet me outside after school, and we can head over to my house." Chuckling, she picked up her rubric and said, "Maybe we can find something we have in common besides having brown hair."
"Highly doubtful," he said before looking over at the demon, who was laughing at the situation. "Shit, that means that he'll be following me when I go to her house. This just gets better and better..."
Hearing the bell ring, he went to pick up her things and stood up, the demon getting off the air conditioning unit. He watched as Tea also picked up her things and nearly jogged out of the class, wiping her face away as if tears were there. They probably were. "Jesus...more drama...but something's not right." Seto shook his head and thought, "I don't know why, but something's just not right with her."
