Chapter Four: All Eyes On

NO WAY IN HELL!
WHAT THE FUCK!
YOU GOT TO BE KIDDING ME!

These were the thoughts that ran through Bonnie's mind right now, or at least the more child-friendly ones. No way in hell was this really happening. How could life be so unfair? What did she do to deserve something like this? What went wrong that in the past weeks she got sucked into so much drama?

She was sitting in history class and was staring, yes staring, at Ms. Gibbens. She had just announced the kind of assignment they would have to do this term. It was going to be a presentation about a special battle of the Second World War. It would be 50% of the mark they would get, so they should all put their best effort into it. Everybody had to do it, no exception. Ms. Gibbens had discussed the assignment with Mr. Bright and the two had agreed that they would grand the students one partner in this. But there was a catch. They wouldn't be able to decide who their partner would be but Ms. Gibbens would match the two students she thought most fitting to do it together. And after that she would read the list of the partner she found suitable.

Up until that point Bonnie had only felt bugged but right now she was furious. When Ms. Gibbens reach Bonnie's name on the list she looked Bonnie directly in the eyes and told her, with all sincerity that her partner for this important assignment was going to be Kai Parker. She couldn't believe her luck these days.

Kai hadn't even been there to hear the good news. Bonnie could imagine the way he would have turned around to look at her with his smug little face and wave at her like a ten year old would do. God, she hated even the imagination of him.

Ms. Gibbens must have been kidding. Bonnie had just finished a presentation that was meant to be done by three people and she had to prepare it on her own. Turned out the presentation itself was good, which was basically all because of Bonnie, but she had spent so much time with this that she wasn't looking forward to do that again anytime soon. But that is how it's going to be because Kai wasn't really known for his contribution in group works. Plus, with her luck he wouldn't even turn up before the presentation was due and wouldn't even know about this assignment.

And Bonnie had been looking forward to spend some time with Caroline and Elena and of course Jeremy back in Virginia. 'Thanks, Ms. Gibbens.' Bonnie thought angrily and promised herself to buy a voodoo doll and try it out with Ms. Gibbens face.

She had already moved on with the topic of the day. Bonnie didn't listen to anything she was saying and was surprised when two students got up to go fetch the old TV from the media room down the hall. Apparently Ms. Gibbens wanted to give them a little impression about the Second World War and wanted to show Schindler's List to them. Great, Bonnie had seen this one already. So she could use the whole hour to imagine diverse way of making Ms. Gibbens suffer for this.

Bonnie was surprised about her own reaction to this news. Of course this hadn't been the ideal way to go down but Kai was actually really smart and if she could get him to contribute she might actually have a competent partner for once. But the prospect of spending time with him made that advantage look like horse poop.

While the class was waiting for the TV to roll in the door was opened and someone else entered the class. He was wearing tight black jeans that were rolled up on its ends so that his black boots would be shown and a light blue shirt combined with a dark hoodie. His eyes were hidden by a Ray Ban Sunglass, even though the January sun wasn't as strong for it to have any use. He was holding his jacket loosely over his right shoulder and headed straight to a free seat without a word of exculpation.

"Oh, it is so nice of you to join us today, Mr. Parker." Ms. Gibbens said sarcastically.

"My pleasure." He responded arrogantly. He was sitting two rows and three seats away from Bonnie and was putting his sunglasses way when he answered Ms. Gibbens.

"Care about enlighten me on the reason of your delay, Mr. Parker?" Bonnie could tell she was being annoyed by Kai already.

"Not really, no. Just be happy that I actually made it today, Ms. Gibbens." His voice was sweet like chocolate but his words were just as mocking as always. Ms. Gibbens was about to explode as the two students came back with the TV. She just gave Kai an angry look and focused on giving us the task for watching the film. Bonnie watched Kai relax in his seat. She could see that he looked confident.

He then turned his head and found Bonnie's eyes directly. Like he had known exactly where she had been in the room. Bonnie was embarrassed that he had caught her staring at him so she quickly looked down on her paper. She felt his gaze on her for as long as Ms. Gibbens was talking. When she started the film he finally focused his attention somewhere else. Bonnie sighed from relief.

During the whole film, or the parts that Ms. Gibbens had chosen for them, she didn't focus on the film or the task. She was watching Kai this whole time and imagined how in the world she was going to tell him they had to do the assignment together and she expected cooperation and work from him because she was not going to get a bad mark on this.

While she was watching Kai she realized that he wasn't paying much attention either. Not that that was unusual but she had never paid so much attention to his actions before.

He lost his interest very fast, after only 5 minutes of the film he was staring outside the window and playing with his pen. 20 minutes into the film he had started to write something on his paper but Bonnie was 100% positive that it had nothing to do with the task Ms. Gibbens had given them. Bonnie realized she had to pay at least a little attention to the film and started to write down a few things she caught from the scene that was just playing. She startled a little when Monica Blanc nudged her inconspicuously. She was handing her a folded paper. Bonnie took it and saw her name up on the front.

She opened the paper just to close it back up immediately. So this was what Kai had been focusing on. A letter to her. She reopened it and read the few lines he had written in a very clear handwriting.

'Hey BonBon,
haven't seen you around much. Mostly because I wasn't around. How did you presentation go? And don't you think you should focus your attention more on the film than on me? I know I am way more interesting but I figured I don't want to be responsible of screwing up somebody else's education.
Kai'

Bonnie looked up from the letter only to see that Kai was watching her. He was triumphantly grinning like he had just found out a secret about her. She only glared at him and tore the paper in half. He made a mock-disappointed face and he put his right hand to his chest to show Bonnie how much she had hurt him with that gesture.

Bonnie was annoyed and tried to not look at him for the rest of the lesson. She couldn't focus on the film thought, but she didn't care.

5 minutes before the end of the lesson Ms. Gibbens stopped the film and asked two students to get the TV back into the media room. Because everybody was already packing their things and no volunteer was signaling his or her willingness Ms. Gibbens asked Monica and Bonnie to get the TV back. Bonnie sighted. She packed her things and went to the front desk to get Ms. Gibbens keys.

Everyone else was already leaving as Ms. Gibbens reminded them to find a topic for their presentations and then she focused her attention on Kai once more and asked him to stay a while longer after everyone was out. Bonnie took Ms. Gibbens keys and hurried to the TV. She didn't want to have another encounter with Kai. And now that Ms. Gibbens was talking to him she might also tell him the good news about his new partner.

"So who was this letter from?" Monica asked Bonnie when they reached the media room and Bonnie tried to open it with Ms. Gibbens keys. She hoped to give Monica the keys after that so she wouldn't need to get back there.

"Rosline, she only wanted to congratulate me on my new partner for the assignment." Bonnie lied because she wasn't going to admit that Kai had written her a letter. She wasn't going to start a rumor about that.

Monica looked convinced what made Bonnie realize she had gotten quiet good at lying. The two girls pushed the TV back inside the room and Bonnie wanted to ask Monica, if she could get the keys back to Ms. Gibbens. But Monica was about to ask Bonnie the same question. She had to write an English test in the next class and she really wanted to use the time left to get over her notes once more.

Bonnie was just too good for this world. She didn't have another reason not to go back to Ms. Gibbens class then not wanting to see Kai again. But she was going to have to meet him sooner than later and she nodded to Monica and wished her good luck. On her way back to the classroom she was trying not to over think whatever she was going to experience. She had hoped the door would still be closed but it was wide open. Everyone was already at the cafeteria or someplace else so the corridor was empty and silent and Bonnie could hear Ms. Gibbens annoyed but calm voice.

So he was still with her, hearing another lecture about his behavior Bonnie knew wasn't going to have any effect on him. She breathed in and out once more and stepped into the room.

"I was informed by Mr. Bright about the way your amorous adventured were going to be handled from now on, so be aware that this kind of behavior will not be tolerated in my class any longer. Understood?" Ms. Gibbens was leaning onto her desk and watching Kai closely, who was sitting on one of the front row tables with crossed legs. He looked pretty amused even though this conversation couldn't have been pleasant for him. He has to be very jaded already.

He didn't say anything but looked up to Bonnie standing in the doorway. Ms. Gibbens followed his gaze and saw her too.

"Ah, good that you are here, Ms. Bennet. Come in, please." She said.

God, was this going to turn out to be a lecture for her, too? Bonnie went to her and handed her the keys. Ms. Gibbens gestured for her to take a seat and Bonnie stood in front of her with a little distance to Kai.

"So, as you already know you are going to be partners in this assignment. I already told Mr. Parker that I expect him to contribute to the presentation and that I will ask you Ms. Bennet to give me a full report on his workload afterwards."

Bonnie was a little surprised by Ms. Gibbens words. So her teacher did know that having Kai as a partner was more of a disadvantage rather than a help.

"Oookay." Was all Bonnie had to say to that. She realized Kai was watching her with his usual smirk on his face. He looked back at Ms. Gibbens as she started to address him again.

"I am going to admit it was not my idea putting you two together in this project. Even though I know Ms. Bennet can handle it, it was Mr. Bright who advised me to match you two together."

Kai was bristling with annoyance and contempt. Ms. Gibbens ignored him and kept on with her speech.

"This is nowhere near being an experiment or a punishment for you, Ms. Bennet. It is just the consequence of Mr. Parkers actions and the announced measures that the college will be taking now."

Bonnie didn't understand, but Kai seemed to understand and he didn't seem to believe what he just heard.

"You got to be kidding me. This is the master plan? The horrible consequences Mr. Bright was talking about? I think I have to laugh. How is this punishing me? I have to do an assignment with someone, an assignment everyone in the class has to do. Wooooh! Good move." Kai was clearly not convinced by the purpose of his punishment.

"You are mistaken, Mr. Parker. It is not the assignment that is your "punishment" but the consultation with Ms. Bennet about your contribution and cooperation. We knew you can do the assignment easily but we are trying to focus on the way you are actually working with people. Maybe you are going to realize the importance of participation when someone else is involved. So know that the grade you get out of this will be highly linked to Ms. Bennet's assessment."

"Oh, really? Is that how the American school system is working nowadays, hm?" Kai was now looking to the ground. This posture had nothing to do with bashfulness but solely with calming himself down. Bonnie knew Kai must be furious. And she could actually understand. She would be too.

"Try to see this as our way of teaching you the important things in school and in life. Don't worry Ms. Bennet, I know you will do a good presentation but I will also have in mind what kind of situation you are in." She addressed the last part to Bonnie only and indicated to them both that the conversation was over.

Kai looked back at her angrily and stood up from the table he had been sitting on.
"Nice method but I doubt it will change anything." He stated when he passed by Ms. Gibbens desk and sounded anything but impressed or insecure about any of this. Bonnie on the other hand felt exactly like that.

As Kai walked passed her he grabbed her by the arm and dragged her outside of Ms. Gibbens office with Bonnie being very surprised by his sudden need to include her into his actions.

They walked a few feet in silence, Kai not letting go of her arm. With every step they took she saw him calm down a little more. He then stopped as they reached the already filled cafeteria and let go of her. Bonnie was now standing in the foot line right before Kai. She didn't dare look at Kai directly. She was afraid of what he was going to do next to make her feel uncomfortable. But she couldn't escape him either. She looked around to see if there was anyone near she could give a sign to help her out of this situation but she saw all her friends sitting at a table in the back of the cafeteria. So there was no help in sight.

"So how did your presentation go?" Kai got through Bonnie's thick thoughts. She was surprised at his calmness and the random topic he had addressed.

"Good, I guess." Bonnie said hesitantly.

"You guess? Haven't you been there?" He was mocking her now.

"Of course I was. I was a good presentation but why do you even bother? It is none of your business."

"Might not be, but my sister had told me about your encounter and she mentioned your presentation. Was that the one you had to leave your baby boo for earlier this month?" He didn't sound mocking or arrogant. He sounded more like he really wanted to know.

Bonnie got herself a salad, the only thing in here that wasn't fried, and a soda and put it on her tray. She watched Kai take an apple and some fries and they went on in the line. She was unsettled by the thought of being a topic in a conversation between the two Parker twins. She imagined how her name randomly popped up in a conversation but couldn't quiet picture it. It was too weird.

"Yes, as it happens that was the one." Bonnie stated.

"Ah, what exactly was it about?"

Bonnie looked at Kai with a confused look. What was all that Smalltalk about?

"What? I am just trying to make conversation." Kai stated. Funny enough Bonnie didn't actually mind that at all. This was the first real conversation she had had with Kai. The first one where he wasn't mocking her and expressed anything close to real maturity. If he kept that up, working with him might not turn out to be too bad.

"It was about photosynthesis." She replied.

"Hm, interesting. Can't imagine all the fun you must have had preparing this." He said ironically.

"Yah, not exactly. Biology isn't exactly my strong suit. It was pretty annoying doing all of the work by myself."

"Why, I thought you said it was a group project? Where were your team mates?"

"Well… I gave them other tasks. They have more talent with the visual stuff." Bonnie was trying to describe the situation as nice as she could without making Dave and Lianne look like idiots.

"Ah, I know what you mean!" He grabbed a fork and went around Bonnie with his tray in one hand and made his way to the tables. Bonnie followed him out of the line and hoped he would leave her alone now. She thought he was going to sit with his friends in the opposite direction as she was going to head to sit with hers. Because she thought it was rude to just leave him here without saying a word she turned around to him.

But once more she underestimated Kai Parkers craftiness, because he was not prepared to let her go just yet. He headed to a free table in the middle of the cafeteria. Normally the drama club would sit here because it is the table with the most spotlight, but because of some performance of some very fancy drama group somewhere up north the whole club got an exoneration from the school day today. Because no other group at the school actually wanted this much attention the table was still empty even though most of the students were already inside the cafeteria. And now Kai was gesturing her to take a seat at said table.

He was good, she had to admit that. He knew exactly how to make her feel uncomfortable and he knew exactly that she wasn't going to leave him sitting there alone because she was not the kind of person to embarrass people like that. So she headed to the table, very aware of the fact that the whole school was going to notice with whom she was going to have her lunch today.

As she sat down she could feel all the eyes in the room slowly turn to her and Kai and she imagined that right about now the whispers were about to start. She felt really uncomfortable and she looked at Kai only to see that this whole scene didn't affect him at all. Maybe he wasn't even trying to make her feel uncomfortable; he just simply didn't know that she would be affected by this situation.

"So what is the plan for the history assignment, any ideas?" He kept his chit-chat voice in place.

Bonnie looked around her and realized that more and more people were watching the two and she wanted to creep somewhere under the table. When she looked back at Kai she realized she still had to answer his question.

"Ehm, I don't know I am not exactly an expert on battles of the Second World War, are you?" she finally managed to say.

"Hm, wouldn't say I am an expert but I can think of one or two." He was biting his apple.

"So you are actually willing to help me on this?" Bonnie asked disbelieving.

"Please, Bonnie. What do you think of me? I might not have the best track record when it comes to attendance but I always pass my exams and assignments, so be sure that you are not going to do everything by yourself." He smiled at her and Bonnie wasn't sure if it was an honest one or a contemptuous one. She didn't believe him completely. She would have to actually see him work on this to believe it and even then she might think she was dreaming.

"Alright, then what are your ideas?" Bonnie decided to give him the benefit of the doubt.

"What about the battle of Stalingrad? Not a nice topic but I guess the Second World War is not going to offer any pretty stories."

"Stalingrad it is then." She didn't want him to think that she was afraid of gruesome battles. She didn't care what battle they took, there wasn't going to be any pleasure in this project anyways.

Kai smiled at her again and she could swear this smile was honest this time.

"Can you promise me something?" Bonnie asked after a short silent period where they both ate their meals.

"Depends." Kai didn't lift his gaze from his fries as he replied.

"Can try not to be too much of a pain in the ass and actually be helpful on this?" Bonnie put in all her sincerity she could raise. She didn't know why but she had the feeling if she made clear that she was serious about this project he would get it and he would actually do what she asked of him. She didn't know why but she just knew if she asked him he wasn't going to be any problem. Not because of the special attention he was under, she knew he gave a crap about that, but because she asked him.

Kai looked up and there was nothing mocking in his eyes or voice as he said "I promise."

Bonnie gave him a shy smile. She was content. She was going to be able to work with him.

After a while of random small talk the lunch break was nearly over. Everybody around them rose and got their trays back. Bonnie realized the looks the others were giving them and she started to feel uncomfortable again.

Kai eyed her intently then he got up himself.
"You know if you keep on relying on everyone's opinion about you, you're never going to get out of that shell of yours. That's not going to make you happy. Just give a fuck about what the other think and your life is going to be way easier." He was now watching down on her with just a splash of mockery and Bonnie knew that he had chosen this table on purpose, to make her feel uncomfortable and all she had been so sure of about the way she was going to work with him, was now becoming a variable again. She was glaring up at him and he realized she had seen through his intention. He was laughing now.

Bonnie got up and went to put her tray back and she felt him follow her.

"Oh, come on Bonster, you have to admit I am right. This was just to help you feel more secure." He still sounded like he had to fight back a giggle.

She kept ignoring him for the rest of the way to her locker, where he was following her to also. He had linked his arm with hers so she couldn't escape him and was babbling about this and that but Bonnie didn't listen.

But he regained her attention when he suddenly let go of her and stopped in the middle of the hallway, only to grab some other girls arm. Bonnie was annoyed and wanted to keep going when she saw who he had grabbed. It was Jo. She was with two friends and they were headed in the direction of the entrance.

"Where are you girls off to?" he asked with a charming voice and Jo's friends started to giggle. But Bonnie realized his intense look he had stuck on his twin sister. She couldn't help but notice once more how alike they looked. Dark hair, hers long and straightened, his short and tousled. Same cheeks, hers a little more rosy due to her makeup and the same blue/grey eyes, only hers were filled with a lot more warmth than his.

"The gym!" One of Jo's friends said giggling. "We have to get ready in summer shape, right ladies?"

The other friend giggled too but Jo only smiled lightly.

Kai's gaze was still stuck on his sister. His eyes were unreadable but Jo looked right back in them. It was a weird scene to witness. Jo's friends didn't notice the intensity of the conversation the twins were apparently having with their eyes, talking about something that only the two of them knew about, because they were busy laughing their asses off. But Bonnie saw it. The connection the two had, a connection only twins could have and she was fascinated by it. She didn't have any siblings so she wouldn't know how it must feel like, but that was also the reason she was fascinated by what was happening in front of her.

After a few more seconds their eye conversation was over, Kai let go of Jo's arm and stepped away from her just a little bit. He still looked at her but his expression was now angrier. Bonnie didn't know what caused this change in him.

"Care to join us, superman?" Jo's friend asked Kai. He was not letting his sister out of his sight when he replied something about his next class and taking a rain check. The two girls giggle again and Jo gave them an annoyed look.

"When are you done today?" he asked Jo.

"Three." Was her short response.

"Good. I'll wait for you in the parking lot. Don't be late!" He was pointing a finger at her and was now starting to walk away from the trio. The girls almost sang their goodbyes and Kai turned around again to walk in the opposite direction.

"Wow, they couldn't make it more obvious that they are into you!" Bonnie caught up to Kai again.

"Whatever." He said coldly. He was pissed about something Bonnie could tell and she was sure it had something to do with Jo.

"What's wrong with you? You've been so cheerful a second ago and now you barely look at me." She didn't know why it bothered her.

"Doesn't matter, Bonnie. You should get to your class." He stopped in front of her locker and was about to leave her on her own but Bonnie grabbed his elbow and tired to turn him around to her. A somewhat weird gesture for someone she barely knew or liked. But she felt the need to make him feel better.

"Hey, what is that all about, hem? Are you alright?" She asked him with serious concern.

He was confused by that, she could see it in his eyes. He was watching Bonnie's hand on his elbow and then looked into her face. Bonnie let go of him because she didn't know if she might have overstepped a boundary.

"I'm good. I just… I have to get going." He stated emotionless and turned around. Bonnie watched him until she lost him in the crowd. She was confused now herself. Just this morning she could have punched someone for having to do the assignment with Kai but right now she kind of felt bad for him. She shook her head to get it back into reality. She went to her locker and got her stuff for the next class. On her way to the room she thought about Kai and how she was probably never going to figure him out.

Author's note: For the lack of Bonkai in the last chapter I am now giving you this one. Up until now I am still building the story and the characters. The story progresses from day to day, if not on paper than in my head. I really hope you like it, I kind of feel more attached to this story already. Please leave a comment. I would love to hear your opinions. Until next time, LiLaAir.