I Did Not Leave South Side For This!

Chapter III - Why does my Chemistry Teacher hate me?

Oh fun times. Chemistry with Ms Roberts. God why did I take this class? It was so boring. My mother forced me into it I swear! 'You'll need a science to get into college.' She said. I tried to argue that we did all the sciences anyway. She didn't listen. Ugh! Parents can be so frustrating sometimes. I listened to the teacher drone on about protons and electronic structure - nothing which really interested me. The only thing I was interested in learning about was which chemicals not to mix together so I could blow up something. However the teachers weren't allowed to tell us that because it went against 'health and safety regulations.' This is why I don't enjoy school. It's all these health and safety things that stop you from enjoying life. When my mother was my age there were none of these rules. People went batshit crazy. Now that I actually think about it I can see why the school board toughened up dramatically on health and safety...

I sighed and leaned back in my chair, my thoughts somewhere else. "Miss Brown."

That caught my attention and I suddenly became very alert. "Yes?" I asked innocently.

Ms Robert's eyes zoned in on me and she folded her arms smugly. "What is the word equation for aerobic respiration?"

I raised a eyebrow. This was Chemistry! Why was she testing me on Biology all of the sudden? "Um...It is..." I stumbled, desperately trying to remember the answer to this incredibly simple question. It's always the simple questions that get you, I find. Anyone else agree? No? Just me? Well okay then.

Ms Roberts leaned against her desk, looking very proud with herself to catch a student off guard. She clicked a pen and began to issue a detention. My eyes widened at the detention and I panicked, shouting out the answer. "THE ANSWER IS OXYGEN PLUS GLUCOSE CREATES CARBON DIXIODE, WATER AND ENERGY." Everyone stared at me and I recoiled.

Ms Roberts stopped writing and clicked her pen before putting it down. A annoyed look was plastered on her face as she turned to address me. "Well Miss Brown, it looks like you do know you Biology. It's a good thing you do because we will be swapping to it next semster." There was a groan of protest from the class. Ms Roberts rolled her eyes and clasped her hands. "Now don't groan. If you think that's bad then you're going to hate the project I'm giving you." Another groan, louder this time, erupted from the class. "The topic of the project is the history of the periodic table! I don't care how you present this project, unless it is not appropriate for school." She glared at some dude at the back of the class. I had the uncomfortable feeling something had happened before otherwise she wouldn't of felt the need to say that last part.

She walked over to her desk and picked up a piece of paper. "Now I have assigned you project partners. You cannot change your partners nor bribe me to change them." She sent a dirty look to a girl in my class, she shrank back from embarrassment. Then she began to read out a list of names who I did not know. The only names I recognised were Zach and Doug. I glanced over to Doug and he waved at me. His feet were up on the desk and he obviously didn't give a crap about science. God that guy was cool.

"Jasmin and Tia. You'll be working together on this project." Ms Roberts read out and gave me a warning look.

What was her problem with me, seriously?

I was a little angel.

There was a gentle tap on my shoulder and I turned around in my seat to face the person behind me. It was a girl with short brown hair and strands of pink in her hair. She wore a teal tank top and different wristbands decorated her arms. She leaned forward in her seat, arms on desk. "Hi! I'm Jasmin, your project partner, you can just call me Jay."

Her kind look and friendly grin made me smile. "I'm Tia, it's lovely to meet you."

She smiled at me warmly and nodded. "Oh I know! I've always wanted to get to know you. You seem pretty cool."

I tipped my head to the side inquisitively, trying to figure this girl out. "Thanks."

There was a light cough from the front of the room and I realised that the whole of the room had gone silent. I flushed from the embarrassment of having the teacher call me out for talking again and turned to face the front. "Sorry Miss." She gave me a warning look before addressing the class again. Jess roll her eyes and shot me a amused look from the other side of the classroom.

And that is how the rest of the lesson went. Boring I know, but it was normal. Good old normal. No singing or dancing endured. It was as boring as a Chemistry lesson could get and that made me happy. It was nice to have a period where nobody sang for once. If only the rest of my high school experience was like that. The amount of stress I would lose would be amazing. Seriously, you try being on your guard all the time and getting skittish at any given thing. Not good. I was pretty sure I would end up having a nervous breakdown at some point if people kept singing. So this was nice and calming.

The bell rang, indicating the end of fourth period and lunch. I began to pick up my books and put them in my bag when Jess walked over to me. I glanced up to see her sunny face. I beamed back. "You coming?" She asked and nodded to the door with her head.

I rolled my eyes and stuffed the rest of my belongings in my bag. This had become a routine over the last few weeks. Jess or I would wait for each other at the end of Lit and Chemistry before heading off to the cafeteria to eat with our friends. I was pleased with myself. Over the last few weeks I had managed to befriend most of the newspaper team, Allana and Michael being the only exceptions as they were not in my year. Even Zach had managed to stop being so sore towards me! I now could call them my friends. It was sweet.

I stood up and walked over to Jess. I glanced over my shoulder and saw Jay still tidying up. I shared a look with Jess. She followed my gaze and simply shrugged. I gestured for her to wait. "Jay." I spoke in a soft and curious tone.

My project partner looked up from her desk and grinned friendly at me. "Hello again!" She said in that ever cheerful voice of hers.

"Hey... Do you want to come and eat with us?" I threw Jess a questioning look, she gave a thumbs up to say she was okay with it. "We need to discuss what we are doing for our project afterall." Jay's whole face lit up. I swear to God I have never seen anyone more happy for being offered to eat with some people. Jay nodded vigorously and slung her messenger bag over her shoulder. I half smiled. "Great!" Jay followed me to where Jess was patiently waiting. The three of us exited and headed down the hall towards the food hub. It was the pit of despair's feeding time again.

We reached the hall within couple minutes and were waiting in for our food. Jess grabbed a veggie burger while I had a cone of fries and a egg sandwich. Jay picked the healthy option and went with the soup of the day - carrot. She also grabbed a fruit salad. She only had water when offered a drink, the opposite of my sugary coke.

"What's with all the healthy stuff?" I quizzed as we wandered up the stairs to our spot where we usually ate lunch.

"Hmm?" Jay looked down at her food. "Oh! I'm Vegan." She answered simply.

Jess' eyes widened, she was vegetarian but not vegan. "Wow... That's quite a commitment. I don't think I could ever live without cheese or milk."

I glanced to Jess. "I can't live without meat, how impressed do you think I am?"

My Asian friend rolled her eyes as we sat.

We were greeted with a round of hellos. Doug fist bumped me as I settled down next to him. His dreadlocks game was riding strong. I could feel the epicness of the dreadlocks reflecting on me. I subconsciously ran a hand through my curly brown locks because of it. Damn, I wish he would embarrass me with his utterly fabulous hair.

Jay sat on my other side and was looking uneasy. I was about to devour my fries when I remembered that I had invited Jay to sit with us, therefore it was I whom must introduce her into the group.

I placed the fries down and my stomach grumbled in protest. I shushed it before smiling at my friends. "Everybody, this is Jay." I placed a reassuring hand on Jay's shoulder. "Jay these bunch of weirdos are Louis, Doug but everyone calls him DD, Zach and you've already met Jess."

She gave a warm smile and a friendly wave. "Hi!"

Louis beamed back in reply while Zach gave his usual Zach greeting and grunted. Doug held up his hand for a high five, Jay grinned and high fived Doug. "Wassup, Bluejay?" Doug asked. Jay laughed in response and hit him playfully.

I looked from Jay to Doug in confusion. "Do you guys know each other or something?"

"We know each other from drama club and have a few classes together." Doug explained and chuckled at my face when it paled.

"D...Dr..Drama Club?" I stuttered, checking if I heard correct.

Doug crossed his arms and confirmed my fears. "Oh yeah, we know all about how you didn't show up for the auditions a few weeks ago. Sharpay got pretty pissed, the whole drama group knew about it. She still wants you to audition. She thinks you have real potential." Zach let out a laugh at that last line and Louis shot him a look.

"We're holding auditions again in a few weeks because we are short on seniors for the senior spring musical." Jay piped up quietly.

I rubbed my temples. "Oh god. That's means the blasted Evans pair will be chasing me again! Do I need this extra stress?" I said to no one in particular and threw my hands in the air in a melodramatic fashion. I put my head in my hands and sighed, having lost my appetite all of sudden.

Doug chuckled to himself softly. "Just go, Tia. It will shut the pink demon up."

"He does make a valid point." I heard Jess say.

I sighed irritably and removed my hands from my face. I must of had a extremely sour look on my face for Louis to offer me a big newspaper assignment. "Hey Tia, if it helps our sports' reporter is still on holiday and I need someone to cover to big basketball game coming up next week." A look of astonishment appeared on my face. Louis wanted me to cover the basketball final between the West High Knights and the Wildcats? Louis rolled his eyes at my face, his eyes were laughing at me. "No I'm not joking before you start. I really need this story in the bag and I think you're perfect for the job."

A light blush crept over my cheeks and I looked at Jess apologetically. She waved a hand dismissively to indicating it was fine blushing from her boyfriend. My face lit up and I adverted my attention back to Louis. "Thank you so much! I would love to!" Doing this story meant I could interview the players of both teams and let me tell you there are some hunks on those teams I would not mind getting down and funky with.

Zach scowled. "But we need a photographer. It's no use her going to a game and not taking pictures. Our photographer quit, remember?"

Louis glared at Zach, sometimes I wondered how they were friends. "I am aware of that fact, Zach." Louis spat in disgust.

Jay raised her hand shyly. "I could take the pictures." She offered. The attention of the entire news team was instantly on her. She recoiled a little under the attention. "I mean I take photography classes so I just figured..." She trailed off.

Louis gesticulated wildly, getting excited. He stood. "No no! This is perfect!" He flashed a grin at Jasmin before turning to look at me. "How do you feel about having Jay tag along with you?"

I gave him a thumbs up. "I'm totally cool with it, besides it will be nice. Gotta spend some quality time with friends." Jay's whole face shone like the sun. I've got to really stop complimenting that girl, one day her face is going to blind me.

Louis' grin grew. "Perfect! I look forward to reading your story."

Then the bell for the end of lunch went.

AN: Dudes, this took such a long time to write! I hope it was worth the wait. Big chapter coming next. The first of the High School Musical 3 songs comes. A lot of wtfing will endure.

I'm reading the Mortal Instruments at the moment and it's so good! I love Jace so much. Simon was my favourite but eh.

QoTD: Your life can only be summed up by one song, what is it and why?