"Rocque is sticking you with a partner next period," Carlos said taking a bite out of his corn dog. Mr. Rocque was our Psychology teacher. He was a bit on the heavy side and he wore hats to hide his balding head, and of all our teachers, he has the worst temper I have ever seen.
"Partner for what?" I asked looking up from my tray. I hate group projects. I either get stuck with some jerk that would dump all the work on me, or I get a partner who is a complete asshole to me the entire time.
"Some stepping outside your circle crap," Carlos mumbled through a mouth full of corn dog.
"And what does that mean?" I sighed. Carlos could be so vague sometimes.
"He said he wanted us to step outside of our own cliques and get to know our other classmates better," Jett answered since Carlos was too preoccupied with trying to steal my corn dog.
"Great, that's just want I need," I sighed handing my corn dog to Carlos before he starved to death.
"Maybe it won't be so bad," Jett said. I could tell he was trying his best to reassure me, but although I appreciated it, I knew he was wrong.
"Maybe," I remarked. I decided I would humor him so he and Carlos wouldn't worry.
"Who did you guys get?" I asked.
"I got Carlos," Jett said with a huge smile on his face. My jaw dropped.
"How the hell did you get Carlos? You two have known each other since you were kids and you date for crying out loud!" I stated. I could not believe how freaking lucky they had gotten.
"Jett gave Mr. Rocque a hundred bucks to pair us together," Carlos replied as he finished my corn dog off.
"Do you always have to use money to get things your way?" I asked giving Jett a playful glance.
"Yup," Jett said popping the p.
"Well this project will be easy for the two of you," I said rolling my eyes as they both got goofy grins on their faces.
"Which is why I paid the hippo off," Jett said flashing a smirk.
"One of these days he is going to hear you call him a hippo," I said through my laughter.
"And when he does, I will just give him a free reservation and meal to my parents' restaurant," Jett said shrugging his shoulders. Jett's parents owned one of the most successful restaurants in town. It was practically impossible to get into - unless of course you were me and Carlos. Our families always got in for free.
"And if that doesn't work?" Carlos asked.
"It will. You've seen the man! He loves food as much as he does crushing his students' spirits," Jett answered.
"I guess you're right," I said as the bell signaling lunch was over rang.
"Well I am off to face my doom," I sighed getting up from our table and dumping my tray into the trash can.
"Good luck Kendall," Carlos said as he dumped his tray.
"Let us know who you get," Jett said as he dumped his own tray.
"Thanks, and I will," I replied before heading off to class.
I hated Psychology class for two reasons: one, Mr. Rocque was loud and mean, and two, Logan was in this class. Logan sat toward the front while I preferred my seat in the back, away from as many people as possible.
"Alright, I am sure the demons from previous period already told we will be doing a class project," Mr. Rocque said after he finished roll call.
"I have already selected your partners and that is who you will be interviewing and hanging out with for the next three weeks," Mr. Rocque stated. I could hear a few groans and mumbles of "this is lame" from my classmates.
"This assignment will be worth seventy percent of your grade, so it is in your best interest to do it," Mr. Rocque replied, grabbing a clip board off of his desk. I assume it was the list of students who were paired up.
"Camille, you will be working with Jennifer Wood," Mr. Rocque said. I wanted to laugh as Camille's face fell. She and Jennifer had hated each other ever since sophomore year when Camille had stolen Jennifer's boyfriend.
"You can't be serious," Camille groaned.
"I am. Now shut up and go sit by your partner," Mr. Rocque snapped. Camille instantly did as she was told, and after that no one else objected.
Mr. Rocque had paired almost all of the class up and I was one of the few who still didn't have a partner. I was hoping I would be lucky and not have a partner, although I knew the odds of that happening were slim.
"Logan Mitchell and Kendall Knight." I felt my mouth drop as Mr. Rocque uttered the name of my partner. No, it couldn't be. He could not stick me with Logan Mitchell. Anyone was better than Logan!
"Knight, go sit with your partner!" Mr. Rocque snapped.
"Yes sir," I said flinching a bit at his tone. I grabbed my stuff and went to set next to one of the biggest assholes I had ever met.
"I can't believe I got stuck with you," Logan stated as I took my seat at his table.
"Just so you know, you have to keep me alive to do this project," I squeaked. I was terrified of Logan and the thought of having to hang out with him scared the hell out of me. He is cruel enough to me at school - I can't even imagine how he will be when we have to go to each other's houses.
"Relax Knight, I am aware of that fact," Logan laughed. I wanted to tell him to shove it, but then I decided against it. I didn't want to end up in a trashcan again. Thankfully the bell rang, saving me from having to continue talking to Logan.
"So who did you get?" Carlos asked as I took my seat. The three of us had this period free so we often hung out in the library so we could be away from the other students.
"Kendall what's wrong?" Jett asked noticing how worried I looked.
"I-I was paired with Logan," I said trying to keep my voice from breaking.
"Dude, are you serious?" Carlos questioned giving me a sympathetic glance.
"Yeah," I replied.
"Well you're not working with that douche bag," Jett said clenching his fist.
"Jett, everyone has been paired together. There is no one left for me to be partnered with. Besides, Mr. Rocque said we couldn't change partners," I said laying my head on the table.
"I'm sure there is something we can do," Carlos stated.
"Yeah, maybe I can give Rocque another hundred and pay two of the students off so you can have a different partner," Jett said.
"Thanks Jett, but I won't let you waste your money on bailing me out of this," I said, lifting my head up to give Jett a smile. I was grateful he and Carlos wanted to help.
"It wouldn't be wasting it," Jett said.
"Yeah it would. We all know Mr. Rocque has hated me ever since I pointed out that he graded one of my tests wrong," I replied. The third week into the school year Mr. Rocque had counted one of the questions I had gotten right as being wrong, so I politely pointed it out to him. Ever since then he has done all he could to make my life miserable. I wouldn't be surprised if getting Logan as my partner was no accident.
"Oh yeah, I forgot," Jett sighed in defeat.
"Don't worry Kendall. We won't let you be left alone with Logan," Carlos said patting me on the shoulder.
"Carlos is right. We got your back," Jett said giving me a smile.
"Thanks guys, but you have to work on your project too. It wouldn't be fair of me to keep you guys from doing your project just to protect me." It meant a lot to me that they were willing to do that for me, but I would be a horrible friend if I put my needs before their grades.
"You sure?" Carlos asked cocking his head to the side.
"Yeah, I mean Logan has to keep me alive so we can do the project," I said trying to reassure them I would be ok.
"Alright fine, but the moment he tries anything, you kick him in the balls and then you call us. Got it?" Jett said giving me a look that said this was not up for discussion.
"Oh yes my brave knights," I joked playfully.
"Damn straight," Carlos said as he and Jett started laughing, which caused me to laugh.
"Boys, calm down," Ms. Wainwright the librarian said stepping out from behind one of the bookcases.
"Yes ma'am," we replied as we tried to quiet our laughter down. This was one of the reasons I was so grateful to have Jett and Carlos in my life. Because no matter how bad of a day I was having, those two always knew what to do to cheer me up.
"Hey mom," I said as the guys and I made our way into the kitchen.
"Hey boys. How was school?" Mom asked looking up from her newspaper.
"Boring," Carlos said as he made his way to our refrigerator.
"Carlos dear, that's your answer every day," Mom said laughing.
"That's because it is always boring," Carlos replied as he took a slice of pizza from the fridge.
"What about you two?" my mom said glancing at me and Jett.
"Just the usual. Putting up with these two dorks, Mama Knight," Jett answered.
"Jerk," I said sticking my tongue out, which caused Jett to do the same.
"What am I going to do with you boys?" my mom said shaking her head.
"Love us?" Carlos suggested as he joined us at the table.
"You know I do."
"Now Kendall. How was your day?" Mom asked turning her attention to me. My mom has no clue what Logan and his friends do to me and I want to keep it that way. And although I hate lying to her, I have no choice.
"It was fine. We got assigned partners for a project in psychology class. I was paired with a guy named Logan," I answered. Thankfully I was able to keep my voice in check.
"Sounds nice," Mom said giving me a smile.
Mom then turned her attention back to Jett and Carlos. "Who did you two get?"
"Each other," Carlos answered.
"How did that happen?" Mom asked, giving them that same affectionate look she gives me. It was no secret that all of our families were close. Rather than being three separate families, we felt like one big family.
"Jett paid the teacher off," I mumbled crossing my arms.
"Jett honey, didn't your parents say they wanted you to stop doing that?" my mom sighed.
"Yeah, but Mama Knight - I wanted to work with Carlos, and you know Rocque is a jerk," Jett whined like a little kid. Carlos and I were giggling again. I don't know why but we always loved when Jett was in the hot seat like this.
"Your secret is safe with me," Mom said rubbing her temples.
"Really Mom? If I had done that, I would have been grounded," I said pouting at my mother. It was Carlos and Jett's turn to laugh at me now.
"Yes you would have been," Mom answered.
"Then how come you're not going to rat Jett out?" I sighed.
"Because him and Carlos are just so cute together," my mom stated.
"Aw, thank you Mama Knight," Carlos said giving my mom a hug.
"Really mom?" I said shaking my head.
"Yes really. Besides, if Jett got grounded, then Carlos would be sad and a sad Carlos is like kicking a puppy. It is just wrong," my mom remarked.
"Yeah Kendall, would you really want me to be sad?" Carlos asked giving me a puppy dog pout. Darn his puppy dog pout. I swear I will beat it one day. That day just isn't today.
"No," I sighed. I gotta get new friends… I thought to myself.