Disclaimer: Nothing owned by me

AN: Here's another chapter for you! The IM is bolded, mostly because I didn't feel like coming up with screen names.

So other than this chapter, I started watching Skins season 3. Anyone else watch?

Review Please.

Chapter 7

I walked into the house, after Glen quickly dropped me off before heading back to school for his basketball practice. I may not enjoy him all of the time but it's pretty cool that he does that every day instead of making me walk home.

I dropped my bag at the bottom of the stairs and kicked off my converse and walked into the kitchen. My Mom was standing there going through the mail, looking as if she had just got in; she still had her coat on.

"You're home early," I said and she looked up.

"Yeah, early shift today at the hospital. Your Father is bringing home pizza when he gets home from work, so we'll eat as soon as he gets home," she said and I nodded as I poured myself a glass of iced tea. My favorite drink in the world; I drink more of this than of water, which when I think about it probably isn't all that healthy.

"Spencer are you alright? You seem upset," she put down the mail and turned to face me completely concern in her blue eyes that were only a shade lighter than mine.

"Yeah, it's ok I just had a bad day at school is all," I said finishing off my drink and putting the glass into the sink.

"What happened," she asked.

"Well you know the usual," I said as I leaned against the counter.

"I told you I could call the principal about those girls," she said. Ever since the rift between Ashley and I my Mom only says her name when absolutely necessary. The day after she picked me up from the beach I told her what had happened and why. I was scared out of my mind but she took the news a whole lot better than I had expected. She had even tried setting me up with a girl on a blind date…which was, you know, weird. So I avoid all conversations of relationships.

"No it's fine. But I also got paired up on a yearlong project with Ashley, and I'm just not looking forward to it," I explained.

"Did you try to explain to the teacher?" she asked.

"Yeah, but it made no difference. Whatever it's just a school project, it doesn't mean we have to be friends or anything," I said and Mom shrugged. I headed back to the staircase and grabbed my backpack before heading up to my room. I sat down at my desk and turned on my laptop, hearing the ding as it loaded.

I logged onto the internet and my messenger. I minimized messenger and started researching Malcolm X for my English essay. I was reading about the Nation of Islam, when a message popped up on my screen.

A: Hey

I stared in disbelief at the screen. Ashley Davies had just instant messaged me. Two thoughts were racing in my head, one was that I can't believe she still has my screen name and the other was maybe I should just close it right now.

A: Look, I didn't know if you had the same cell number or not and this was the only way I could get a hold of you.

S: What do you even want?

Yup that's me, to the point. No niceties, just the point.

A: We have to work on our project.

S: No shit Sherlock.

I could practically hear her teeth grinding as she read that. I waited for a response. It may seem like I was making this as hard as possible for us work together, and that's only because I was. Karma's a bitch, isn't it?

A: Tomorrow's Saturday.

S: Your ability to state the obvious astounds me.

A: You didn't let me finish.

S: Well finish.

A: I don't have practice so we can get together and work on this project.

S: I don't see why I have to, I already wrote my essay.

A: Carlin I'm actually trying here and I'd rather not fail Health. I know you wouldn't either.

She was right, I'm usually conscientious of my grades and earning almost all straight A's, every once in a while a high B. And failing Health of all things was not an option. I hate that she knows that about me, it's like she's using knowledge against me. If it were anyone else, I might salute them; but not her.

S: What time should I be over?

A: Well I assume you still sleep like a dead animal. Not to mention you smell like one too, but be here by one.

Not so subtle with the insults is she? I let it slide, the sooner I get out of this conversation the better.

S: Fine, I'll be there.

A: Good.

I exited out of the messenger box and was slightly surprised at the civility of the conversation. I mean there had been a couple insults, but nothing over the top like at school. I guess she is trying, and maybe I should too.

But only a little bit, and only because failing Health would not only be bad for my GPA but for my ego as well.