Zoey Anderson POV- One Week Later
I laid in my bed in deep thought at 4:30 am. I couldn't sleep. My mind was too focused on school and how I was going to be working with that asshole tomorrow known as Riley Freeman. I couldn't believe out of all the classmates I could have been paired with, I get paired with this idiot who's dictionary only consists of the words: Nigga, ho, bitch, and motherfucker. That's pretty much all I hear when he talks in class. I didn't know how this was project was ever going to get done, especially if I our two opposite personalities were bound to collide.
I later on drifted off to sleep, but woke up around 6:00 am. I took a quick shower. Once I was finished, I grabbed my comb from my dresser to detangle my hair. I decided to walk towards the mirror, looking at my body in disgust.- "Why are you so ugly?" I asked myself in a low tone. I hated everything about myself. I hated my fat thighs and arms, the freckles on my face that were hidden with makeup, my huge disgusting lips, my green eyes which were dull and lifeless. I later on got dressed and wore a small black hoodie and a black skirt, which was mid thigh length. I decided to wear my black 4 inch platform boots with the sliver buckles on the side. (They were my favorite).
After getting dressed, I made my way down stairs to see my mother with breakfast on the table. She had two waffles on the plate waiting for me. "Good morning sweetheart" she said smiling while still making more food as she stood by the stove. I ignored her greeting and questioned her about breakfast.
"What's with the waffles mom?" I asked while fidgeting with my hands.
"I just thought I'd make some breakfast. You know it's been a while since I actually made breakfast Zoey, so just enjoy it"
I smiled at her statement. "Thanks mom. That's really sweet of you, but I really got to go.- I don't want to miss the school bus" I said walking towards the door. I looked back and waved goodbye, then made my way outside.
Time Flew by pretty fast at school and my 6th period Art class was just starting. Today was the day that partners would work together and talk about their plans for their project. My partner, Riley Freeman, was no where to be found. I sat by myself for 15 minutes, writing in my book of shadows, until a loud outburst was heard in class. " YOUNG REEZY IN THE BUILDING!" - I looked up to see my loud, ignorant partner who was wearing a large red hoodie with jeans that were way too loose and those god awful timberland boots. Mrs. Abigail got up from her desk and walked over to him.
"Riley keep it down, we're working with partners today, so get a desk and sit next to Zoey, so you can talk about the plans for your project."
" aight..that's coo" He said walking towards me. I watched him as he put his desk next to mine.
" Sooo uh..how we gon' do this?" he asked.
I looked at him annoyed "well, we're suppose to have a concept, which is supposed to be something we take interest in. For example, my concept would probably be something that deals with spirits- losts souls, because that's what interests me—what do you take interest in?" I asked
He was quiet for a few seconds and later on responded. "I like guns, knives and shit like that-anything that deals with thug life and I feel you on that shit about spirits. Tupac is one of my favorite rappers and he dead, but I feel like-his spirit is still with us nah mean?"
"….." I gave him a blank stare and then turned my head to the other side. "God help me get through this" I said in a low whisper.
I wrote down some of my interest and his interests on paper, so we could try to compromise on the two concepts we wanted to combine. I stopped writing when he asked me a question.
"aye..how come I never see you at lunch in the cafeteria?. I mean, you not a senior, so you can't go off campus to eat, so where you be at?"
"In the library" I replied in a low tone.
"Oh—not trying to be rude or anything, but I heard you worship Satan and shit..is that true?"
I turned around and looked at him with a confused expression on my face. "Who told you that?" I asked
"I'm not sayin who told me. I'm not no snitch, but I heard you worship satin..Is it true or not?"
I rolled my eyes in disgust and made a slight laugh " No, It's not true. It's hilarious how easy rumors can spread."
He then looked at me silently, as if he was trying to solve a puzzle. I turned my head the other way, ignoring the puzzled look on his face. "We have to finish talking about the project" I said changing the subject. He ignored my response, by asking me another question.
" -And why you be wearing so much black? You gothic or something?" he asked.
I was starting to get annoyed with his silly little questions. "No, I'm not gothic. I just like to wear black. It's my favorite color- may I ask you why do wear clothes that are 2 times bigger than your size?"
"Because real niggas don't wear no tight nut hugger jeans- that shit is GAY"
"Oh, I never knew jeans had a sexuality" I responded.
30 minutes had passed by and Art class was about to end. Riley and I didn't really do much talking about the project. He was too busy questioning me. Our desks were still connected and I started to put my notebook and pen back into my bag. I was about to make my way out of the classroom, but felt a slight touch on my arm. I looked back to see Riley looking at me.
"Yeah?" I asked softly.
"I think we should probably exchange numbers..you know, since we doing a project together"
"oh..yeah, sure. I'll give it to you later after school, before I catch the bus"
" You catch the bus home?" he asked
" Yeah- my mom works at a hospital, she has the late shift and doesn't have time to pick me up"
"My brother has a car- we can give you a ride home if you want.." he said rubbing the back of his neck nervously. I thought to myself *why was he being so kind?* It's not like him to be so generous. It couldn't be that he likes me-I'm too ugly to be liked, nobody would ever want me. I stood there for a few seconds, wondering if I should accept his offer. The buses did take a while to get here and I didn't feel like standing outside waiting all day.
" Yeah, that's fine with me..as long as it's okay with your brother." I said walking off.
RILEY FREEMAN- POV
Finally, school was fucking over. I walked the halls looking for my brother Huey. I later on spotted him at his locker putting up some books. Jazmine was standing on the side of him. " Yo Hu-aaay" I said a few feet back to get his attention. He looked back with no expression and continued putting up his books. When I made it to the locker, I stood infront of Jazmine to get Huey attention.
"What do you want?" he asked.
"I wanted to know if you could give this girl a ride home."
" What girl?"
" …She's one of my classmates. Her name is Zoey and she catches the bus, but I told her you would give her a ride home"
" So- you expect me to drive this girl home when I have no idea who she is or where she lives"
"Directions nigga- that's what they made for, use them" I said with my arms folded.
" Sorry, I can't bring her home because me and Jazmine are supposed to be going to the museum for a school assignment. After we drop you off home, we're leaving because the museum closes early today and I have to get there as soon as possible."
I nodded my head " okay okay, but can she get a ride if you just bring her home with me—then drop her off home later? I mean- we supposed to be working on a project anyway"
"Yeah, sure, whatever" he said in his nonchalant voice.
"Okay, cool- wait right here while I go get her"
I saw Zoey by her locker waiting. Even though I wasn't able to bring her home right away, I kind of hoped she would still come to my place, so we could talk…..about the project.
" Yo Zoey" I said walking up to her. She looked at me with those pretty green eyes that had a hint of brown.
"Did your brother say yes?" she asked.
" Uh..kind of – He said he would bring you home, but not right away. He has to do an assignment for school at the museum, but I thought since me and you were doing this project together, we could just talk about it at my place?"
She looked at me quietly for a few seconds, then responded.
"Okay-sure, my mom doesn't get off until 10:00 anyway"