Chapter 4: LEFTOVERS

LEFTOVERS

The class buzzed with almost instantly. The moment Dr. Keller said they should pick their partners, the sound of chairs scraping across the floor echoed across the room as students began turning toward 

“Calm down," Dr. Keller shouted over the noise, slamming his palm against the desk. “Group yourselves in two and make sure you choose wisely. This assignment is worth thirty percent of your grade." 

Done speaking, he walked out of the class and turned toward the print shop. The door clicked shut behind him and the room grew louder. Everyone moved out of their seats to discuss with their pick their new partners. 

But Ethan remained seated. 

He played with his pen, spinning and passing it between his fingers skillfully as he kept his eyes fixed on his notebook. He didn't move immediately, didn't look around and said nothing. 

Still, even seated, he felt it–that strange awareness. It was like someone had their weighted gaze on him.

Ignoring his instincts, Ethan slowly lifted his head and turned. 

Two seats away from him, Blake Thompson sat back in his chair. He had his arms folded across his broad chest and his posture was relaxed, almost bored. 

But his green eyes were fixed directly on Ethan. 

For a long moment, everything seemed to pause. Even the squeals and murmurs of the students around faded into a dull hum as their gazes locked. 

Ethan tried his best to look away, to tear his eyes from Blake's cold gaze, but something held him there, rooted to the spot. His heart thudded loudly against his chest and his pulse raced in his ears. 

He waited, expecting Blake to smirk, roll his eyes or say something loud and humiliating just so the whole class would turn and laugh at him. 

But instead, Blake simply broke eye contact. Without a word, he dropped his gaze down to the book before him, like Ethan wasn't worth another second of his attention. 

The sharp twist in Ethan's chest snapped him out of the moment and he turned. He pressed his trembling fingers together, exhaling slowly after realizing he had been holding his breath. 

“Yeah," he muttered under his breath, pushing down the lump forming in his throat. “Okay… groups." 

Ethan placed his hands on his desk and pushed his chair back. The sound of metal scraping against marble was drowned by the noise around him as he stood to his feet. 

All around him, his classmates were already pairing off. Marcus and Betty locked hands as they dragged their desks together, a group of girls by the windows giggled as they argued whose house they'd handle the assignment at. 

“I'm paired with Brandon, sorry," he heard someone say behind him. 

“Go find someone else, Darren," another shouted. 

Ethan rubbed his palms together as he scanned the room carefully. Almost everyone seemed taken already, and the few that remained seemed like they would be a hassle to work with. 

Still, he walked toward the nearest cluster of students. 

“Hey, guys," he said quietly, adjusting his glass. “I wanted to know if any of you guys still need someone to–" 

“Nah, man," one of the guys interrupted, pointing to everyone around him. “Sorry but we're already booked. Go find someone else." 

“Oh," Ethan mumbled as he nodded awkwardly. "Right… that's… that's fine." 

Swallowing, he turned away and began searching for any lone student. 

Across the room, the football players in the class had already gathered. Blake was no longer in his seat and was standing beside Marcus now–the team's second-choice quarterback. 

He has an arm slung casually over Blake's shoulder as they discussed. He said something that made the jock huff out a single laugh, his face reddening. 

Ethan looked away quickly before Blake could look in his direction. At least that bastard had a partner. He didn't have to worry about getting stuck with him now. 

That was… good. 

The wave of relief that settled in Ethan's chest mixed with a feeling he tried so much to ignore as he continued scanning the room. 

Every single person was paired up now, except–

His face fell with a frown the moment he saw her. 

Roseanne Carter, the school’s head cheerleader.

She was seated at her desk by the window, casually filing her nails while blowing a pink bubble with her gum. The bubble burst softly with a gentle pop and she smacked it back into her mouth, chewing loudly. She didn't look the least concerned or eager to get a partner. 

Ethan hesitated, jaw tightening. “Fuck," he muttered under his breath. She was the only one left so he had no other choice.  

Adjusting his backpack strap, he sucked in a deep breath and walked toward her. 

"Hey… Roseanne?” he said, stopping a few feet away from her. 

She didn't look up immediately and just kept on filing. "What do you want?” she said lazily before blowing kn her nails. 

“I think we’re the only ones left,” Ethan said, looking around to make sure he really didn't have any other option. “So I guess we’ll probably have to pair up for the–" 

Roseanne’s head snapped up as she finally looked up at him. The gum in her mouth smacked loudly as she scanned him from her to toe. A slow smile spread across her face as she dropped the file on her table. 

“Well, well, well,” she said sweetly, leaning back in her chair. “Aren’t you a sweet boy.”

Ethan arched a brow as he blinked. “W-What? I'm just–”

The sound of her nails file snapped shut cut him off. She pointed it toward him, tilting her head slightly. "I'm saying you're a sweet boy for doing the assignment for me.”

“I–what?” Ethan muttered as he frowned slightly. “But we're meant to do the assignments together.”

Roseanne pouted. "But you seem like the type who loves homework.” She leaned closer, lowering her voice slightly. “Do a good job, and maybe I’ll give you a kiss as a reward.”

She winked playfully at him and Ethan felt his face heat.

“I… don’t think–”

“Thanks, Evan,” Roseanne cut in brightly.

“It's actually–”

She waved at him and stood up from her seat before he could finish speaking. 

“It's Ethan," Ethan completed silently as he watches her walk straight across the classroom. 

Straight toward Blake.

His chest tightened as Roseanne stopped beside him and dropped casually on his lap. Blake looked up, cupping her cheeks as he smiled. 

Actually smiled.

Marcus said something that made both of them laugh, the sound cutting through the noise in the class. 

Ethan remained frozen where he was, watching them until… Blake's eyes suddenly shifted and landed on him. Just like that, the smile he wore disappeared and his laughter stopped. 

They held the stare for a moment longer until Blake looked away first.

Ethan swallowed and slowly walked back to his desk. He dropped down on his seat and stared blankly at the page of his notebook as the room buzzed with conversation. 

A small knot formed in his chest as he played back Blake's smile dropping. He imagined himself taking Roseanne's place, dropping on Blake's lap without a thought. 

But then he shook the thought away as Dr. Keller walked back into the class. 

It was stupid. 

Still, the tight feeling in his chest didn’t go away.