Project Partners

My eyes itched, I rubbed it with the back of my hand.

I wasn't able to sleep well last night.

We returned back really late and then James' message wasn't helping the matter either.

I took in a deep breath and released it. I had just thirteen days left to decide.

I blinked, my mind replayed yesterday's drama. Emile's words were true.

I was shedding tears but couldn't stop it. It looked like I was sinking into a dangerous world all alone.

But now, with Ivy and Emile on my side I feel relieved.

They were just the two people I needed to stay alright at this period.

"You look lost." I heard Ivy's say.

I blinked my eye lashes rapidly and shifted my gaze at her.

"Just thinking about some stuff." I replied.

I grinned as she trapped her hand into mine.

"What are you thinking of? Is it about him or.." She was talking when her mom interrupted.

"We are here." Ivy's mom cut in.

"Ooh okay, I didn't even notice that." Ivy responded.

My mom had an emergency at her hospital so I had to join Ivy's mom's car.

Emile stayed at home, she wasn't having a lecture at her school today.

Ivy's mom, Mrs Charles was mom's friend and had her mall, so she was mostly less busy.

Ivy loosened her hand from mine.

I watched as she flung open the door of the car and hopped out.

"Thanks ma'am." I voiced out.

"You're welcome." She replied. I nodded and got down from the car.

I flung my handbag over my shoulders before walking into the campus gate with Ivy.

My eyes scanned around, students were all over the place.

Different outfits and air catchy colognes.

My eyes couldn't stop itself from glancing at the car parks.

I gave out a sigh of relief, his black car wasn't there.

I just hope he doesn't come to school today.

"Looks like we are a little bit late today." Ivy said.

I shrugged. "We woke up late, remember." I voiced out.

"Oooh that's true." She replied.

My sandal hit the floor softly as we made our way to the lecture hall.

The seats were almost filled up. I drew out my handbag from my shoulder and sat in the middle row beside Ivy.

My phone beeped. I opened my bag and took it out.

James' last night message suddenly flashed through my mind.

My hand shook as I unlocked the screen.

The creaking sound of the hall door rang through my ears.

The once noisy atmosphere suddenly died down to merely whispers.

I raised up my head to see who it was.

I gasped, it was him, the celebrity artist. He wasn't alone this time, he was with his guys.

They were heading towards the back seats.

My skin went pale the second my gaze met with his. His lips curled up to a dangerous smirk.

I blinked repeatedly and looked away, my heart thudding in my ears.

"Clara!" Ivy called.

"Y..es." I stammered.

"What's wrong, your hands are shaking." She said,

My throat bobbed. "I'm.. I'm fine."

The creaking sound of the door came again.

I glanced at the door, Mr Robinson, our lecturer stepped in.

I took in a quick breath and looked back at my phone.

My shoulders dropped, it was just a welfare message from my mom.

I turned off the screen and dropped it into my handbag.

"Good morning Class!" My Robinson voiced out.

"Good morning Sir." I muttered alongside the loud voices of the other students.

"I'm not going to let James ruin my day." I said to myself.

I crossed my arms around my chest and leaned back.

"Can you just sit upright." My brows drew together the minute I heard that familiar masculine voice.

I stole a glance at the back.

Sweat ran down my spine, it was him. James Hunter.

My nostrils flared as I quickly drew my chair forward and sat up.

I swallowed, I thought he was heading to the back seats earlier.

"Better!" He voiced out.

I could feel Ivy's gaze on me. I knew she wanted to say something but Ivy was a nerd.

She rarely talks during lectures. I blinked and rested my hand on my table.

My head ached a little as I tried to focus on the lecture.

"There will be a compulsory semester project, it must be done in pairs, grades are serious, no changing partners." The lecturer announced.

I blinked as Ivy's hand laid on my arm. "You are going to be my partner." She said,

I nodded in reply.

"There would be no best friend pairing this time, I would give your class rep the names I have paired." The lecturer suddenly said.

I blinked. "Why would he do that?" I asked turning to face Ivy.

She shrugged. " It's not right?".

"The partner list would be posted on the platform today."

"So, note down your partners so you can start up your desired project as soon as possible."

"Remember you have only a month to present it." Lecturer Robinson announced and walked out of the class.

Silence stayed in the air for some seconds after he left.

"Are we leaving now?" Ivy asked.

"Yeah, sure." I replied, dipping my manual into my handbag.

A groan escaped my lips as I sank onto the couch.

My gaze landed on the wall clock. 5:07pm. We'd arrived from campus some hours ago.

I was glad for one thing. I and James didn't get to meet today.

The chair creaked a little as Ivy sat on it. "Clara!" She called.

"Yeah." I responded.

"The list is out." She voiced out.

"Really?" I asked, unlocking my phone.

"You're paired with James Hunter." She said, all at once.

My eyes widened. "What! How on earth is that possible!" I blurted out, shifting my gaze at her.

"Calm down, Clara. I know he's dangerous but.." She was talking when I interrupted.

"He's more dangerous than you think, he's...shit!."

"He's....the..he's....the he." I voiced out, my eyes squeezed shut.

"He's the he?" Emile and Ivy asked at the same time.

I snapped open my eye lids. "He is." I replied, looking at both of them.

Emile's brow shot up. "I thought he was some sort of cool artist." She said,

Ivy's chuckle sounded unusual. "You don't judge people by their face, Emile." She said,

"What happened between you two?" Ivy asked, turning to face me.

"It was that day I spoke back at him."

"Was it the video I watched in the car after the proposal?" She asked.

"Yeah...and now I.." I was still talking when Emile interrupted.

"You could talk it out with him." She cut in.

My eyes bulged. "What did you say?" Ivy voiced out before I could say a word.

"It was just a suggestion." She said, shrugging.

"James Hunter is different." I said.

"But he's human, come on you can just try it out." Emile suggested again.

"I wouldn't give that kind of suggestion." Emile said.

"But that's the only one we've now, right?" Emile asked, her gaze moved from me to Ivy.

"Right." I replied.