The Boy across the Street

When I went to school the next day, everyone was staring at me.

“Hey soda girl”, someone teased

“What's up, soda girl?”

“Hi there, soda girl”

Everywhere I turned, people were calling me soda girl, and it started to irritate me.

I was at my locker now taking out my books for homeroom and this new nickname was doing nothing but spoil my mood so early in the morning.

“So Kayra, what did you do with your hair? I see you're wearing a hat today”, Steph asked.

“Oh yeah, I'll go to the saloon over the weekend to fix it.”

“And are you sure they can?”

“I don't know, I just want my natural, stain-free brown hair back.”

I grabbed my water bottle and began drinking because I didn't drink any water after breakfast, so I started to get thirsty.

“Have you thought of dyeing it?”

“No, never. I love my beautiful brown hair just as it is.”

“Chill Kay, it was just a question.”

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw him.

Yes, I saw the bad boy leaning against a wall with his headphones on and his backpack slung over one shoulder.

As if on cue, the next thing I heard was “Yo soda girl”

Whatever came over me next, I do not know but all I remember is storming over to where he was with the water bottle which had a little water left still in my hand.

“Hey!” I screamed, causing him to raise his head.

In a split second, I splashed the remaining contents of the bottle on his face.

Take that Jayson Bradshaw

“Fuck!” He cussed.

The look of shock and hatred on his face gave me the satisfaction I so yearned for.

I smirked triumphantly as he stood there looking like he was going to pound me into a pulp.

“Let's go, Stephanie, we don't want to be late for homeroom.” I addressed her while still smirking at the guy who probably thought he was so badass for pouring soda on the innocent girl which is me.

“Um, yeah yeah", she responded after coming out of the shock she had apparently also received.

Leaving the bad boy speechless, I sashayed past him with Steph still in shock.

**** Lunchtime****

“Kay, everyone's looking at you.”

“I know.”

And I definitely don't like it

“They must have heard what you did in the hallway this morning.”

Of course, they must have. News in this school spreads like wildfire.

“I don't care whether they heard or not. In my opinion, all I did was give him a taste of his own medicine.”

“Yo soda girl, what's up?”

“Gale, please don't call me that again.”

“You're right. We should rather call you 'the Water bender'. Don't you think so, babe?” He said 'the Water bender' as if he was was reading from a Broadway banner.

“The Water bender? Don't you dare call me that.”

“Why not?” He asked and stole a fry,again!

I just ignored him.

“Babe, have you forgotten what happened the last time you stole one of her fries?” Stephanie asked him.

“He needs a thrashing before he'll remember. And why are you laughing?”

“Oh nothing.” I'm sure she just remembered my stained hair and top.

“I'm not gonna mind both you and your boyfriend.” And they both laughed.

“Well, I guess you're ready for the aftermath of what you did this morning because you have biology after here.”

“I couldn't care less.”

“Oh really, look.” She nodded her head towards the cafeteria entrance.

Jayson Bradshaw walked in, hands in pocket, nonchalance, bad boy aura and all. My mind drifted to earlier this morning, and I was proud of myself.

I still don't know how I managed to gather such courage, though.

All eyes were on him and I swear, I heard a few people snicker.

“Yo soda man”, someone screamed.

Oh, so he got a nickname as well.

He just looked towards the direction of the sound and ignored it.

Gosh, someone should teach him how to show some emotions, if he won't smile.

“He sits behind you in bio.”

“You don't need to remind me, I know.”

“Alright alright.”

“Are you done?” She was referring to my food.

“Yeah.”

“Good, then let's go. Lunchtime is almost over.”

We walked together to the end of the hallway, where we branch to our separate classes.

“Good luck” ,she sang and I sighed.

****

“As I was saying, for the next four weeks, we're going to be working on frogs. I will be putting you in groups of two. You'll be having practicals on dissecting a frog and other things you'll have to know. At the end of every practical session, each pair would write a report. To climax everything after the four weeks, each pair gives a presentation on, well, you know, 'Frogs'. Any questions?” Our biology teacher was telling us about a project we apparently are supposed to work on for the next four weeks.

A few people asked questions. The rest were probably grumbling at the prospect of actually having to write reports;some of those people would be me.

Already, I hate biology and Jayson Bradshaw being in this same class doesn't make it any better now this. Could this class get any worse?

“Now that everything is clear, I will pair you up now. Note that I'm doing this in a random order, and I'm not being bias or anything.”

As he was mentioning the names, I wasn't really paying attention. I was just hoping I get paired up with one of those nerds who always want to do all the work because they feel they're smarter than everyone else.

I was scribbling something in my notebook when I finally heard Mr. Brooklyn mention my name.

“Summers, you're with Bradshaw.”

What?!

I swear I didn't see that coming. Did I say this class couldn't get any worse? Scratch that because it just did.

How can I be working with him? He probably hates my guts right now, and unfortunately, the feeling is mutual.

I really need to speak with Mr. Brooklyn after the class. This is never going to work out.

I turned my head a little to get a glimpse of the guy who sits behind me now.

He looked relaxed?!

Does he know Summers is me? Whatever, I don't even care. I just need to get my partner changed.

“Okay, now that everything is settled, let's move on with the lesson for the day. If you still have any questions or problems, you can see me after the class.”

Oh, thank God.

****

After the closing bell rang, I waited for everyone to leave before going to see the biology teacher.

“Excuse me, Mr. Brooklyn. May I please have a word with you.”

“Sure. How may I help you?”

“Um, it's about my partner.”

“Okay. Any problem?”

“It's just that I don't think working with him will be the best thing for us.”

“Any particular reason?”

“Um, not really but….”

“If there's no reason, then I'm afraid you will have to work with him.”

“But Mr. Brooklyn….”, I changed my mind after realizing he won't give me a different partner, no matter what I said, "….never mind. Thanks."

“You're welcome.”

With that, I left the classroom with disappointment written all over my face.

Just thinking about the coming four weeks made me want to barf.

****

“Kay, what's wrong? Why did you take so long to come out?”

“You're coming over to my place, right?”

“Yeah.”

“Cool, I'll explain on the way. Let's go”.

“Are you serious?” She just started laughing after I told her what happened in class.

“Yes I am. And it's not funny.”

“Okay okay. So you guys will be working together even though you practically loathe each other?”

“You don't have to state the obvious”, I huffed.

“Okay fine. But one thing's for sure;these coming weeks will be really interesting.”

“You can say that again”