JULIE'S POV
I still can't believe that Scott will soon be my study partner. I spent almost the entire night thinking of a way to get rid of having to spend several hours of my day with him and I didn't come up with any solution. Asking to change partners or refusing to be part of it was out of the question, Mr. Montez would never accept it, since being in control was all that mattered to him when it came to his students, and neither would I ask for something like that, since in this case studies always come first.
I sit on the bed and wait for my eyes to adjust to the slivers of light coming in through the windows, telling me that the day has already begun. I go to the bathroom, adjust the water temperature while I take off my pajamas and step under the shower, letting the water wake me up from my half-sleepy state. After a few minutes, I reach over and grab the towel that I had hung on the hook next to the shower and wrap myself in it. I do my morning hygiene and leave the room, surprised that no one has come to wake me up. I take out a pair of white cotton lingerie, a pair of black jeans and a large grey blouse from my closet. I put on the clothes I had packed and put on the sneakers that I had already set aside last night, comb my hair and put it in a bun. I was putting my books inside my backpack when I hear footsteps and voices in the hallway. I open the bedroom door and find my mother laughing and my father with Arthur in his arms while he mumbles something. When my father sees me, he smiles at me and I return it with a warm smile.
It may seem like a normal thing, but moments like these were the most important in my life. Seeing my family together brought me such great happiness that I was afraid that one day I would have to move away from them and miss these little family demonstrations.
_ Good morning, daughter. _ My father greets me and Arthur immediately looks in my direction. When he sees me, his eyes shine and he opens my favorite smile in the whole world.
_ Good morning, Dad. Good morning, Mom. _ I greet them happily.
_ Good morning, my daughter. _ Mom leaves a kiss on my forehead and moves me away so she can assess me from top to bottom. She wrinkles her nose when she sees the glasses on my face, but doesn't say anything.
I leave a kiss on his cheek and then kiss my father. Arthur opens his arms and I pick him up. His tiny arms wrap around my neck and his legs wrap around my waist.
_ Dad, don't let me come and help you. _ He says with a disappointed voice.
_ And that's why the young man has that upset face? _ I ask and he nods, pouting. He rests his head in the crook of my neck and settles more comfortably in my arms.
_ He wanted to go wake you up as soon as he got out of bed, but your father stopped him from going to your room, so he didn't stop complaining for a single second. _ Mom explains and hugs my father who returns the gesture by pulling her towards him.
_ Let's have coffee or we'll all be late. _ My father says and pulls my mother by the hand, leading her towards the stairs. I follow the same path and go down the stairs very carefully, carrying Arthur entwined with me.
We had coffee while we talked about random things and then we all left the house together for another day of work and studying like we hadn't done in days.
I arrived at the classroom and Scott was sitting in my chair looking at me with an enigmatic smile on his face. Somewhat hesitantly, I approached him thinking about asking him to leave my seat, but I gave up as soon as he looked at me with a slightly more serious expression. I didn't take another step and searched the room looking for an empty seat.
_ You can sit down. I was just waiting for you to arrive. _ He says and leaves, allowing me to take my chair.
_ What do you want? _ I ask and he looks at me for a few moments before shaking his head as if he had given up on what he wanted to say.
_ Nothing. _ He says and goes to the back of the room, where his friends were already.
[...]
When the bell rings indicating that classes are over, I grab my things and leave the room looking for Scott.
If I had to be paired with him and if it cost me my grade, that's exactly what I was going to do, even if I had to put up with all his idiocy.
He hadn't come back to the classroom since break time and now I had no idea where he had gotten to. I walked through the crowded hallways, passing by people who were pushing me against each other, and I regretted not having stayed in the classroom and waited for him to come back. I've never been one to go to places with a lot of people, it makes me panic and not know what to do. That's why I always do everything I can to get there early or leave after everyone has gone.
With difficulty, I manage to get away from the crowd of college students and head towards the bathroom in search of some peace and quiet while the hallways are emptying. I enter the bathroom and feel a strange sensation take over me when I see a blonde haired woman looking in my direction as soon as I close the door. Somewhat hesitant and not knowing what to do, I turn to leave as quickly as possible, but her voice makes me stop.
_ Don't tell me that my presence bothers you that much. _ Penny taps her vibrant pink painted nails on the sink counter as she waits for my answer.
_ It's not that, it's just that I forgot something in class and I need to go get it. _ I say the first excuse that comes to my head and even though I know it was horrible, I hope she believes it.
_ Stay here and keep me company while we talk. _ She answers, looking at me with friendly eyes and turns to the mirror, touching up the shiny gloss on her lips.
I look at her, not understanding where she was going with this, and I see how she was the complete opposite of me. With her blonde hair slightly curled at the ends, green eyes, and a tall, thin body, she had practically stepped out of a magazine cover. She looks at me in the mirror and catches me looking at her. I immediately look away and start staring at the blue tiles that formed asymmetrical designs on the wall just below the mirrors. After counting all the little squares, I look up and see a pair of green eyes analyzing me intently.
_ What do you have with Scott? _ His eyes no longer had anything friendly about them and fury took over his face.
_ Nothing. _ She started to look me straight in the eyes while shaking her head from side to side, seeming to think about whether or not she believed my answer.
_ Don't make a fool of me, girl. I know that just like all the other weird girls of your type, you have the fantasy of having a night with the most popular guy in college. _ She approaches and I take two steps back.
_ I don't know what you're talking about. _ I try to sound as sincere as possible, because it was true. I didn't want anything to do with Scott and that had never even crossed my mind.
_ Of course you know, don't play dumb. _ With her hands on her hips and an angry expression on her face, she approaches until she leaves me cornered between her and the door. _ I'm going to give you a warning and for your own good I hope you listen to me. scott will never be interested in a weird and clumsy nerd like you when he has me to satisfy all his desires. So don't waste your time thinking that one day he'll give you the slightest bit of attention because that will never happen. Do you understand? _ I nod in agreement.
_ Don't worry. I understand perfectly. _ I move away from the door just enough to turn the handle and leave that environment that was making me suffocate, but before I could put a foot out she grabs my arm with more than enough force to leave a very ugly bruise.
_ Let go of me. _ I say trying to sound a little intimidating, but deep down I knew I was failing and the expression of amusement on his face proves that I was right.
_ Scott is mine. Do you hear me? Mine. That's why you should stay away from him and get it into your little head that when I want something I'll do anything and step over everyone until I get it._ I try to get away but she digs her nails into my skin, hurting me. My heart was racing and I was shaking. She steps away from me after admiring the damage she had left on my arm and I leave as soon as she gives me space, trying not to cry as I feel my throat burning with the accumulated tears.