Noelle

Friday September 28 2018

3:38pm

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Okay, okay. Not too bad.

I ended up getting a 59% on that paper last week. Not too bad for a essay written in less than two days, one of which I was extremely hungover. Still not that good though. One of my two goals for my university life was to get good enough grades to get a decent job, but so far that hasn't been working out so well.

Do even care? I don't even know anymore.

What do I care about?

"Everyone, pay attention, I'm calling names now."

Wait what? God, when was the last time I actually payed attention?

The professor started calling out names in pairs for some kind of assignment. Hopefully I'll be paired with Nathan, then I won't be that embarrassed to ask what the entire assignment is actually about.

"...Reyes and Thomson. Jeanes and Lynwood. Jockson and..."

Who? Jeanes? Jeanes, Jeanes, something Jeanes. Who the fuck is Jeanes?

"Okay. I'll give you guys the last 15 minutes to talk with your partners. Don't be too loud." The professor announced.

Oh wait. William Jeanes? Ugh. That kid?

Really?

William is the only guy who talks to no one. Absolutely no one. Well, except for the professor but whatever, that's the only time I've ever seen him talk. Everyone calls him a loner, and he suites the name with his dreary vibes. I really don't wanna be stuck with this guy. No way can I handle... I wasn't paying attention when he said the due date. Whatever! I just can't work with him!

He's probably going to be this awkward shit. Ugh! Maybe I'll ask the professor about it after class...

"Ahem." Huh?

I turn around to see the source of the sound and well of course, it's William Jeanes. He shifts from the seat diagonally behind me, to the one directly behind me. Wow, his original seat was that close? Who knew. He glares at me from behind his round framed glasses.

What is his problem?

"Well hello, if it isn't miss I'm-so-popular? Finally got your attention?" He teases with a sly smirk.

What the fuck?

"Excuse me?" I say with my eyebrows raised.

I take a good look at him, at least at what I can see of him. He's got really, really curly hair that's close to black, similar to his eyes. His eyes are such a dark brown, but not really a creepy kind of dark, I just can't put my finger on it. And of course, his round framed glasses that actually suit him well.

He's actually not that bad looking if he just cuts out his 'fuck off' vibes.

"Ah sorry, would you prefer being referred to as royalty?"

"What..?"

"Pleasure to be working with you your highness." He says as he rests his head in his hand.

Okay, Fuck him.

I turn around and start fiddling with my mechanical pencil. I can't deal with this guy. Now I wish he was an awkward little shit instead of this snarky prick! I'm already over this.

I watch the clock as I wait for it to hit 4:00. Come on, come on.

"You should know it's extremely rude to ignore someone who is talking to you. Especially if we're going to be working together for the next two weeks." I'm not looking at him, I can just hear the smirk on his face.

"Too bad." I reply. Oh no, did he say 2 weeks? 2. Weeks. God no.

I look up to see everyone getting out of their seats to leave the class. Oh shoot! I jump out of my seat to catch the professor as quickly as possible. I'd at least like to work with someone I'd actually ever talk to!

"Professor!" I exclaim.

"Noelle, yes. What is it?"

"Is there any chance I could be assigned a different partner?" I beg.

"And why would that be?"

"Um... well, I just feel I'd work better with someone else." I reply.

He clears his throat and leans against his desk. "Noelle, when I looked through your previous marks in high school, besides a few slip ups here and there in your senior year, you were one of the top students. But I've noticed you haven't been paying attention, and your paper last weeks was disappointing to say the least."

Ouch.

"William is a very smart kid, and I'd like you to work with him to maybe help you get back on track, you know?" He says with a warm smile.

Professor Ericson is one of the professors that actually care. And I mean he really cares about everyone. It hasn't even been that far in the year at all, and yet I feel like he's known everyone here for a year already.

He's pretty cool, but damn, I don't really like him right now!

"Well, I mean... but-" I stutter.

"If you can give me at least a vague explanation of this assignment, I'll consider assigning you a different partner." He smirks.

Crap. Crap he got me good.

I look down at me feet, my face probably red from embarrassment.

I hear him chuckle, and so do I.

"Well that settles it. I have high hopes for you." He says as he continues with his paper work.

Well damn. I wish he could have just let me switch. Okay, I wasn't paying attention and that was my fault, sure! But you know what!

...

Whatever!

I head to the door and- oh of course! It's him! What, do you think your cool? Leaning against the door frame, all apathetic and angsty. Is he waiting for me?

Ugh, there's that smirk. I'm already sick of it.

"Not to be rude, but I heard a bit of your conversation with the professor. To think you would want to get rid of me, I am hurt." He puts a mocking hand over his heart, faking a pout.

Yeah, this is going to be hell.

"Meet me here at 5:30, we'll start our assignment there. Oh but I first must explain this assignment, because you weren't paying attention as usual." He sneers, making me want to shove in head in wall. Don't make fun of me for that!

I rip the paper with the address out of his hand, walking past him without a word.

"Nothing to say now? How sad. Till then I suppose!" I looked back to see him waving. Bad move. I just made that asshole more cocky.

I rush my way to my dorm to see-

"Blaire!" Wow she's never here!

"Oh hey!" She's sitting at our table with her laptop and phone out, doing... whatever Blaire does. She crazy. No, really. She is bat-shit crazy! She'll do anything to have a good night, and I don't know whether to respect her, or call 911.

"What are you up to now?" I ask.

"Ahhh, nothing much, just the usual." She replies, not even looking at me.

"Oh! Are excited for the party, what is it in, 9, 10 days?"

"Hm? What party?" I usually hear about the big party's from Blare, which I'm grateful for.

"Come on! It's huge! It's going to be sooo much fun! Oh my gosh, I actually can't wait!" She exclaims, actually looking at me this time.

I ignore the thought in the back of my head. "Well, I'll look forward to it." I say before heading to my room to put some stuff away.

I wanna get a snack before meeting William. Knowing him, the address he gave me is probably a library. Maybe a cemetery, who know.

"Hey there's something else going on over the weekend. You going?"

"Oh uhhh.." shit.

"What?" She frowns.

Crap. What do I say? Go. You know you need to.

"Yeah... I'll go, could I go with you?" I mumble.

"Sure, but I'm not driving bitch." She laughs, suggesting the obvious.

"Of course, of course." I chuckle, snacking on a granola bar.

I can't believe myself.

I spend the rest of my time on my phone occasionally chatting with Blaire, until I had to leave to meet William. Saying I'm not excited is an understatement. For all I know, he could be leading me somewhere where's he's going to murder me! I don't trust him off a second.

Well.

Wish me luck.