Lara and I stepped into the classroom and took our usual seats next to each other. "Oh, Marco! I have to tell you about this guy I'm talking to. He's so cute, and just my type. Anyway, he invited me out on a date, and we are going to go out and-"Lara was cut off. 

"Good morning, class. As I'm sure you are all aware, the final project is officially being announced today, and I will provide you with the outline and rubric. This year, I have decided to try something a little new. I want you all to meet and interact with different personalities. If you log onto our classes page, you will be able to find your partner for this assignment, as well as their student email, in case you do not yet know this person. Good luck with your project. It is due next week by midnight. Once you reach out to your partner, you are free to leave," Our professor announced. 

"What, that's so lame," Lara exclaimed. I pulled out my laptop, scrolling to see who my partner is. I stopped and groaned. This is the worst possible outcome. "Who did you get?" Lara asked. 

"Jackson," I groaned. The other students had started to file out of the classroom. They must have already found their assigned partners, or they don't care. Jackson and I don't get along. We are just too different. We probably will never get along. We went to High school together, which is how we even know each other, and we happened to both go to the nearest college. 

I looked up to see Jackson approaching me. Lara quickly excused herself, going to find her assigned partner. "This isn't going to work," Jackson stated. 

"I agree," I muttered. Jackson glared at me, and I glared back. I stood up, using my height to my advantage. I was taller than him. "We can talk to our professor and request a change."

We approached our professor, and I started to explain that Jackson and I could not work together on this final project and that we needed new partners. 

"Do you have a valid reason?" He asked. 

"We can't get along. It's impossible. He was also an asshole to me in high school," I explained. Jackson rolled his eyes. 

"Hey, please watch your language. That is not an acceptable reason. You can work together, or you can fail this project, and I can go ahead and list both of your grades as a zero," Our professor explained. 

"We'll do it," Jackson stated, though he didn't look happy about it. He stormed out of the lecture hall, and I followed closely behind him. I didn't want my good grades to be ruined by this project.

"We can work on the project at my house," I suggested. Jackson stopped to turn and look at me. He looked absolutely furious. "Or we could do it at your house."

"I am not bringing someone like you near my home. We will work on it at your house at 6 every afternoon until it's done. We present first thing Monday morning, and I want to be ready," Jackson replied. We only had a week to figure out this project. 

"Someone like me? What, because I'm gay?" I asked. Jackson glared at me. "You know what. That doesn't matter right now. I want to get a good score on this project. I'll text you my address," I sighed. 

"I'm not giving you my number," Jackson replied. 

"Look, I need to send you my address, and if something comes up and we need to meet at a different place or time, we will need to know. Just put your name in my phone," I explained, passing him my phone. He put some information in, then handed me my phone back. "Seriously? You put your contact in as 'coolest contact I have'. That is so uncool, and I have way cooler contacts than you," I continued, sending him my address.

"Yeah, you probably have five contacts in your phone," Jackson replied. I hated to admit that I had very few contacts. "I'll be at your house at 6," He continued, walking away. 

"Wait! Show me the text. I want to make sure you didn't give me a fake contact," I called. Jackson scoffed, then pulled out his phone, showing me the text. He didn't put a contact in for me. "Make my contact in your phone 'smartest person I know', because you sure surround yourself with ignorant people, if you have the same type of friends you had in high school. Anyway, I'll see you at 6."