Chapter 5 I Am Dommed !!!

The entire week went by fast. Surprisingly, there were no dramas at all. Either Holly never got the news about Alex being my lab partner or she got over it fast. I doubt it's the latter.

I was currently sitting on my chair waiting for the Chemistry teacher when someone pulled my earphones from my ear.

"Who do you think you are having the guts to partner with Alex?" Holly said.

I guess I spoke too soon. The devil had heard the news. I'm actually surprised that she heard about it a week later. I just ignored her and put my earphones back in my ears. I know it will make her mad, but I'm in no mood to deal with her right now.

She pulled my earphone again and crossed her arms on her chest.

"I'm talking to you, nerd. How dare you ignore me? Do you want me to make your last year a living hell?" she threatened.

I sighed and put my earphones back in my ears again. There is less than 10 minutes left before the bell rings. I think I can manage to ignore her until the teacher arrives.

If earlier she was mad, by now she is furious. She grabbed my hair, pulling me off my chair. Now all my patience is gone.

The rest of the class formed a circle, trying to see all the commotion. I was about to twist her wrist when someone beat me to it.

"What are you doing, Holly?" Alex asked, removing Holly's grip from my hair.

"She started it first. She threw a milkshake at me earlier. I'm just here getting a payback." she lied.

"Holly, Jessie does not drink milk shake. Now stop causing a scene and just leave." Alex said.

He then looked at me and asked, "Are you ok Jessie? Why did you not fight back?"

"I was about to, but you beat me to it. Thanks, by the way. You did not have to do that." I said while fixing my now messy hair.

Before he could say anything, the teacher had already arrived.

"Okay, class. For today, we will conduct an experiment. I will give you all the instructions and you will follow them step by step. Reminders, this is not a game and every chemical should be handled with caution."

Everyone started preparing with their safety precautions. I took my goggles, mask and gloves from the drawer. Mrs. Welsh started giving out the instruction paper and all the chemicals we would need for the experiment. I was about to get the instruction paper when I remembered that this is a partnered activity. I forgot because last year I was all by myself, which was an enormous relief to me.

"Do you want to do the mixing and I read the instructions?" I asked Alex.

"Why don't we both do the mixing of chemicals?" he replied.

I just nodded. It was fine by me.

"Are you sure you are ok? We can go to the clinic if your head hurts." he said sincerely.

"Yes, I'm fine." I simply replied.

"Then what is wrong? You seem hesitant." he said.'Why do you have to be so nosy? It's not like we were ever close.' I said in my brain.

I wanted to say that, but of course I can't.

"Don't you see it? You are partnered to a nerd - the person at the bottom of the popularity pyramid. You are the school basketball captain - the person at the top of the popularity pyramid. You being partnered to me will affect your social status. That is why Holly is all over making my life miserable." I explained.

"Who cares? Besides, you are not a nerd. Just because you get top grades and focus on your studies does not make you a nerd. The so called "popularity pyramid" is all bullshit. I don't care about all that. And since we are partners for a lot of our subjects, I want us to be friends because we will work a lot together. Ok?" he said.

I just ignored what he said and started with the experiment. It was an easy one, and it was no surprise that we finished first. Chemistry class finished soon afterwards.

We were supposed to have P.E. today, but then it was canceled because of the Cheerleading team holding a try out for new members. I was just about to text Sophie when she called.

"Hey babe, I won't be able to drive you home today. I got dance practice and Emmy said Vincent is taking her to the movies."

"Oh, no problem. Have fun at the practice. See you tomorrow."

"Take care. Love yah"

"Love yah, bye."

Looks like I will take a bus today. I took my earphones from my bag and plugged it in my phone and started walking. When I arrived at the bus stop, there was already a bus. I got in and sat at the nearest empty seat. 20 minutes later I arrived at my stop.

I took a nap after taking a shower. I woke up from the sound of my phone. I checked my phone to see who was calling. I looked at the caller I.D. and saw that it was Alex.

Why would Alex call me? What could he possibly want?

I ignored the call and went back to sleep. Today exhausted me more than ever, and my head does hurt a little from that brief scene Holly caused earlier. I woke up to the smell of lasagna. I got out of bed and went downstairs.

"Hi Mom. Hi Dad."I said, taking a seat next to Dadon the couch.

"How was school kiddo?" Dad asked.

"It was the same, Dad." I said in a joke.

"Come on, you two. Dinner's ready." Mom said from the kitchen.

Dad and I got up and went to the kitchen. We just talked about how our days went over dinner. After dinner, I helped Dad with the dishes. After the dishes, I went back to my room to finish some assignments.

I was about to do my assignments when Sophie texted me.

'Why did you not tell me what that little bitch did to you earlier? I could have dumped the whole can of paint all over her!'

Knowing Sophie, a text would not suffice to calm her down, so I called her. The call lasted an hour of me explaining to her that there was no need to get mad and stuff. I just opted out the part where Alex defended me from Holly. If I did, the call would last all night long.

I went straight to studying after the call. I was about to sleep when Mom knocked on the door.

"Hey sweetheart. Can I talk to you for a minute?" she said.

"Sure, Mom. What's wrong?" I asked with concern.

"I overheard your talk with Sophie. Is everything ok in the school? Are you being bullied?" she asked with worry on her face.

"Mom, I am fine. You don't have to worry about me." I told her.

"I am your Mom and I will always worry. If someone is bullying you, tell them to the Principal." she said full of worries.

"Mom, I can take care of myself. I will fight when needed. Giving them attention won't make them stop what they are doing. They will get tired of it soon. Don't worry about me, Mom."

She was hesitant at first, but then she gave in. After she was sure that I was fine and all, she gave me a goodnight kiss before going to bed. I turned my lights off and went to sleep.

Since I woke up earlier than usual, I took a walk to school. I sent Sophie a text real quick, letting her know she does not need to pick me up in the house. I plugged my earphones and played my Fast Beat Playlist. The walk took me 45 minutes, but it was really nice since the weather was not too hot for walks.

Since I still have 20 minutes before my first class, I went straight to the library. I spent my time reading and studying for my lessons later. I left the library 5 minutes before my 1st Period. I stopped by my locker first to place some of my books for later. I was on my way to my History class when I heard Alex calling me. "Jessie, I was calling your phone yesterday. You did not answer." he said.

"Oh, you did? I did not receive any calls." I lied.

I left as soon as I said that. Hopefully nobody heard what he just said so that Holly won't make another scene.

Thankfully, my silent prayer was answered. The entire day went by smoothly. I was about to go home when I remembered that Alex and I were supposed to work on our project, and I agreed to meet him at the parking lot after school. I was walking with Sophie and Emmy when I saw Alex waiting by his car. He came up to me when he saw me. "So, are you ready?" he asked.

"I will just ride with Sophie and you can just follow us with your car." I said.

"Why don't you just ride with Alex, Jessie? It's going to be easier that way." Sophie suggested.

I know that the major reason is because they want me to get a ride with him. I was about to disagree with when Alex agreed.

"That's actually a good idea, Sophie. She is right, Jessie." he said. "Don't worry, I drive safely," he added.

I was left with no choice but to ride with Alex. I made sure to give Sophie and Emmy the look. I got in Alex's car and gave him the directions to my house. The ride to my house was quiet. It was not that awkward, but it was the kind of good quiet. The songs that were playing were the only thing you could hear. I invited him inside our house and told him to wait for me in the living room. I ran upstairs and changed real quick before grabbing the stuff that we would need for our project research. I passed by the kitchen first to grab some snacks before going to the living room.

We started working on our project peacefully. We would discuss some details, then go back to doing our research. Time flew by fast and before we know it, Mom and Dad are already home.

"Hi Mom. Hi Dad. How was work?" I asked. "Hey sweetheart. Oh, you have a friend over." Dad said.

"Mom, Dad, this is my Biology partner, Alex. We were working on our research project." I explained.

"Good evening Mr. and Mrs. Williams." Alex greeted.

"Good evening, Alex," Mom replied. "Are you guys almost done? Why don't you stay for dinner, Alex?"

"It's okay, Mrs. Williams. We are almost finished. I can just continue this at home. Thanks for the invitation though." Alex replied.

"We insist Alex. Please stay for dinner." Mom insisted.

"Thank you, Mrs. Williams." he replied.

I was completely lost during their entire conversation. Alexander Mckenzie is having dinner at our house?!

Gladly, the dinner went by with brief questions from my dad. My parents know about my crush on Alex, and I bet I will never hear the end of it once Alex leaves. After dessert, Alex said he will head home. After he left, Dad started bombing me with lots of questions.

"So is studying the only thing you both did?" he asked.

"Dad! First, he was only here because I do not want to do this project at his house and I don't have a car that will take me home. Second, he does not know that I like him. Third, all we did was study." I explained.

"Are you sure?" Dad teased.

"Dad! You know what, I'm going to bed. Hahaha." I said. "Good night, Mom and Dad," giving them both a hug before heading upstairs.

If there is one word I can explain today, it's going to be a good day. A day free from the Barbies and ended with Alex joining us for dinner. I guess the universe still answers wishes.

I went to bed with a huge smile on my face.