Pearl Haven Academy

Chapter 16- Trio in History Class

THALIA

I feel them staring at me so intently I can't focus, but I keep my gaze down on my book even though I can feel their gazes boring right through me.

Then a sticky note lands on my book.

I quickly open it.

Meet us at the locker room when class ends. Let's make history together.

I shudder and crumple the sticky note.

Then another one is thrown on my book again.

We promise you'll like it. We'll show you a good time.

I place those notes inside my bag.

Then I lift my head to look around at where the sticky notes were coming from, and I finally see Wade is sitting beside me.

So that's where the sticky notes are coming from.

I heave a sigh and take his sticky notes from him, and I start to write.

Your pick-up lines are so lame; what if I don't want to make history?

I shove that on his desk and stare at his face.

He snickers, then glares at me. As he writes and passes it to me.

Well, you can't stop what's going to happen; it's going to happen one way or another.

I place that note in my bag and ignore him.

WADE

After I handed the sticky note, she shoved it in her bag and ignored me as she focused on class instead.

But I keep staring at her. Somehow she focuses my attention all on her except for class. Class is boring, but she is much more interesting. Watching her is more fun. I wonder what she would be like if she trembles in fear. That must be quite an interesting one to experience firsthand.

THALIA

This class feels so long. I just keep jotting stuff in my notebook so I don't have to stare at who's sitting beside me. It's working, but I can't shake him off. Are they really serious about what's going to happen later? While I'm writing, I glance at him, and he just keeps facing me without a care about the lesson.

Then he eyes me down and whistles. "Can you stop staring? You're making me feel uncomfortable," I hiss.

"You should get used to it, because after school today we will get what we want to do with you; you'll have our eyes on you from now on going forward," Wade says.

I shudder. These men really want me one way or another, but I refuse to give in. Because if I do surrender, I can kiss my scholarship goodbye with all the scandals that will happen from associating with them.

The professor ends the class, and then I quickly shove my notebook and the rest of my stuff inside my bag.

Then I quickly exit the room before they can catch up. I don't want to stay in that room with those three for a minute longer.

While I was rushing out, I bumped into someone.

"S-Sorry," I say and look up at the person. Thankfully, it's Nika.

"Are you alright, Thalia? You look pale. Do you want to go to the clinic?" Nika says.

"No, I'm okay. Sorry, I didn't notice you," I say apologetically.

"Hey, it's fine. There are days like that." She pats my shoulder. "Anyway, I'm glad I bumped into you. The results are in!" She says excitedly.

"Results?" I tilt my head.

"Have you forgotten? The tryouts! Come on, let's check it out, silly." She chuckles and drags me by the arm.

"Ah, of course I remember," I say. The results are out already?

Nika takes me to the announcement board, and we look at the results from the track and field club.

I lean close to the board to see my name clearly until I hear Nika squeal.

"You passed!" She beams at me. "I guess cheering squad is out of the picture, I'm happy for you, girl!" She hugs me tight.

I hug her back tight. "It's all thanks to my cheerleader," I say.

She squeals and starts to jump. "Oh stop, you did your best too! I'm so happy for you, truly!"

I giggle, and from the corner of my eye, I see Zach.

It seems he passed too by the look on his face.

Then we locked eyes. He moves his mouth to whisper at me.

I stare at his lips to read what he was saying, but I fail to understand it, and then he gives me a smirk as I look up at his eyes again.

"Earth to Thalia. Hello?" Nika snaps her fingers at me.

"Oh, sorry," I say. "You were saying?"

"What's got you so distracted?" She turns her head to see what I was looking at, but Zach is already gone.

"Oh, I think I saw Miko over there," I say.

"What? Miko?" She shudders.

I contemplate why Nika is suddenly like this. If they were dating, her expression is a bit off.

Or maybe she just doesn't want anyone to know. So I just chuckle.

Then I feel a hand tapping on my shoulder.

Nika's eyes widen, so I turn my head to see who is behind me.

And I find Cheshire staring at me.

"I saw you passed," he stares at me as he keeps his hands in his pockets. "Congratulations."

That's weird. What's gotten into him? I didn't know he would congratulate me. Is he really kind? No, that might just be him tricking me.

But when I look into his eyes, he seems sincere enough.

CHESTER

I stare at my little mouse. She seems confused why I would congratulate her when she seems to be my nemesis.

We might be enemies, but I know when to give credit where it's due.

She keeps looking at me with a confused expression when my dad suddenly comes up behind me with Albert in tow.

"Thalia!" He calls out. He barely notices me, but I'm used to it.

Albert also passes me by and hands an envelope to my little mouse.

"Mr. Principal!" She says as she takes the envelope. "What is this for?"

"Just a little reward for your accomplishment," He says.

"But this is too much, please! At least just give it to me if I won first place or something." She says and hands the envelope back to Albert.

My dad looks at me and Nika. "I'm sorry, can I talk to her in private for a moment?"

"Oh, sure, Mr. Martin," Nika says. "Just come back afterwards, Thalia!"

I stare at my little mouse and give a nod.

Then she and my dad walk away.

THALIA

After we left Nika, Chester, and Albert behind for a moment, Mr. Martin clears his throat.

"I know it's too much, but I insist you should accept it, Thalia." says Mr. Martin.

"But I..." I pause.

"It's what your parents would have wanted for you." Mr. Martin says again.

I try to hold back my tears, but I can't help it.

I didn't think someone would care about me this much still... "But, is it really okay?" I say to him once more looking into his eyes.

"Yes, so please accept it. Your parents would do the same if they were still alive." He says.

I clutch the envelope and place it inside my bag. "Thank you, Mr. Martin. I won't let you and my parents down."

"That's the spirit," he says. "Run along now. Your friends are waiting for you."

I smile. Well, Nika is the only one who counts as my friend. I still f***ing hate Cheshire.

I wave at the principal and bow as I run off to find Nika.

I find Nika scrolling through her phone as she waits for me while Cheshire is on the other side of the bench smoking a cigarette.

I thought Cheshire would talk to her to pry information about me, but it seems I got it wrong.

"Nika, I'm back!" I say.

"Girl!" She pockets her phone and approaches me. "So how did it go with Mr. P?" She chuckles.

"It went well. Have you been waiting long?" I ask her.

"Not at all; we still have time for lunch before Physics." Nika says.

"Oh, thank goodness. Shall we go, then?" I ask her.

Cheshire locks eyes with mine, but I turn away.

"Yeah, let's!" says Nika.

Nika and I walk to the cafeteria, and I order a creamy macaroni soup with rice while Nika orders a baked macaroni.

Then we make our way to a vacant table.

Then Chester passes by with Zach and Wade in tow.

He gives me a cupcake.

I stare at it.

"What's this for?" I ask.

"For you." He says.

I hand it back to him. "No thanks, you eat it," I say. Who knows what he placed inside there?

"Well, if you don't like it, you can just throw it. Not like a big deal, anyways."

He storms off, and I raise an eyebrow.

He really is complicated. I can't understand him.