Bad Boy's Baby Girl

Cooties

*Monroe's POV*

Calculus goes by quickly, and I’m one of the first to make it to philosophy. As I watch the people file in I realize I’m instinctively looking for Cade. When I see him walk in just as the bell rings, I give him a tentative smile which he returns and takes his seat. 

“Alright class, so this week we will be starting a project on various philosophers throughout history. This project will be done in pairs,” at this everyone starts murmuring excitedly. “Quiet down please!” The murmuring stops. “You will have to submit a written study as well as give a 20 minute presentation to the class. You will have the whole week to work on it, and presentations start next Monday. Once you have chosen a partner, send one representative to come see me and I will assign you a philosopher.”

The chatter starts up again as people work out their partners. I turn to Cade and he says, “Partners?” I nod and say, “Sure. I’ll go get our topic.” I make my way over to the teacher and she says, “Ah Miss Thorn, how did you find your first week? Did you manage to find a partner?”

“Um, it was good thanks. Yeah, I did. Cade Gryffon.” At this she looks up at me with a raised eyebrow and says, “Are you sure?” 

“Yes. Is there a problem with that?”

“No, no. It’s fine. Just making sure,” she writes something down and then says, “Your assigned philosopher is Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz.”

I just nod and return to my seat to find that Cade has pushed our desks together. I sit down and look at him with an amused expression and ask, “Do I want to know why the teacher felt the need to ask me if I was sure I wanted to be your partner?”

“Did she really?” I nod and he cringes a bit before saying, “No you probably don’t want to know.” I decide not to push the topic but make a mental note to ask Maddy and Charlie about it later.

“So we got Leibniz.”

“Is that good or bad?”

“Well he wouldn’t have been my first choice.”

“Why not?”

“Don’t get me wrong, he was a ground-breaking scientist/engineer/mathematician; the guy basically invented differential and integral calculus. But as a philosopher, I can’t say I subscribe to his system of beliefs.” 

“And why exactly is that?”

“Because he was a perpetual optimist who believed that God was perfect and made the world perfect and personally, I think that's a load of shit.” 

“You’re right, that does sound like a load of s**t. So where do we start?”

We get to work researching and by the end of class we have a pretty solid outline done. I’m pleasantly surprised at how well we work together and how much effort Cade is putting in.

As we’re walking to the gym, he says, “Just so that I can mentally prepare myself, are you planning to show us all up at football too?” 

I laugh and say, “No, I don’t think so. Volleyball is my strongest sport for sure. I was just lucky that it was the first one we played.” 

“Hmm, I’m not sure I believe you, but okay.”

We head to our respective change rooms and I find Charlie already there. 

“So, are you gonna join in and play today?”

“Contact sports are NOT my thing,” she says.

“Charlie, it’s touch football. No tackling. All you have to do is not get touched.” I pull off my sweater and as I’m grabbing my t-shirt Charlie whisper yells, “What is that?!” while pointing to my shoulder. I try to look but can’t see anything, “What is what?” 

“This!” She says and pokes my shoulder, “Ouch! Charlie I can’t see there!” She pulls out her phone and takes a picture. When she turns it to me, my eyes widen and my cheeks turn red when I see the giant reddish purple hickey.

I pull my t-shirt on quickly and as she examines the picture. “When did you manage to get a hickey? And are those bite marks?” She says zooming in. She looks up and says, “This is why you were late for lunch! Do I even have to ask who?” I shake my head. The bell rings and she says, “This conversation is not over,” with a smirk on her face. Dammit. 

We get to the gym and I see Cade with his friends. I catch Xander’s eye and he gives me a strange grin. What’s that about?

Before I can dwell on it too much, Coach Woods says, “Due to the torrential downpour currently happening outside, we will be playing dodgeball today instead. Everybody pick a side.” 

Before Charlie can walk away, I grab her arm and drag her with me, “Monroe, what are you doing? I really don’t feel like getting whacked with a ball today.”

“Then don’t get hit, silly.”

“Monroooe,” she whines.

“Please, Charlie. Come on, it’ll be fun. Just one round. For me?” 

“Ugh, fine, but if I get hit in the face with the ball, I blame you.”

“Deal,” I say smiling. Coach lines up all the balls in the middle. I take my place at the end of the court and see that Cade is on the other team and has positioned himself directly across from me. I can see the challenge in his eyes from over here and I know that I cannot lose.

I know I’m decently fast, but Cade has longer legs than me. It’s a toss up. Coach Woods starts the countdown. When he blows the whistle I sprint towards the ball. I push myself hard and somehow make it there first. Cade tries to course correct once he realizes he’s lost but it’s too late and I nail him right in the ass. I laugh and stick my tongue out at him and he runs off the court.

I look back just in time to see Xander aiming at me and duck out of the way. Someone on their team catches the ball and Cade is back in. Him and Xander each grab a ball, whisper something to each other and spread out. I back up but I’m not fast enough. I dodge one, but the other catches my arm. I run off to the sideline. Shortly after, Parker hits Xander and he comes to join me. As we watch the game he says, “So, how has your day been?”

“Fine, until you ganged up on me,” I grin.

“Have anything good for lunch?”

My head snaps up to his and I find him looking all smug. He knows.

“Oh God. Please tell me that discussion didn’t happen in the middle of the locker room.”

“No, it didn’t happen at all. When I saw you were both late to lunch I had my suspicions and then seeing his back in the change room just now confirmed it. Your nails left quite an impression.” 

My mouth drops open in shock. “Don’t tell him I told you, but he likes them,” he says with a wink. “I think you’re back in,” he points and I see Charlie holding a ball saying, “Monroe, check it out! I got one!”

“I told you that you would like it!” I tell her as I jog back to the court.

The game finally ends and for the first time, I’m on the losing team. Cade and Xander stroll over to us and Xander says, “Monroe, is this your first time losing at a sport?”

I cross my arms over my chest and say, “Doesn’t count, dodgeball isn’t a real sport.”

“Aw come on, don’t be a sore loser. Let’s hug it out.” He opens his arms and I say, “Ew, no you’re all sweaty.” He moves forward to try and catch me but I dodge his arms and he starts chasing me around. I manage to get on one side of Cade with Xander on the other, using him as a shield. My eyes are on Xander trying to see which way he’s gonna go when Cade snags my arm and drags me over and before I know it, I'm squished in between both of them. “Cade! You traitor!” I try to wiggle out but I’m laughing too hard. “How am I a traitor? Xander and I were on the same team.”

“Okay, okay! You guys win!” They let me down and Xander crosses his arms and says, “Now wouldn’t it have been easier to just give me a hug when I asked?”

“You’re insufferable. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to go wash off all of your cooties.”  

I don't wait for a response before walking away with Charlie. I’m expecting her to ask about Cade but she’s suspiciously quiet. When we get to my locker and Maddy sees us she yells “b***h, start talking!” as she turns her phone towards me. My eyes widen and I look at Charlie and say, “You sent her the picture?!” 

“What? I figured I would have a better chance at getting the story out of you if we tag teamed.”

“Okay, okay! Not here though.”

“My house?” Maddy suggests. I nod and then run to my car in an attempt to stay as dry as possible. Coach was not exaggerating when he called it a torrential downpour. I follow Maddy to her house.