A Tribird’s Love

Chapter 9

Tyler

When Mrs.Mars started to parenter us up, I was certain she was going to partner me and Ariah as usual. But this time she didn’t. I was actually surprised yet a little annoyed, I wanted to be her partner. Her presence made my day. I was able to be close to her without making anything too obvious besides my constant staring, but everyone stared at her; they just kept their distance. I watched as Valtino walked over to her and sat down with the biggest smirk on his face while Ariah looked annoyed. I was partnered with some girl and when she sat next to me she was saying something that I wasn’t paying attention to. I was too concentrated on the conversation in front of me to hear anything she said. I’m happy I had all my attention on them because Val leaned over a little too close to Ariah because I saw the way she shifted in her seat that she wasn’t comfortable with his closeness. The words that came out of his mouth made a low growl slip (am I jealous or protective), it wasn’t just what he said but the way he said it. I may have startled my partner because she scooted away from me. 

I walked over to them and stood behind Ariah. She must’ve felt me standing behind her because she turned around quickly and looked me in my eyes. Swear I can get lost in her eyes, they are a perfect mix of gray and blue. I also noticed how they change color depending on her mood like a mood changing ring. I couldn’t deal with him being near her or even making a ‘promise’ I knew he couldn’t fulfill so I simply asked for a swap. Of course he denied the swap giving some bullsh*t reason talking about if Mrs.Mars wanted her to be my partner she would’ve done so like any other time. I wasn’t trying to hear his nonsense, I was trying to get Ariah as my partner. I can see Araih getting annoyed, because her eyes changed to a solid gray. Maybe because we were sitting here talking as if she wasn’t right next to us or because Val started to draw attention to us, maybe even both. I turned to her and asked if she was ok with swapping, I was kind of hurt when she said she’ll stay being his partner. I wanted to knock the smirk off of his face when she said it, but she did it for me in a nice yet sarcastic way (Now I’m the one smirking). I walked back over to my unfortunate partner and we went over the assignment, not going to lie my partner didn’t have my undivided attention, I kept looking over at Ariah and Val. I was very satisfied to see her scoot her stool over to the side of the table that was no longer next to him.

While I impatiently waited for the class to end I texted Nesha seeing if she’ll be able to ditch class next period and help me set up. I honestly don’t even know why I asked when she’s always ditching her second period. She always said something about not having to be present in class to turn in work, as long as she’s there for important dates which are tests and quizzes. She gave me the ok and said she’ll meet me by my car.

When the bell rang indicating class was over, I walked behind Ariah as she left the class. Her second period was near the entrance, the way I was headed anyway. She was walking to class and she stopped Nesha, so I stopped at the water fountain and refilled my water bottle. Of course I’m eavesdropping again and I hear Ariah asking her where she was going. She told her she had something to do, but Ariah stopped her in her tracks again telling her she had a makeup quiz today (sh*t, now I gotta wait). Nesha looked up and found me staring, then with apologetic eyes with a tight smile, shrugged her shoulders and turned to start walking to class. Soon as the second bell rang letting u know class has started my phone vibrates.

Nesha: Sorry, just a minor setback. I forgot I missed the quiz Wednesday and today is makeup day. I’ll be out to help you soon as I’m done.

Me: No problem, I’m sure I can make it happen.

I can grab everything on my own, I just didn’t want to make multiple trips to the car. That way the people not in class during this hour wouldn’t be trying to see what’s going on (Nowadays everyone is nosy). Limit folks following me or getting a rumor started, not that it would actually be a rumor. It’ll just be the wrong rumor towards the wrong person because they don’t know who it’s for, they’ll make up some girl’s name. That I don’t want, I don’t want to mess up any chance I could have with Ariah. So I did what I’m sure everyone has done before, I made that one trip happen. Flowers and balloons in my left hand while I had two bags hanging from my left arm. My right arm had two bags hanging and in my hand two more bags.

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Nesha

I completely forgot about this make up quiz, stupid doctor’s appointment. I was ready to get the ball rolling for Ariah. It feels like a lot happening all in one day, this will literally be a birthday she can’t forget. She started her day off with a hefty breakfast (OMG, love her mom’s cooking), I can never forget the love her daddy shows her every year. I think this year he really hit home or something because when I walked up to her earlier she was trying to hide away her tears. She blessed me last night telling me the greatest news, one she’s having a party (which isn’t like her) and two I was able to spend it with her. Not going to lie, I was a little bummed when she said this year wasn’t our regular birthday showdown and I would only be able to hang out with her during the day. Something about tradition that on the sixteenth birthday it’s only the people that stay in their home, I thought that was really intimate. I know my mom told me for the first three years of her children's lives she only did intimate birthdays where only the people that stayed in the household celebrated. 

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After a million things finished running through my head, I realized I was finished with the quiz. I didn’t even realize I was doing it because I was thinking of everything but the test. Guess that’s a pointer for being smart, not to mention math is super easy for me.

When I take my seat diagonal from Ariah, I see her zoning in and out so I get her attention and make sure she’s ok. She tells me yes, but then says the worst thing ever ‘she’s leaving for the rest of the day.’ I slightly panic and I think she noticed but I cover it up and tell her I order a birthday lunch for her. Luckily that works and I swipe away my imaginary sweat.

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I slip out of class while the teacher isn’t paying attention, but I’m sure she already knows I’m always slipping out of her class. I shoot Tyler a text telling him I’m on my way. He didn’t text me back so I figured he was busy so I went to where everything will be and when I say I’m surprised with what he has put together so far, I applaud his hard work. I thought I was no longer needed, it looked like he had everything under control.”Sooooo, what did you need my help with exactly?” I had to ask. Tyler turns around and smiles at me and points to the gifts and bag of petals. “I’m going to hang this ‘Happy Birthday’ banner over there so she’ll see it when she first walks up the stairs. With the gift bags under it. On that side the rose petals are going to be in a circle. What do you think?” I’m sitting here staring at him, with this proud look. My BestFriend is lucky, too bad Tyler is the eldest and his sister and brother are freshmen (twins). I would for sure be asking like “So do you have a sister, brother or cousin of age?” Wait..come to think about it, he does have a couple  of  cousins, they're all complete d*cks though.