Badboy's Redemption.

CHAPTER 4-SCHOOL PROJECT

Time was moving fast and the school assignments were piling up every day. Jay was a last-minute person and loved doing the assignments on the last day.

Mr. Ron our literature tutor came to class and started lecturing. "I have a task for all of you," he said and waited for us to settle down.

"There is a very interesting script I will give out to the class, it's a part I removed from a literature book. I need you to grasp those words well," he added.

This was the part he hated so much in the final year. But everyone had to do it since it would reflect in the final results. If he had a choice he would have dropped literature as a freshman.

"I will pair you randomly in groups to perform various parts. The final groups that will be chosen will be given a chance to compete with the neighboring school. And don't forget there are rewards." he added

"What criteria will you use to pair us? You may pair us with some people who are not serious about this." one of the students asked

" What if we chose for ourselves whoever we want to do the project with?" another student added

Everyone was yelling and trying to voice their opinion. Jay was in his world hoping he will be paired with Ella since it would be an opportunity to get close to her.

The tutor finally decided to pair us himself. He started calling us by our names and pairing us. When Ella's name was called his heart started racing and he got very nervous.

"Ella and Jay." his heart skipped a bit when he heard that. He turned to look in Ella's direction. She looked at him and smiled. Dan started cursing from behind but he ignored him.

"The competition will be next weekend. You have the remaining time to familiarize yourself with the script and your partner," he said and left.

"You look nervous mehn! relax," Davies told Jay as he went to join his partner

"Are you sure you can do this?" Mike asked

"Yes, I can.",

" Then you need some air. You are in bad shape and this would give Ella a bad impression of you," he whispered to him and walked away laughing

Mike's sentiments were not enough Dan walked over to my desk and warned me. "She is mine," Dan said and walked away. Jay was pissed but he tried to control his temper he didn't want to cause any chaos at that moment. He somehow regretted getting himself into this but he didn't want anyone else to be with Ella.

She stood up and walked in his direction. He watched her as she approached him

"I'm Ella," she said smiling as she stretched her hand to greet him.

"I'm jay."

"Pleasure to meet you, Jay," she said

" Do you have any ideas on how we can handle this?" I inquired. He didn't want to waste any time since he wanted to get away from her. Sitting there with her made her so nervous and sooner she would realize he was not at ease.

"I think each of us should memorize their part and will be up to go through it together," she explained. As she was talking events of that night came flashing back. Jay got lost in thought and he didn't hear her call his name severally.

"Hey, are you okay?"

"yes. I'm just tired. I think your idea is great."

We made small talk and we agreed we will meet on Saturday to go through the play together since we are busy on the weekdays. Her being new here she didn't know the places quite well so she gave him her number so that he could pick her up on that day.

The class finally came to an end. She bid me goodbye and left. As soon as she left, Mike and Davies got there.

"How did it go." mike asked. Jay didn't say a word he just showed them the phone number and told them they will be meeting on Saturday.

"Nice move Jay." Davies complimented. "I knew you won't fail us."

"We need to talk, "Ash said as she approached him. She was so angry. She held his hand and lead me out of class

" Did you have to do this"What's going on?" jay asked,

"is it true you have been paired with Ella for this year's school project?"

"Who told you we've been paired?" he demanded

"No one important. Just answer me. she said

" it is true. it was the tutor's idea. Do you have any problem with that?

She kept quiet for some time before responding.

"Dan told me you are after Ella."

"I can't believe you are believing Dan's word again. He has been filling your head with lies and all kinds of things and you still believe him? you are so unbelievable Ash. I have told you so many times to stay away from him."Jay said and walked away. They were attracting attention and a small crowd had formed already.

Jay walked to his car. Ashley followed him to the car and begged him to forgive her.

" I'm sorry," she said

He stared at her caressing her lips with his hand. "It's okay forgive you. I know I would have done what you did back then if I were in your shoes." I told her.

"Thank you." she was happy.

"I have a better plan." jay said."Since this is my final year, I don't want a lot of issues or get into trouble in college. I was requesting if we could be meeting and solve our problems outside school. But when we are in school let's focus on what brought us to school." he added

Ash didn't answer she just looked at me and laughed." since when were you this serious about school?"

"Since today," I responded. Jay know she was trying to ease the tension between them, so he played along.

"If that's what you want I have no objection," she responded. They got out of his car and he walked her toward hers. He opened the car for her to get in." I'll pick you up tonight." he told her as he closed the door.

"I'll be waiting."

"Okay, I'll see you then," jay responded and left

He was contended with what he had done. He was able to make her stay away from him at school. He got to the volleyball pitch to find out the training had ended. He didn't realize time had moved so fast. He drove home to prepare to go out with Ash.

As jay was about to pull in their gate, he saw Ella get out of her car to open the gate across the street. Does she live here he thought" He wanted to get out of the car and go talk to her but he couldn't. He didn't know what he'll tell her. He sat there and watched her get in.

On the other hand, Ash was so stressed. She wasn't sure if Jay was telling the truth or if he should believe Dan. A lot of thoughts were racing in her mind. To make it worse, he had proposed that they should stay away from each other while in school. But one thing gave her hope, they have been through so much with him and she believed Jay won't leave him ever.

She decided to prepare for her date tonight. She wore a black tiny dress, white stilettos, and her favorite perfume. Jay loved her cologne so much. She wanted to look so great tonight that Jay will think twice before leaving her.