Mismatched

He didn’t know what to expect when he got placed in the midst of the snooty-looking braniacs. He’d heard rumours that they were able to emotionally decapitate you with one look and he’d even heard they’d reduced a grown man to tears once with their witch-like cackles. Their reputation pretty much preceded them, and he considered himself extremely unlucky to be in their midst. He knew without a doubt that his week had been ruined.

“Sean King! Group sixteen.” The teacher yelled. Connor could have leapt out of his seat for joy. His best friend was going to be in the same group as him. He felt himself visibly relax, then. Now that he had an ally, he was sure things would be much smoother. Sean could hold his own, and together, they would put the mean girls in their place. Or so, he thought.

“Okay,” Sharon began. “We’re starting from the back of the module, reading forwards, so that we can properly grasp —”

“I’m not sure I understand,” Connor interrupted. “Why can’t we just start from the front. Who starts from the back?”

The withering looks the girls gave him could have melted granite. But he refused to be shaken, and glanced at Sean for support.

Sean didn’t miss a beat. “Yeah, I don’t get it. Why can’t we just use the normal way?”

Corinne, who found the boys mildly amusing stated softly. “This is just the way we do it. If you could just let it play out, you’ll see how nicely you can grasp everything.”

Connor was adamant. This was the girls’ ways of controlling him. He was sure of it. They were already beginning to assert their dominance, and he wasn’t going to stand for it. “I insist we use the regular way that the teacher taught us. Why follow an unknown route when the known one is much simpler?”

Jackie, who had been silent along raised a hand that quieted everyone. “Listen here, you less than pleasant looking boys. You’re two and we’re three. Majority carries the vote. We’re doing it backwards. Any further arguments, and you can see yourself out of this group.”

It was silent for about ten seconds before Sean began chuckling. “Wow. I’ve never had someone call me less than pleasant looking before.” With that, he burst into an infectiously boisterous laughter that the girls couldn’t help but laugh alongside. They laughed long and hard, and unknowingly, the tension between them dissipated.

Now relaxed, Connor leaned forward. “Sooooo, why do you guys like going from the back so much —”

“Hey, Frog face. You’d better focus.” Jackie snapped, while stifling a laugh. Connor held up his hand in mock-surrender. Soon enough they began to work.

The group worked long and hard. Reading, researching and crafting out their essays. It was tough work, but the standing ovation they got afterwards as they made their final presentation was worth every sleepless night and back-breaking moment. Even the usually stern teacher, let out a “good job” that sounded more like a grunt than anything else. This was the most reaction she'd ever given, so that was the group’s biggest confirmation that they’d nailed it.

As they walked out of the class hall, laughing and making jokes that seemed nearly impossible about a week ago, Sean began. “Sooo, I’m guessing we part ways here?”

The girls exchanged glanced and smirked. “Oh, Sean, you needn’t look so deflated. I’m sure you’d find other people that would make your painfully boring life somewhat interesting.” Sharon cooed.

“Yeah, it’s okay to admit that this,” Corinne said, gesturing at all of them, “Was nice.”

Sean grinned at her. “Okay, I’ll admit —”

“Enough already!” Jackie and Connor yelled in unison. “I can’t keep up with any more of the sappy stuff.” Jackie added, laughing.

“Alright, alright. So, movies at the cinema this Saturday?” The girls smiled. A most unlikely friendship had been formed.

“It’s not a date,” Sharon said as they sauntered away.

Jhymi🖤

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