Classroom Tensions

Elena.

Once my footsteps reached the front of his classroom, there he was. Killian was sitting in his chair when I entered, his fingers busy writing something on a piece of paper. He doesn't look up as I pass by, but I can feel the change in atmosphere. I'm sure he must have smelled my scent from a distance.

"Sit down Elena, the other students will be here soon," he said as he looked at his watch, then at the door. I slipped my bag off my shoulder and set it on the floor, then sat down in one of the chairs.

The next person to enter was Javier, a student who came to school so rarely that I often forgot he was there, even though he had been in English class since kindergarten.

Javier nodded at me, then settled into a seat a little further away, aloof as usual. I let out a sigh, rubbing my eyes as I waited for more people to come.

Then came Victoria, a senior who was only in this class for the second time. She was older, but definitely not more mature and wise.

And the last one was Claire.

To say that Claire was not beautiful would be a lie. She had thin cheekbones, a body that even I, the overly confident Elena Brown, could envy, and her teeth were whiter than paper.

Even so, she had her flaws. Many, in fact. For one, she is a two-faced bitch.

Normally I never met Claire, because she was not in my class and we were not in the same class. Of course, this helped a lot, since we never got along with each other. Despite being on the same level socially, we were totally different.

In general, we were indeed pretty similar. We both loved parties, and boys, and hated school. But the difference is more in our personalities. Claire is the type of person who will put on a face when she doesn't like something or doesn't get her way. Whereas I prefer to keep it quiet.

She also likes things that she can't have. There were many rumors buzzing around her, but she would do nothing to refute them. For example, she cheated on her ex-boyfriend with another ex-fling, she slept with her guidance officer or told another girl that she looked like a pug.

For sure, once she sees Killian, her world must get a little better. Even if Killian would never show her much attention, at least that was what I hoped for. I knew that Claire would not stop trying. Once you give her one thing, then she will definitely do it.

"Hello, Mr. Lockwood!" She greeted him in a cheerful voice while walking into the classroom. She nearly had me snorting when I heard her fake song-like tone.

Then her eyes darted over to me for a few seconds before returning their gaze to Killian. While walking to her desk, Claire chose the seat closest to Killian's and set her shoulder bag down casually.

"So, what are we going to do today?" Claire asked, looking very enthusiastic, even though she was just pretending. Actually, she was also a good actress, which was why she had been the lead in consecutive school plays for almost five times.

While Killian paid her no mind, he instead pulled out a bundle of papers.

"Each of you will get a packet that will be completed by next Monday. These are the basics," he said with a look of lack of interest as he handed out the papers. I shot him a sarcastic look as he walked away, to which he only replied with a shake of his head.

After that, he told us to open the packet of papers, which we all did. Before he could say a word, Claire started talking again. Making me roll my eyes.

"Mr. Lockwood, I think we should get to know each other first," She flashed a smile, and everyone just tilted their heads toward her.

Killian then looked at her with a dull gaze. "I'm sure you all know each other already." He stated.

It was true. We were all in the same class since childhood, except for Victoria. We knew everything we needed to know about each other.

"I really don't know any of them," Claire said with an innocent pout, seemingly at a loss. I could not help but remind her.

"You came to my 10th birthday party back in the day though," I told her, and she just shrugged away without a care in the world.

"That was a long time ago." She replied in an annoying tone.

"And my next 11th, 12th, 13th, and most unfortunately, 14th birthdays," I went on, remembering how our parents were such good friends that I was forced to invite her every year. Until finally, I threw a piece of cake in her face and my parents realized that we were not meant to be friends.

"Still," Claire shrugged off my comment and instead glanced over at Javier. "I don't know who he is."

Javier gave her a bored look, his dull voice filling the air. "I went to school with you in 6th grade."

Once again I burst into laughter at Javier's response, and I caught a glimpse of a faint smile on Killian's face. On the other hand, Claire shifted uncomfortably, not knowing what to say.

"We should start working on it," Killian broke the tension, looking down at his bundle of papers. Reluctantly, I look at mine.

The remaining time passes slowly. A few times I fell asleep and Killian had to wake me up, usually by hitting my head with a piece of paper.

When I woke up, there was an uncomfortable feeling in the air as Claire kept asking my mate inappropriate questions.

"Do you have a girlfriend?" Claire asked first, leaning over to him. While Killian was reading an excerpt from the Romeo and Juliet by Shakespeare.

"No." He answered briskly. Claire gasped in surprise.

"Wow, I had thought that you must have a girlfriend. I mean, look at you," Claire chuckled, as we all just sat in silence. I could feel the jealousy churning in my stomach. For no reason, I wanted to scream at her. But instead, I just saw her trying to dig things deeper.

Killian did not give an answer, but rather just said that they should continue their work. Still, the girl is persistent, twirling her hair around her ring finger as if she is trying to get his attention.

"My brother wants to know the best brand of underwear. You know, the softest ones," she said again, instantly making me speechless.

"Hey, you don't even have a brother," I pointed out. She quickly snapped her head back to me, her eyes narrowing.

"Shut up Lane!"

I blinked in shock. She called me by the nickname I hated the most in this world. She used to make fun of me with that nickname when we were kids.

"Oh yeah, Claire's a cobbler?" I taunted her back.

Killian burst out into laughter but tried to cover it up by coughing. Everyone in the room was laughing to themselves except the two of us. After he finished coughing, he closed his book and stood up.

"Why don't we call it a day," he said. We still had another half hour or so, but everyone stood up, grateful.

"Goodbye Mr. Lockwood," Claire gave him a coy smile. Turning to me, she shot me a glare, then turned to leave. I stared at her as she walked away, her hips swaying almost overly.

Picking up my bag, I started walking towards the door.

"Goodbye Elena," Killian said behind me. I froze for a moment, turning slightly to glance at him.

It felt like there was a twist in our relationship. As much as I still hated him, and wanted to shout out when I was with him, it was different this time. Like I could actually stand by him and be okay.

"Goodbye, Mr. Lockwood," I replied, adding a slight tone of formality to compensate. I could even say goodbye without the overwhelming feelings of rage.