Bria

"For the rest of class I want you and your partners to continue to work on your projects that are due at the end of the week." Ms.Taylor said in her classic monotone voice.

We'd already received assigned seating next to our partners, and for me of course it was a living hell. He was a bit different at the library, but now he's back to his dickhead ways.

"So for our diorama... we have to buy little plastic zebras..and tigers-"

"There are no tigers in the desert, Christopher." I said rolling my eyes.

"Ain't you say you wanted to research invasive species? Damn."

"That's not how invasive species work, it isn't just-"

"It's really irritating how you feel the need to constantly correct me."

"I was jus-"

"I feel like I'm trying to be patient with you, but you're not trying at all with me. You're so hard to work with-"

"You know what? How about I worry about the actual work, and you can worry about the stupid plastic figures for your little diorama.."

I'd come to some sort of compromise with him that rather than doing a slideshow, I'd go forward with the research paper, and he could do a diorama.

"Watch how you're talking go me, Brianna." He said using my full name.

"Don't call me Brianna, you don't know me like that."

"Everyone calls me Chris and you insist on calling me Christopher. So yeah, I'll call you Brianna."

I ignored that.

"If it'll be easier for you, I printed a list of the invasive species I discuss in the paper. You can add those to the diorama. Notice how Tigers won't make an appearance."

"Don't get smart." He said snatching the paper out of my hand.

"Bria." I heard a male voice call to me. I looked up and saw Samaad approaching Christopher and I.

"Nigga if you don't go back to your partner-" Christopher began to say,

"Mind yours." Samaad said interrupting, causing him to roll his eyes.

"So, Bria. I have to say you look very good today-"

Samaad's compliment was interrupted by the loud laughter of Christopher.

My face heated up in both anger and embarrassment.

"Bro shut up. You see me trying to run game and you over there being extra."

"Yeah but why would you-..never mind I ain't trying to hurt your girl's feelings." He said with a smirk.

"Shut up, Christopher." I said in the quietest voice possible.

"Forget about him. I was thinking you and me could hit up the boardwalk..let's see..Saturday?" Samaad asked.

On Saturday Forest would be at a sleepover with his friend, and I'd have the night free...but even still I didn't really want to spend it with Samaad.

However, for some reason... it felt impossible to say no, especially in front of Christopher.

"Sure, I'd love to."

"You for real? Bet." He said before walking back to his partner, leaving just me and Christopher sit in silence.

"So after all these months of acting like you're better than him you finally said yes. Maybe you're not as full of yourself as I thought."

"..excuse me? I'm not full of myself. If anyone is full of themselves it's you."

He laughed to himself, I then realized that was the reaction he was hoping for.

"Chris. Psst." Devyn, Samaad's partner whispered to Christopher. He looked back at her with a sly grin, and I tried my best not to stare.

"You didn't text me back this morning." Devyn said with a giggle.

"I had a busy morning, how about I make it up to you?" Christopher said to her, causing Samaad to make a dramatic gagging noise.

I felt like doing the same, I had no idea Devyn and Christopher had something going on. I had no problem with Devyn, but for some reason I rolled my eyes at the sound of her voice talking to Christopher.

"Hey Bria." She said with an overly peppy voice.

"Yes?"

"How about we switch..you know, so you can sit with Samaad?" She asked with a big smile. I knew that this had nothing to do with me, and she just wanted to sit with Christopher— but I didn't have much problem getting up to switch with her. I'm tired of him anyways.

I sat next to Samaad who was staring at me intently. "Sorry." He said looking away from me and down at his project.

"For what?"

"I know you don't want to sit with me."

"Pshh what? I do want to sit with you. And I can't wait for Saturday." Forgive me lord for lying to his face.

Samaad went on to talk about how much fun we'd have, and how he 'knew I'd come around' but I could barely pay attention. My eyes were fixed on Devyn and Christopher talking and laughing together, and how he'd occasionally turn around and look at me.

If he wants to play that game.

Samaad cracked some lame ass joke about the rainforest, and I found myself laughing extra hard at it, earning a look from both Devyn and Christopher.

Samaad swiftly put his arm around me, and I didn't stop him.

Christopher

Class finally let out and I quickly made my way out the door.

"Chris! Wait for me!" Devyn said chasing after me.

I found her slightly annoying at times.

I planned to walk to the grocery store to pick up the things for my project, but Devyn couldn't seem to leave me alone.

"Do you want to come over today?"

I was tempted to say yes, but this project was due at the end of the week and if I didn't get it done, not only would I fail..but I'd have to hear Bria yell at me.

"I... can't. Not today at least."

"Oh come on Chris! Don't you want to finally lose your-"

"There's always tomorrow Dev. I'm busy today."

"So I'm finally letting you do it and you're blowing me off? I'm guessing-"

"I'm guessing you better lower your voice. I'm busy today, I don't got time to argue with you."

She sucked her teeth and went over to her friend who was her ride, meanwhile I made my way to the grocery store, which was about ten minutes away from the school. I decided to text my mom, asking her if she'd needed something.

Mom:
Get me a lighter and a pack of Newports.

Of course.

I'm 17,  I can't buy you cigarettes

Mom:
Then get my damn lighter! Don't be stupid Christopher.

I turned my phone off and went into the store and began searching for what I need. Sand, plastic snakes, some type of random cactus Bria told me was 'invasive'....

As I was gathering my items I purposely "forgot" the lighter my mom requested. If it's anything I really wanted was for her to stop smoking.

I left the store with my bags and headed home, before I even got to my neighborhood I braced myself for the scolding I was about to receive from my mother. This wouldn't be your ordinary "stern talking to" that moms do.

I thought of ways to stall and delay the time I'd get home, but the longer I thought the closer I got to my house..and before I knew it I was in front of my door.

When I walked in my mom was sitting on the couch staring at nothing as if she was waiting for me.

"Mom I forgo-"

Before I could get my words out she snatched the bags out of my hands and emptied them out.

"Toys...markers..colored pencils, but no lighter?"

"I forgot-"

"You ain't forget about your lil art supplies but you just so happen to forget my shit?"

"It's for school..."

"Sure it is. I suppose all those paintings and drawings you've done is for school too? That's all you do is draw in that silly little notebook-"

"That has nothing to do with this. I'm working on a project, Mom."

"Chris save it! You know when you told me you made the basketball team I finally thought...maybe my son isn't a fag-"

"I'm done arguing." I said picking up my things she'd spilled out of the bags. I did enjoy drawing and painting in my pass time, and she'd always use that to accuse me of being gay. That shit is part of the reason I don't show people my art.

The first time she said something like this to me, I was younger, and I couldn't help but be incredibly hurt. I didn't talk to her for days at a time, but now she's said it so many times it didn't even phase me.

"Get your ass back to the store Christian!" She yelled, calling me by my father's name.