Aatikah's POV

School is often considered to be a place where to stay away from. I mean, who would find solace in it? However, for once in my life I'm relieved that it restarted, since last weekend was hell. I mean, I've always thought of Kaitlyn-Marie Greens as a mean girl of little understanding, but not so much. How can her parents even think of bearing with her?

April and Meeya, fortunately, seem to be interested enough in helping me to get out of this absurd situation. Though I can't ask Mr Porter to change partner, I can always ask him for some advice about dealing with a such complicated personality like her.

Oh, here he comes. He seems to be enjoying his job. Wow, I always thought teachers would just do so for the wage and not because they're passionate - I remember once asking my mother if adults are as passionate as kids when it comes to work and studies. She answered that it's all about dedication, hard work and, obviously, passion, and that adults also have it.

Kaitlyn hasn't arrived yet. Well, being late isn't usual of hers, which means that something must have happened. Maybe she got stuck with Matt Larkin in the shower or, why not, she woke up late, with Matt lifting her from her bed and forcing her to sit on a chair to have breakfast... Okay, speaking of him, he's also late. Uh-oh. He must've got her into trouble.

At last, when she finally comes to class, Mr Porter doesn't seem to be very bothered by her being late, though he reprimands Matt, who's known for his tardiness. "Matthew, can you tell me why are you late? And why has Kaitlyn come with you?"

He tries to suck up to him saying, "Well, I'm staying at her place. Anyway, it's not my fault if she doesn't have a driving license and we're forced to walk." While he states that, Kaitlyn can't help frowning, whereas I'm barely retaining myself from laughing. Everybody else in this course has a car. I can't believe she's the only one who hasn't - anyway, wasn't that moron supposed to drive her to school? Oh, I forgot: he told me once his car got wrecked in the car valet (not that I would believe him, though).

Back to serious stuff. Mr Porter, after deciding that Matt won't have to face detention, and neither will Kaitlyn, announces that this lesson will be partly dedicated to working to the project. I know, I'm nowhere near being happy with that, because what's sure is that she's going to try hard to become the teacher's darling, something I definitely resent.

"Okay, you can join your partners." These words trigger a lot of unenthusiastic reactions, including mine. I really hope he won't notice that, though, since it would get me into trouble. What if he got to know I stormed out of Kaitlyn's house?

Speaking of that, I should apologize to her, though I don't want to be resented by her forever. She's more than likely to want payback rather than forgive me, so I just hold my tongue before I regret saying something extremely bad.

She approaches me, showing me her usual glare. I reply with a coy smile, only to take it back later when she doesn't change her facial expression.

"Hi," I mutter, trying to be sensible enough, yet I still manage to comment about her unusual tardiness. "I know, that moron almost got you into serious trouble. I bet he lied when he said his car isn't working."

She shuts me up cold, as expected. "I don't want to talk about it. Let's focus on the project instead. There's a hell lot of stuff to do." Her bluntness isn't sitting very well with me, for that she isn't anybody's boss. I must shut her up.

"Do you really need to be such blunt and disrespectful?" I comment. "Who do you think you are, Miss Perfection? Back off, or else you'll face a hell lot of trouble."

While I expect her to be scared by my words, she isn't; better say, she looks annoyed. She wants apologies from me, but I'm not giving her the satisfaction of seeing me humiliating myself for her pleasure. She wants payback? Fine! I'll shove it right in her bottom.

She bursts out, "Don't you ever call me Miss Perfection if you want to stay alive for a long time."

"I'd rather die than do even the silliest thing with you," is my answer, which causes Mr Porter to intervene. Kaitlyn, as usual, rolls her eyes, with me having a hard time refraining from attempting to strangle her.

"What's going on, you two? You're supposed to do actual work, so stop arguing, please," he admonishes, much to my dismay.

"I can't work with her," I state, pointing at Kaitlyn with disgust. "I don't like her or her manners. She thinks she's God, while giving out orders like f-" Okay, I have to admit I'm pushing my language over the limit, so I cut myself off. "I mean, like presents. I can't take that anymore. I don't want to be the only responsible for a failure!"

"First of all," interjects Kaitlyn, "how dare you discredit me? Secondly, I never thought to be God. Thirdly, I don't think you know me. Even though I sound a badass bitch, you must take into account that I have a high GPA to keep up, and you won't stop me from doing that, since you're just a slacker, as you proved to be last Saturday."

I can't really believe that. She said so! She managed to have me pass as a lazy-bones! That's enough. I don't want to work with her anymore, I don't give a fuck about failing. If this is how I'm supposed to be treated for the rest of the year, then she can go and fuck off for the rest of her life.

Mr Porter restarts talking, "I expect that, by the end of the year, you sort out all your problems, because this project is about teamwork. Do you think you can meet these expectations?"

At first, I shake my head, not convinced by having to work with Kaitlyn, and also fearing that my friends wouldn't take very well the fact that I could get along with her, but, after seeing her nod, I change my mind and do the same as her.

Since now, I'm bound to be Kaitlyn-Marie Greens' partner project, as well as possibly become her friend. I'm screwed.