Chapter 23: There's a movie? Why are we reading this then?

Hannah:

It's Wednesday afternoon but it felt like the day just begun as school continued to drag on. English class just started and Mr. Cole walked in with a mumbled good afternoon posted a white piece of paper on the board. "Okay class, this is the list of who will be your partner for 'Jane Eyre' assignment so look at the list and partner up." He concluded and took a seat to his desk, the whole class got up to the board to review the list. Searching for my name, raising myself on my tiptoes over the head of classmates. Finding my name finally, and the one next to it: Charlie Hepburn. Great. How can I face when I basically ignored him: since the day started I had to maneuver ways from him not seeing me in the hallway but I could feel his eyes on me whenever I went. And we were doing so well. 

Linda began to get annoyed of my weird behavior during lunch because I wasn't listening to whatever she was talking about because I zoned out trying so hard not to look his way. All I remember was 'dress' and 'hot' as I tuned in and nodded absentmindedly when she stopped talking. Charlie sat back to his desk, with a cold expression on his face, I frowned as I made my way to a desk turning it around to face his direction.

We stayed silent for a while before our teacher spoke to the class that we should read two chapters a day, write an essay to tell how it connects to modern time relationships and for the last day of the project we will act out our favorite scene. He began passing out the paperback book to each of us. Opening it to chapter one, I pulled out my notebook to take notes. I've seen the movie before with Michael Fassbender and Mia Wasikowska, but I always liked to read the book to know if there's any difference from the movie.

"Why haven't you returned my calls?" he whispered in my ear while I was reading.

"Should we talk about this now?" I whispered back.

"I called you three times last night," his voice almost raised but shushed him, looking around us if we didn't cause a disturbance.

"I got tired from homework and Pretty Little Liars," I explained lowly.

"Why do you like that show?" Charlie asked rolling his eyes.

"Can we talk about this later?"

"Fine. Have you heard of this book before?"

"Yeah, haven't you?"

"Yeah but I don't get it. How is it a romance, it seems depressing."

"She's a young governess in love with Mr. Rochester. Secrets come out and I think she ran away. I watched the movie once but I've read the book too."

"There's a movie? Why are we reading this then?"

"It's more detailed and watching the movie is kinda cheating."

"You watched it."

"It was for pleasure."

"Only you, bubbles." I smiled at my nickname, he reciprocated and we began reading together.

"So we're not gonna talk about the dance thing?" I sighed annoyed at his question. I thought we would just forget about it.

"What do you want me to say, Charlie?" I questioned, eyes still on the book.

"Are you going with Louis?"

"Are you going with Madeline?"

"I asked you first."

"So?"

"Are you going with him?" His blue eyes met mine.

Licking my lips I answered, "yeah."

"What?!" he whispered yelled, almost catching the attention of the whole class, even the teacher. "Is there a problem, Miss Tate? Mr. Hepburn?"

"No problem sir," we both said in unison, turning to Charlie with a hard glare.

"Will you keep your voice down?"

"How could you have said yes to him?"

"Charlie, this isn't the time or place to talk about this?"

"Whatever," his tone deadpanned and we read in silence. The bell rang, Mr. Cole informed us that the first essay is due on Friday. I started packing up my stuff, as I got up Charlie leaned to my ear and said "if you must know, I said yes to Madeline." I gaped at his back in shock as he walked out the room. Here I am feeling guilty that I said yes to Louis and he already agreed to that pop tart. Ugh, Leaving the classroom a little frustrated I headed to my locker to placing all my books inside since my only homework is the 'Jane Eyre' project.

"Hi." A deep voice spoke behind my locker door, almost closing it that it's Louis with a wide grin.

"Hi," I said in a bored tone.

"What's wrong?" He asked with concern. I shouldn't take my anger out on him, but I should since he's technically blackmailing me with my secret boyfriend to be jealous and it's working,

"Nothing, just a little stress on this book project in English," I told him with a sigh.

"Oh, well it'll be ok. I was wondering if you wanted to hang out after school," he suggested.

"Um, maybe but me and Linda are going to the mall." Still remembering what Linda said during lunch.

"For?" he drawled out.

"She wants my opinion on a dress," I lied easily but I had a feeling that's what she said.

"Oh, ok. Text me if we can." I nodded at him, he leaned in for a kiss but I turned away so he could kiss my cheek. "See ya" he said but I could hear the disappointment in his voice. I shaked it off and made it to my next class. 

More drama will come soon! Thanks so much for the votes, comments and reads guys! The story is ranked #457 in the short story list. Love you all <3