Genesis

You know the saying 'out of chaos comes order'? Well, the new order of the day is that since the big fight, all the boys have made up and get along perfectly fine now, just like old friends would. Tyler even has lunch with us now! And I am proud to say that he's been staying out of a lot of trouble lately, thanks to us.

"So are you guys gonna come?" Javi asks, quirking his eyebrows at the rest of the table.

Earlier on, he'd been telling us about this charity even his youth group is putting up to help people wash cars. All the money goes to a local orphanage and he's been trying to invite us.

"Sure." Patty, Jerry and I chorus, smiling.

A few seconds pass before we realize Tyler hasn't replied yet. Four gazes home in on him questioningly.

"Uh, I think I'll pass." He says scratching his neck nervously.

"Why?" I ask.

"Well, It's a church thing." He shrugs. "I don't do church."

Patty laughs lightly and I shake my head at him.

"It's not a 'church' thing per say." I reply, making air quotes with my fingers. "And it's for charity."

He still doesn't look convinced as he sits there, weighing his options.

"Maybe he also doesn't do Charity Gen." Jerry says, laughing. This seems to be a sore spot for Tyler whose gaze immediately homes in on Jerry, eyes narrowing. I'm half afraid that he'll lash out but he just shakes his head from side to side.

"I'll come." He says, relaxing back in is seat. "But it better be worth it."

"Oh it will." Javi replies, rubbing his hands together.

We all laugh at this since he looks more sinister and suspicious than he probably intended.

The bell goes then, and we all split up for our different classes with Javi and I heading to the chemistry lab after switching out our books.

"Do you want to hang out after school or something?" He asks, opening the door to the chemistry lab for me as per usual.

"I'd love to..." I trail

"But?" he asks.

"I kind of promised dad I'd handle dinner tonight."

"Oh." He says as we both pick seats towards the back. "Can I come over then? I mean your dad and I can watch the game."

"Sure." I reply, flashing him a smile. He smiles back and is just about to say something when our chemistry teacher, Mr. Kalum, clears his throat from up front.

"Morning everyone." He greets briskly, smiling at us. "I assume you all have your assignments ready for me."

The class erupts into a cacophony of grunts and groans as students reach for their work inside their book bags.

After that, Mr. Kalum talks on and on about alkanes, alcohols and whatnot. This is why I hate chemistry, like it never makes sense to me even though I have an amazing teacher who does his best. I can pass it just fine. No, scratch that, I do excellently in Chemistry but no matter how hard I try, I still don't like it.

Thankfully, the class only lasts about an hour and I rush out of the lab, not even waiting for Javi. He'll catch up soon enough, I think to myself as I walk straight into the bowels of hell; also known as the French lab.

Mademoiselle Ines spares only a glance at me as she swiftly begins handing out study packets. Always in a hurry, that one, I chuckle to myself as Patty and the gang waltz confidently into class.

They get seated up front but not before we all share a look. You know that look you share with your friends when you see them in class just because it's nice to see them even though y'all aren't actually sitting together? Yeah, that one.

It's hard enough working on the packet because my French is less than perfect but what actually ticks me off is the fact that the girl seated to my left, Imogen, is having a conversation with her friend. I mean, I get it, you can speak fluent French but do you have to rub it in my making it so difficult for me to concentrate on my work?

Calm down, Genesis, I chide myself. You're overacting. She probably doesn't even know she's distracting you.

Passing air out through my nose, I tap Imogen gently on the shoulder.

"Yeah?" she asks, turning her gaze on me.

"I'd appreciate it if you toned down your discussion a notch." I say calmly. "It's kind of making it hard for me to concentrate."

"Oh, I'm so sorry." She says, eyes flashing with sincerity. "I didn't know."

"It's okay." I say and she nods, returning her attention to her friend. She doesn't reduce her voice though; she just stops talking altogether and focuses all her attention on her book.

See Gen? You were getting all worked up for a small issue but you handled that really well, I think, smiling smugly and mentally giving myself the proverbial pat on the back.

***

"Genesis!" dad calls soon after the doorbell rings. "Your friend Javier's here."

Yeah, right; like he won't be all about Javi once the game starts.

Quickly exiting my spot in front of the pot of boiling pasta I'd set on the stove I scamper into the hall where dad and Javi stand exchanging pleasantries before we all adjourn to the living room.

Dad and Javi get comfy as he switches on the TV in time for the game. They're on opposing teams which means there will be a lot of goading and taunting both during and after the game. Sighing, I make my way back into the kitchen where the pasta has almost come to a boil.

Acting smoothly, I whip up some tomato sauce and begin setting the table. After a little over half an hour, everything's ready.

"Dinner's ready!" I yell unnecessarily before venturing into the living room. The play on screen switches to a commercial break and both males get up off the couch somewhat warily. They don't groan but I can practically see it in their eyes.

If only they would put this amount of enthusiasm into everything else.

After getting seated at the table, we say grace and begin dishing out our food from the cooler which I'd earlier set in the middle.

"Better start praying Javier." Dad smirks, "Because we are totally crushing it."

Here we go.

"Oh I don't need to pray." Javier replies with the same expression on his face. "It's a sure win for us."

"I doubt you've been looking at the score boards right."

"I have." Javi laughs. "You just don't understand our strategy." He winks.

"What stra-

Dad begins but I cut him off swiftly. "Guys, please, can we just talk about something else?"

They both stare at me incredulously as if to say 'what could be better?' but I just shrug and pretend not to notice.

"Like what?" Javi offers.

"Uh..." I trail practically grasping at straws. I'd wanted them to stop talking about the game so badly; I hadn't even considered what we would discuss instead.

"Like the charity car wash thing your youth group is organizing?" I say for lack of anything else.

The deadpan expression on his face tells me I've failed miserably and it's all I can do not to scurry underneath the table, cowering in fear.

"What charity event?" dad asks, completely oblivious to whatever is going on.

Javier then launches into the same story he'd told during lunch as dad listens and nods his head in the appropriate places.

"I'll be sure to bring my car." He concludes, smiling.

"Thanks Mr. White." Javi replies returning his smile as he shoves food in his mouth.

"Guys!" I call brightly, finally coming up with a topic of discussion but just then the damned commercial break had to end and both males abandon me at the table, packing up their plates and rushing to plant themselves again in front of the TV.

"Never mind." I mutter to myself as I shove yet another forkful of delicious pasta into my mouth.

At least the food tastes great.