Just a note: All characters are over eighteen. This one is just a little bit of fun - please enjoy :)
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Alana sat at table and fiddled with her food. She had been throwing surreptitious glances at Connor Montrose all through lunch. God he was gorgeous. Devine even. Right at that moment he caught her eye and smiled before continuing his conversation with his friends. Alana blushed furiously. 'Oh my God I'm having a Bella Swan moment. How sad and pathetic is my life.' She thought before grabbing her tray and heading out of the cafeteria.
Alana was new to the exclusive prep school. She'd gotten in on an academic scholarship. There was no way her parents could afford the tuition. Being the new kid definitely had its drawbacks. Being less wealthy than the Rockefeller's also seemed to be a problem at this school as well. It was difficult to make friends. These kids grandparents probably new each other when they were in diapers.
Alana knew that her appearance didn't help matters either. Her parents while not destitute, didn't have the resources to pay for many of the finer things that were the norm at this school. Including the exorbitantly priced uniform. Hers was second hand. Unfortunately it was the only one left and it was at least two sizes too big which essentially made her look like she was wearing a burlap sack. In this cliquey environment that was a definite no-no.
There were some people that talked to her and others that were downright nasty. But Alana didn't mind because she knew that as a senior she'd only be here for the rest of the year. Then she'd be off to college hopefully on another academic scholarship.
Her only problem was one Connor Montrose and his absolute gorgeousness. He was sporty and popular and seemed like a nice guy. Not that she'd had the courage to speak to him. He was also in most of her classes, occasionally making it very hard to concentrate. Like right now heading to Chemistry knowing that he was going to be there sitting in the back row with his buddies. Alana took her usual place alone at one of the lab benches.
Mrs. Baldwin walked in. She was one of Alana's favourite teachers because she explained things well and was always available for questions. "Now class. Over the next couple of terms we are going to be doing a large project in pairs. The project will be on environmental contagions and will be broken up into smaller experiments with assignments to be handed in at various dates before the final presentation. Please refer to the outline being passed around." A grumble at the amount of work went around as people discussed partners and complained about the topic. Alana looked about concerned. Everyone seemed to have paired off.
"Mr Montrose can you please come here?" Mrs Baldwin said as the class went over the outline.
Connor ambled to the teacher's desk wondering what the problem was but having a small inkling what it might be. "Connor, I've been having a chat with the principal. He's under the impression that you've were slacking off towards the end of last year. And you appear to have continued the pattern this year. Tell me I'm wrong." She said quietly so that the other students couldn't hear.
"You're not wrong." Connor replied dejectedly.
"You're far from stupid Connor, It would be a waste. I know you're going to be upset but I'm going to have to push you a little harder this year, starting with making you Alana's partner for this extended project. Maybe she'll be a positive influence." Mrs. Baldwin said. Connor understood.
She was right, he wasn't stupid. He just could seem to get motivated. And he wasn't angry with her. Actually she was being rather nice about it. Better than the lecture he'd coped from his parents. He thanked her for her concern and promised to try.
He walked to the back and gathered his things to the questioning glances of his friends. Plonking himself down next to Alana he said "Howdy partner." Alana almost fell off her chair when he sat down.
"What's going on? Is this a joke?" she said confused.
"Nope. Baldwin is assigning me to you with the hope that you'll be a positive influence. So do your magic." He grinned. Alana couldn't speak, she couldn't think. How on earth was she going to get through a class with him right next to her.
By the end of the lesson they had managed to work out a rough plan of the topics they wanted to research and the experiments they wanted to do. It was a little more complicated than Connor was use to but he thought he could manage. Besides Alana was pretty good at explaining things and forcing him to actually think. He hadn't really spoken to her before but he knew she must be smart to get a scholarship. She didn't come across and nerdy though, or weird, just nice and friendly. This might not be that bad.
They walked out together comparing schedules to see when they could get together and compare their research. Alana wasn't watching where she was going and she almost walked into Melanie Wright. Queen Bitch if ever there was one. Every school has one or more of 'those girls', popular, attractive and supremely conceited. "Watch where you're going freak." Melanie exclaimed. Alana didn't want to bother with the girl's histrionics but she still had to pin down a time with Connor.
Ignoring Melanie she looked at Connor and said "What about Wednesday, 4th period spare?"
"Sounds good." Connor said.
"On my God. You two?" Melanie said incredulously.
"Back off Melanie. Alana and I are doing a project together." Connor said with an annoyed tone.
"Oh, like she had a hope in hell." Melanie said looking relieved.
"I said back off Melanie." Connor repeated. Alana wasn't sure if he was defending her or just not wanting to be thought of in the same context as her.
"Hmm doesn't listen very well does she?" Alana mumbled desperate to get out of there.
"What?" said Melanie looking like she'd sucked on a lemon.
Alana stifled a giggle "You know 'back off', it means retreat, pull back, withdraw." She said with a smile. Melanie was still giving her a blank lemon sucking stare. "Oh for goodness sake, by a dictionary and look it up." Alana said exasperated and walked off with the sound of Connor's chuckles in her ears.
On Wednesday Connor was looking forward to his spare fourth period. Alana made him laugh. He'd gotten good chuckle millage out of what had happened with Melanie. He found her in the large study hall sitting at a table with papers and books piled neatly. She smiled at him as he sat down.
"Hey." He said looking a little daunted at the amount of work she'd done compared with his measly few articles.
"Hi. I thought I'd organize the information according to each section of the project." She said pointing to each of the piles. Connor pulled out his things and they began to compare information.
It was fun being here with him. She was right, he was nice and smart too. He just didn't seem very motivated. Leaned across him to grab an article and jumped a little as she brushed his arm. Blushing she avoided his gaze and launched into an explanation of how that article would be useful in their first experiment.
Connor laughed as she explained how some lab technicians has accidently blown up a lab by putting sodium in water. It was really comfortable talking to her and pretty soon they were talking about other things like music and sport. He was sorry to hear the bell go for the next class. It was one she wasn't in. He also resolved to do more work next time so that he would feel like he was pulling his weight. He was never one to let others carry the load.
The next couple of weeks flew by. Connor and Alana were getting along well and their project and assignment marks were reaping the benefits. Alana was beside herself that Connor was actually friendly towards her even outside of their project time. Wednesdays fourth period was looking like her favourite time of the week.
In Chemistry, Mrs. Baldwin had just complimented them on how well they were working together. As she was walking away Connor said "Yeah I wish you were my partner in some other classes too. Gary in English Lit is doing my head in. He won't do any work."
"You think that's bad. Guess who Mrs. Claremont put me with in Mathematics?" Alana countered. Connor looked at her questioningly. "Melanie!" she spat out.
"You're kidding!" exclaimed Connor.
"Nope. She's really bad at Maths and she hates me. I'm really worried that it's going to affect my grades and that affects my scholarship." Alana said a concerned.
"You want me to have a word to Melanie?" Connor asked sympathetically.
"Nah. I think that'll just make it worse." She said and they got back to work.
During the following week Alana felt like she was part of a conspiracy. First in English they got paired up for an assignment and then in Social Science and Maths. Mrs Claremont kept Alana back after class. "Alana dear. Mrs. Baldwin may have mentioned you concerns regarding your partnering Melanie. I realize now that in the long term this may affect your scholarship and we can't have that. She said that you and Connor have been working well in Science. Maybe you'd like to partner up with him instead. I'll let Melanie know and leave you to tell Connor shall I?" she said breezily and walked out leaving Alana stunned.
Alana caught up with Connor in Chemistry. "I think that Mrs Baldwin was eavesdropping the other day." She whispered to Connor.