When we got downstairs we weren't in yesterday's high spirits. Looking over at Rachel she yawned, as lack of sleep was probably sinking in on her. I ran my fingers through my own hair as I attempted to stop constantly glancing over at Rachel. I didn’t want her catching me staring again. Before we even got into the conference room, as the chaperones separated us by genders, Rachel's eyes latched onto mine before being steered in another direction. Neither of us said any parting words. Instead I followed the rest of the guys in my grade, peeking over at Rachel, until I found Dill in an empty area. Dill gave a small wave.
"Hey," Dill spoke as he high-fived me.
"Hey, you know what this is about?" I asked as I leaned against the wall.
Dill raised a brow, as his head was cocked. "Do I ever know? You're the one who usually has it together."
I rolled my eyes, "Point made."
A blond I knew grinned as he came over.
"Well, well you two look like you’re up to no good," John joked.
Dill shoved our friend as John chuckled.
"They can't be doing trouble without me!" a deep voice came close.
I smirked. "Well of course not, you're the ring leader in all that gets us into trouble," I shot at our newcomer, Mark, the last friend in our little group.
"That's just because I'm more creative than you all." Mark grinned. "So gentlemen, what specimen of female do you all have?"
Mark swung an arm around Dill and I when he asked, while his eyes were focused on John.
"That Goth girl Bridget, you know the one with all the corsets and loud, high boots," Dill grumbled, as Mark's arms crossed over his chest now paying attention to Dill talk.
"I'm sure there's a sexual deviant side of her with that wardrobe." Mark wiggled his eyebrows up and down while he chuckled.
Dill's face went from annoyance to disbelief. I raised my own eyebrow. Bridget was Rachel's friend and was in our room last night. I wonder what they were talking about when I went to shower. Rachel seemed concerned that I might have heard something.
"Yeah and I'm sure, just like…" Dill paused. "Dude that isn't even worth my sarcasm to prove my point! Plus her mouth kills any fantasy that could come from that…" Dills voice had regained its usual dryness.
"John, I think it's your turn to share your womanly problems now." Mark rolled his hand to encourage John to speak.
He was probably the closest to me, and without me he probably wouldn't be in this group. John's gaze fell to the floor and he shrugged while his hands slipped into his pants pockets. "Well remember Cathy who moved here last year; glasses, shoulder length light brown hair?" John questioned, his eyes went to each member of the group, ending on mine because we’d talked about her before.
"Yeah, I think I had math with her," I responded, as John nodded getting the recognition he wanted.
"Well I'm with her for this project, it could be fun."
I half smiled at him as Mark nodded.
"I, my fine gentlemen, am with Diana. She’s the athletic type, soccer team. Now this should be interesting," Mark finished off, nudging me in the side. "Now, Nick you've been quiet. Who’s Amanda going to have to pick fights with during this project?"
Amanda, my current girlfriend, is the complete opposite of Rachel in every way. I gave a snort as I shook my head.
"Rachel Hertz," I answered, as Mark's eyes gleamed, John smiled, and Dill rolled his eyes.
"The only good thing about these pairings is that Rachel and Bridget seem to be attached at the hip," Dill spoke up.
"Now Nick do you think you can handle such a girl?" Mark inquired.
I raised an eyebrow. "Yeah I think I can handle Rachel."
I wasn't sure what Mark was talking about. Did he mean to be sarcastic considering how small Rachel was in comparison? Or was hinting at something deeper? Mark just wore a smirk as his dark eyes stayed on me. Before I could ask him the chaperones were calling for our attention.
"Today," one of the teachers began to announce, "Gentlemen, you'll all learn to dance!"
We all groaned. Oh why did it have to be dance? Of all the punishments in the world they had to pick dance. Couldn't they just have peeled the skin off of our bodies? That actually sounded less painful.
"As men," Mr. M. continued, pretending he didn't hear us, "It's your job to lead the dance. Watch as I demonstrate so you all know what to do when it is time to dance with your wives. Once everybody has that down we will learn more until you know all of the steps we want you to know."
"This is nuts," I muttered, only to see Dill nod his head in agreement, Mark was silent as his focus was so intense. I wondered if he was even blinking.
"Now, everybody stand up and try this step."
We all stood up and complained. We took our lovely sluggish time in getting up to waste time. We tried to do the small footwork, but didn't succeed at all. I myself had two left feet. After what seemed to be a while of our horrendous dancing, we heard a knock at the door. One of the female teachers came in and whispered something to Mr. M. Mr. M then ordered us into another spacious room where all of the girls were standing in a line waiting for us.
Most of the girls were staring at their feet, embarrassed, while others pretended they didn't know we were walking in. Rachel was standing with most
