I had barely sat down in my Physics class when Professor Marshall made the announcement that made my heart sink.
"For the next two months, you’ll be working on a major project with a partner," he said, pacing the front of the room. "This will determine a significant portion of your grade for this semester, so choose wisely."
The room erupted into quiet chatter as students began eyeing each other, already forming pairs in their heads. I shifted nervously in my seat. I didn’t have anyone here to partner with. I glanced around, hoping for a familiar face or even a friendly one, but it was clear that most people had already found their matches.
One by one, people paired off, and I sat there, feeling more isolated by the second. My chest tightened as I realized what this meant — who was left.
The final few of us sat in silence: me, Marcus, Stacey, and another girl from Stacey’s cheerleading team named Jade.
Stacey didn’t seem bothered at all. In fact, she stood confidently, flicking her hair over her shoulder as she sauntered up to Marcus, a knowing smile on her lips.
“So, partner?” she asked, her voice sickeningly sweet, as if the decision had already been made.
I sat there, frozen. Of course, Marcus would choose her. They were practically a power couple of the university. I half-expected him to nod and smirk, locking her in as his partner for the project. Stacey was Stacey. She always got what she wanted.
But Marcus didn’t nod. In fact, he didn’t smile either. He leaned back in his seat, crossing his arms over his chest.
Stacey blinked, her smile faltering as she processed what he’d just said. “What?” she hissed, her voice hardening. “You can’t be serious.”
Marcus’s eyes scanned the room, but his gaze locked on me. I froze, my heart suddenly thudding in my chest as I realized what was about to happen. He was looking at me.
“You,” Marcus said, pointing in my direction. “You’re my partner.”
I blinked, stunned. Me? No. This had to be some sort of joke. He couldn’t actually want to work with me. But there was no humor in his eyes, only a look of resigned annoyance. He didn’t like this either — but clearly, this was about more than just the project. This was about him staying the team captain. And apparently, he thought I was his best shot at making that happen.
Stacey stood there, her face frozen in disbelief. Slowly, her shock turned into rage, and her eyes bore into me like daggers. I wanted to shrink away, to disappear, but I was stuck.
I glanced around the room, hoping there was still some way out, someone else I could work with. But the other cheerleader, clearly following Stacey’s lead, was already busy chatting with another group. Everyone else was taken. I was trapped.
“I — I think maybe Stacey — ” I started to protest, my voice shaky, but Marcus cut me off, his tone firm.
“I’m not asking,” he said, his voice low and irritated. “You’re my partner.”
My heart sank. Stacey was still glaring at me, her arms crossed, lips pressed into a thin line. She wasn’t used to not getting what she wanted, and it was clear that Marcus choosing me over her wasn’t something she would easily forget — or forgive.
Professor Marshall looked up from his clipboard, seemingly unaware of the tension brewing between us. “Alright, everyone settled? Good. Remember, this project will require video documentation to ensure both partners are contributing equally.”
I tried to focus on what he was saying, but the weight of Marcus’s choice, and the consequences that would follow, hung heavily over me. This was the last thing I wanted.
Class ended, and as I gathered my books, I could feel Marcus behind me, watching. I tried to leave quickly, but just as I stood to walk away, his voice stopped me cold.
“Where do you think you’re going?”
I turned, my heart still racing. Marcus leaned against the desk, his expression hard and annoyed. “I’m not letting you screw this up for me.”
I clenched my fists, frustration bubbling beneath my skin. “I wasn’t planning on doing that,” I said quietly, trying to keep my voice steady. “But you don’t have to be a jerk about it.”
Marcus blinked, clearly not expecting I would retort this time. “We’re meeting at the library after class,” he said, his tone making it clear this wasn’t a suggestion. “Don’t be late.”