Chapter 6: Throwback
“Good morning cupcake” Cole greeted as soon as she halted in front of him, it’s been a ritual for him to wait for her in the hallway. “Good morning, Cole. You don’t have to wait for me every day” Clara argued though she secretly likes him to be the first person to greet her.
Cole puts his hand forward for her to hold which she holds reluctantly “I know, but I prefer walking to the class with you than doing it alone” he replied shrugging as they walked in the direction of their class.
It’s been a week since they first meet and let’s just say they have grown fond of each other. Cole was the only person Clara had managed to be friends with over the week and that is because they never leave each other's company. During lunch, they share the table with Cole’s friend but she was yet to make a successful conversation with them except for exchanging pleasantries.
“Hope you all are done with your assignments. And do not forget to write your name in the top right corner. This assignment will mark 20% for your final assessment credits” Mr. Paul informed the students as he walked to and fro in the classroom.
Clara stiffened at the newfound information, she cursed under her breath about how stupid she was to forget about the assignments which were due for submission today. Tears surfaced in her eyes, she was already lacking credits as she joined mid-semester, and now losing 20% of what is left made her feel worst.
“Miss Clara, can you write your last name please” she was brought out of her thought by Mr. Paul
“Huh” she questioned confusingly hoping her tears does not roll down
“Are you crying?” Mr. Paul questioned frowning
“No. I got dust in my eye” she replied to Mr. Paul quickly wiping the tear-filled eyes with the back of her hands. He nodded his head and placed a few papers on her desk.
“Okay. Can you write your last name on your assignments please and leave them on my desk after you are done” confused about what assignments Mr. Paul was talking about because she never turned in these papers. Clara looked down towards the papers, the front page had her name ‘Clara’ written on it
She was about to protest that these were not her assignments when she heard Mr. Paul say “You will have to submit the assignments by 9 in the morning tomorrow and due to delay in submission 3% of your credits will be taken away. I cannot believe Cole you have become so irresponsible. Not even once in these years have you missed your assignments, but you decide to break your record to submit the assignment on time in the last year of your school. I am disappointed in you” Mr. Paul spoke upsettingly
“Sorry for the delay Mr. Paul, I shall submit them tomorrow by 9 am without fail” Cole responded retreating from Mr. Paul’s table. Clara kept staring at him all this while, she did not even notice that he had walked up to her seat until he spoke” Come ‘on write your name and I shall pass it to Mr. Paul for you” Clara shook her head in disapproval. By now she got the idea that Cole had submitted his assignments by her name.
“You will lose credits, Cole. I cannot do that to you. I am writing your name on it” Clara argued with him in a whispering voice picking up the pen.
“No. You are not” Cole said snatching her pen and matching her tone.
“I will”
“No”
“Yes”
“No”
“Clara could you pass your assignments please” their argument was interrupted by Mr. Paul.
“Write your name cupcake, NOW” Cole spoke impatiently and passed her the pen.
“No. you will lose credits. And this is wrong” she stood her ground.
“Cupcake, I am excellent with my credits. I really don’t mind missing 3% of them” he tapped the part where she was supposed to write her last name “Now, write it down” he urged
Clara had no option but to comply with him because Mr. Paul once again requested for her assignments.
“Okay, but I am helping you with your assignments” were her last word as she put her last name on her or shall we say his assignments.
The moment Cole saw her last name written on the paper he froze. She is an ‘Anderson’
“Cole” a tap on his shoulder brought him out of his trans.
“What are you thinking about, I literally called you 3 times. Can you pass them for me?” Cole nodded his head and complied with her request.
He was having numerous questions ‘Was she THE Anderson their family had a rivalry with? he hoped not because if that was the case his family might not let them be friends with each other.
His thoughts were later confirmed during lunch when he questioned her about her family business, but he decided to not let her know about their families being rivals for generations. At least not yet.
And oh boy was he wrong! Clara was the same Anderson their family detested. Andersons and Hallings had a rivalry in business as well as families.
Cole tried to find out what the feud was but was not successful.
One day when Clara insisted Cole meet her parents because he was the only friend she had in school and wanted her family to know about him Cole had to break the news to Clara it was best they did not tell their families about each other as it would either lead them to transfer school and also increase stress between their families
Clara even tried to get to know what was this rivalry about because it was much more than just about the business she felt whenever she talked about it to her parents and grandparents. It was something about Cole's uncle having a relationship with Clara's aunt but they were not sure about anything as they both were not alive anymore.
So on a mutual decision, they decided not to tell anyone about them