Writers 
Sarah spent the rest of English trying very hard to forget that Ryan Carter was sitting directly behind her.
It wasn't working.
She could hear the occasional tap of his pen against the desk, followed by the quiet scratching of his handwriting. Every now and then, she caught herself wondering what he was writing.
She immediately stopped herself.
Why did she care?
She focused on Mrs. Collins instead.
At least, she tried to.
“Sarah.”
She ignored him.
“Sarah.”
She continued writing.
“Hey, partner.”
She finally turned around.
“What?”
Ryan rested his chin on his hand.
“You're ignoring me.”
“I'm trying to.”
“Why?”
“Because you're annoying.”
Ryan smiled.
“That didn't stop you from talking to me.”
Sarah narrowed her eyes.
“Do you ever stop?”
“Stop what?”
“Talking.”
“Not really.”
Mia, sitting beside Sarah, quietly covered her mouth.
Sarah noticed.
“Don't.”
“I didn't say anything,” Mia whispered.
“Your face did.”
Ryan chuckled.
Sarah turned back toward the board.
She had known this boy for less than an hour, yet somehow he had already managed to get on her nerves.
That had to be a record.
When the bell finally rang, everyone started packing their bags.
Sarah shoved her notebook into her backpack.
“Come on,” Mia said, standing.
Sarah followed her toward the door.
“Sarah. Ryan.”
They both stopped.
Mrs. Collins was standing beside her desk.
“Stay behind for a moment.”
Sarah sighed and walked back.
Ryan followed, looking completely relaxed.
Mrs. Collins picked up the project sheet.
“Since you're partners for the semester, I want you to decide on a topic today.”
Sarah nodded.
“Okay.”
“You'll also need to present it together.”
Ryan glanced at Sarah.
“She'll do the presentation.”
Sarah immediately looked at him.
“Excuse me?”
Ryan smiled.
“I'm joking.”
“You better be.”
Mrs. Collins gave them a look.
“Three weeks. Don't leave everything until the last minute.”
“We won't,” Sarah said.
Ryan nodded.
Once they left the classroom, Sarah turned to him.
“We need to meet after school.”
Ryan shook his head.
“Can't.”
She frowned.
“Why not?”
“I have plans.”
“Plans?”
“Yes.”
“On a Monday?”
Ryan looked at her.
“People have plans on Mondays.”
“Not when they have a project due in three weeks.”
“We still have plenty of time.”
Sarah held up the project sheet.
“Three weeks isn't plenty of time.”
“It is.”
“No, it isn't.”
Ryan smiled.
“You worry too much.”
Sarah stared at him.
“You've known me for less than an hour.”
“And I already know I'm right.”
She rolled her eyes.
“Fine. When are you free?”
“Tomorrow.”
“After school?”
“Probably.”
“Probably?”
Ryan shrugged.
“I'll text you.”
Sarah stopped walking.
“You don't even have my number.”
Ryan pulled out his phone.
“Then give it to me.”
She hesitated.
There was something about the way he said it that made the moment feel strangely awkward.
Not awkward in a bad way.
Just... different.
She quickly pulled out her phone.
“Fine.”
They exchanged numbers.
Ryan looked at her contact name.
“Sarah Kytre.”
“Yes.”
“Very formal.”
“It's my name.”
“I know.”
He typed something on his phone.
A second later, Sarah's phone buzzed.
She looked down.
Ryan Carter: Your project partner. Unfortunately.
She looked up at him.
“You're impossible.”
He grinned.
“You'll get used to me.”
“I doubt that.”
Ryan slipped his phone into his pocket and walked away.
Mia appeared beside Sarah a second later.
“You gave him your number.”
“It’s for the project.”
“Sure.”
Sarah groaned.
“Don't start.”
Mia smiled.
“I didn't say anything.”
“You're thinking loudly.”
Sarah looked down at the message again.
For some reason, she smiled.
She quickly stopped.
This was ridiculous.
Ryan Carter was just her project partner.
Nothing else.
And she was determined to keep it that way.