50 More Sexcapades novel Chapter 34

"And Halle you'll be partnered with Tate."

I instantly frowned and turned to look over my shoulder at..him. The class weirdo. He was looking down at his notebook doodling something and only looked up when he heard his name.

We locked eyes and I felt goosebumps down my spine. He had these intense dark, soulless pupils and prominent brow bones which were hidden by shaggy blond bangs. His whole face was serious looking and rigid, set with a sharp jaw and unsmiling lips. Despite all this, however, there was a particular handsomeness to him and a mysterious aura.

He dragged his gaze back down to his notebook and I turned around, already not feeling too positive about this partnership. How would I be able to get a word out of this guy who I barely ever see talking to anyone?

I spent the remainder of the period racking my brain for ways to get this project over and done with as soon as possible and barely heard the dismissal bell ring.

I stood up quickly and followed Tate through the door. "Hey, Tate!"

He turned around, carefully pulling his earbuds out. He didn't say anything but only raised his eyebrows, prompting me to speak.

"Uh- so for this history project, I'm thinking we could get a headstart on it and maybe start brainstorming like today? I know we both have a free period right now so we could go to the library or something."

He pressed his lips together and nodded. "Kay," he said.

We found an empty table near the back and settled down, taking our books and laptops out.

"So we were assigned to present on any historical event that happened in Germany within the time frame of 1800-1900. The challenge is that the event has to be not well known or something we studied so no major wars, territory acquisitions, etc. I think we could best use this time to agree on what event we want to present on and then start focusing on our research for-"

"A massacre," Tate said, hardly audibly.

"Hm?" I asked, looking up at him.

"We should present about a massacre, a bloody, horrible one. Like by the government on its civilians or in...a school." Tate's stony face was replaced with a dazed smile, clearly lost in his own head. I noticed a deep dimple on his right cheek.

"Um, what in particular about massacres makes you want to do a project on one? Isn't the topic a bit..macabre?"

He sat up straighter in his seat, shaking his head no. "Random massacres usually represent greater flaws in a system. They can actually be beneficial in making a society realize its wrongs. It'll be great, trust me. Look I even saw a book about it over here the other day."

I got up and followed a now excited and lively Tate in between thick bookshelves, curious as to why he was so intrigued by this horrible topic.

He pulled out a book, opening it to a random page. "This one is all about shootings and massacres in public places that helped spark revolutions. I'm sure we can find something cool and within the time frame we were given."

"Um Tate, I can see this stuff makes you excited but don't you think the subject is a bit..sensitive for a simple class presentation?"

He looked away from the book, staring me right in the eyes. "Does it matter? The world is a filthy place. It's a filthy goddamn horror show. No use in not talking about it."