I slid into the booth across from Alex, who already had the project open on the table. She waved at me, reading over one of the parts I had written. We’d been passing it back and forth every few days, reading what the other added, and then adding our own. I’m not completely sure that’s how we were supposed to do it, but Mr. Owen didn’t specify.
She looked up from the project and tapped the section I’d written. “Harper, this doesn’t make a lick of sense.”
“How does it not make sense?” I asked, opening my bag and pulling out my wallet. I opened it, pulling out my card. “Well, you start talking about how the two families hate each other, but then you somehow start talking about Juliet and her messed up family. How?”
“Well…” I sat back down, forgetting about getting myself a drink for a moment. This was part of the project, she was supposed to question me. Though at the same time, I was sure she was genuinely confused and not following my train of thought properly.
“The two families hate each other, so Juliet’s family is messed up. That’s what I was getting to. How having two families locked in an eternal war caused them to become messed up. Now I’m getting myself a drink.” I said as I pushed myself out of the booth and headed for the line.
I was looking at all their special drinks when someone tapped me on the shoulder. I turned around, maybe expecting Elliot or something. But my face turned red when I saw who was behind me.
“S-Sam?!” I exclaim, nearly dropping my wallet. He smiled and waved. “Sorry about startling you Elizabeth.”
“I-it’s fine…” I mumbled, rubbing my arm. Samuel Swift was one of the cutest and most popular boys in school. His black hair was falling in his eyes, and he kept brushing it to the side. His glasses fit on his nose, nearly hiding his brown eyes behind the glare. He was wearing a white polo shirt with a jacket over top, and gray pants. His sneakers kicked the floor as we stood there awkwardly.
“I didn’t know you come here.” he said
“Who doesn’t? This is one of the hottest spots to hang out with your friends in town.” I said, shrugging. I looked behind me to move up and make sure it wasn’t my turn.
“So you here with Alex?”
“We’re finishing up that project for Mr. Owen. I completely forgot it was due tomorrow until Alex brought it up.” I chuckled awkwardly, hoping he didn’t think I was stupid after that.
“Oh, that project? Me and my partner finished that a while ago….” he said. I smiled sheepishly. Dang it. Probably should’ve just said I was here for food and drinks then.
“Oh, you did? Wow. Wish I could do something like this that fast. Oh, do you-”
“Miss?” I turned around, realizing it was my turn to order. I run up, embarrassed. And a little mad. “Sorry about that.”
“It’s all good. So what can I help you with today?”
“Can I have a…” I look at the list again, and something caught my eye. Sure, it was June, but it seemed so cold recently strangely. But this wasn’t just a special....
“Can I have a Pride Switch Swirl?”

“What’s that?” Alex asked as she watched me sit down. I took a sip of my drink, smiling. “Pride Switch Swirl. They’re supporting trans people this week, so it’s their Pride Month Weekly Special.” I said as I watched the colors. The drink itself faded from blue to pink and the weird bubble things at the bottom were white.
“Cool. I see you also got some ice cream,” she said, pointing to the bowl next to the drink. I picked up the spoon and scooped out a bite and shoved it into my mouth. The ice cream was similar colors to the drink, with vanilla, blue raspberry, and strawberry flavors. Also coincidentally my favorite flavors.
“Whatever. We need to finish this project before class tomorrow.” I said, taking the pencil from her and running through what we’d written so far. Everything made sense and flowed nicely, though I did see her problem with my last section. I erased a bit and started writing to make it flow a little better. “There.” I showed her what I added.
Alex read it over, nodding. “That makes a little more sense. About as much sense as you’re gonna make on this project.” She took a sip of her drink, taking the pencil back from me. She scribbled something and erased it. “I feel like we’ve covered the whole play…”
“We haven’t talked about their deaths.” I said, scanning out topics. That was one we had chosen, and Alex wanted to write it badly.
“Oh, right.” She mumbled. She wrote a few sentences, erased them, and started writing. This is how Alex works. She writes the topic, erases it, and suddenly knows what to write. I envy that talent of hers.
After a few minutes she sat up, showing me the paragraph she’d written. I read it over, nodding. “I think we’re done.” Alex nodded, rolling up the paper and putting it back in her bag. “Let’s hope we get a passing grade.”
“Oh come on, Mr Owen likes us. Also You have me Harper. Don’t worry, You’ve got a good chance.”
I nodded, looking at the time. “I should go. See you at school tomorrow!” I grabbed my drink and empty ice cream bowl and headed to the door. I threw my spoon away and placed the bowl on top of the trash can. I pushed the door open, heading home for the night.

Just so you know, I changed the gym teacher to Mr. Brown because I realized I already had Mr. Owen as another teacher. Sooooo....whoops! I also took FOREVER to think of a name for the bubble tea, but I'm really glad I stuck with the one I did! If someone knows how to make bubble tea and can make this, that would be AWESOME to see! Also I got really picky with Sam's name. I do that with crushes and stuff. I get hella picky cause I'm picky about guy's names. I have names I reserve for enemies and names I reserve for crushes and then those that are either unknown to me or get some random use. Thanks for understanding this and bearing with my terrible writing! *Chibi Harper bowing*