Chapter 2 of "The Project" By: Sheilz

Olivia’s POV: 

Mr. Wilson went through the rules of what we had to do for the project. Apparently, ‘the project’ was a bunch of different projects, all combined in one. So, technically we would have to make a big poster board of everything we’ve learned in science starting with the beginning of the year. I groaned in protest. I was so not going to do all this work for a stupid science project. I could just pay Mr. Wilson for an A, right?

I looked to my right at Niall, and caught him staring at me, but I pretended not to notice. I felt a pang of guilt rush over me, just by remembering how hurt his face was when I insulted him. Guilt took over me, and I soon found myself ripping a piece of paper out of my notebook.

Sorry about this morning 

I passed the note towards Niall, who was focused intently on whatever Mr. Wilson was saying. 

“Psst!” I said.

Niall turned his head to face me, a questioning look on his face. His confused glance averted from me to the paper, and understanding filled his eyes. He grabbed the sheet of paper and read the writing.

His head turned up to face me, and he nodded.

“Don’t you dare tell anyone about this.” I whispered.

Niall’s body tensed up, but he nodded in understanding. 

“Olivia and Niall, do we need a seating change?” Mr. Wilson asked.

I was about to scream out yes, but Niall stopped me.

“No, sorry Mr. Wilson.” He said.

I heard the snickers from the other students, and scowled in Niall’s direction, feeling the pang of guilt I felt earlier being replaced with one of hatred. 


Niall’s POV 

I read the note, and glanced towards Olivia. She opened her mouth to speak, and I listened as the words poured out of her perfectly shaped pink lips.

“Don’t you dare tell anyone about this” she whispered.

I simply nodded, and turned my gaze towards the teacher. I saw Mr. Wilson staring at Olivia and I, his eyes narrowed in suspicion. 

“Olivia and Niall, do we need a seating change?” He asked.

Olivia was about to answer, but I stopped her.

“No, sorry Mr. Wilson” I said, ignoring the snickers that came out of everyone’s mouth.

I saw Olivia glare at me, and then I felt horrible. I wanted to just throw up right then and there.

I was about to apologize, but then the bell rang and everyone around me scrambled to get their stuff. People were already exiting the classroom, and Mr. Wilson was yelling at everyone not to forget about the project, which was due at the end of the year. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Olivia trying to get her stuff together. Her friends were waiting by her, with impatient looks on their faces.

“Come on, Olivia! We’re gonna be lateeee” Ruby groaned. 

I should probably go, but I wanted to see what would happen. The four girls still didn’t notice my presence, but I was ready to leave anytime. I honestly wont probably be late because my class is right next door, and I already have my stuff. I looked back to Olivia as she struggled with her stuff. It’s probably been a minute now. 

“This stupid pencil case wont close!” She groaned 

As if on cue, she banged the pencil case on the ground and out of it spilled pencils, erasers, and so much more.


I quickly rushed to pick the stuff up, while all the other girls watched me. When I picked everything up and stuffed it in the pencil case, all four girls were staring at me with weird expressions on their faces.


“Sorry” my face flushed.

“H-here’s your s-stuff…” I said, handing the pencil bag to Olivia.

“Thanks” She mumbled.

“No problem.” I said, then grabbed my stuff and fled the classroom.


Olivia’s POV 

As soon as I dropped my pencil bag, Niall rushed to pick it up. And as soon as he handed it to me, he started blushing. My heart rate started to rapidly increase. Oh no, oh no, oh no, oh no.

After Niall left, all my friends were smirking at me.


“What?” I asked.

“Niall likes you!” Ruby giggled.

And there you have it. The words I’ve been dreading for this whole minute. Did he have to make it any more obvious? Plus, you have Ruby to prove it, and Ruby’s one of the stupidest human beings on Earth.

“Yeah, so what? It’s not like you haven’t seen a guy who’s had a crush on a girl before” I snapped.

Ruby, Isabella, and Jeanette dropped their gazes and sighed.

“Whatever let’s go, we’ve been here for like three minutes. We’re gonna be late” I instructed.

All four of us went next door to our next class, Math. I groaned as soon as I walked through the door. Now I have to leave my three friends for a bunch of math nerds, because I was in honors math. Honors math is basically math for smart people, who do more advanced math than people in a normal math class.

“Bye guys” I spoke.

They all waved, and went across the hall to their math class. I saw Robby walk by Ruby, and her face flushed. 

I sighed.

It was so obvious she liked him. I would just have to ask him if he liked her, and if it was a yes, then boom! They’re a couple. I smiled. It’s too bad I don’t deal with that love stuff; I’m just the match maker. I’ve had a couple boyfriends throughout middle school, but nothing got too serious. I wasn’t a whore. 

As soon as I entered the classroom, the bell rang. I scrambled to my seat so I wouldn’t be counted tardy. Then our teacher spoke up.

“Class, we are going to be changing seats today.” I groaned. 

Not again!

I got up, pushing the chair in behind me. Then I lined up against the wall with everyone else.

“Olivia, you’ll be next to Niall, and you both sit right here”

I sighed and looked over to my right to see Niall smirking.

“What?” I snapped.

“Nothing” He mumbled, his gaze shifting.

Was I seriously going to be stuck with this freak for the rest of the year?

But I couldn’t help the slight butterflies that erupted in my stomach when he spoke.