Connected: The Beginning by Tierra Washington, Tierra Washington, Tierra Washington, Tierra Washington (best classic books of all time txt) 📕

then yeah. Anyways today we were paired in groups for a "special project" and their were eight people assigned to each group. My group consisted of myself of course, Chase, Nya, a two other girls named Claire and Bex and three other boys who's names were Chester, Zay and Rex. Wow what a super team! *note the sarcasm*

"The names Nylox. Zay Nylox." Zay said with a grin on his face for the upteenth time. I just rolled my eyes.

"Yeah we know." Claire told him chewing on her gum and blowing hair out of her face. 

Zay had light brown sking with almost gray eyes and wavy black hair that was hidden under a snapback.Claire has fair sking with sandy blonde hair and bright blue eyes. Chester had dark brown skin with hazel eyes and curly brown hair. He wore round black-rimmed glasses. Bex had pale skin with dark brown eyes and really short carrot orange hair, with bangs. Rex had this whole mysterious aura surrounding him, with his olive colored skin, blueish-green eyes, and spiked up blonde hair. He hadn't spoken yet.

"Ok." Chester began with a shaky voice. Rex raised a brow looking curious.

"So what do you guys want to do for the project?" He asked and no one answered him. Our assignment was to choose a famous artist and try to recreate one of their most famous paintings and make it into our own. 

"How about Shakespeare?" Zay suggested and everyone's eyes went wide. I tried not to laugh so hard. 

"Dude." Was all Chase said with "what is wrong with you?" look on his face. I couldn't hold it in any longer and bursted out laughing. I even snorted... Soon everyone in our group joined in and Zay had a confused and angry look on his face.

"Shakespeare was a poet and author man." Rex finally spoke up and realization hit Zay's face.

"Oh." Was all that could be said. After all of that was said and done we finally chose Leonardo Davinchi's Mona Lisa.

When I got home that day my mom wasn't home. As usual I went upatairs did my homework and watched tv. My favorite show, "The Royals" was on. It was about these four princesses that had elemental powers and had to protect their kingdom with their powers. Sure it was pretty cliche but I loved it. Halfway through the show I heard my phone ringing on my nightstand. I checked to see who was calling me and was surprised at the unknown number.

Now I'm usually a very sane person and I don't answer calls from unknown numbers that could possibly lead to my ultimate death...too much? But I answered anyways cuz I wanted to and I'm a bad-(not gonna finish that word).

"Hello." I answered.

"Hey Rosie. This is Claire from school. Just wanted to see if you wanted to come to the mall with the group." What the actual f*** man?! How the heck did this crazy a** girl get my number?

"Uh...sure? I guess." I said wanting to be nice. I could just record my show and besides I could get out sometime.

"Yay!." She screeched.

"Meet us at the mall water fountain in 10." Was the last thing she said before hanging up.

"Great. Now I have to get up." I said lazily as a I rolled off of my bed "excited" for the things to come.

 

Mall antics

When I got to the water fountain everyone was there waiting awkwardly.

"Welp. I'm here." I said in the most exasperated tone I could muster. What was surprising though was as soon as Claire saw me her face lit up like a thousand candles. Creepy right?

She ran up to me and gave me a huge hug. I didn't do hugs.

"Ok guys, the girls and I are gonna go looking around. You do what you do and we'll be meet back here in 10. K?" Claire told he guys as she was literally dragging Nya, Bex, and I away to "look around". The guys just stood there with confused looks on their face. The whole situation was kinda funny if you ask me.

Halfway through walking Claire pulled us into a clothing store. It was shiny and bright, basically everything I don't like.

"I just have one question for you." For the first time since we all met Bex talked...well to Claire.

"Yeah, what's up?" She responded while looking through a rack of dresses. Nya was quiet as usual and kept looking down at the floor the entire walk here. I was just glad to get out of the hell hole that is my home.

"Why'd you call everybody here if we were just gonna split up anyways?" Bex asked with her hsnds onnher hips. She had an annoyed look on her face.

"Well I just thought that we could all get to know eachother better. We could talk now if ya want." Claire said turning around to face all three of us. She sounded somewhat upset. Maybe she really did have good intentions.

"Well we could start off with how I absolutely hate shopping." Bex said looking around the store with  disgusted look on her face. I almost laughed but Nya remained silent. Claire gasped and had a look of shock on her face.

"Ok. Well I guess I should've asked what you guys wanted to do before taking off, huh?" She said shifting her eyes from left to right.

"Yes, you should have. So Nya, Rose what do you guys want to do?" Bex asked looking at us. I hadn't really thought about it. Nya finally spoke up.

"I guess we could go to the food court. I'm pretty hungry." Nya said looking straight up. I hadn't noticed before but she had a baby face. 

"Mmm yeah, I guess that's ok." I said not even needing to think twice. I mean come on it's FOOD!

About 20 minutes later...

The four of us were sat down at a table in the food court. Nya and I had Chinese, Bex had Mexican, and Claire had Italian. It was pretty awkward at first but we soon started talking about our favorite tv shows and movies. I never expected to have so much in common with strangers. It turned out that we all watched "The Royals" and couldn't wait for the season finale.

"I think Jessa will end up with Berl." Said Claire almost chocking on her spaghetti. Bex stiffled a laugh.

"No she won't. She doesn't even like him anymore, she's gonna marry Prince Klev." I said counteracting her statement. How did she even think that they were still in love. Where has she been for the past 5 episodes?

"Guys. The King will never let her see another boy again, let alone marry one." Nya said looking at us as if we were insane. We both simultaneously shot glares her way and she lookied terrified. We quickly looked at eachother and laughed uncomfortably.

"Uh, were sorry." I said sheepishly. Bex just shook her head at our antics. For the first time in a while I actually felt normal.

"Guess who's back ladies!" We heard someone say and we all turned around to see Zay and the guys standing there.

"I thought we decided to meet back at the fountain?" Rex asked directed at Claire who turned her head the other way.

"We looked everywhere for you guys." Chester said pouty and upset. Bex and I tried so hard to hold in our laughs.

"Well...um...you see...it's a long story." Bex said with a shaky voice that said, gonna laugh any minute here.

"So how's he food love?" Chase asked me as Bex explained what happened. I was confused.

"Love?" I asked with a cocked eyebrow. He only let out a deep chuckle that sent shivers down my spine.

"I probably didn't already tell you this but I'm originally from Sydney, Australia." he said with a grin.

"Sorry if I confused you, that's just my normal way of speaking." Realization hit me and I instantly felt so dumb, even tough I didn't know he was originally from Australia. Why would he ever call me love otherwise? 

"Uh, it's pretty good actually for mall food." I said while taking another savory bite.

"You're really funny, you know that?" He said laughing at what I had just said.

"No. No I don't know." I said utterly confused. Did Australians find my sense of humor funny?

"Well you are, even if it's sometimes unintentional." So someone finally understands that what comes out of my mouth is not intended to make people laugh. I'm just weird.

"Yo lovebirds! Were discussing the project now." Rex got our attention and we began our meeting.

10 minutes later...

"You guys better be glad that it's Friday and I don't have a curfew." Said Bex yawning for the third time. I swear that the next time she does, she'll be knocked out.

"Ok guys it's almost 10:00 a'clock. What've we got so far?" Chase asked looking at his watch. People still wear those?

"Well we chose Davinchi and the Mona Lisa. And... now we can't come up with a new way to paint it." Rex told him tiredly looking over his notes. Yep he was the only one who actually took notes.

"Maybe we could do a modern painting of her. Maybe paint her as a teenager or model or..." Claire brainstormed and began trail off once everyone looked at her like she was crazy. 

"That could work Claire but it probably wouldn't relate to any of us." Chester chuckled nervously.

"Like at all." Zay deadpanned. Nya actually let out a small laugh. I smiled.

"We could add something to it maybe a...another human being or two?" Bex suggested raising a brow.

"Then it's settled, we'll start on it tomorrow. Goodnight my fellow people." Rex stood up and walked away.

"Night." Claire said sleepily almost tripping over her own feet while walking away.

Everyone left and there was just me and Chase left. 

"Do you have a ride home?" He asked me and I facepalmed. I had totally forgotten that I took the bus here and didn't even leave a nte for my mother to let her know where I was gone to.

"Um...no actually I don't." I said sheepishly and he just laughed. Who the heck did he think he was?

"Don't worry love. I'll drive you if you like." He kindly offered to drive me home. I just nodded and follwed him to his car.

The drive to my house was silent and I thanked him once we arrived.

"See you at school Monday." I said and shut the door. All I wanted to do was jump in my bed and never get up again.

To my surprise, as soon as I stepped through the door I saw my mother sitting on the couch staring at a blank television.

"Where the hell have you been?" 

 

 

 

The Discovery