No, It Has to Be Perfect! [Beck]

[Rory Lennox]

Rory wasn’t always a fan of group projects. Perhaps if she got to pick her partner every time then she would like it better. However, she always got a little nervous when she was paired with someone randomly. She didn’t know the work ethic of a stranger, and they didn’t know how crazy she could get over the smallest details.

During history yesterday, the class had been informed that the teacher would be choosing both partners and topics for them. Rory had been hoping that she’d get lucky and the teacher would pair her with Sasha or someone she already knew she’d work well with…but no. She’d gotten paired with a boy, a cute, older boy, who wasn’t necessarily known for his stellar performance in the classroom.

No matter. Rory had enough motivation to share, right?

Normally, most students would meet in the library to work on projects, but the library was very loud for Rory. If she didn’t go when it was nearly empty, then it was really hard for her to concentrate on her work. So she’d gotten permission to use one of the computer rooms for a bit, so they could research their project.

Rory was early, as usual, and to her relief no one else had signed up to use the computer room right now, so it was empty. She set her bag at one of the computers close to the door, pulling out her notebook to look at some of the notes she’d taken last night, while she waited for Beck. They’d been assigned to research Henry VIII, and she’d already found a lot of information on him just from their textbook, so she was hoping that the project was going to go smoothly.

[Beck Grenier]

Group projects gave Beck mixed feelings. On one hand they were great. Less stress of handing in something by himself. The work was split up, so he didn't have to deal with doing everything on his own. Projects were rarely handed in on his own. Knowing he had a partner was relaxing. On the other hand though, he felt obliged to do well. He couldn't just let his partner down, and what if he didn't get his half done? They'd be left stranded. Wasn't something Beck wanted to happen. 

In history class, Beck was assigned to work with a younger girl he'd never really talked to before. She seemed like a good student, not one of the handful of kids that didn't usually have homework. Beck was a frequent in that group. He either did all the homework or handed none of it in. Great policy. It didn't do him any good in class.

To be honest, Beck didn't mind history all too much. The textbooks were atrocious and most homework was reading and note taking, but other than that it was an interesting subject. While he wasn't an avid fan, Beck would turn on the history channel during a sick day to watch a documentary when no good programs were on.

With a hopeful attitude, Beck went to meet up with his partner. He went straight to the computer lab where she said she'd be, and she was right. There she was engrossed in her notebook.

"Hey." He greeted her with a little wave. "Ready to get going?"

[Rory Lennox]

Rory thought that group projects were more stressful if you didn’t know who you were working with. Sure the work was split up, but what if her partner didn’t do their portion right? Or what if they didn’t even do it at all? Then Rory would have to do her own work and then their work all over again at the last minute. Things were not done well if they were done at the last minute.

Working with Beck made her nervous because she didn’t know him very well, and his reputation didn’t really help his cause. Rory was super meticulous about everything that went into her projects, and often spent hours nitpicking the details. She wasn’t sure if she would mesh well with anyone who accepted anything less than perfection.

But maybe things would go well today. Looking up when she heard the door open and close, she smiled when he greeted her. “Hi, Beck.” She said, returning his wave. He was cute, and he seemed like he was eager to get working, so Rory would (momentarily) overlook his slacker-reputation and give him the benefit of the doubt.

“Yeah.” She said, motioning to the seat that was next to her. “I was reading the text last night, and I took some notes that we can use on top of our research.” She pulled her hot pink binder out of her backpack and took out the piece of paper that had contained all the requirements for their assignment. “We need to either make a poster board for our presentation, or we can make a PowerPoint.” PowerPoints were definitely more convenient, but Rory did love making poster boards. “Which one did you want to do?” She asked, looking up.