Burn My Paranoia One Last Time

14. An Announcement

"I'm going to school now, see you later ma!" I catch a piece of toast right as it springs out of the toaster, toss my backpack over my shoulder, and sprint to the door.

"Late again! Young lady, you are cutting it real close. I don't send you to school for this, you are there to study!" My mother snaps from the kitchen, waving a knife threateningly as she pauses from slicing her pancakes.

I tap my foot impatiently with my hand on the doorknob. I really don't have time for another lecture. "Spare me the lecture please, I have to go."

"Listen to me when I'm speaking to you!" She glares fiery daggers into my soul.

I let go of the door and sigh, crossing my arms while still holding the toast.

"You really think you'll get full with a piece of toast?" She sneers. "How are you supposed to study? If I get another call about you falling asleep in class, I swear I'll cancel your outings."

What outings? I almost laugh. "Mom please."

"What the hell are you waiting for? Get out of here already!"

God, finally. I step out the door and use every ounce of will in my body not to slam it. It's a good thing school is just a short walking distance from home, otherwise I'd be majorly screwed.

It didn't seem to matter whether I stayed for a lecture or not, it was the same story either way. There was always the chance she'd give me a bigger one after school if I did leave, and I wasn't in the mood for it.

***

"Assembly? What is Mr. Dacus talking about?" I whisper to Joel as everyone starts bustling out of the classroom. "I didn't know that was today."

"Cheeuh, where have you been? Dozing off, I imagine."

My mind flashes back to this morning and I slap his arm. "Not even! Seriously though, what is this assembly even about?"

"They're announcing some cash prize they're giving out to the best student or whatever. All I know is that thanks to that announcement, we get to miss out on half an hour of English lit. Now that's what I'm talkin' bout baby!" he winks and finger guns me.

Cash prize? He must be talking about scholarships.

"You're such a geek," I shove him playfully, cracking a grin.

"And you're a big nerd," he fights back, sticking out his tongue. Something looks different about him.

That's when I notice the dark bags under his eyes. They weren't there before.

"Yo, what's good?" Sloane bumps into us and throws her arms around our shoulders.

"Nothin', just talking about how mad awesome it is to skip class for an assembly," Joel muses. His words slip out like butter, smooth and slow.

We bustle through a packed hallway that's tighter than a can of sardines, nothing we're not used to of course, and eventually squeeze our way through the double doors of the auditorium. Voices echo off the antiquated walls as people settle in.

Sloane, Joel, and I slide into a row of red cushioned seats and make ourselves comfortable as a plump, red faced principal wipes away sweat with a handkerchief and taps on the microphone.

"Test, test, one two three," he nods after receiving a thumbs up from a technician in the back and puts away the handkerchief. He runs a hand over his three hairs to keep them in place and beams. "Welcome, graduating class of 1980! Give a round of applause for yourselves!"