not The Perfect Life

Galen's perfect life

Chapter 10

Monday, 4th of February 2019

Galen's perfect life

The school has been down more and more recently. We often had to work online from home. There are always protests from these man-hating girls. Many male students have also been attacked. It is slowly but surely getting out of control and the school itself cannot counter it. Learning doesn't seem to be the main point anymore.

Today school is canceled again. A group of topless girls protest, and once again Mr Walsh has no idea what to do. I sit at home alone and work on tasks that I have received online. Mom and Dad are working. Although I hate going to school, I find it better than these online assignments. I also enjoy going to school with Galen. At least I'm home alone.

While doing maths, I look for my book. Math is my absolute hate subject. I can't and I never will. The book is not in my bag, on my desk, or on the bookshelf. It's just gone. When it comes to my grades, I'm always very perfectionist and that's why it would be difficult for me to fall asleep if I didn't do my homework. I pick up my cell phone and try to call Galen. I must have forgotten my book at his house the other day. Nobody answers. That's why I'm sending him a message and doing other schoolwork first. I'm good at pretty much every other subject. Just not math.

With my anatomy book in hand, I walk to the fridge and without taking my eyes off it, I get an iced coffee. Iced coffee is my battery. My tank, so to speak. Without my coffee, nothing works in my brain. Coffee chilled with plant based milk.

After a while and a breakfast of vegan pancakes and an apple, I check my phone again. No messages and no reply from Galen. So I have no other choice. I swing my school bag around my neck and leave the house. The book has to be at Galen's home and that's why I go there. After all, he has to be there if no school is really taking place.

Even though my bike is still broken, I manage to get to the Vergaras in less than 30 minutes. The weather is great and I ran a little faster than usual. I stand in front of the front door and ring the bell. I don't hear anything. Whenever I'm with the Vergaras, it's easy to hear when someone comes to the door. But I don't hear anything here. As if nobody was at home. Galen's car is still there. I knock carefully on the door. Then finally someone comes. Galen opens the door for me.

"Oh, hey.", He looks surprised.

"Hey, Fake Boyfriend? I called you and wrote to you, but you didn't respond. I think I forgot my math book." I explain.

"Do you want to .. come in?"

"Sure. I probably forgot it in your room when we were studying together." I guess as I come into the house.

"Do you want to drink something?"

"No thanks."

We go to his room together and Galen is looking for my book. I see it right away.

"There it is." I point to the book, which is on the floor next to his chest of drawers. I recognize my books among thousands everywhere. In my spare time I draw some doodles on them. Now most of them don't look the least bit like the others. Galen picks it up and puts it in my hand.

"Thank you, Gal. I ... I didn't want anything else. Then I'd better go home again. I don't want to bother you any more and .."

"Should I drive you?" He asks.

"Are you crazy? Don't blow extra CO2 into the air for this distance. I can run," I joke.

"You can stay here a little longer if you like. Then we can study together again.", Galen offers me. I don't find the idea bad at all. The only thing I miss about school is learning with Galen in class. And of course the food. The other students hate school lunches, but because I'm vegan, I don't eat the disgusting things the school offers.