The Peregrine Passage

Chapter One: Adam

I watch as Mr. Fuller rifles through the thick stack of papers on his desk, preparing to pass them back. Everybody else in the class looks calm, but they don't have as much riding on this assignment. If I get another F, I'll get suspended from the football team for the rest of the year, and I can kiss any shot at an athletic scholarship goodbye.

One by one, he hands each student their paper. I catch glimpses of a few and see the usual assortment: mostly B's and C's, a few A's with 'good job' scribbled in red pen, but no failing grades so far. Maybe I'm okay, the essay assignment wasn't that hard. Granted, I wrote it the night before, but still.

My illusion of hope is shattered when I see the familiar red F written boldly across the top of my paper. Fuck.

I phase out for the rest of class, just letting the minutes tick by. Eventually, the bell rings and I make my way to the front of the small room, avoiding eye contact with Mr. Fuller. I go through the motions for the rest of the day, trying not to think about what this means for my chances at college. Finally, the last bell rings and I go right back down the halls to history, prepared to beg for another chance to boost my grade. It feels weird to stay after school while everyone else races to the ends of the halls, searching for freedom. Fuller's class is completely empty, except for Hazel. She gives me a halfhearted smile, but we both know why I'm here. What I don't know, is why she's here. We've been in school together since elementary school, and she's gotten A's for as long as I can remember. We've never really spoken over the years, but through a few shared classes, I've gathered one thing: teacher's pet.

I gesture for her to go first, and she blushes sheepishly.

"Um, Mr. Fuller, I think you might have made a mistake. This paper says I failed, but there are no other comments. Did I do something wrong?" Her hands are fidgeting and she keeps on looking at the ground, something is definitely up.

"Would you consider plagiarism to be wrong, Miss Winsor?"

Whoa. I guess I'm not the worst in this class, after all.

"I--yes, sir." Her complexion changes from a subtle blush to a tomato red.

"Well, then. I think you've answered your own question." He snaps at her and I feel bad about his cold tone. Even if she cheated, it still feels a little harsh.

"I'm really sorry, you know I would never do this. I was just having a super stressful week and I didn't have time to—" She's cut off as Mr. Fuller turns his attention towards me. I see tears brimming in her eyes but she manages to not let any spill.

"Adam? Why did you come to see me?" His tone is slightly kinder now.

"Yes, it's about the same paper...Is there anything I can do to pass? Please, I need this to stay on the football team."

I catch Hazel quietly muttering something under her breath about all the privileges that the football team gets. Brushing her comments aside, I clear my throat and continue.

"It's just been hard to study since everything happened with Rowan."

"Of course, Adam. I understand." Out of my periphery, I catch Hazel shooting me a death glare as Mr. Fuller says this.

"Both of you, give me a minute to think." He gestures to the door and we make our way awkwardly to the hallway.

Hazel slumps up against a locker, and I slide down to the floor. She's gnawing on her nails and looks like she wants to melt into the floor. I feel the same way. After sitting uncomfortably for a few minutes, I decide to break the silence.

"Don't worry about Fuller, he always comes around. I'm sure there's something you can do."

"Yeah, I guess." She nods but looks unconvinced. A few more minutes pass by but I can't stand the quiet. I look up at her from the cold tile and prepare to ask her an invasive question.