WRONG NUMBER, But Thanks For Calling?

The Beggining

20 MINUTES AFTER SCHOOL STARTED

"Sorry I'm late!" I yelled as I rushed into the classroom, bumping into someones books.

"Sorry.." I whispered to them with a slight, awkward smile.

That was my 3rd time that week I had been late for school, and it was thursday.

I shuffled towards my desk and sat down next to Ned, my best friend.

"Did you study for the test?" He asked as he put down his phone that he shouldnt have had out. Crap- there was a test?

"Uh, yeah, totally." I said with a gulp. I had been so busy that past few days, it was hard to even be in the moment without forgetting what I'm doing, when I'm doing it.

Speaking of which...

I looked up and realised the class had gotten suspiciously quiet. I looked at Ned. "Dude!" He said for the 50th time, shaking my shoulder.

"Huh?" I asked. I looked around and noticed the whole class staring at me. And the teacher, with her arms crossed, staring me down.

"Oh! Uh, 32?" I said, thinking she was asking me to answer the question on the board I barely even looked at.

My teacher looked astonished, but regained her composure. "Although that is correct-" she said towards my reply.

Ever since I had gotten bitten from that stupid spider, my minds been like 20× faster than usual, so taking a split second look, I already had the answer.

"That was not what I had orginally asked." She continued. I gulped.

I heard the tiniest tick of the clock and then the bell rang. I stared at Ned in shock, and he raised an eye brow at me.

When did the time go? I wasnt that late to class.

Was I?

"Everyone, enjoy your recess-" the teacher addressed the class.

"Peter-" she turned to me. "Stay behind."

Ned shrugged. "See you out on the hall, dude." He said.

Everyone grabbed their books and headed for the door. Some of my classmates giggled at me.

I nodded and sighed, and walked up to the teachers desk.

Once eveyone had left the classroom, she sighed and gave me a look.

I knew that look.

"Peter, people deal with greif differently. But...I'm concerned about..." she started.

I'd heard that speech a hundred times before. 'Blah blah, sorry for your loss, blah, we'll let you go under these circumstances, blah blah, we're here for you.'

"I'm concerned for your education." She finished.

"You have no reason to be. I'm doing fine." I said.

Eveyone expected me to be mopping around and crying every day, but I have too much responsibility for that.

"But, dealing with a loss is difficult, for anyone. But the loss of a parent...that's...grief i cant even imagine." She said.

I signed. My aunt had passed away exactly 4 months ago, and of course I was upset, but people needed me.

"Yeah well, I'm ok. Thankyou for your concern, though." I said with a smile.