The Teacher's Assistant

Jessica

It was 3:00 am, Peter still hadn't slept a wink. He lay flat on his back staring up at the blank ceiling above him. "I hate my life, I hate my life." he repeatedly mumbled to himself. His experience at lunch the day before hadn't left him any peace. To add to his unrest he hadn't done any homework that night; there was a test tomorrow. He knew he was certain to fail. His life had always seemed just hardly taped together and it was as if the tape had at last broken.

The distraught boy didn't think any of his usual thoughts as he lay in his dark silent room. His school, tests, and homework projects didn't matter. He simply thought of the mysterious man that was his physics professor and the small dark pyramid. His ticket out of this life that is what it was. A free ticket to fame and success he had declined for the sake of this, a broken life. It was clear what he needed to do tomorrow. Life had presented him with a shortcut to the top. The top... that is where he belonged, only there could he justify his wrongs.

Peter awoke a few hours later to the usual noise of his siblings. He didn't feel angry though, rather, he cherished it, he knew he may never hear their noise again.

Done with breakfast Peter stood in the kitchen, he knew the bus was only a few minutes away. Normally he ignored his three younger brothers but today he couldn't regret that choice more. He wanted to be there for them, he wanted to know what was happening in their lives, he wanted to know what their struggles and triumphs were.

However, all he could get out was, "You guys excited for school?" None of them answered, they kept chomping their cereal as if he was a ghost. And maybe he was? He couldn't remember the last time he tried interacting with them. There wasn't much time to dwell on this, the squeal of bus breaks was heard outside.

Solemly, he turned to the door when he nearly died of shock. He had forgotten to say bye to his mom! He yelled at one of his brothers "Trenton! Where is mom?" His little brother was unfazed by his impatience (Peter was often in a foul mood). "Oh umm I think she is at the neighbors house."

There was no chance for him to find her, he would miss the bus. He burst out the door as it was already starting to move. The driver saw him and stopped.

It wasn't until he was seated inside that he fully grasped his misfortune. He looked out the window as the bus pulled away. Sure enough his mother stood on the neighbors porch carelessly chatting. If only she knew her son was leaving, leaving for good. A tear broke from Peter's eye and drizzled down his face. He pulled his hood over him so no one would see.

The bus pulled up to the school where people were crowding into the building all talking loudly. Peter stepped out of the bus to be greeted by the cold December air that complimented the heavy grey clouds. As he approached the school he saw the tall professor grabbing things out of his car. Peter didn't think twice, he moved towards him.

"Good morning Professor Devine." The teacher hardly acknowledged Peter, he kept digging through his car. "Morning." he said with his back completely turned.

"I have been thinking about it sir, and I want to help you with your experiment."

The professor stopped and turned around. Peter again felt uneasy as his glare shot through him. "You sure Peter? You want to try this? I can't guarantee you will come back the same if you return at all?"

Peter looked down at the cracked parking lot, "I don't want to be the same anymore, what do I need to do?"

"Awe I see, so you are indeed ready. I knew you would be, just... maybe not so soon. Anyhow we won't be delayed further. I want you to stay after class again today, will that work?"

"Yes, yes it will work."

"Good! Then I will talk to you then!" He said this with a broad smile that didn't seem to fit his face.