Sorry for the short chapter, the next one will be long, I promise.
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Turning the leaves of the note, I paused at the second page and jotted down some exercises. I looked up at the prep teacher, who was doing absolutely nothing. Just sitting and staring at us. Perfect.
Passing the note back to Marcus through some very eager, and particularly curious, hands, I sat back and waited for confirmation of receipt.
Lily pointedly ignored the rap of my jittery knuckles on the desk and buried her nose in a notebook.
Maybe you should find something to occupy yourself with.
Finally remembered I existed, inner voice? What other shocking thing are you going to do today, say something actually reasonable?
I already did.
Sometimes, I wonder why the voice in my head sounded so much like Lily. I tilted my head to stare suspiciously at Lily, wondering if she had some how taken control of my head voice too.
She paused long enough to take her nose out of her book and give me a questioning look. I shook my head and went back to trying to make my fingers stop drumming on the desk.
Barely five minutes later, I felt something poking my back. Twisting my arm, I grabbed the book and turned to the page I had listed the exercises.
I just stared at the horrible writing and the rough solutions. The answers were even completely wrong! Grabbing Lily's pen, an action which attracted her attention alright, I wrote in the note in block letters.
SHOW YOUR CALCULATIONS! WERE YOU NOT SUPPOSED TO DO THIS AT HOME? WHAT WOULD YOU DO AT HOME THEN? OR DO YOU HAVE CHILDREN AT HOME THAT YOU WILL GO BATHE, FEED AND CUDDLE TO SLEEP? GO HOME, TAKE YOUR TIME, AND DO IT CORRECTLY.
Lily nudged me with her elbow, so I passed the book to her. She doodled a cute hi with multiple designed tiny ovals entwined to form a single shape.
When she was done, slightly below her design, I continued.
LILY SAYS HI. REMEMBER MY INSTRUCTIONS.
This time, as I passed the book back to Marcus, the hands did not bother to hide their intense curiosity at the content of our chat via notebook.
I made sure the teacher was focused on his work, because I was not ready to kneel in front of the class with my two hands raised.
The notebook came back almost immediately. Marcus had written a few sharp lines.
YES, I HAVE CHILDREM. I'M MARRIED.
Lily snorted. Childrem. His spelling was poor, I realized. He really needed a special English class. No wonder his grades were terrible.
Lily snatched the note, and I silently prayed she was not so sarcastic to set him off. Slowly, Marcus had warmed to me a little and I didn't want to make him dive back into his shell again.
REALLY? COULD YOU PLEASE TELL ME WHO THE LUCKY GIRL IS? WHO COULD POSSIBLY GIVE YOU CHILDREM?
I had to hand it to her, Lily was smart. She successfully killed two birds with one stone. She even managed to add a sprinkle of sarcasm to the dish.
Serving her prepared and flavored birds, we did not have to wait long to get feedback.
SOMEONE VERY SPECIAL TO ME.
Lily nearly threw up the notebook in exasperation.
"What's this? A game of 'Guess who?' He's obviously enjoying the suspense."
"And your frustration, Lil," I scolded, "try not to be too obvious, or he'll drag this longer than necessary."
Lily opened the book she had shut in her sudden burst of frustration, and picked up her pen.
OF COURSE SHE IS SPECIAL. ONLY SPECIAL PEOPLE GIVE YOU CHILDREM. SO…WHO IS SHE?
Before she passed the book back to Marcus, I tore a sheet out and scribbled a warning note to be wary of the prep teacher, then attached it to the cover of the book and sent it back.
While we waited for his response, I asked Lily why she still used the incorrect spelling of children.
"What if you accidentally write that on a test sheet? I mean, you might get used to it."
Lily gave me one of her looks.
"How exactly is it possible for me to forget something I've correctly known for over twelve years, in one day of being exposed to the wrong spelling?"
I shrugged. "I mean, it could happen."
We were silenced by the arrival of the notebook. Right when Femi passed the book into my lap, the prep teacher turned and looked straight at me.
"Miss Darkness, what are you doing?"
I rose to answer his question, as was required of every student, and slid the book in one quick movement to Lily.
"Nothing sir."
"Nothing? You've been idle the entire prep! Find yourself some homework to do, young lady, or," he gestured to the door, "leave my class."
I nodded with all the meekness I could muster, and held my giggle until he had his back turned to the class.
"Phew! That was close."
I leaned closer to look at what Lily was seeing in the note, while simultaneously pulling out my science textbook and opening to my favorite chapter.
HER NAME STARTS WITH E AND ENDS WITH Y.
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ANNOUNCEMENT
I'm collecting short nonfiction stories into a Teens Diary!
Anyone above the age of 12 can send in an experience they would want to share with the world!
If you're interested or need more information, send an email to loyallovedarkness@gmail.com.
Have an amazing week!
YOU ARE READING
Melody
AdventureHe was new. He was annoying. He was terrifying. She was 12. She was dramatic. She was life. Storm clouds and rainbow, fire and water. Could they mix? Would they?
