Wrong With You

1

Have you ever heard the saying „The smarter you get the less you speak“? It‘s alright if you haven‘t, I just read it on somewhere a few days ago. But whoever came up with it explained why the majority of my classmates are being so loud.

Normally, I wouldn‘t care. It‘s none of my business. But it‘s literally the middle of class. Is this normal? No, for real, is this the norm in public schools? Do people just forget that in just a few minutes there‘s a break in between classes and can‘t even sit it out?

What‘s even weirder is that the teacher is doing absolutely nothing about it. I‘m left here to fend for myself and hear little to none of the actual lesson. What I‘ve heard was that we‘re doing some kind of group project. And that‘s it. But even with that much information I can already say, I‘m not pleased.

Finally, after what seemed like an hour, but actually was just ten minutes, the bell rang and the lesson was officially over! Hurrah! I waited for everyone to step out of the classroom before I approached the teacher‘s desk.

„Hello, miss Paterson,“ I said with a slight smile, „I‘m sorry, I didn‘t hear you properly. Could you please explain to me what the project is about?“

„Hi, Nadetta,“ she replies with the same smile, „ yes, the class was quite loud. It takes some getting used to. And for the project you are going to work in groups of four people. You will pick a writer, no matter what timeline, and do a presentation on why you think they deserve to be called one of the greatest of all time.“

„Oh, alright. Well I was also wondering if I could do it on my own.“ I tried giving her a smile that wouldn‘t show her how dreadful the project sounds.

„Absolutely not. No exceptions. You‘ll be doing the work with Nash, Justin and Hailey.“

„But-“ I didn‘t even her a chance to say anything before I got cut off. Rude.

„A no is a no, Nadetta. Now hurry to your next lesson.“ She waved me off and looked down at her work. Once again, rude. But I didn‘t bother to argue anymore. I don‘t think either of us are in the mood. So I just walked out.

I was walking down the hall, towards my next lesson, but then I heard someone calling my name. At first, I chose to ignore it, maybe it‘s not me they‘re trying to call over. And because I took so long talking to the teacher, I need to hurry towards my next class.

But even as I took a few more steps the yelling wasn‘t stopping. So I did something I know I will regret in a few minutes: I stopped walking. And as soon as I did a girl ran up to me. Once she did reach me, she bent down, holding her knees, trying to catch her breath looking as if she had just ran a whole marathon.

„Phew, I thought I would never catch you, “ the girl said, looking up at me as she was still bent over. „I‘m Hailey. I‘m one of your partners for English literature class.“

„Mhm, I got that, “It‘s not hard to guess, who else would know me? „Is there something you need? “

„Obviously! We need to discuss when should we meet to discuss the project. So I wanted to invite you to come sit with me, Nash, Justin and a few of my other friends at lunch. “ She smiled and stood up to her full height, making me have to look up at her to look her in her emerald green eyes.

„I appreciate the offer, I really do. But that will not be necessary, “ I took a step back, a girl needs her space, „I can do the project and you can sign it. I don not mind. I like doing this kind of stuff. And regarding your other offer, I‘ll decline it as well. I do not go into the lunch room. “I tried my best to smile before walking off.

But obviously, she didn‘t get the hint. „We can‘t let you do the work on your own. Even if you‘re super smart, we‘re not total idiots either. We can add stuff as well.“ She said walking besides me.

„Of course there‘s something you can add. Your signatures.“ I answered not looking at her.

„No. You can ignore us all you want after the project, but right now, we‘re doing it together and you are gonna come sit with us at lunch.“ Hailey stated, an unpleasant note in her voice.

„I can‘t imagine how the project will be made if you can‘t even understand what the word „no“ means.“

„Ok, let‘s make a deal. If you come sit with us today and let us do work for the project, we‘ll let you do half of the project.“ She offered.

I sighed, knowing this will not end any time soon. People annoy me so much. But the deal isn‘t horrible. At least I can make sure half of the project is up to my standards.

„I feel like even if I said no to the offer, you‘d still follow me and try getting me to agree. So I will the you up on that deal,“ I sighed, „ I‘ll sit with you.“
Honestly, how bad can it be?“