Thin

Three.

J a n e

I sit in my desk as usual, in the back of Mr. Alexander's class and stare at my paper while he is talking. He was currently going on about the article he had us read earlier. Honestly, I genuinely enjoyed his class. Mostly because I love to write and AP English helps with that, but also because, in general, he's a good teacher.

We're working on this packet filled with articles and an immense amount of vocabulary before we get into any novels. To be honest, I didn't know that we would do work out of a packet. I thought AP English would be purely based on novel reading. Nonetheless, I'm enjoying the work out the packet. The insane amount of vocabulary words have been helping my writing and expanding my knowledge-- which I know sounds corny, but it's true.

"How's the vocabulary coming along?" He asks. I look up to find him hovering over my desk and head. I sit up straight and fiddle with my hands, "great."

"Good," he nods his head and flashes a smile before moving along to other students.

When I look back down at my desk, I see that he left two granola bars on the corner of the desk. I look up at him with a student. Completely unaware that he's even being watched he turns his head to where I am and smiles.

The corners of my lips slightly curl and I look back down at my packet. I begin to read the next article and annotate and analyze sentences using the vocabulary list that's attached to the packet.

Just as I finish up my annotations the bell rings, indicating the end of the school day. 'Thank God,' I think but outside my lips fall into a frown.

The rest of the class hurries out the door as I get up and pack my things. I open my book bag and begin to put my notebook in before my phone goes off. I grab my phone and answer it.

"Jane, listen. I'm sorry but I'll be stuck at work for another hour. If you want, you can wait at school or take the bus," my mother informs me.

I sigh and slide my notebook back out of my book bag. I look at Mr. Alexander and say, "that's fine. I'll find something to do at school till you get out."

Mr. Alexander turns to my direction and as soon as I receive an okay from my mom, I hang up the phone.

"Do you mind if I just stay in here and work on my homework?" I ask as I point down towards the desk.

"Not at all," he smiles.

I nod and remove my bag from my seat and sit down again. I look through my binder to see what work I have and decide on working on my environmental homework.

I take out the questions and my notes and start answering. It's so quiet that I debate on putting on my headphones and listen to music for a while. I check the time on my phone and sigh.

"Do you want to put on some music?" He asks.

I look up and he smiles, "I was going to offer earlier but you seemed so focused on what you were doing, I didn't want to bother you."

"Oh, that's okay," I chuckle. "Music would be nice."

"Do you have a preference?" He asks, typing something into his laptop.

"Phoenix?" I say but it ends up sounding like a question.

"You like that band?" He asks.

"Yes. Quite honestly, if it were up to me, more people would like them."

He nods and clicks something and that's when the music starts playing. It's everything is everything. He adjusts the volume so it's not loud or overbearing.