block me out | station 19

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Art was probably the only class on B days where Vada could keep her eyes open. Maybe the nap she'd taken during Social Studies helped too, but she wasn't about to waste time figuring that out. She didn't have a clue how to draw—her skills barely surpassed that of a four-year-old—but at least Mr. Stone didn't give homework, and his class had a chill vibe. That was enough for Vada to be thankful.

After Art, Vada fell asleep in her other classes, earning several warnings from her teachers, who looked to be getting annoyed with the teenager who seemed to have the hardest time focusing. The green-eyed girl didn't know if it was because of her bad sleeping habits, her lack of knowledge and understanding, or a mix of both. People would just tell her to try harder, but that just angered her— she was trying, only maybe everyone around her just added to the pile of things that troubled her.

That pile had become a bit smaller since she started living with her new foster moms. But still, people expected more from her than she could give at that moment. Like Mrs. Carter, for example. Vada found her English teacher to be a tiny bit obsessed with her, maybe more than a tiny bit. She was always keeping an eye on her, catching her daydreaming or staring out the window, and constantly asking her to stay after class to talk. Thankfully, on Monday she had managed to slip past her before she could call her out, unlike Friday, when she hadn't been as lucky.

"Miss Huxley, please stay behind," Mrs. Carter's voice rang out as the bell signaled the end of class. The other students grabbed their stuff and bolted, but Vada stayed seated. She kicked her legs under the desk, her feet swaying back and forth nervously.

"I missed you yesterday," Mrs. Carter said, sitting down in the chair in front of her. "Wanna tell me why I waited around for an hour as if I didn't have better things to do with my time?"

"I didn't ask you to," Vada muttered under her breath.

Mrs. Carter narrowed her eyes slightly but pressed on. "Vada, I understand that you're new here and you're trying to adjust, but that doesn't mean you can skip out on your homework."

"Fine."

"Fine?" Mrs. Carter raised an eyebrow, surprised. Vada barely paid attention in class and never did her assignments, but she usually stayed quiet during their talks. This attitude was new. "Listen, Vada—"

"Can I go? There's people waiting for me," the brunette interrupted, her voice edged with impatience.

"Are."

"What?"

"There are people waiting for you," Mrs. Carter corrected, earning a sharp eye roll from Vada. "I read over your schedule, and I'm free Monday during your study hall. I suggest you come find me then so we can finish this conversation, okay?"

Of course, Vada ignored that request. She knew that every time she skipped out on what her teachers asked, she ran the risk of them calling Maya and Carina. She didn't want that. But she also didn't have the assignment Mrs. Carter had given her. Honestly, she felt like an eight-year-old sometimes— she just wasn't smart enough to get her schoolwork done. However, there was no way she would be telling any of her teachers that, even less her foster moms.

"Hey, Vada! Wait up!" Charlie's voice broke through her thoughts as she walked out of school.

"Hi," Vada managed a small smile as he caught up with her, panting slightly. "You should work on your stamina," she teased.

"You're one to talk," Charlie shot back with a grin. "Do you even play any sports?"

"Not really."

"Nothing?" he asked, surprised. "You didn't play anything at your last school?"