Loving Geography

Chapter 7

October passed. We stayed until five o'clock every day after school, together learning and discussing countries. I attended every tuition every day after classes. I was learning from the books which I got. I didn't understand that much but I tried. The tutoring helped me a lot. I was practicing the guitar when Lily called me.

"Hey Lil, how are things?"

"Nothing much...doing algebra, you?"

"Playing the guitar, I'm working on this new song, you know I have to practice or I'll mix up the melody."

"So, how is the tutoring after class?"

"Not bad, my guitar teacher called she had some event coming up and asked me to come at three-thirty tomorrow."

"So, did you inform Mr. Lucas?"

"No, I'll tell him tomorrow."

"Wait a minute! Don't you have to stay after class? How are you going to do both?"

"You'll see tomorrow. Got to go. Bye."

I hung up the phone and continued playing.

***

"Mr. Lucas, after the last bell I have to go home to get my guitar I'll be here in 10 minutes." I informed him.

It was the last recess. I was standing near the staff room.

"It's fine, Sophia you can go."

"My guitar practice starts at three-thirty and I'm afraid I can stay only for half an hour. I'll have to leave five minutes before my practice."

"It's alright."

***

The last bell rang. I took my bag, said goodbye to Lily and went home. I changed my clothes and washed my hands, took my guitar and made me a sandwich. It was raining heavily, not to mention that the days got colder since it was November. So I took my umbrella and locked the door with the key. Mom was at work and my sister, Emma had gone to my grandparent's house. I always had extra keys. When I got to class only Mr. Lucas and Victoria were there standing near the map which was hanging on the wall. I entered and closed the door behind me when Mr. Lucas said.

"Come in Sophia. Come sit. We are waiting for everyone."

I removed my guitar from my back, removed my hat, scarf and opened my umbrella so it would dry. I sat on the chair and after a few minutes everyone gathered and we began.

***

I looked at my watch, it was three-fifteen. I wanted to tell Mr. Lucas that my time was up when he asked.

"Do you have to go Sophia?"

"Yes, Mr. Lucas." When I got up from the chair Victoria said.

"Mr. Lucas, please can Sophia play the guitar before she goes?" asked Victoria.

"What?" I asked astonished.

I wasn't gonna humiliate myself in front of everyone. No way! I was trying to convince myself that calm down Mr. Lucas wouldn't let me play when he said.

"Of course, she has to, I wasn't going to let her go until she played."

"Umm but Mr. Lucas I can't I'm just a beginner I can't play anything."

"It's fine, Sophia just play whatever you know it doesn't have to be a song just a small part-anything."

"Fine, just let me get my guitar."

Well, I took my guitar and my notebook took a deep breath and began to play the song which I was good at. I thought of anything which I could play best or I was good at. So I started playing.

After my last note, I got up. Everyone clapped. They began asking me to hold the guitar they took it and took pictures with it. Finally, I said.

"Guys, can you please give me the guitar? it's getting late, I have to go."

I took my guitar. I wore my hat and jacket and turned around.

"Goodbye," I said as I came out of the class.

"Goodbye." I heard some of them and Mr. Lucas said.

I went downstairs and tugged my headphones in my ears.

***

The next day, the Principal called all the student's parents and us to a meeting. He said that it was very important that even teacher who taught us must be there. After the last bell, we all went to the class we were assigned to wait for the Principal. I had no clue why the whole class had to go but obviously, they had done something. So me and Lily were sitting right in the front like we always did and thinking what could have been the reason. After some time teachers started coming. Mr. Lucas came took a chair and sat right in front of us facing the other side.

"Sir, what's going on?" I asked Mr. Lucas in a low voice. He as always calmly as possible answered to my question.

"Don't worry, this doesn't involve you and Lily, it will be fine."

"I hope so," I said in a voice so that no one heard me except him.

My Mom and Lily's Mom came. The meeting began. It was over after some time. Turns out that the Principal was angry at the class. I bet there was a poster of "Beware of eight graders" in the staff room.

Anyway, it was over so we all went home.