Separate Paths

You know that feeling when you get out of school for winter break, and you know you're going to do nothing but sit around and relax? Their school was bustling as the last bell of the day went off signaling it was now officially winter break. The slamming of lockers and people yelling and screaming filled my ears as I left my classroom.

I couldn't wait to go home and get on some games. I was too busy deciding what I was going to play on Xbox when I bumped into someone. I told them to fuck off and I went to my locker. Anyone ever stuck a pencil in their locker, so you don't have to unlock it every time? I pulled my locker open and grabbed my bag and stuffed everything down, not caring if any of my papers got crumpled in the process. My teachers had assigned some homework for winter break, but just like everyone else, I wasn't doing it till the night break ended.

I threw my bag over my shoulder and grabbed my car keys and went to say goodbye to my favorite teacher. I shoved kids out of my way and went down the junior hallway. I looked into Mrs.Richardsons room and saw nobody was there and rapped my fist against the door like I always do. She didn't even look up from the papers she was grading. She knew it was me.

"Are you ready for winter break Jackson? Not going to cause your parents too many problems, are we?" I couldn't help the laugh that slipped out of my throat as I walked into the classroom and pulled the blue chair out from in front of her desk and sat down. I propped my feet up and craned my neck to see what she was grading.

"No, not planning on doing anything but relaxing, I need my beauty sleep Mrs.Richardson. I think you can relate." She shook her head and sighed. I was her favorite if you couldn't tell. I looked at my phone and checked the time and looked out the window.

"Yes, I can Jackson, but don't you have a family to go home to? I have to finish grading papers and then I'm going home, and you aren't exactly helping me pay attention," I rolled my eyes, and I kicked my chair back, my feet hit the ground with a loud pound. I got up and stretched.

"Nah, not really. I don't really want to see you grade some essays. Especially when I didn't do mine."

I looked at her face for her reaction and she looked unamused. I scratched the back of my neck and decided this was a good time to get out of there and go home. There was probably nobody left her anyways and I didn't like being questioned why I was here so late on a Friday when it was winter break.

"What am I going to do with you Jackson? Have a good break and don't get hurt. I hope I find that essay on my desk when we get back from break." She narrowed her eyes at me and I nodded my head and laughed,

"Yes, ma'am will do." I waved my hand, and we exchanged goodbyes, and I left the classroom shutting the door behind me. I walked down the barren hallways peeking into a few classrooms, most were empty, but a few teachers were still here, and I said my goodbyes.

I pushed open the front doors of the school and felt the cool winter air hit my face. I gripped my bag and started walking faster to my car, trying to shield myself from the cold winter air. I fumbled with my keys to my 2009 Blue Honda Civic and when I finally managed to hold them straight between my fingers I fumbled with the lock to the car. I finally got it unlocked and threw my bag into the passenger seat of the car.

I slid into the driver's seat and slammed the door shut harder than I needed to. I was quick to put the keys into the ignition and the familiar sound of the engine filled my ears.

I was hit with a blast of warm air and I leaned back into my seats and relaxed. I put my phone in the cup holder and grabbed my seat buckle and fastened it. I sat there for a moment before looking behind me in the mirror and pulling out. I may have only had this car for 2 months but it was still my baby. I had bought it with money from working at the movie theaters. I was so proud of myself when I got it, I almost cried but boys don't cry. I pulled onto the road and started the drive home. Somewhere along the way I turned the radio on. It was old 2000s Christmas music and I sang my heart's content out to it.