Lessons from a Rude Boy

Stolen Choice

           I counted down the seconds in my head as the clocked continued, 3,2,1 it was now nine’o one, the breath I had been holding was expelled slowly as I relaxed back into my seat. My focus went back to Mr. Andrew’s as his lecture wound down I found a smile. I was in the clear, that smile faltered. Was Mason waiting for me outside the office? Would he be disappointed that I did not show up?

            Once again my eyes went to the clock at the front of the class. Surely when he saw I was not coming he just put this ridiculous idea of skipping out of his head and went to his class. I tried to reassure myself, but it didn’t work. What if he is just standing outside the office waiting for you? This was to hard, my eyes closed tightly against the sight of the clock,  most likely counting down the last few seconds before Mason would give up on me completely.

            My head started to pound, I did not want Mason giving up on me. I did want to hang out with him, but maybe he was asking too much with this skipping adventure. Or maybe you need to learn to stop being such a stick in the mud.

            Deep breaths did nothing to ebb the pain in my head or the sick feeling creeping up into my stomach. Mr. Andrew’s monotone voice carried on and with his every word the pain lessened, until it had vanished just as quickly as it had come. The clock on the wall let me know that ten minutes had already gone by and in just five more minutes I would be on my way to Calculus.

            Finally the bell rang, those few minutes were so tense that I breathed sigh of relief as I left class, only to take a new seat a few doors away. Mrs. Fanno started writing on the board at the front of the class only moments after the bell ran, but I was allowed to surpass her lesson and start my own from the book. Lost in the world of derivates I felt relaxed once again.

            “Mrs. Fanno,” the speaker crackled bringing Mrs. Garcia’s into the room.

            “Yes,” Mrs. Fanno answered with a roll of her eyes, she hated having her class interrupted.

            “Will you please send Addison to the office,” my blood ran cold as her eyes settled on me, “her father just called, she’s got a dentist appointment.”

            “Will do,” and with that she turned back to the board, my heart racing as she continued with the lesson.

            Did she know? Could she tell this was all some ruse? My hands fumbled with my books and the sound of them hitting the bottom of my bag was loud and seemed to echo in the room. Did everyone else know that I was about to skip? My eyes wandered around the room slowly, no one was watching me and as I made my way to the door, my feet moving painstaking slow it occurred that no one cared. 

            Kids got called out of class all the time to go home, more often that not it was most likely for the same reason I was being called. Walking down the empty hallway I was still at war with myself, could I just go back to class and pretend that the dentist appointment was actually later?

            The office door way taunted me and I knew, just felt it, that as soon as I stepped through that door the office ladies were going to give me disapproving stares and send me back to class or worse to the principal. Again my breathing stopped as I crossed the threshold.

            “Good morning Addison!” Mrs. Garcia’s voice was cheerful and her smile seemed genuine.

            “Go-Good morning,” I replied, shaky smile finding its way to my mouth.

            “Just need you to sign here dear,” she thrust the book across the counter at me.

            I stared down at the names before me; just above the space where my name and information was already filled in was Mason’s. A sigh escaped, surely if he had gotten out unscathed I would to. Trembling fingers signed my name and then the book was sliding away from me before I could shout that this was all some mistake and I needed to get back to class.

            “Thanks all hon,” she smiled once again, her blood stained lips stretching wide across her face.

            I hitched my bag higher and turned away, waiting for bars to fall from the doorway locking me in the office, daunting voice letting me know that I had been caught.

            “Addison?” my fingers gripped the door jam painfully as I turned back to her.

            That was it. I was caught. My head already started to fall, knowing that I was going to die of embarrassment.

            “Ma’am,” my voice was weak, full sorrow.

            “Hope all goes well with your dentist,” her smile was not mocking as my eyes met hers. She was genuine.

            “Thank you,” I nodded eyes wide as I turned away. Dear lord. I mouthed as I moved toward the front doors.

            “Hey there pretty lady,” his smiling face met me as soon as I stepped out into the sunshine.

            “I am going to murder you,” I tried to sound angry, but they way he was looking at me had a smile forming.

            “You are not,” he rolled his eyes as his hand reached for mine. “By the end of today you are going to love me,” he predicted as my stomach fluttered.

            “Very unlikely,” I laughed.

            “You’ll see,” he chimed, pushing me into his death trap and for the first time my body did not tense in fear as I buckled my seat belt, just with sweet anticipation.

            “Ready to have some fun?” his eyes sparkled as he pulled out of the parking lot, already going entirely to fast.

            “As ready as I will ever be,” I laughed and then we were off.

I know it is kind of short, but maybe if you guys are really nice to me you will get a longer one on Monday or possibly tomorrow. :)