✬ Shadows of the Past ✬

News .2.

Recap
"Guess i'll just have to live without them until schools over" I grumbled to myself and left the house.

..................................

I entered the school 10 minutes late because I had to walk to the building but I could care less, its not like I wanted to be here anyway.

As I reached the classroom door, Mrs. Thompson, my no-nonsense English teacher, raised an eyebrow at my tardiness. "Late again, Callen?" she said, her voice tinged with disapproval.

I shrugged nonchalantly, my indifference a shield against her judgment. "Yeah, yeah, I know. Can I get a tardy slip or something?"

Mrs. Thompson sighed in exasperation as she handed me the slip, her words lost on me as I sauntered into the classroom. The other students glanced up at my entrance, but I ignored their curious stares and hushed whispers as I slumped into my seat.

The morning dragged on, each passing minute stretching into eternity as I struggled to stay awake through Mrs. Thompson's lecture. When the bell finally rang for second period, I bolted out of the classroom, eager to put some distance between myself and the monotony of the school day.

But fate, it seemed, had other plans.

As I made my way through the crowded hallway, ignoring the tardy slip i needed to turn in, a stern voice called out from behind me. "Hold it right there, young man."

I turned to see Mr. Jenkins, the school's disciplinarian, standing there with his arms crossed and a look of disapproval etched on his face. He was a lanky, bald Black man, and you could see the shine of his head from miles away. He held out a hand expectantly, his eyes narrowing as he waited for me to hand over my tardy slip.

I rolled my eyes, my defiance simmering just beneath the surface as I tossed the crumpled up slip in his direction. "There. Happy now?"

Mr. Jenkins didn't respond, his expression impassive as he led me towards the "in-school suspension room"—a place I had become all too familiar with over the years.

As we entered the room, I couldn't help but sneer at the teacher sitting behind the desk. Mrs. Hilgrid. God she hated my guts, one day during 5th period last year, i was pulling a prank with a few of my friends. I meant to pour water on some guy who kept giving me dirty looks that past week, but I accidentally miss-timed it and got it all over Miss Hilgrid. Since then she's always been extra hard on me.

"What, no welcome party for me?"
She ignored my sarcasm, her attention focused on the stack of papers in front of her.

I took a seat in the back of the room, my defiance burning bright as I stared daggers at the clock on the wall.

The rest of the day passed in a blur of boredom and frustration, each passing period bringing me one step closer to freedom—or so I told myself.

As the final bell rang I remained seated because i still had after school detention to serve.

Mr. Jenkins appeared in the doorway, his expression unreadable-but wait, was that consern i saw? "Callen Smith, the principal would like to see you. Now." He said sternly but with a twinge of sympathy in his voice. Hm..weird.

My heart sank as I followed Mr. Jenkins down the hallway, my mind racing with possibilities. What could the principal want with me? And more importantly, what fresh hell awaited me in his office?