Chapter 1
New Beginnings
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"Excuse me, Miss Flowers?"
"Yes, Mr. James?"
"May I please use the bathroom?"
"We only have 15 minutes left in class, that sounds like you're asking for an early departure..."
She may be right, but I won't admit that, or she won't let me go.
Miss Flowers is my History lecturer, while I enjoy her lessons, I'd rather not sit and wait here when I'm done and there's nothing more to learn.
On Fridays, she makes us write an essay based on all the topics we discussed in this week's lessons as a revision exercise. She does this every week without fail so I start my essay at the beginning of the week and add a summary of each topic after every class.
So by the time Friday is here, I'm done.
I usually use my spare time to make a list of things I want to do. Like things I want to buy this week or new books I want to buy. Sometimes, I even plan my life, but today felt longer than usual and I needed a way to end it sooner.
"Not exactly, I finished my essay 10 minutes ago and I was trying to hold out but I've been hydrating a lot today and I need to go."
She looked up at me through the top of her purple glasses and sighed through her nose.
"Ok then, you may place your essay here and go." She pointed her green RSVP pen to an empty spot on her desk, "No need to return once you've finished."
I got up from my seat to turn in my essay but as I did I noticed the class was no longer silent and was instead a chorus of whispers with melodies of sighs and grunts accompanied by harmonies of some students whining things along the lines of 'That's not fair!' , 'Oh come on!' and even a few 'damned teacher's pet.'
I didn't mind the comments most times because I actually like Miss Flowers, but having my new classmates dislike me so early in the semester wasn't on my bucket list.
Noticing the rumbling of the displeased students, Miss Flowers stood up from her desk and asked the class.
"If there is anyone else who'd like to leave early, they may do so-"
Almost the entire class stood immediately at her words but she wasn't finished.
"-as soon as they too can place a completed essay on my desk."
I counted 13 entire seconds on the wall clock on the wall before the class was seated and silent again.
Sitting back down she turned to me, "Micah, you may go. Enjoy your weekend, dear." Her tone was soft and sincere, I smiled and thanked her.
I made my way back to my seat to gather my stuff.
As I was packing my school supplies into my backpack, I noticed a few glares in my direction from my classmates.
I tried to not pay them much attention but it was starting to creep me out. I loved being the center of attention but not like this.
I swung a strap over my shoulder and headed straight for the door. I was halfway through when the history teacher called out to me causing me to stop in my tracks.
"Oh and Micah, did you remember to ask your mother-"
"About the snake plants? Yes. She's expecting a shipment this evening. I'll have them at your doorstep by Sunday afternoon. "
"Ah, thank you, dear."
"You're welcome ma'am, Goodbye everyone!"
I gave my class a sweet farewell hoping they'd forget about me getting to leave class early by Monday.
