When Summer Becomes Winter

Chapter 13: Barrett's Fury

Summer 21

I waited in the library for the morning class to end and the afternoon class to start, twiddling my thumbs in nervous anticipation. My mind began to race. Screaming at me that I was going to be a mom at such a young age. Screaming at me that I wasn't ready. Screaming.

I hated the fact that I had Mr. Barrett's class today! He had ears like a dolphin, so I knew I wouldn't be able to tell Leonel; even if I whispered it in his ear, I couldn't risk it. I could wait until after class, but even so, it would be better to just get it over with.

I ripped out a piece of my notebook paper, jotting down what I needed to tell him without having to risk whispering it for Mr. Barrett to overhear, folding it a few times, and stuffing it in my pocket. I'll give it to him when Mr. Barrett turns his back to write on the board.

Tick-tock, tick-tock. The clock seemed to be ticking at me mockingly, and after what seemed like an eternity, the bell for the afternoon class rang. I heard the morning class' footsteps rush out of the academy as I inhaled deeply, grabbing my tote. I peeked out of the library, seeing my classmates enter the classroom as I slowly walked to join them. I wanted to flee the academy, but I didn't have anywhere to go, and if anyone saw me playing hooky, I'd be in more trouble than I already am now.

I entered the classroom. My classmates turned their attention towards me as I noticed Leonel had a relieved look on his face.

"Alright, since Clara's now here, time to start class." Mr. Barrett announced as I took my seat next to Leonel; my eyes glanced over at him for a second before darting back towards Mr. Barrett, impatiently waiting for him to turn around to write notes on the board. I fiddled with the note in my pocket while he flipped through his teacher's book, looking for the next chapter we needed to discuss.

"Today, class-..." He began, finally turning around to write on the chalkboard as I quietly placed the note in Leonel's lap; he looked down at the folded paper and blinked a few times before glancing over at me. I looked at him from the corner of my eyes, giving him a nodding gesture without turning my head from the board, letting him know that the note was for him. He fretfully took the paper and began to unfold it from under his desk as I started to pretend to write notes.

THWACK!

The sound of Mr. Barrett's yardstick caused us to jump from the sound. Orland and Leann's eyes widened as they noticed the note in Leonel's hands, knowing what was going to happen next. I felt my heart racing as Mr. Barrett held out his hand. Leonel sighed, obediently giving his father the note.

No! Please, don't read it! Just throw it in the trash! I prayed in my head as he gave Leonel and me a stern look.

"Clara, Leonel. I know that you both know there is absolutely no note passing in my class. And as punishment, I'll be reading it out loud to the class, no matter how embarrassing." He started to unfold the paper, my heart racing faster.

No, please, no! I prayed as he cleared his throat.

"Due to...our..." He stopped, his eyes widened, and his breath became shaky.

"What?" He asked in slight horror, scanning the note again several more times as if he had read it wrong the first three times. His face held a look of shock and horror before eventually changing to disappointment and anger. He folded the note back.

"I'll see you two after class." His cold voice felt like icicles stabbing my mind in torment as he threw the note in the desk drawer, slamming it shut before continuing to write the lesson's notes on the board. His handwriting was noticeably messy from his shaking. My classmates blinked in confusion, wondering what could have possibly made Mr. Barrett so upset.