He was late for school. Again.
The teachers learned not to say anything.
No one answered the phone when they called home anyway. It was easier this way.
He began to realize that his life had turned into what was easiest to deal with.
He didn't like that. It was easy to like that. He needed someone to put effort into his existence.
He was the only one up for the job.
Mrs. Peterson watched him walk in like a sick puppy with his tail between his legs and she shook her head and sighed.
She was a particularly cruel woman who wasn't happy with the lot she'd be dealt and liked to take it out on her students, unfortunately for young Eric.
He seemed to be her favourite playmate.
"And where have you been this morning," she scolded in front of her whole class.
He cringed a little and sat down, trying to hide behind his shaggy hair.
"Eric. I asked you a question." she said pointedly.
"I have a pass," he whispered.
"I told you no more tardies." Part of her smiled on the inside, scolding this poor boy. A little twisted delight to spice up her morning.
"I'm sorry," he muttered into his hand. "I tried to leave earlier..."
"What was that, I can't hear you?"
He closed in on himself. He didn't like speaking loudly. He wasn't accustomed to it. Just the sound of his own voice could make him jump.
"Eric. Speak when spoken to."
"I tried to leave earlier," he repeated, only a little louder.
"Oh," Mrs. Peterson replied.
Eric nodded.
"And what happened? Did a mongoose attack you?" sarcasm was dripping from her tone towards this young boy.
He slid down low in his desk as all the other children laughed and laughed.
"That's enough class," Mrs. Peterson said, switching gears and bringing the vicious children back on track.
Eric laid his head down on his desk as he felt the tears trickling down slowly. He really had tried to leave earlier. But there were dishes to wash up and the laundry hadn't been done in two weeks and the other children were already laughing at him for wearing the same clothes twice. He was just trying to fit in.
He would always be just trying.
"Eric, pay attention" Mrs. Peterson scolded one last time. "You've already missed much of maths today."
He nodded, pulling out his notebook. Maybe if he took notes he'd understand it. Maybe the fractions would add up and everything would be all better.
If he could just learn math, it would be all alright.
