Penguins Can't Fly

2. Penguins can talk?

    I quietly sat in the deserted hallways. Lockers were obviously so interesting to look at. You could definitely not notice the paint peeling away or the random smells hitting you from the locker in front of you. Definitely not.
  Grace was late. Yet again. The school should really consider firing her. Or at least telling her to do a better job. To be honest if they did, she would probably just ignore them.
   Students had rushed past me, not even paying attention to my books. They were sprawled on the floor, thanks to some careless kid. I laughed recalling the memory. High school kids apparently knew nothing about Karma. But I'd be the one laughing when one they would up getting left at the altar, or hopefully something like that.

   After 5 minutes of solid silence, speakers flickered on and the pledge of allegiance was recited by the principal. Being the person I am, I followed along lazily just grinning to myself. I was so loud that probably every other monotone teacher, and student in a 5 mile radius heard me.

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       Turns out I had to sit there for more than thirty minutes, with only my mind to keep busy.
It wasn't that bad, you know I was mostly recalling lyrics or stupid puns. Even some fandom references had stuck with me. Some? Ha! All I thought about were fandoms. I was perfectly fine with that.
  I closed my eyes, and thought some more about the sinister plot twists of the recent show I had been watching, The 100. After realizing that I hated another character, I felt a firm hand on my shoulder which immediately made me tense up.
   I craned my head to find someone smiling at me. His green eyes searched mine, making sure that I was who he was looking for. As if me sitting in a wheelchair hadn't confirmed that.

   Soon he noticed my books and he began to place them in my lap one by one, without a word. I looked at him curiously. After a few minutes of organizing a neat stack sat on my lap, he smiled in satisfaction.

  "History next right?" He stared down at a paper in his hands. He was talking to me as if we had known each other forever.
  "Well,  I'm supposed to be there right now. There's about 15 minutes left so I think he'll excuse me for the day." I smiled and his eyebrows furrowed together.

"You're right,  we shouldn't just interrupt the class..." He smirked. "How about you show me around your schedule so I know where to go next?"

"Uhh, sure why not." And then we were off looking for classroom 17.

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  "I'm Tracie." I said after a few seconds of empty silence. I wasn't sure how we hadn't gotten around to introductions yet.

  "Tyler. You can call me Ty though." He smiled and looked around the lonely hallway. I laughed and realized we had passed the classroom, by about 3 wrong turns.

"Sorry wasn't paying attention, turn right." A little while passed. "Yup and then left."

   He then began to run and the wind slapped my face. After the shock had passed, I smiled, and I opened my arms to feel the freedom. Get a little taste of that sweet spoon of sugar. I wanted to be engulfed by the feeling.

    But I wasn't supposed to. At least that's what the doctors said. I was not supposed to move my upper body, or something might go horribly wrong and I might just end up snapping something else in my spinal cord. Fun right? I thought a little couldn't hurt, but I felt guilty and lowered my arms.

  I really wanted to feel like I could fly again. I didn't do it though. We slowed to a stop and he peeked in the classroom.
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"Tracie Walker." My English teacher called.
  "Here!" I yelled.
She turned to look at me and nodded. I know what you're thinking, I have the most ironic last name, right?   
   A burst of snickers exploded from the front of the classroom, as a few people swiveled their heads.  Tyler smiled at me reassuringly. I gulped and smiled sarcastically at everyone else in the class.