Stuck In Time

Chapter 3

*Present*

As I walked into Science class, Alls by my side, I was wondering what I had gotten on my test. I felt really good taking it, and hoping I got better than a 40!

As we took our seats, Allie nervously fiddled with her book with her kept grades, obviously thinking she failed. She never tries to show it around me, knowing I always fail. I gave her a smile telling her that she will be fine. 

All of a sudden, I forget where I am. “Alls?” I whisper. She turned with a questioning look on her face. “Yea?” she answered. 

“Um, what class are we in?” Ally giggled. “We’re in science. And we’re getting our tests back”. I sighed, knowing I had to get back another test. I was so sick of getting 40’s. 

“Class” the teacher started. “I’ll hand back your tests at the end of the period for a change. Now let’s take some notes.” For a change? What was the change?

As the period ended, and as everyone got their tests back, I noticed Ally with a bright smile. “Let me see” I took the test from her hand and looked at the grade. “96” I said out loud. “How I miss getting those grades. Good job Alls. Future scientist here.” 

“Nah. I just wanna pass middle school so I can get to my dream college” “Yeah I’ll miss you at-wait what school?!” I asked forgetfully. “Well-” Ally started, sighing.

“Miss Myers” the teacher called. I spun on my heels and faced the teacher. What did I do now? “Come” Geez I’m not a dog. As I walked towards her desk, my palms started to sweat. What did I do? Did I not remember what I did? Oh gosh did I prank someone and caused pain? Not again...

“Carson, I’d like to talk to you about the test. I want to-” Wait..a test?? What test? “Huh?” I blurted out. “Oh um I mean what test?” The teacher tried to stay calm, but I could tell she was hiding something. Wait-was that...a smile? “The science test we just got back. Your grade, it’s rather extraordinary” “Oh” was all I could say. “That bad?” The teacher laughed. “No honey actually, I’m very proud of you. I don’t know how you did it, but you managed to exceed your grade and get the highest mark in the class. Congratulations on your 98” I started blankly at her. Surely she couldn’t mean me. Come on, I’m a fail. That’s why I fail. Cause I’m a fail!

She looked hopefully into my eyes, trying to get me to say something. Anything. All I could do was blink. What’s going on? “I-I don’t understand” “Well, you got almost got everything right. And trust me you couldn’t have cheated. You were taking it with Mrs. Smith in the specialty room.You got a-” 

“I couldn’t have.” I blurted. But I did. Was this really coming true? Before I could forget anything, I took the test from her hand and ran, ran fast out of the classroom, not daring to go to my next class. I quickly past the corner and ran faster, faster until I stopped in front of the girl’s bathroom. I opened the door slowly, went in a stall, locked the door, and sulked to the floor. I felt a piece of paper in my hand, what was this? Oh yea, my 98 I thought. Wait, I didn’t look at my paper. How did I remember? 

Why was this happening? How was this happening? I should be happy right now. Ecstatic. But I’m not. I just have a feeling about this. That this shouldn’t be reality right now. Something isn’t right. I can feel it.

I cried. I sat in the stall slumped down like a child that just lost their blankie. But this is worse. There are way too many signs to count. I took one last glance at the paper Iv’e been staring at for the past hour and shed one last tear. My eyes were suddenly drawn to my watch. Oh. my. gosh. This is 5th period. I have my murderer this period! I scrambled to my feet and ran out of the stall, backpack hanging off my shoulder. I took in my appearance. I couldn’t just walk in to class like this. People would know i’ve been crying. Worse, I would be walking in class late. He’s probably throw his stapler at me like he did at Johnny last week. It was for yawning in class. 

I checked my watch. 10 minutes left of class. Then lunch. I could probably skip and go to the rest of my classes. He wouldn’t see that I didn’t go home sick or something. I’ll be on the other side of the building....or maybe I’ll play safe and get a pass. 

Talking to myself again? God I'm a loser.  

By the time I got home, I was wiped from the rest of my hectic day. All through lunch Alls interrogated me, and gave me daggers until i finally told her all that was going through my head. And I remembered. Everything. Yes she was shocked and totally excited. Like, squealing so loudly the whole cafeteria turned to look at us.  And so I I had come to a conclusion: I have to figure out what’s going on with me.

But first, showing Grace my amazing grade.