It's A Black Line Not A Slack Line

CHAPTER #16

[Alexis' POV]

I smiled at Mrs. Connor as I handed my test in, which left just three other kids still writing something onto their paper. Mrs. Connor's exams had never been easy, but this one felt extra difficult. Nonetheless, I think I did alright and quietly said good bye to the middle aged women, before finally leaving the classroom. 

Jesse had convinced me to at least take this test today because he had to go back to school as well. Of course I agreed, because he just wants my best and then taking this test was probably the best for me. He also told me not to wait for him since his final in History would take a bit longer. 

The practice for the football team would begin in twenty minutes, so I had enough time to stroll over the field towards the parking lots and my car. It's really weird when you're alone in places which are normally stuffed with people and I looked over my shoulder and onto the rostrums a couple of times because it felt like somebody was watching me. Contrary to my mental state this morning, I felt calm. Really, really, shockingly calm. 

That was, until Mr. Dannie spotted me when I was about to unlock the silver Hyundai and said loudly "Alexis Marker?" which made me look up. He stood a couple of feet away at his car and now began to pace towards me, a friendly smile on his face. 

"Hello, Mr. Dannie." I said a bit unsure as he had finally approached me. 

My plan for today was actually going home, eating and studying until Jesse would hit me up to hang out with him. That's what it had been like for a while now if we finally both had some time off. Sometimes, he'd just call me and say that he needed a break and we would meet in fifteen minutes. 

Anyways, my teacher began to speak again "First off, I wanted to say how glad I am that your grades got up again. I know how good of a student you can be." 

"Thank you." I smiled and looked at the knot of his tie which suited the fair, yellow shirt he wore. I'll most likely pass everything this year. Then, his expression changed to something more sincere. 

"Though you do seem to be kind of stressed out, Alexis." 

Of course I was stressed out. The whole gang was in the middle of their exams, I had to do a lot of shit for school too and the last couple of days have been rather lonely for me. Jesse had both hands full with things like band practice which I always heard girls chatting about but was never the one to ask if I could come and watch them. 

"Oh, it's just the usual stress about finals." I said with a slight smile, hoping Mr. Dannie would buy it and leave me alone. 

Instead, he shook his head with a fake smile, trying to make the situation more casual. Has he read a psychology book last night and now thinks he knows to act like a father or what? There was a strong desire inside me to smoke a cigarette right now. To do something parents wouldn't approve of and the following question of him didn't really help the situation. 

"Yes, finals are always crazy. But don't you think there could be other causes ... something more about other people maybe?" He must have seen how I was close to dropping my jaw because the middle aged man quickly added "I just want what's best for you and all my other students. That's why I'm asking." 

Oh Christ, why do all people always know what's best for me? It's not that I am like 17 or anything. Plus, for the most part people don't care, they just want to know your secrets to have something against you. Fantastic book he must have read yesterday. 

I pondered "Mr. Dannie, I think I have everything under control." Lie. I know he wanted me to talk about Jesse, about how vain and bad he was. But fuck that, I love him.