Twiddling Thumbs

ii. calm down, this ain't no boxing arena

“As you can see students...” I rubbed my eyes, barely listening to the teacher. Currently, I was in math class–my last class of the day. I lifted my head off the desk to take a peek at the clock; it read fifteen minutes until it was time to leave. I mentally groaned, throwing my head back to the desk. “Turn in your books to page three o’ five. Finish one through eight, and you won’t have homework–go.” He turned back to the board and began explaining some mathematical term to a few students who didn’t quite comprehend.

Frowning, I flipped through the pages until I reached the page selected and pulled out some paper. As I worked–I had to get this finished, for I had to go shopping for groceries after school–I couldn’t help, but think about what happened this morning. You should’ve talk to him, the voice said, I mean, if I were you, I would’ve. I shook my head. But I’m not you.

I felt a tap on my shoulder. “Hey, you want some gum while I’ve got it out?” Tasha beckoned from beside me. I turned to her and shrugged, and she held out a piece for me to take. I smiled and took it from her, unwrapped it, and tossed it in my mouth. A way to pass the time, I thought, great.

I popped a bubble of my gum, causing a few people around me to glance over. They quickly turned back to the teacher’s lesson, but I didn’t focus on what was being said. I kept my head down, eyes trained on the paper I was currently working the problems out on. I worked all of them out–I bet half of them are wrong–and took another peek at the clock. About a minute, I thought wiping my forehead. I closed my book, with the paper inside, and began to pack my bag.

Finally, after raising my head to stare at the never changing clock for the seventh time, the bell rang. The teacher quickly closed the lesson and dismissed us. I kept my gaze on the floor as I walked through the hallways. As I made my ways to the lockers, somebody side-stepped in front of me. Raising my head, I was faced by the one and only, Penelope Meyers. She had her blond locks pulled up in a ponytail and had a different change of clothes on. Typical Penelope Meyers; she felt the need to change her clothes during the middle of the day. It’s really unnecessary, but this is Penelope we’re talking about. She’ll do anything to get attention.

She flipped her hair over her shoulder. “Look what the cat dragged in.” She chuckled. “Wasn’t your brother a drunk? Maybe that’s why he got shot.” My anger boiled inside of me at the mention of my brother’s accident. I pushed past her, stormed to my locker, forced open the locker door, and shoved all my books inside. “Aw, is little kitty mad?” She taunted. I slammed my locker.

I angrily flipped the bird and stormed out to the parking lot. Anger rushed through my veins and system. Just breathe, the voice persuaded, calm down. I shook my head to myself. No. No one insults my brother like that. She doesn’t even know the whole story. Stupid cameramen and reporters.

I breathed heavily through my nostrils as I made my way to the grocery store. I’ve been angrier many times before this. I’d rate the anger coursing through my veins right now, an eight point five. Though, I’ve never felt this angry over Penelope before. Usually, it was just a casual tease here and there, but as soon as she brought up my brother, my anger levels grew quickly.

I yanked at my hair as the grocery store came into view. I felt warm tears trickle down my face. As I reached the parking lot, I rubbed furiously at the tears that pricked at my face. I felt fury and depression take over my body.

Knowing you’re going to explode was one thing. Thinking the day was going to be great, and it doesn’t, was another. Looking back on the times now, I couldn’t say I regretted any of the following mistakes I made in my life. I’m glad I released the pent up anger inside me on the wall of an old, beaten up grocery store.