Jasper's voice was like waiting for rain during a drought. You got excited when the clouds went grey, hoping the sky would open and quench your thirst. Even a cool breeze felt like a tease. Every time Jasper opened his mouth it was the same one sing...
An airplane flies against the wind from A to B in 8 hours. The same airplane returns from B to A in the same direction as the wind in 7 hours. Find the ratio of the speed of the airplane in still air to the speed of the wind.
Nope. This shit is still foreign to me.
I slammed my pencil down, letting out a loud groan that made the whole class look back at me. "Yes, okay! I quit! I fully understand that this problem is un-understandable!"
"Ms. Pines, what seems to be the problem?" my teacher asked, though in reality I knew she could not care less.
"Oh, there isn't a problem. Other than the fact this worksheet is full of BS. How am I supposed to know this? I'm not a pilot, nor am I a high school student."
"You are a high school student who is supposed to know this," she dryly replied.
"How am I supposed to know something you have never taught me?" I snapped back, my frustration boiling over.
"Ms. Pines, you are the only one having trouble with this. Everyone else seems to be doing just fine. Even Mr. Ralston seems to have no problem with his work."
Jasper Ralston. He was always their scapegoat when they wanted to make a point. If a deaf kid could do the work without asking questions, then clearly the rest of us should be able to as well. At least that's how the teachers saw it. To them he wasn't just Jasper, he was proof. Proof that if he could sit quietly and solve the problems, then the rest of us had no excuse.
His head didn't even rise when she said his name. His green eyes stayed locked on the paper, steady and focused like the numbers were whispering only to him. He had his hearing aids, sure, but he never wore them. He didn't need to. He didn't need anyone.
I must have stared too long, because suddenly those eyes lifted and met mine. Deep, forest green. Breath stealing, thought stopping. For a moment it felt like he was questioning me without words, asking why I was looking at him. Heat crawled up my neck. I quickly looked away.
"This is not fair. Why did anyone even put me into this stupid AP class? Just because everyone else understands does not mean that I am supposed to. Last time I checked, Judy and I have two different minds."
She sighed and rubbed her temples. Judy ducked under her jacket, realizing the class was now staring at her.
"Ms. Pines, would you like me to notify your parents about your disruption in class?" she asked.
What kind of question is that? Of course I do not want her calling my dad.
"No, bu—"
"Ah ah." She cut me off, raising her hand to silence me.
"But—"
"Ms. Pines." She reminded me firmly, reaching her hand toward the phone in a testing manner. Like the stubborn, temper-manic teen I am, I groaned, shoved the worksheet off my desk, and laid my head down, using my arm as a shield and pillow.
"Throw a fit if you want, Ms. Pines. But if that work is not completed by the end of class, not only will I contact your father, but I will make sure you are in Saturday detention this weekend. Again."
"I hate you," I muttered.
It came out muffled since my face was buried in my arm, but the class heard. Giggles erupted around me. My dad would not be pleased if he found out. He is not one of those "cool dads." And yes, it is stupid of me to sit here after she threatened me, but one thing about Kinsley Pines is that I am stubborn as hell. Not intentionally, but proving my point is kind of a bad habit.
Time passed and I stayed half-asleep at my desk, my mane of brown hair covering me and everything on it. The loud bell woke me. I stayed still as everyone rushed out.
"Wake up," a few people teased as they passed.
Then came a soft tap on my shoulder. Paper brushed against my fingertips. I slowly raised my head, blinking. My eyes widened. On my desk sat my paper and pencil. My completed paper.
It had been on the floor earlier. Who the hell did my work?
I looked around for whoever it was, but no one was there besides Mrs. Easton, and I highly doubted she would do this.
She cleared her throat and narrowed her eyes at me. "I hope you know you are still in my class because you will be using this extra time to finish your assignment."
I stumbled for words. "I, I uh." I paused, looking down at my paper. "Actually, I'm done."
A surprised expression spread across her face as I slapped the paper onto her desk.
"But, how? You were asleep."
"I was taking a brain break," I corrected, crossing my arms over my chest with a proud smirk. "Well, if you would excuse me, Mrs. E, I have a class to get to."
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