The Space Between Stars

1 // Routine

31, 37, 5. 31, 37, 5. 31, 37, 5. The same locker combination everyday for locker number twenty-nine in the west sector, where all the seniors are. The people on the build committee thought it would just be a great idea to separate the grades by sectors, putting the Juniors in the north, the Sophomores in the south, and the freshmen in the east sector. They said that they did this to represent the continuum of high school by division, each having a significance to a compass.  The freshmen are in the east sector, because the sun always rises in the east, representing a new day, a new opportunity. Sophomores in the south, signifying the low point in high school, the last year before the real stuff. And then comes the Juniors in the north, depicting when the process starts to get you out, when all the real stuff starts happening. And then there's the Seniors in the west, symbolizing the sun set on the adventure and how you must be prepared for a new one.

Mags Elaine High had a peculiar way of doing things, I always thought.

It was always the mentality "I'm going to tell you how to do this but you can't actually do it." But for some reason our scores soared on our final exams. Most everyone in the class made no lower than a ninety-eight percent average, with no one lower than a ninety-five, and those were the ones that always acted out. It was rather odd, how those idiots didn't fail, because they are just flat out dumb. Like, I try to be nice and everything, but jeez, they are just dumb.

I'm in between my English class and my first elective class, Photography. Mister Johnson is absolutely amazing. He's fresh out of college and kind of cute actually. Anyway, Carly, my absolute best friend for life, stops me in the hallway.

"Hey Carlen! How was your weekend?"

"Carly! What's up? It was shit, like usual."

"Parents fighting again?"

"They just started fighting, and then I got drug into it and toke Mamas side and Dad just started hitting me. Mama tried to stop it, but he picked her up and carried her into their room and locked the door. All I could hear was, "Chris, stop! Chris, baby, stop!" and "Alexis, shut your fucking mouth. If only your stupid daughter could understand, because you're too stubborn to understand a thing. So shut up and deal with it." . It felt like I was in the middle of a earthquake."

"Oh wow, I'm so sorry, Carlen. You know you can always come stay with me if you want."

"Thanks, girl. Guess I'll see you at Lunch?"

"Yep. See you then."

Then I was off to go see my cutie. "Hi, Mister Johnson." I say as my cheeks turn the color of tomatoes. "Hi there, Carlen. Everyone please take your seats and get out your notebooks and something to write with, I have a slideshow on proportion we're going over today and tomorrow with a test on Wednesday on proportion."

Everybody sighs in response.

"Now, I can schedule it for tomorrow, or even today for that matter." He states, in his confident and assertive manner.

"No! Please no!" Everyone shouts so Mister Johnson can hear.

"Okay then, let's get a move on."

I couldn't focus on taking the notes, I was too busy checking out Mister Johnson. I couldn't help but wonder if he had a girlfriend or a wife or something. I caught myself staring at his deep brown eyes and his broad shoulders, his posture, his everything. I started daydreaming about us running through a meadow, hand in hand. He stopped me a told me he loved me. Of course, all I did was go crazy. I was about to kiss him when I was rudely interrupted by the bell, in which meant class had five minutes and it was over.

"Okay everyone. I want to make sure everyone has the notes, so hands off your notebooks, and I will come around to check every ones notebook. If you have not completed the notes, I will assign you a study hall period during the class period and you will have to catch up the following day."

Crap. I was too busy daydreaming about my teacher and time got away. "Carlen? My I see you after class please." He says with a stern voice. "Yes, bab- I mean sir." The whole class laughs because of my slip up. "Thank you."

The bell rings in no time, and I meet him at his desk. . "Carlen, you have been slacking off lately, I need you to get it together. The whole class is getting the material, but you aren't even putting an effort to obtain this stuff. If you don't want to be in the class, go to the office and request a change. Or if this happens again, I will be doing it myself. Understood?" He says assertively. "Yes, it's just-" I begin and trail off. "What is it?" He asks. "Never mind, it won't happen again Mister Johnson." I say. "I sure hope not Carlen. You have great potential." I find myself gazing deep into his eyes. "Thank you sir. See you tomorrow." I state. "See you tomorrow",  he says.