Extant

Chapter 6

I'm tired of hearing the word 'sorry'. Sorry about your leg. Sorry about the cancer. I'm so sorry that happened to you.

Countless other variations, all containing that one word.

I love highschool.

Even more so, I love having philosophy at the end of my schedule. I only have four periods out of six this year but it really helps drag out the day even more. At least Mr. Lams enjoys it or else this entire class would make me want to drop dead.

I know, I'm a little dramatic.

I walk in to class, well, crutch into class. I've been getting to my classes somewhat early despite my situation. I opened the door and went to the front where the seating chart is.

This class is set up weird, what the hell happened to simple rows? The desks are arranged diagonally with the top point meeting at the middle back of the room. Think of it like this: \/ with desks going back from the outside like this: :::\/::: and the front of the room is the missing side of the triangle.

Great representation right? I'm in the fifth row, first seat on the left side.

I went to the second to last row and the first seat. I plopped down into my chair and just waited for the bell to ring. I was glad that Ash came in and sat in the desk behind me. At least I have that to look forward to.

Just before the bell rang, she walked in. Miss Alexandra Morgan herself. She looked good, but whatever, not a big deal. She took her seat. Fifth row, first seat. Right side.

"Welcome to Philosophy, I'm Mr. Lams, some of you I had in sophomore year for British literature, good to see you. If not, welcome." he said with a smile. Oh yea, I remember British literature. It was hell. Literally. Honors English Language and Literature. HELL.

"Pop quiz! I want you to finish this before ten minutes are up. Take a sheet and pass it down." he said, coming around. It was just blank printer paper. This should be interesting. He went back to his desk at the front and pounded his fist on it twice.

"Explain in some way how this isn't a desk." he said. Everyone looked around. I know this guy's crazy, but what the hell? I lock eyes with Alex's. She started writing and so did I.

Two simple words. I got up and hobbled over to the front and put my paper down. He took it and read it. I went back to my seat and looked back at him. He had a smile.

Almost 10 minutes passed and Alex got up, the last one to turn in her paper. He also took that one and read. He got up.

"I'd like to see this from two different sides, coincidentally, the first and last paper handed in are on opposite sides." he said. He gestured to the both of us. This should be fun.

"Alex, please come up here and read your paper." he said to her. She walked up and started reading. Can I just tell you now? It was awful. It was as if she was taking us in circles, none of it made sense.

"Alright, and Tobin." he said. I crutched up and took my paper. A smirk on my face. Her paper was an essay, mine was barely a sentence.

"What desk." I said simply. He looked at the class. Everyone was confused. Mr. Lams walked to the center of the room.

"Tobin, it appears that no one else seems to get it. Care to explain." he said. Oh yes sir, I'd be happy to explain. Here's my chance to come back to this school.

"You asked us to tell you why your desk is not a desk. 'What desk' suggests that there isn't a desk, at least not one that I can see. If I can't find a desk then there must not be one here."