THIS IS NOT EDITED
Jame stood on the corner watching as his school bus pulled away without him. His alarm clock decided not to go off this morning, but that wasn’t the only thing that stalled his departure. It was jeans day at school and his mother forgot to put his in the dryer, which explained the damp fabric he felt against his legs. Jame simply his backpack tracks and started his walk to school.
He arrived thirty minutes late and decided to head straight to the main office to get a late-slip. His home room teacher wasn’t the most pleasant woman so he knew slipping into her class with an excuse would lead to an unwanted confrontation. He arrived to the office and waited patiently as a few others in line handled whatever other issues that brought them here this morning. Jame grew tired of feeling his wet jeans against his rear and stood from the seat he had waited in.
“Young man,” A teacher entering the office called out.
Jame turned facing the red-haired woman. “Ma’am.”
“I think you should let somebody know.”
“No, what.”
She pointed down at where he sat. “That you wet your pants.”
The few students in the office snickered.
“No my pants are wet,” He rushed to explain.
“It’s very clear. “
“My mom forgot to dry them last night. I’m sixteen. I know how to control my bladder, ok?”
The teacher’s eyes widened. “Are you questioning me? I’m the adult here.”
“Listen I just really want to get a pass go to class.”
“No respect at all.” The woman fanned her hand at him and strutted.
Jame wasn’t one of those students who didn’t purposely pick fight with teachers. He honestly did not care about them. His role was simple, show up, learn and go home. Jame didn’t allow himself to dwell on the confrontation. Eventually he arrived to the front desk.
He rested his arms against it. “I need a late pass.”
A gray haired secretary typed away at her laptop. “And why are you late?”
“My alarm clock didn’t go off and I had to attempt to dry my jeans.”
The woman shook her head. “Pass denied.”
“Why,” He shrieked.
“I’ve heard the alarm clock excuse a billion times.”
“But I’m telling the truth.”
“Denied,” She repeated.
“Fine, then how about the jeans part. They are wet you can touch me and find out.”
The secretary. “I can’t even imagine the trouble I would get into for touching a student.”
“I’m giving you permission to touch me.”
She pointed at the office door. “Alright, enough with your crude humor. Leave!”
“I’m being serious,” He shouted. “Touch me! It’s the only way you can prove my story.”
Once again he found the other students in the office laughing at him. The anger in the woman’s eyes was a clear indicator that she was not going to confirm his excuse. He stormed from the office into the empty halls of the school. Jame couldn’t believe the woman was somehow convinced that he was begging to be molested. He didn’t even think twice before storming into homeroom and taking a seat at his desk.
Mrs. Katims stood from her desk. “And good morning to you to Jame.”
He slouched in his seat. “Not mines.”
“I’m sorry to here that. Do you have a late-pass?”
“No.”
She thumbed at the classroom door. “I’m going to need you to go get a late-pass.”
“I already tried,” He grumbled out.
“I’m sorry I didn’t here you but it doesn’t matter. I need you to go and get a late-pass.”
“I said I already tried,” He shouted.
All the eyes of his classmates focused on him.
Mrs. Katims scowled at him. “I will not be talked down to you. Pass…now.”
He stood from his seat. “I’m not talking down to you. I’ve already tried to get a pass and that’s what I’m trying to explain. The woman at the desk refused to give me a pass even after I offered an accurate story and evidence. I wet my pants…”
The class instantly burst out laughing.
“No, I mean my pants are wet,” He tried to explain through their laughter.
The endless laughing, his teacher overdramatic and this entire morning had put Jame in a very odd place. He had never felt so focused on in his life. The laughter kept going and for some odd reason he now felt a warm sensation draining down his leg. He looked down at the floor to noticed urine dripping to floor and judging by the screams of his nearby classmates, they noticed the same thing. Jame grew weak in his knees, his vision blurred and he collapsed to the floor.
