On the morning of Monday, April 1st, I found myself opening my eyes and glancing at the clock as usual, but instead of it displaying a time such as 6:00 or 6:15, to which I am more accustomed, it was more like 8:00. I was late. Again. For the fourth time this year. And so I went through the initial stages of being late for school.
First, panic, as you rush to get ready and out the door as fast as you can and get as close to the school as you can before you hit stage two. Second, depression, as you realize that there's no way that you will make it to school on time because you are so far away. Third, reinvigoration, as you take the final strides to get you through the door and to your class. Fourth, dread, as you wonder what your teacher and classmates might think of you when you arrive late once again. And, finally, relief, when you realize that the teacher wasn't looking when you opened the door and took your seat.
And that was what my morning was like. Mr. Howards, my teacher, was just beginning to take attendance when I sat down.
"Asher Amarantos," he said in a very monotone voice as usual. And of course I gave the customary (and mandatory) response, "Present."
Then, Lago Mafnas walked in, right when Mr. Howards was turned around. He wasn't as lucky. He couldn't get to stage five. Instead, he had to go to stage six, receiving your scolding about being late and the stares of the entire class that go along with it, and sitting down in shame.
Lago can be a bit of a drag sometimes, but he also happened to be my best friend. We actually both live together in the same orphanage, but I didn't see him when I got out of the house. He must've been still sleeping.
And so Mr. Walters continued to take attendance, so of course I couldn't help falling into a sort of slumber while he did. As did everyone else, only to awake when they heard their name. Only Lago was actually paying attention (or appearing to), and that was because he couldn't afford not to. He was already on the verge of failing this class, as well as most of his other classes, and he didn't want to get caught daydreaming again.
And so class finally ended after what seemed like ages. Mr. Walters kept trying to teach us about the golden age of Greece or something (or was it China?), but no one was really listening. I knew that I could just read the textbook the day before a test and I would do fine. I kept up a good 85 average in my classes, so I didn't really need to study.
I got a chance to talk to Lago afterwards. "Why were you late today?", I asked.
"I woke up late. I don't know what happened. I guess I didn't hear my alarm go off."
"Yeah, well it happens to the best of us. Don't worry about it, though. Mr. Walters can never remember when someone is late, you'll be fine."
"I hope so. I can't afford any more points off on participation. I don't even know how I'm doing so poorly in it. It's participation, which should basically be like an easy ten points. I guess I'm just that bad..."
"No you're not. With Walters it's more like a way that he can take points off on our grade without having an actual reason. If he doesn't like someone, he just takes points off of there and tells them that they need to participate more. Hey, do you want to go see a movie today after school?"
"Sure, but I need to stop home first. I don't have my money with me and I should probably bring it."
"Ok. I'll talk to you later then. I have to get to my next class."
"Yeah, me too," and then the bell rang. It looked as though we would both be late again. And so I ran down the hall, trying to get to my next class as fast as I could, when I turned the corner and almost crashed into a girl named Mona Amil. She turned around to look at me, and I got a glimpse of her long, black hair flowing around her beautiful face. Her icy, blue eyes that sparkle like reflections on a pool of water. Her mouth just almost forms a smile whenever she talks to someone.
But I couldn't stop to talk to her, besides, she was one of the popular people. I was not. It was simple. And whatever you are thinking it is never going to happen. Ever. For the same reason that I just said. So I apologized and kept running down the hall, late as usual.
