Valid Weaknesses ||Completed|| #Wattys2017

Chapter 25

Valerie

"Valerie!" mum calls softly, tapping my shoulder. "You're gonna be late for school."

Crap! I've overslept. Again.

Muttering a hasty greeting to mum, I rush off into the bathroom, accidentally scalding myself with hot water.

It's finally Friday and I personally think it's safe to say that I survived the last few days of the week without too many incidences.

By the time I get downstairs, a bowl of frosties is waiting for me.

"Thanks mum." I call while spooning some into my mouth as fast as possible.

Man, I love frosties.

It takes me only five minutes to polish off the bowl and get my bag.

"Bye mum." I say. She's in the living room, getting her bag sorted for work. Dad already left.

"Bye honey." She calls swiftly.

Honey? Well that's a first.

The ride to school is short and when I get there, they're having an assembly because we had been unable to have one on Monday due to inexplicable reasons.

As discreetly as possible I navigate through the crowd of students until I spot my favorite twins. Dropping into the empty seat I knew would be beside them, I let out a sigh.

School drains the life out of you.

"Good morning everyone." Principal Woodley's voice booms strong and clear throughout the hall. "I don't want to keep you here too long because I know you have a great many things to do in preparation for the day but although we couldn't assemble on the first day of the semester, I did want to be sure to share what's on my mind."

"I'm guessing you woke up late again." Jessi whispers.

"You know it." I reply.

"Shhh." That was Elliot. "You two will get me in trouble."

Elliot Alexander Moore, get in trouble? Unheard of!

Jessi and I quieten down after that because we don't want him nagging us anymore.

"I hope you had a relaxing and restful holidays because you deserve it."

Yeah, right.

"However" he continues. "The period of rest is over and time is indeed of essence this semester."

"I want to congratulate everyone who has made progress so far and I trust that you will all work harder this term. Get along better with your teachers and fellow students, stay disciplined and most of all, put in your best."

"Do we promise to make it a better term?"

The mass of students erupts into a cacophony of yeahs and yeses

I think it's mostly the freshmen though.

Much to my relief, principal Woodley releases us after a few more pointers on this and that. Now all I have to do is face my first few classes and count down until lunch time.

"Morning class." Mrs. Kipling greets, waltzing over to the front. "This morning we'll be looking at emotions and acting."

Great.

"When we act," She begins. "We need to go beyond showing a sad face or an excited child. We need to know the context in which to show the sad face or any other emotion."