Who I Am

Chapter 9 - Amelia

I closed my locker as I headed to my classroom, my English binder, pencil case, agenda and gym bag huddled in my arms.

I stepped into my classroom, heading towards my seat. Things had changed since the past week, and Charlotte was still sitting in front of me, but Ella asked Ms. Green if she could sit beside me, instead of the other girl I didn't know. Luckily, she agreed.

I also remembered the diagnostic test we had. The actual test itself wasn't that hard, but boy, did I have a lot of trouble reading it. I ended up being the last one to finish.

Let me tell you, it was embarrassing. Especially for a simple diagnostic test. If only they knew.... I thought.

"Hey, Amy!" I heard Charlotte call. "Hey," I answered as I looked at Ella who was giving me a wave, a warm, welcoming smile spread across her face.

"Class!" Ms. Green called from the front of the room. "I know that most of you already know this, because you should've been looking at your schedules, but it is Thursday today, meaning you have Phys Ed second period and you need your gym bags, so while the bell still hasn't rung, I urge you to go get it quickly, if you haven't."

At that point, there was a chorus of shoot's and dang it's ringing around the classroom as most of the people in my class sped through the door and to their lockers, presumably getting their gym bags. I gave a half-hearted giggle.

"So, Amelia..." Ella started. "Just call me Amy," I told her, smiling. She seemed to like this and smiled back. "Thanks! But... are you alright? I mean- after last week?" She asked, clearly concerned. "Oh, yeah. I guess you could say I'm... adapting to it, you know?" I responded.

Ella nodded in understanding, but it was evident that worry was still showing in her eyes, along with Charlie. "Hey, guys. I'm okay, really-" I was quickly cut off mid-sentence by the loud bell.

"OK! Into your seats!" She called out, grabbing everyone's attention. "One thing I must announce: Next week, on Thursday, you will be having a math test." Ms. Green announced as she wrote "Math test Thursday!" on the whiteboard.

A chorus of moans and groans arose from the entire class. I shamelessly joined in. Ms. Green ignored us and started giving two stacks of math worksheets to two students, who started to pass them around, their features expressing boredom.

Once I got a sheet, I looked down at it. It was for the "Exponents and Square Roots" unit. Ugh. "Now, you will all have the rest of this period and third period to work on it. However, whatever is not finished today, will be homework, due tomorrow." She told us, her gaze never wavering.

I sighed and started the worksheet when she gave us the 'OK' to do so. I stared down at the sheet. I worked on it for the rest of the period and surprisingly didn't get very much done.

Oh gee, I wonder why.

I only got 1. a), b), c) and 2. a) done. I still had five parts and three questions to go. Hold on.... I silently wondered.

I flipped the page around. Of course. It was double-sided. A wave of disappointment washed over me as I stared at the back side. OK, never mind. Eleven parts and five questions to go.

"OK, everyone. You may put your worksheets away and line up at the door for Phys Ed." Everyone started getting out of their seats, but Ms. Green started talking again. "HOWEVER! You must show me your agenda, opened to the current date, with these words recorded in it, before you may go." She pointed to the words that read: "Math test Thursday!"

I grudgingly opened up my agenda, recorded the text, and waited for her to come around to my desk. Once she came to the front of my desk, she started down at my open agenda as if she would condemn me to death if it was incomplete.

I mentally gulped. She nodded approvingly and gestured to the line. I gave her a fake smile as I gathered my things, making sure to grab my gym bag, and I headed towards the line, where Charlotte and Ella were.

* * * *

Well, my team absolutely flunked. What I mean by that, is that in Phys Ed, we played dodge ball. See, my team was beaten so hard that the bench you had to sit on when you got out was half full two minutes into the game. Yep.

Whatever. By the time of lunch break, I felt exhausted. Oh yeah, so was Charlotte. She was on my team too, but Ella wasn't. During the match, I had learned Ella's secret talent: Dodgeball. To be completely honest, she was probably the reason why her team was so good.

So, Charlie and I told her that. "What? No way, t-there were so many people on my team that were better than me." She stated, setting her lunch pack on the table. I was just about to set mine down when I caught Ms. Green's eye. She was beckoning me to the front of the classroom.

"I'll be right back guys," I said. "OK." They responded.

I started towards Ms. Green's desk, wondering what she could want. "Hello, Amelia. I would like to talk to you about your alexia." She told me. I felt my eyes soften. "So, I have recently found out about it, via your parents, and the school has thought through it: you are one of the first dyslexic- er, alexic students we've had in a long time, so we would like you to say some things about how it is to be you in the next school assembly." She announced.

My eyes widened. "So, like a speech? Is there anything specific you'd like me to say?" I asked. "Well, yes, it is like a speech, and we would just like you to say these three things: How it is to be you, what struggles you face, and anything good about being alexic." She said.

I felt a smile creep onto my face. "Yes! I'd love to!" I said. Finally, I can do something good with my alexia! I thought, filled with joy.

"OK then! I'll tell the school. Also, just tell your parents about this and tell them that we offer courses for dyslexic or alexic people." She said. Noted.

Maybe Ms. Green's not that bad after all....