We get to her next class. We walk over to the teacher. "Mrs. Springs, this is my cousin Nathaniel,"MacKenzie says.
"Hello Nathaniel. You can sit with your cousin today. If you need help, ask MacKenzie Aubry or me." She says.
I nod as kids flow into the room. Most stare at me. Mackenzie's group of desks had an empty desk, which I took. In the group was Aubry. She looks away. I shake off what MacKenzie had said earlier. There was no way anyone could like me.
Mrs. Springs was talking about what the class was going to do.
She started to pass out papers. I feel a soft kick on my leg. I glance at Aubry, then down at the paper, that just landed on my desk.
A pencil rolls on my desk. I look up and Mackenzie nods. I grab the pencil and start to work on the paper
I understood the math because I had looked at Mackenzie's homework every night.
I finish the worksheet and recline in the desk. "Do you need help?" MacKenzie asks.
"No." I reply. I slide my paper over to her. "I'm done."
MacKenzie looks at the paper. Every question was answered in neat handwriting. She raises her hand.
Mrs. Springs walks over,"Yes?"
"Can you check this?" MacKenzie asks.
"Okay." She grabs the paper and walks to her desk.
"Do you know what we are working on?" Aubry asks me.
"Yeah." I reply.
"How do you know?" MacKenzie asks.
"I always looked at your homework while you slept. I taught myself everything you learned in school."
Mrs. Springs walks back. She holds the paper, "Who did this?"
"I did." I say, "Are the answers wrong?"
"No. Its flawless. How did you do this so quick?"
"I had to learn quick."
"Who taught you?" Mrs. Springs asks. Everyone was staring.
"I taught myself." I reply.
"How?"
"I dont feel comfortable discussing that."
"Well, I'd like to talk to you after school." She says.
"Okay." I say.
"How long will you be here after school?" MacKenzie asks.
"Until 4 o'clock."
"We have to see Mr. Wallace after school, then we will come here."
"Okay." Mrs. Springs says. She hands me my paper and resumes her work at her desk.
"How did you learn?" MacKenzie whispers to me.
"I looked over your notes and homework while you slept." I reply.
Aubry grabs my paper. I ignore it. MacKenzie was trying to grasp how I taught myself. "So, while I sleep you are still awake working?"
"Yeah." I reply I was bored, so I fiddled with the pen I held.
A small hand enters my vision. I stop messing with the pen. The hand grabs the pen and disappears.
I followed the hand. It belonged to Aubry. She held the pen. We smile at each other.
I grab the pen back as the bell rings. Aubry leaves for her next class as I follow MacKenzie to hers. It was time for Home Ec.
YOU ARE READING
The Life of Nathaniel
Teen FictionA kid whose parents died when he was young only remembers having one mother who treats him like a child slave. Join Nathaniel as he tries to figure out who he is.
