Crumpled

Chapter 3: At Home.

Days and weeks passed and soon, it was already a month since school had reopened. Both Sarah and I were buried deep in projects and homeworks though she seemed to be a little more free. Oh God, how I hate Physics nowadays!

As if dealing with Algebra wasn't enough, now I have to work out like Einstein over Physics, solving its problems! Urgh! Couldn't Issac Newton have eaten that apple instead of wondering how it came down. Perhaps he saw a worm in it and that's why he stopped to think. Couldn't he have sat under a jackfruit tree instead? It would have been a good riddance!

My head was already going round and round by the time I was almost nearing the end of my Physics revision. I was sure I would fall down to the floor by the time I was done with this! Suddenly realizing that a bottle of water was kept near me on the table, I unbottled it and drank the water, thankful to myself for having the sense to keep one. However, any thought or belief that water may help me to cool my senses was 100% wrong and so, as a last attempt, I approached my window and opened it, letting the sun greet me and the fresh air bath my face face and sweep upwards into my nostrils.

No; I'm not feeling any better. Giving out a sigh, I slumped down onto my chair and resumed my studies.

It was Saturday and so, both Sarah and I were at home. After doing some studying and homework, I saw that I had to still finish revising Chemistry. Bother! I am too tired. Maybe I should pay Jake a visit. As I got up from my chair and started walking to the door, I got a glimpse of my reflection.

My hair was all messed up from running my fingers like a mad man, through it. Combing it, I hopped downstairs. ''Mom! I am going to Jake's for a while...will be back soon!'' I said as I walked to the door.

Mom raised her head and smiling, said ''Okay dear.'' and she went back to her work.

I opened the door. Even the sun was kind to me from the window, I'm sure it was offended right now as I was not pleased with its warmth because as soon as I stepped out, it directed all its heat and light at me like a laser beam, trying to burn my face, literally. Sheilding my face, I ran over to Jake's house which was opposite of mine. I rang the doorbell and soon Mrs. Paulson-Jake's mother-opened the door and smiled.

''Good morning, Mrs. Paulson! Is Jake here?'' I asked, smiling.

''Yes dear but I don't think you will be able to play with Jake outside, today; It's too hot!''

"What a caring mother! Honestly, it's high-time that mothers understood the fact that the fear of a sun-stroke is just a lame excuse for not wanting to play, in the case of boys!" I thought as I said  ''I know but I would like to talk to him.''

''In that case, come in.'' and she led me indoors. Jake's room was also upstairs so I hopped up the stairs into Jake's room. Jake raised his head as I opened the door and gave out a relieved smile; He was piled up in homework too! I quickly looked around his room though I already knew how it looked like though I was a bit curious if he had done any makeover or attached any new pictures of Calvin and Hobbes onto the walls. 'C&H' was one thing over which we both went crazy. Getting to see the earliest makings of it, discovering more of its unpublished comic strips (if there were any) was our common past time whenever we were free. I don't know about Jake but even if I grow up into an adult and forget all the fantasies which cloud my mind, Calvin and Hobbes was one thing I will never forget.

But no, there were no new posters and the same posters were stuck on the walls with both of them making faces at through one of them.

As if he had read my mind, Jake said, "Nah, I didn't get any new ones this time and there are no undiscovered strips as of yet. Honestly, I didn't want Bill Watterson to stop writing it; it was really great."