Lessons to Learn

Chapter 1: Captain of the Team

Chapter 1

"Maya, I hope you realize that the academic state competition is tomorrow! Why haven't you given the others their study sheets? You were supposed to weeks ago!" Mrs. Oakley's wispy hair shook in sync with her frantic motions as she scolded me.

"I'm sorry, I just forgo-"

"Forgetting is unacceptable." She said sternly, "It is your responsibility as captain to make sure the others are prepaired to take home the win! Do you really think everyone can learn something overnight? Please, get your act together and start acting like a leader." 

"Fine..." I sighed heavily and exited my academic coach's office. It was no use to try and argue with her. Often, I even wonder why Mrs. Oakley made me captain. I oughta be the coach, considering I do all the work while she doesn't have to do anything. It's not fair at all...

I walked to lunch groggily and rekindled my thoughts. It's just another day in my stupid life. I scouted around the cafeteria until I found one of my friends, Alicia.

No, actually she's my only friend.

I'm not like the usual kids around this school. When their best friend isn't here one day, they sit with their other friends, or as I call them, their backups. But if my friend isn't here one day, I sit with no one. People only sit with me to get answers off me, not to be my friend.

"Hey..." I say to Alicia as I sit down at the table. 

"Oh hey, Maya." She gave me a simple smile. Alicia is one of the few people here that are actually nice to me, which makes me respect her for that. She doesn't have many friends either, more than me of course, but I never understood why. She's nicer than most people.

"Aren't you gonna eat?" She said as she took a bite of a pear. I hadn't even noticed she was eating honestly.

"Nope, I lost my appetite after getting yelled at by Mrs. Oakley for the billionth time." I sighed.

"Ouch, what was it for this time?"

"Not giving the other academic team members their study sheets. Our competition is tomorrow, but I mean, I can't help it I forgot..."

"Wellll, that kinda is a big deal." She giggled. 

"Hey, you're supposed to be on my side!" I shot playfully. 

"I didn't say I wasn't." She winked. 

"Pft, whatever." I rolled my eyes sarcastically. "I won't be surprised if I get kicked off the team."

"You know they'll never do that." Alicia took a bite of her burger, but contined, "You're the smartest person in the school! They'd be losing their biggest asset if they got rid of you. They need you...even if you're not the greatest captain." She snorted and let out a couple of giggles.

I ignored her quick remark though. "At times, I don't even want to be on the team."

"Oh, well then just quit." She said simply and chugged her milk.

"I can't, my parents will kill me."

"They should be proud of you no matter what." She gave me a big smile. Just as I was about to reply, I heard the preps rush by.

"Ew guys, look! It's Lee." One of the girls said with digust.

"Let's get out of here. I heard that he's a cannibal! He probably lures little childern to his room at night and-"

"Jeff! Ew, shut up!" Another girl yelled. Jeff just laughed as they all went about their way.

I slowly facepalmed myself. Alicia noticed almost instantly.

"What're you doing?" She laughed.

"Did you not just hear the preps talk about Lee? That was the most ridiculous stuff I've ever heard! Cannibals? Luring children? People are so stupid..." I wandered my eyes around the cafeteria until I spotted Lee sitting in the corner, alone. I felt really bad for him...

If you're wondering, Lee is apparently the "emo" around here. There's usually a new rumor about him everyday and people thought he was scary.

I didn't though.

I always thought he was facinating. He knows that everone talks about him but he just doesn't seem to care. I wish I was like that.

Alicia interrupted my thoughts abruptly. "Well he is kind of creepy. He doesn't really talk to anyone and...ugh." She shivered. 

I sighed. Even Alicia was like the others.

"Anyway, I'm gonna throw my tray away. We need to get to class or we'll be late." She laughed slightly while I just stared.

"Yeah, sure..."

--------------------

"You're just deciding to give us this, now?!" Andy yelled as he looked down at the study sheets. "How're we supposed to learn all this in one day?"

"Just study and you'll be fine." I said simply.

"But we can't memo-"

"You're on the academic team for a reason." I shot.

They all suddenly shut up quickly. 

"Just study tonight and we'll review quickly in the morning. I'm sure we'll all do great." I lied. They were probably right, but I just wanted them to shut up for now.

"You're the worst captain ever." Lizzy spat as she bolted out of the room, followed by the others.

I shrugged and followed after them. I had decided to hold a meeting right before the last bell rung, and as you can tell, it didn't turn out perfectly.

I made my way to my locker and put my stuff up swiftly. All I really needed was that study thing and I'd be set. As I was turning around, I wasn't looking where I was going and suddenly jolted back as I ran into someone.

"Oh, I'm sorry." I looked at who I was talking to and widened my eyes in surprise.

It was Lee.

He just sighed and said, "Just watch where you're going next time, got it?"

I nodded instantly.

"Great." He started to walk away.

I was too shocked to do anything. I'd never talked to him before and this is how we had to meet? Oh my god...

"W-wait!" I turned out of stupidity. "Do you accept my apology?"

He looked back at me like I was stupid. "Sure."

"Okay.." I murmured as I watched him walk out the school doors just as the bell rang.

Oh god, I am stupid. Why did I just do that?!

I sighed and exited the school as well. Nice going, Maya...Nice going.