Becoming Beautiful (Wattys2014)

| Chapter 14 |

Chapter 14

The week was tiring. I talked to Marissa every day and I talked to Noah twice, which I see as a large accomplishment- seeing as before it was a rare wave, and I was lucky if he returned it. I also talked to Floyd every day, which surprised me. I found out that he lives a few towns over and has a job at a fast food restaurant in Southpoint, which is only a half hour away from Stoneview. I also had four tests, all of which I passed. Today, I have a test in Algebra 2, and I’m pretty sure that I’m going to fail it.

Walking into the class made me want to cry. I noticed everyone studying their notebooks, and even a few kids were rereading the last chapter in our textbook. I just stood there, trying to find my notebook in my bag. When I found it, I sighed in relief, only to hear the teacher say that we are to put our notebooks and textbooks away. I did as I was instructed, but grudgingly.

I managed to get an hour in of studying last night, which is definitely not enough, but I was too busy packing my bag for today. I had two hours of homework a day this week, plus an hour of piano practice a day on top of that. It was extremely stressful, and I can’t help but admit that I’m a bit excited to go over to Marissa’s house this weekend. Normally, I’d be a bit reluctant- mainly because her walls are thin and Noah seems to have the hearing of a hawk.

As I was taking the test, I realized two things.

1.)    I didn’t have breakfast this morning and I’m pretty sure my classmates can hear the whale noises that my stomach is making.

2.)   I have no clue what I’m doing.

Maybe it’s because I didn’t study all of the formulas that I’m supposed to remember in order to do the equations, or maybe it’s because I wasn’t taught this information correctly, but I know for a fact that I’m going to get a big fat F on this test. I will have to ask for a retake date, definitely.

I managed to finish the test only seconds before the bell rang. The teacher told us to place our tests on his desk and I contemplated ‘accidentally’ spilling his coffee all over mine. I walked slowly, waiting until everyone else fled the classroom. “Mr. Park, may I talk to you?”

“About?” he asked, raising an eyebrow as he sat at his desk. He was already grading the tests. I’m guessing he has a prep period next, so it makes sense.

“My test, I don’t think I did well,” I told him as I clutched the paper in my hands.

“Well, did you study?” he asked.

I nodded. “Yes, but I didn’t understand what I was studying.”

“Well, I guess you just didn’t take good notes,” he shrugged.

I gaped at him, surprised that a teacher could be this cruel. I wrote down everything he did, so technically- he’s insulting himself. “I was just wondering if I could retake the test.”

“I won’t have time for retakes,” Mr. Park informed me.

“But we didn’t even discuss a possible time,” I bit my lip. I really can’t deal with a bad grade, I barely have a B, take two points away and I’m back to a C. I need an A by the end of the semester.

“Ms. West, it’s not my fault that you were too busy to bother opening your textbook. If you would have, then you would understand the content that we were studying, but you didn’t. I cannot be penalized by having to stay afterschool to supervise you while you take a test because, quite frankly, I have better things to do,” he finished.

“Sir, I tried to study but I couldn’t comprehend the notes that you forced me to take. It’s not my fault that you failed to teach me what I’m supposed to know. All I want is a few days; that should be enough time for me to be able to look up what you’re supposed to be teaching me on the internet so I can find a more reliable source,” I spat angrily.