Chapter Six
James
“You can’t sleep here, Kid.” A woman in blue says, waking me up by prodding me painfully in the side. I sit up on the bench, fists clenched and ready to swing.
“Why not? It’s a public park. Made for the public. And unless something has changed, I’m the public.”
“You’ve already answered your own question. It’s a public park. Not a public sleeping grounds. Where are your parents anyway, Kid. Aren’t they worried about you?” She asks, crossing her arms over her chest.
“Doubtful.” I mutter, figuring she couldn’t hear me as I stand and dust myself off.
“Hey!” She calls, stopping me from leaving. I turn to face her. “If there’s anything you need to say about your home life…cops do listen.” The look in her eyes told me she was speaking from a personal place. Her offer was tempting, turning my dad in, but I knew better.
“Nah. I’m fine. Things where just a little tense last night.” I shrug. “Thanks anyway.” I walk away with my lie. I hadn’t gone home. I hadn’t been home for the past few days and I knew soon enough I’d have to go. It being almost Friday and I haven’t even looked at the brick building that held so many memories. Or school for that matter. I had promised Amber I’d see her Tuesday after we returned from the weekend plus a day but that turned out to be a lie. She probably didn’t even notice you where gone. A voice hisses. I agree with it on this one. I sigh and walk along the sidewalk, watching the sun start to rise. Maybe I should go to school today. See how things are. Give Chris a punching bag. See if Violets still hanging out with them. See if anythings changed. Doubtful. But I need something to do. Sitting in the park all day was getting old. At lest the gym has showers.
x.X.x
You’d think if someone spent the entire first period in the gym locker room someone would notice. Especially if that person didn’t have gym. Apparently, that’s not the case, as I’m walking into second block, clean and feeling a bit better. If only they had a washing machine or a change of clothes here.
“Good morning class.” Our teacher says, standing at the front of the room. Already I can feel my eyes start to droop. “Today we will be studying….” Her monotone voice makes it impossible for me to stay awake. I fight it, but my exhaustion wins, my head dropping to my desk and I take a quick-or long-nap.
“…Rude and disrespectful. If you’re so tired don’t stay up as late.” The smack of a ruler on my desk is what brings me back into yet another one of Mrs. Taylors speeches about being respectful to others. Apparently sleeping is far from respectful as she goes around, smacking the ruler on any students desk who even appears to be tired, continuing her lecture. Rolling my eyes, I tune her out and focus on the tick-tock of the clock hanging above the door. Five minutes. Only five minutes left.
“Mr. Sullivan. Since you’re so tired, I assume you got your homework done last night. Why haven’t you turned it in?” She demands, hands on her hips.
“Because I didn’t do it...” I say, clearly annoyed she couldn’t figure that one out.
“And why not?”
“Because I wasn’t in school yesterday.” Chuckles echo through the classroom. I’m screwed.
“Then from the weekend.” She demands, her face starting to turn red with anger.
“Didn’t do that either.”
“Why on Earth are you sleeping in my class then.” She demands.
