Alone Hour

Chapter 1: The Fat Lady

      43 years ago...

       "Homework is due on Friday! Keep that in mind!" A fat woman was striding across the room, taking time to glare at every one of us. "Are you all listening?!" she screeched. "Detention for anyone not listening!" The fat abomination leans in on my desk, her beady eyes staring into my handsome blue ones. "Did you hear me, Mr. Matthews? What in the world are you writing?" "The holy bible." I mutter.

       She snatched up my paper and began reading, her tiny eyes scanning the paper like there was a flea on it. I begin writing on another piece of paper, recording these historic events into the "Adventures of Lance: The Battle Against Abominations." Immediately, her face starts turning tomato red. She stutters, "Detention!" She stumbles across the room and throws my writing into the waste bucket. The bell starts ringing. As she stumbles across my desk again, she whishpers harshly, "Also, I am NOT a fat woman, Lance Matthews."

       I'm Lance, as you've probably guessed by now, and I'm in seventh grade. Unfortunately, I have Mrs. Dobley as one of my teachers. So much for lucky seven. My father works at a mechanics company as an engineer, and my mother is a nurse. As an only child, I feel somewhat obligated to have something to take care of. Its a weird necessity, I know, but its satisfying. Thats why I have a pet book. Thats what I'm writing in right now. 

       Every day, I struggle to wage war against the Fat Lady (Mrs. Dobley). I hate the fact that she disapproves of my novels. She hates me for turning in homework late. I simply write about my triumphs and misfortunes to eventually publish my novel. The problem is, I've lost too many pages to Mrs. Dobley's waste basket. I do my best to retrieve the fallen soldiers, but sometimes they're too far to save.

       Our math teacher, Mr. Martin, or "MM", as I like to call him, is a true genius in the art of teaching. He makes math more fun than any other class, especially the Fat Lady's. And that other math teacher that taught math before MM, he was so thick, he didn't even understand what he was teaching! Mr. Martin, however, perfected his job by letting us watch movies and play video games instead of math worksheets, which was probably what nominated him teacher of the year. Its been 3 years since he first came to Crossfire Techno School, and I've been enjoying these 3 years the best I can. 

       Then, one particular Friday, an interesting rumor broke out. Of course, I had no interest in this "interesting" rumor, until I overheard a girl from my class whisper, "I know, I know! They said it's going to be the most fun yet! At Lacopa Techs! I heard that Mrs. Dobley and Mr. Martin are chaperoning!" Now that, caught my attention. Lacopa Techs is a very big company, but also very secretive. To be able to get into that company for a field trip? Thats almost impossible. It would take hours just to get through security!

       But alas, the girls were not lying. Mrs. Dobley announced to the entire class about it. We really were going to Lacopa tomorrow! Then she droned on about what to bring, what to take notes on, and specifically emphasized on behavior while staring at me. That really was unnecessary. After all, everyone knew I was the best behaving student in math class. Mr. Martin loved me, I was his favorite student after all.

       She went on to state that only 13 of us will be chosen to go. Then, to make matters worse, only the best students of HER picking was allowed to go. I couldn't believe it. Such an opportunity, I cannot miss. I stood up in a defiant pose, chest puffed up and all. Looking at her I said in my calmest voice, "I would be glad to go. I am a very well behaved student." Every eye turned to stare at me. A boy sitting nearby snickered and said, "You're joking, right?"Right then, I wished I hadn't stood up.