Composure

Chapter 5

'What is the oil gland called for skin, class?"

My teacher eagerly asked, hoping that my human anatomy and physiology class studied for today's quiz.

"Anyone, seriously."

We replied with silence, and mid ambulance sirens that screamed through the windows as they drove down the street. The teacher didn't budge, but a simple threat of detention for the whole class made me mentally mumble the answer under my breathe.

"I'm sorry, Nina, say that again?"

I looked up fast, "huh"

God I sure did look dumbfounded

"The answer. Can you talk a little louder, please?" She asked nicely. The chairs moaned and creaked as the kids turned around to stare holes into my skull.

"Uhm, The sebaceous gland." I felt everyone huff with relief as they turned around. But, my teacher wasn't done.

"And, where is the so called gland located exactly?"

Where is it again? It in all reasons has to do with the integumentary system, which is basically skin, hair and nails.

"It is in the dermis where the hair follicles are located, Mrs. Duncan."

I watched her walk back to the cracked, busted chalkboard impressed. I felt very proud, but weird again.

Before anyone could baffle, or freak out by the weirdness of how I knew the answer to that so fast, the bell rang as it dismissed my fourth period class. Even though I secretly stole my physiology books from school and never said anything, it didn't matter.

I walked the clustered hallways full of people with saggy pants that looked like ten times the size of the person wearing them, or scrunchies that covered the full head of another girl. Even though I can't deny that the one tied in my hair has lost the verge of its design. The usual wave design and fluffiness of a scrunchy doesn't match with the thick hair I sometimes call a map.

"Hola, hermosa. ¿Porque estás aquí?"
I turned to see that a student from the class I just came out of is actually talking to me. I know his name is Pedro, very quiet but sophisticating.

"Why am I here? Doesn't everyone go to school?"

He started to laugh,
"So you do speak Spanish?"

"Yes, actually. I took advantage of my classes and hung out with my neighbor Sophia long enough to learn it."

I watched him nod in approval as he put his coat on, colors green and red. He then handed a paper to me that had my name written in it, that read a 97 on it in red sharpie.

"Good job, smart one. You dropped this."

I noticed how he smiled as he handed me the paper, in a way congratulating me for earning an A.

"I'll see you around," he walked away around the corner to join the other group of people ahead of him.

It was another Friday already and I finally achieved all of my work on time. Usually I would be behind, but I somehow was able to work it out.  To start studying, I opened my anatomy book while walking towards the bus. Page 60 read about the mitral valve, following the other parts of the heart that are basically called weird tunnels in my mind. 

"I didn't you know you got into the wrestling business, too?" 

I turned over my shoulder to see Phil in casual clothes, as for me, I felt the life get sucked out of me.

"Oh, it's nothing."

I watched him overlook me, closer this time.  He clearly still saw my bruises.