Flash Of Life

Mr. Grella

It's not important... I thought to myself. I wanted so bad to turn the other way and run down the hall and out the main entrance. I wanted to hide from this. But then again, I didn't want to look like a coward. He doesn't like me so I didn't really know what to say.

I looked in the window on his door. Apparently he didn't have a class this period. I knocked on his door and slowly let myself in. My heart was beating like a rabbit's foot and I could barely catch my breath. I was so scared about what he was going to say. He was sitting in the back of the room grading papers. I cleared my throat the softest I could. He looked up from his papers and sighed.

"Have a seat." He said as he motioned towards the chair next to his desk. I could sense the agitation in his voice as he said it. Now I'm even more scared about what will go down. Practically shaking, I sat down. I could also feel the color draining from my cheeks. It looked like he noticed because he gave me a funny look.

"What's that look for?" I snapped.

"Don't snap at me, young lady!" He replied.

"Sorry. I didn't mean to." I answered.

"Why did you want to see me?" I continued.

"I've heard some things in the teachers lounge." He responded.

"Greeeeaaatt!" I said.

"I just want to clear things up, that's all." He said gently. I was shocked that he seemed to care.

"Okay?" I said clearly confused.

"What I'm hearing other teachers talk about, specifically Ms. Osgood and Ms. Burke, is that there are some issues going on between you and your mom. That your mom does drugs, abuses you, and was arrested this morning. Is all this true?"

I was to shocked to say anything.

"Mary? Look, I know we always don't get along and that I don't treat you as fairly as I should, but I still care about you. It's my job to check in with my students when I notice something. And I noticed today you weren't your usual self. You weren't participating and you didn't seem focused. This has been going on the last few times I've had you in class, Mary. I'm worried. I may not show it, but I can see something's wrong."

I just stared straight ahead to shocked to say anything. I could feel tears coming so I started blinking really fast and looked down at my lap. I hoped this would end soon since it was time for lunch and I wanted to get to Kayla as soon as possible. And apparently he noticed I was getting antsy, too.

He broke the silence by saying, "You're free to go for now, but this discussion isn't over. I want you in my room 15 minutes before school starts tomorrow morning. You understand me?"

I shook my head quickly and darted out of there before he could say anymore. I was pissed that Ms. Osgood, Ms. Burke, and possibly other teachers were talking about my personal life! Isn't there like some rule against that?! Oh ho ho, Ms. Osgood and Ms. Burke are in for it this afternoon. Just wait and see. For now, I have to meet Kayla.