Socially Awkward

II.

Opinions can be very dangerous things.

Too bad that I never really pay attention to what people believe.

Dr.Ryanleer grimaces something as he walks by me and then claps his hands to get the attention of the classroom.

"Did you all review your grades over the weekend?"

Hands immediately shoot up around the classroom.

Some people wonder who set the grading curve. Of course Dr.Ryanleer scolds them for not realizing that he isn't allowed to disclose a student's grades. Others request meetings during office hours. It's like advertising that they did badly on the test.

I studied hard enough to pass. I don't really care what I got.

I'd probably die if I failed so I haven't bothered to check my grade.

"Ms. Aikens?" Dr.Ryanleer's snide voice snaps at me.

"Huh?" I groan, hoping he'll realize that I don't care for his tone.

"Please meet with me after class. We need to discuss something about your grade."

I detonate immediately. I failed! I failed so badly that I have been commanded to meet with the teacher. Probably to discuss how stupid I am! How could this have possibly happened? I studied so damn harm, meaning I crammed the night before the test until those unheard of times of the morning.

I'll go jump off a skyscraper now.

"Ms.Aikens?"

"Got it." I barely mutter.

The classroom is a bunch of murmurs. Probably wondering who failed the first test.

I don't care about the murmurs though. This grade may throw me off course.

Alex throws me a sorrowful frown. Bryan's gaze is full of worry.

I hang my head low, barely listening to what Dr.Ryanleer is saying for the rest of the class.

I realize Dr.Ryanleer struggling to get his stuff packed and rush to help him. He eyes my in suspicion but doesn't protest. I wind up following him to his office while carrying his thermos and a stack of file folders.

I sit down in his office and twiddle my thumbs, waiting for the atrocity to begin. He types on his computer for a bit and then turns his chair so he's facing me.

"Ms.Aikens, I called you in here to discuss several things." He starts, his tone dripping with authority.

He decides to stand, arms akimbo and looks down on me.

"You will be one of my chemistry mentors."

I hear brakes screeching in my head. "Wait... what?"

"You'll receive extra credit and I will be delighted to write you recommendation letters to wherever."

I'm still confused. Is he trying to barter with someone that just flunked on a test?

He looks at me with a Mona Lisa smile. Creepy.

"I failed the test." I point out.

He gazes at me in confusion.

"Isn't that why you called me here?"

He frowns and sighs. "Did you bother checking your grade?"

I shake my head earnestly.

He turns around and fiddles with his computer for a bit then motions for me to come over.