Dinosaurs are considered land-dwelling, reptilian creatures with specific hipbone structures among other traits. This means that "dinosaurs" that flew, lived in the water, or had different hips and traits technically do not fit into the dinosaur category. However, the name exists as merely a technicality and many scientists believe that the commonality between dinosaurs and birds (hollow bones) may classify birds as dinosaurs, flighted or otherwise. By that logic, dinosaurs may have never gone extinct after all.
"Junie! Junie, are you with us?"a harsh voice called from the front of the room.
The glazed-eyed teen snapped to attention in the back of room, "Yeah, yeah I'm good."
"Good," The pointed teacher sniffled into a Kleenex, "See me after class."
Junie nodded and crossed her arms, sinking back into her chair. Immediately her phone vibrated against her desk.
"Pay up :P" the text read. Junie rolled her eyes and reached into her bunched up crew sock, retrieving a crumpled dollar bill. Her arm reached back over her shoulder, depositing the bill onto the desk behind her. The receiver of the cash whispered a "thanks" over her shoulder, earning a quick glare from the newly broke teen. The receiver of said cash was Sadie, Junie's designated best friend. Their money exchange had made the last three years worth it. Starting two weeks into ninth grade, the two girls decided on a monetary agreement that held up in any class they shared; Junie owed a dollar to Sadie for every class she got reprimanded in. On the other hand, if Junie managed to go the whole class period without an "incidence of indecency" Sadie would owe the dollar. Needless to say, Junie never had much cash by the end of the week.
The next thirty minutes bore into Junie's boredom with painful lackluster. She desperately wanted to stand up and walk out of the class; unfortunately, Sadie had her last dollar. When the bell finally rang the sunny-haired girl sprang out of her seat and attempted to slip out the door unnoticed. The sharp voice of her teacher stopped her in her tracks. Sadie mouthed, "Good luck," as she passed. Junie responded with a raise of her eyebrows and a shake of her head before doubling back to the teacher's desk.
"Junie," The overly angular woman spoke from behind her metallic desk. Junie's face spoke for her, the bringing together of her eyebrows, pursed lips, and crinkled nose displayed an exaggerated expression of annoyance as her eyes passed over the geometric, triangular shape of her math teacher. The numerically obsessed educator failed to notice, or rather, pretended not to and continued speaking, "I know this isn't the most interesting class you could take this year, but I need you to at least try to pay attention. I can't force you to care about what I teach but I expect you to make an effort here."
"Miss, you know I do well on your tests I just can't focus in class," the trenchant youth replied.
"I know, we have to come up with a plan to help with that. You can't space out in my classes."
"I know, Miss."
"We'll talk more later, you're gonna be late for your next class."
"Yeah, thanks, Miss," Junie gave a two-finger salute before retreating into the busy hallway.
YOU ARE READING
I Thought We Were Flowers
Teen FictionFree-spirited Juniper maneuvers through the ups and downs of adolescence, high school struggles, eccentric neighbours, and self-discovery as she tries to create her little notch in the world.