The Mute

Chapter 9

After lunch, I had the strangest yet most memorable class I will never forget. The class was called U.S. History and debating current events with Dr. Evans.

This classroom was the largest in school, making it about half the size of our school auditorium. The

number of students also tripled making it about sixty kids per class.

I was the first to emerge through the doors of the classroom and first to select the furthest seat in the back of the room.

As I sat, I observed the surroundings of this room. It was very spacious with twelve columns of desks arranged with five per row.

In the very back of the room, was a couch that extended and covered the entire wall with pillows.

In the very front of the room was Dr. Evans desk and beside it a podium with a microphone to do speeches and lectures.

I watched as other students filed in the room and found their seats. They were sitting with friends, laughing, and talking to each other.

I felt pity for myself.

This was one of the few classes that I was alone. Not one familiar face entered the room.

I stared upon the clock and noticed a few more minutes till class was going to start.

I took my hands and rested them on the back of my neck. I massaged my neck to relieve the tension of the first day.

Taking a deep breath, I looked at the faces who walked in the room.

The tall figure was stern and gave me a sickening feeling in the pit of my stomach. Fear builded up inside me just by his glance.

The girl was petite, but showed her skin too much. Her clothes were skimpy and too revealing. I realized who they were.

Mitchell and Patricia.

The bell rang, as they sat down in the front of the room.

They didn't notice me, in the very back.

The class room had all the seats filled, being overflowed with kids.

Overwhelming chatter continued and Dr Evans rose from his desk chair.

"Quiet!" Dr. Evans shouted in front of the class. I chuckled inside when I saw how frightened they were. Dr. Evans passed out the class syllabus and talked about rules for being in class. Number one was no talking. Number two was have your homework. Number three was be respectful. Number four was don't be late.

Five minutes went by since I walked in and I was practically asleep. His monotone voice explaining rules that I've learned since kindergarten. It was a complete waste of time.

Then I heard a loud knock at the door. I jolted up as Dr. Evans open the door to the late student.
It's him!
My heart fluttered, as he gazed around the room. He was almost searching for someone to rescue him from this unbearable moment.

"I'm new... I didn't know where the history wing was... I'm sorry Mr. Evans. It'll never happen again, " he rambled.

"Well hello 'new' it's lovely for you to join us. And it's 'Dr' Evans to you," he mocked with a scowl.
"Have a seat next to Miss Hathaway right over there. Miss Hathaway, raise your hand up high. Thank you."

He walked toward me and my mouth curled to a grin . He smiled at me as he sat down and took a glance at the floor. His blue eyes sparkled as he looked up at me again.

"I'm sorry I ran into you today. First day nerves I guess," he whispered to me and smiled awkwardly.

I didn't know how to respond. I just nodded and looked forward at Dr. Evans.

"For the first half of the year, we will be conducting debates. These topics will be chosen by me. But I will let you select your partners. Basically, you've chosen your best buddy to sit next to you. I want you to look to your left and look to your right. This is your partner. And when I say..."

"Dr. Evans, I can't work with him!" Patricia shouted pointing to Mitchell.
Dr. Evans rolled his eyes.
Mitchell laughed, but pierced her eyes on her. She continued to whine and complain. She stated, "Can I work with new? I feel that he will be a better fit for me."

Dr. Evans looked back at me, " I would like to get back to the rest of the lesson. But um, Miss Hathaway, would you mind switching partners?"

"No.." I whispered.

"Look! It speaks! Everyone, the thing finally speaks!" Mitchell explained as if he discovered an extraordinary thing. There was a roar of laughter in the classroom.

I could feel tears well up in my eyes.

Tyler stood up and ran over to Mitchell's seat. "It? It? How dare you treat her that way. You've got some nerve," he emphasized.

"You don't even know her. She isn't human. Never is. Never was," Mitchell responded as he rose from his seat.

"Both of you get to your seats this instant!" Dr. Evans delegated.

My heart jumped out of my chest. This was all my fault. If I had enough spoken, it wouldn't of cause this. Tyler is on Mitchell's bad side. That's the side no one should ever be on. I should know from experience. On the back of my syllabus I wrote to him, "I'm sorry. I never should have spoken. It's my fault."

I ripped it off, gave it to him seconds before the end of the period. I bolted out of there when the bell rang. Everything is my fault.