$ugga Momma (Old Version)

[3]

Taking deep breathes Brooke watched the light carefully while she counted down in her head. For some reason her anxiety was working extra hard this morning. She even snapped at her father for doing nothing more than singing happily While cooking their Friday pancakes. She apologized of course but she hated to act that way and especially with her dad.

Counting always helped, however. She would count how many of her steps it took to reach certain destinations and she would count the number of red cars that passed her by. In class she would count every sharpened pencil and in the restroom she would count every white tile. For some reason it relaxed her in a way that nothing else could.

"Why don't you take the time to sleep? That's what I would be doing."

Casey shrugged, "My mom wakes me up before she leaves because she knows it'll piss me off. Trust me I don't want to be out here at the dame time every day like someone."

Brooke realized the two girls were staring at her, so she stopped counting the cars in the parking lot. "What?"

"Why are you spacing out?"

"I'm not sure. I feel anxious."

"You're feeling something other than complete bliss? This is a rare day."Casey laughed but quickly frowned."What's going on?"

"I'm not sure exactly." Pausing Brooke looked out past the track and examined the small building she was in yesterday. "Mrs. Davidson wants me to spend my study hall periods helping her out. She said if I did she could give me good college recommendations."

Lea and Casey stopped and placed their hands on their hips with unimpressed looks.

"You best watch out for that bitch." Casey stated throwing her hair back. "If you say yes to that, I don't want you running to us saying she hurt your damn feelings!"

"Brooke, you know she's a pinche bad person." Lea added softly. She felt like the decision was easy, but she also knew her friend was very serious about college.

"I'm not doing anything in study hall. It could really help."

Lea rolled her eyes but nodded supportively, "Say yes, but if it's too much just quite. No ones going to judge you. EVERYONE will understand."

Reluctantly Casey agreed, "Maybe you can find out if all those rumors are true."

Brooke nodded letting their words fade out again. It couldn't be that bad, she had heard first hand how abrupt Mrs. Davidson could be but everything that she has heard could be just very exaggerated. Separating from her friends as they walked into the building she tried thinking about how she would say yes. Maybe she could get more information on what she would be doing before she agreed to anything.

Turning the corner to go down to her locker Brooke stared at the floor intently.

1

2

3

Every step was precise and well thought out. The end of her right shoes sole would hit the very corner of the white tiles edge while her left shoe touched the top left corner.

4

5

6

She was hoping that the number of steps would equal a comforting number.

7

8

9

She knew she was close. If it hit a perfect 10 her day would instantly be better.

"What the hell are you doing?"

Startled at the voice Brooke looked up just in time to run right into the woman she was dreading to see. Now she realized why she was so anxious. This woman radiated anxiety into anyone else in a five-feet radius.

"I'm so sorry Mrs. Davidson." Brooke stuttered standing frozen.

Furrowing her brows, the older woman bent down slowly to pick up the book Brooke had dropped. "Philosophy?"

Taking it quickly the brunette nodded. She was just waiting for Mrs. Davidson to yell at her or cuss her out for not being more careful. "My dad says it's important to question everything."

Stuffing her hands into her suit jacket pocket the blonde studied the girl's face. "The highest form of human excellence is to question oneself and others." She smirked, "I'm sure you read about him in your book."

"Socrates." Brooke whispered turning and opening her locker. She was one minute behind schedule. "He was executed by Consuming Hemlock."

Mrs. Davidson leaned onto the lockers beside the girls and crossed her arms. "Why was he executed?"

"He was found guilty of 'corrupting the youth." Straightening her mirror Brooke studied her locker making sure everything was in its place. "Most likely because he didn't want to accept the gods that were recognized by the state."

Watching the shorter girl close her locker Mrs. Davidson bit her bottom lip and squinted her eyes. "Do you recognize Christianity?" Noticing Brooke's eyes nervously look at the clock she stood up straight, "conversation for another day I suppose."

Brooke smiled politely. "If it's still alright, Maybe at study hall?"

Nodding Mrs. Davidson stuck her hands back in her pocket as she watched the girl walk to her class. It was interesting to have such an intellectual conversation with someone because she rarely had that chance. Most were dull or downright stupid. Looking at her watch Mrs. Davidson waited for the halls to clear. "Get to class!" She yelled down the hall. The boy Ran down the corner almost terrified falling with the weight of his backpack.

Looking at the locker that belonged to Brooke Mrs. Davidson opened it slowly already knowing the code to the lock.

Her books were standing straight up. They we're standing largest to smallest until it got to her notebooks. Pulling one out she smiled seeing her classes were color coded. Obviously each page was filled with notes. All in black ink and with little error.

Putting the journal back the blonde woman looked at the tiny mirror and checked her lipstick. Lifting her arms, she turned the mirror slightly to be unleveled Something caught her eyes so she bent down and picked up a leather book that simply read 'Planner.'

"Mrs. Davidson! You don't make your way into the main building often! What brings you over?"

Rolling her eyes, The blonde put the book under her arm and closed the locker loudly, "Just doing a couple of random locker checks Principal Stevenson."

He gave a confused look but nodded, "There's going to be a party in the lounge for Pauline's birthday today I hope you can swing by!"

Raising an eyebrow She didn't even try to hide her aggravation, "Who the fuck is that?"

"Language!" He chuckled nervously and lowered his voice to speak through his teeth. "You know cussing is not allowed Mrs. Davidson."

"And you know bothering me is not allowed." Pushing her boss out of the way, Mrs. Davidson stuffed her hands into her pocket as she made her way out of the school. Like she said before. Everyone else was just downright stupid.