One Night ✔️

Chapter Twenty-Six

I sat in History, the one subject I shared with Alex and Joseph. The first half of the test consisted of multiple choice, while the second half was an essay. The last multiple-choice question on any of Mr. Evans' tests was always a freebie. Today's question was: "Why are you here?" Ironic. I stared at the words on a freshly printed sheet of paper for maybe 10 minutes. Why was I here? It certainly wasn't -

A) Because I want to be.

It wasn't —

B) Because Mr. Evans is the best teacher.

Which was false. Klein was the best teacher. But it honestly wasn't C either.

C) Because I love taking 2-hour long exams.

Why was I here?... I hastily flipped to the written section of the test, causing a few of my peers to pivot their heads in my direction. I read the essay question and furiously dragged my pen across the lined paper. 350 words later, I dropped my pen on my desk.

"Mr. Evans, I'm done."

"That's great, dear, but the rest of the class is still working. You'll have to sit tight for now."

I stood up from my desk and this time, specifically Joseph and Alex's attention was caught. Their faces read: "What are you doing??"

I was doing what I should have done a long time ago.

"Sir, there's somewhere I need to be." One of my feet made it out the classroom door before I was given a final warning.

"Miss Martinez, if you leave during testing I will have no choice but to notify your parents as well as the administration."

I let his words sink in and took a deep breath. I'd deal with the repercussions when I reached that stage. When I exited the building my heart spiked. I had never done anything so reckless. About an hour later I arrived at my doorstep, my adrenaline dwindled by the second into something much more tame. Determination.

"What is going on?? Walking out of your exam?!"My mom stood by the couch, radiating heat like a hot pan taken off of a stove.

"I didn't leave without finishing my work."

The look of incredulity on her face was a picture. "That's not the point, Sienna. You've been getting beside yourself. Skipping school? What's next, drugs?"

I couldn't believe the words coming from her mouth. And she wasn't even done yet.

"Oh, and don't think I haven't caught on to you and that boy by now. You always tell me that you're doing this and that with Alex, but you're always coming home with Joseph. It always ends with him, and you know — it's beginning to make sense. He's driving you to act out like this. Isn't he?!"

I thought the wildfire within me had died down, but that statement is what set me ablaze again.

"Don't you dare bring Joseph into something that has nothing to do with him."

"When he is corrupting the future of my child, I think it's more than necessary to bring him up."

The difference between the woman who carried me for 9 months and Joseph, who I'd known for a little less than a fraction of that time, was astounding. He cared about my well-being and my dreams. He believed in me and loved me for who I am, not who he wanted me to be.

"The only person who is corrupting my future is you! Harvard is your dream and every day it shows. Instead of working towards a perfect average I could have been doing what I loved. Spending time with those I love... finding out who I am. I bet you didn't even know how much I enjoyed writing until I mentioned it to Marlene. Why? Cause you never took the time to get to know me that well. But I no longer care about that either." I let out a bitter laugh. "I'm over this."