playdead

Chapter Two

Run, run! Oh god, my mom is totally gonna kill me...

Teddy Malone, uneven hair and clothes with the strong sense of laundry detergent, ran from his house still eating a granola bar for breakfast. Middle Meadows MS, his school, started at 7:30. It was 7:26.

Teddy only lived a few blocks away from his school. He-

OH MY GOD MY LEGS ARE FUCKING KILLING ME!

-usually walked to his school. When he didn't, he was taken by the Foster Home school bus, since he lived in a foster home by himself.

Not technically by himself. But it felt like it.

Teddy could see parents flocking out of the main school road, and he couldn't help thinking how embarrassing it looks.

A dumb kid, his legs bouncing on the concrete, late for school.

C'MON MALONE!

Teddy didn't check his watch. He didn't want more pressure.

It's at arms reach almost, Teddy could almost smell the pencil rubber and wood and the smell of kids stinking the halls with whatever goblin perfume/deodorant/body spray they had.

BING, BING, BING.

Teddy stopped and grunted angrily. He was horribly out of breath. He wheezed and gagged for air, and hoped to god there wasn't any sweat on his school clothes.

-•-•-•-•-

"42 tardies in under a week, Mr. Malone?"

Teddy had been dragged out of 3rd period and into the principles office, Mr. Brown. He wore a black suit with basic red tie. Fantastic working clothes, Brown.

"I'm sorry Mr. Brown but...I just can't get up in the morning!" Teddy argued, scratching his head.

"Mr. Malone, you have alarm clocks at Angel Child Foster Home. They give you one specifically for school." Mr. Brown said coldly.

"...I lost it." Teddy said slowly. In truth, he threw it away.

"I'm going to give you one more chance, Malone. Just. One. After that, you get suspended. Understand?" Mr. Brown said.

"No Mr. Malone?" Teddy asked.

"Just get out of my office for the day, please." Mr. Brown said.

Teddy did as instructed and walked groggily to the door and exited the office, and returned to 3rd period.