Life of A High School Student

Chapter 7: The Library

8th Week of School

To briefly summarize my situation, a while back I had planned to finish my book before the beginning of November, I had completely forgot about it and only just realized on Friday that I had to finish it before I went to school!

Because of this, my weekend consisted of me locking myself up in my room and staying in there majority of the time to finish the other 3 quarters of the 500 page story I had to read. Jake even came over to my house to visit but I couldn't do a lot with him because I was afraid I wouldn't finish it on time. To prepare for the test I did online quizzes on every two chapters and read summaries online, but because of how I procrastinated this
I'm not even sure if I'll get enough points in time. And if I don't get at least 15 points from the book, I'll have to read another one in less than a week.

A reminder, that I still have 0.

I managed to finish the book Sunday Evening and did as much review as possible. Despite being stressed out about this I actually managed to enjoy the storyline that consisted with such dramatic ends and new beginnings. Maybe my love for books just made this assignment more enjoyable for me despite my stress.

Monday...
At the start of English my teacher Mrs. Carter asks if anyone is ready to do their book tests.

Keep in mind that all of us have to read different books and we have no idea what is going to be on the test. Also the only computers that gave it are in the school's library. I tell my teacher that I'm ready to do my test and I go downstairs with two other students to the library.

Once entering I submit my permission slip, sign into a computer and start looking through the instructions.

20 multiple choice questions, 10-20 minutes to complete it and you're not allowed to change your answers once it has been submitted.

I give the librarian our library pass and me and another student start our test as the person behind us waits for us to be done, since only two computers are vacant.

Once I take a deep and collected breathe, I answer each question in a calm manner. Most things I knew, what type of play did the main character read that was written by Shakespeare. What was the garden tool that was used by the man the antagonist met up with on the street? What type of animal was released and escaped into the wild before it could be killed. What was the last sentence of the protagonist's letter to her lover?

All detailed and hard questions to know from heart to answer, but I was prepared for the majority of it.

I check to see that about a few minutes left but since I already completed the test, I hover my mouse over the finished button and click it as the results are finalized...

Kiara Brookes
19/20
30.25 points

"Yes!"

I whisper to myself in glee since I'm in a library and start doing a happy dance in my head from the relief I won't have to read another book. I do consider myself a bookworm but with the amount of work I have I would barely have time to read a second one.

The classmate beside me looked disappointed at her score and the other student behind me looked surprised at how I managed to get all my points from one book. I just realized though, I would have had to if I had gotten more than two questions wrong, the practice quizzes really payed off.

I show my points to the librarian. She looks as stunned as I was but congratulated me and after I went upstairs to verify my score with my teacher. Once confirmed she told me I was the first one in my class to have all my points which really made me happy, not because others hadn't done it yet but now since I don't have to stress over it anymore.

I will have to read again for points next year, but I think I will use the same strategy of reading one or two books with large amounts of points.

Long books were never a problem for me, I once read a 700 page book when I was 11 in five days.

After English it's lunch and today, I wanted to spend my time studying in the library..

While I was at one of the computers another student sat besides me and starts logging in. I recognized him as the student who I saw at Burger King and I smile warmly and start doing my work.

I feel his eyes on me the whole time and once it got too uncomfortable I start to stand up to leave but he starts a conversation. Not wanting to be rude, I stay in my spot and listen to what he had to say.

"Hey, I had seen you in the guys' dorm a couple of weeks ago, why were you there?"

Stunned by the sudden question, I think before answering, it was no secret I had a cousin here, I just wasn't sure if I had to tell him that.

"Oh, I was visiting a friend of mine, he invited me..."

I try to sound as casual as I can but the situation just keeps getting more awkward.

"So he isn't your boyfriend?"

"No..."

"Oh okay, that's good to know. I'm Nathan by the way."

"Kiara."

After the introduction, he continues to try to get more information out me like where did I live or who was the person I was visiting, I only answered discretely and never revealed anything. I excused myself to leave and he finally stopped asking me questions making me able to exit freely.

Once taking a deep breathe I walk out the library to see Jake their, to my relief I head towards him not wanting to stay by myself in the hallways. He sees me coming towards him and smiles, but once getting a good look at my glum expression his face drops.

"Hey, what's wrong?"

"Nothing really, I was in the library and this guy started asking me personal questions. He seemed friendly at first but I don't even know him but I have a bad feeling."

Jake listens intently on what I have to say and once I'm finished he tells me not to worry about it and just to avoid him. I agree since there isn't anything else I can do and continue with school.

My dad couldn't pick me up today and I didn't want to bother Jake with another ride home so I decided to walk. The pathway I take is a trail behind the school that leads directly to the neighbourhood of my house, very convenient for me and it's nice to have such a peaceful and calming way to walk home...

"HEY...KIARA!"

Startled I turn around to see Nathan jogging up towards me, not knowing what to do I just keep walking as he eventually catches up to me.

"H-hey...you w-walk...really...fast." He starts breathing a lot and I'm wondering why he even had to run.

"Was there something you needed?"

"Yeah actually, you see I know we just met but I was wondering if you would go out with me?"

With a pleading look in his eyes he continues to seem hopeful and so sure that I'll say yes.

"I'm sorry, but I'm not looking to date anyone right now."

"Okay...maybe I can change your mind!"

"We'll see Nathan."

I start walking away without saying goodbye and continue to walk to my house. From time to time I look behind to see if anyone is following me but there's always no one, maybe I'm just being paranoid now.

Once I get home I start watching TV and do some of my homework. I'm going to give Nathan the benefit of the doubt, maybe he was just excited to make a new friend?