Shortened Expectancy

the system

With every fiber of my being, I can't even begin to elaborate how much I dread waking up at 5 a.m. everyday. To make matters worse, Monday is the always worst day of the week. That's just a well know fact, globally. I bet you can guess what day it is.

Although I have no right to complain because I did indeed sign up for this myself when I decided to major in education, it's still a misery-filled mess. Oh, the luxuries of being an English teacher. Cue the eye roll.

After contemplating if I really need a job to survive in this world for the next five minutes while I lay self-absorbed in my comforter, I finally make the unfortunate decision to pull my work clothes out of my wardrobe and lay them flat on my bed so they're ready for when I get out of the shower. I check my phone and I have an unopened text from an unknown number last night. Clicking on the message, it says: "I know it's a Sunday night, but, you up?" - 11:41 p.m.

I don't text many people, so I have a feeling I know who this is. My money's on Kendyl. But, me being me, I'm going to play the dumb card anyways.

"Who's this?" - 5:12 a.m. No regrets. I like a little mystery and she'll end up figuring that out as she gets to know me. God, I sound like Joe Goldberg.

I start running my shower water way hotter than it should be, but hey, everyone has their preferences, right? This happens to be one of mine out of the many. Plus it's morning time, give me a break.

Stepping out, I grab my towel off the ring and wipe off the mirror just enough to see somewhat of my reflection through the steam, then I dry my hair off. After my hair slowly transforms from wet to damp, I start applying gel to keep my curls in tact throughout yet another stressful day.

Monday through Thursday is formal wear. Friday's are casual at Creyville High. My favorite day of the week, thank you very much.

   I pick up my light blue button-up off the bed, which I paired with a black bow tie. I chose black slacks and black dress shoes, topping it all off with my Rolex. You'd think I'm going to a funeral wearing black on black.

I get there to set up the room at 7 a.m. before the students start rolling in at 8. I set my belongings in my classroom, then head to the teacher's lounge because I need some coffee in my system. I love my students, but the good lord knows I need to have eight ounces before they start coming in rambling and being obnoxious. Loud noise isn't exactly my forte. They are all very familiar with this, but do they take it into consideration? Please. It'd be a miracle.

     I already tackled my lesson planning for the week yesterday. One reason being to distract myself from thinking about Friday night and the whole shebang, the second reason being that I knew I didn't want to go home and plan every single night for the next five days. It's an ongoing cycle that beats my ass if I don't stay on top of my game.

    After teaching my sixth period, I stuck around to send some important emails to a few parents. Tardies, absences, missing grades, unsuitable behavior... you know how that goes. I had to give four students detention today.

       Two of my troublemaking sophomores got in an argument about politics today and it got to the point where they were cussing each other out. 30 minute detention. Flat out.

I have three rules in this class. "Be present. Be on time. Be respectful." The three B's. It's on the top of the board and I point it out every single day. For the record, I wouldn't consider cussing each other out "respectful," so that's why they have detention.

Another student, Nina, was late. She's only serving the time she missed, which was about 8 minutes. That's my rule.

      Janiyah is the known skipper, but she always gets her work done. She skipped my class once again today and I found her talking to her friend outside the class halfway through the bell.