31 Days of December

December 19th

I just had to get through this final. Once I get through this final, I can drive a few hours home and sleep in my own bed. I only have to survive this one last exam. I can do it. It sounds easy enough. Take the exam, pack up the car, go home, and sleep. Simple. Except for the one problem is that this exam is chemistry. I don't understand chemistry. It is all gibberish and definitely not a strong suit of mine.

You're a mean one, Mr. Grinch. You really are a heel. You're as cuddly as a cactus. You're as charming as an eel. Mr. Grinch. You're a bad banana with a greasy black peel.

I have no idea what the question is asking, and my brain is busy singing. Why is this happening? Why can't I focus? Why can't I just be at home yet? No, I have to take this stupid exam, so I don't fail this stupid class. I want to cry.

You're a monster, Mr. Grinch. Your heart's an empty hole. Your brain is full of spiders. You've got garlic in your soul. Mr. Grinch. I wouldn't touch you with a thirty-nine-and-a-half foot pole.

The room is too quiet. I can feel the stress, which is why I can't focus. I need something to make noise. Please, why can't they play music? My brain won't shut up until there is noise. At least my brain has the proper sense to sing the version from the 1966 cartoon version. The original version. The best version.

You're a vile one, Mr. Grinch. You have termites in your smile. You have all the tender sweetness of a seasick crocodile. Mr. Grinch.

Given the choice between the two of you, I'd take the seasick crocodile.

Please, someone, help me. If I don't get this exam done, I'm going to fail this class. I can't retake chemistry. I have to take more chemistry later. I'm antsy, tired, and want to go home. I know I sound like a toddler, but I can't do this. I'm bubbling in random circles and hoping for enough points to pass. If I can't focus enough, then I'll just have to pray to the Gods. Maybe they will take pity on me. I just have to pray to every god out there. One will listen, right?

You're a foul one, Mr. Grinch. You're a nasty, wasty skunk. Your heart is full of unwashed socks. Your soul is full of gunk. Mr. Grinch.

The three words that best describe you. Areas follow, and I quote, "Stink, stank, stunk."

After a whole dreadful hour of trying to do chemistry, I finally turned in my final. The thought of finally being free from exams was relaxing. Now, I get to go home and answer the same questions repeatedly for the next month. Everyone wants to know if I passed my classes, what classes I took, what classes I am going to take, if I have met friends, and most importantly if I have a boyfriend. Not that it matters, but I'd appreciate it if my family minded their own business. However, they won't.

"How did your final go?" Alice asked when I walked into the apartment.

I groaned, "I fucking hate chemistry. I couldn't focus at all, and I felt stupid."

"That's rough."

"Are you ready for your final?" I asked. Alice and Layla both had finals to take. The time for their finals is seven to nine at night. They both plan to leave tomorrow, so they don't get home super late.

"Not at all."

"Oof," I said before entering my room. I needed to pack real quick. It wasn't going to be much. Just my laptop, my chargers, my dirty laundry so my dad can wash them for me, my winter coat, and my stuffed animals. Yes, I have stuffed animals while in college. There are only a few, and they bring me comfort. They come back home with me for the break. Sue me for all I care. I'm a child at heart.

Once I was all packed up, I said, "Good luck on your final."

"Get home safe," Alice said. I smiled before making my way out of the apartment to my car.

Once I loaded everything into the trunk of my car, I climbed into the driver's seat. I started up my car so it could get all toasty as I drove. The downside of 60-degree days in December is the nights get down to 30 degrees. Still not cold enough to get me into a winter coat but too cold for just a hoodie.

Hailey: Leaving my apartment. Stopping to get dinner on the way.

Dad: Drive safe.

Mom: I'll be in bed when you get home.

I laughed as I plugged my phone in to charge and then pulled up Google Maps. Despite knowing the route from school to home, I always have Google Maps up. I guess it is more of a comfort than a need. Plus, it is good for when there are speed traps.

After running through Culver's drive-thru, I was officially on the road. I was flipping through radio stations when I heard it.

The radio sang, "You're a rotter, Mr. Grinch. You're the king of sinful sots. Your heart's a dead tomato splotch. With moldy purple spots. Mr. Grinch." I cackled and turned the music up a little louder.

"Your soul is an appalling dump heap. Overflowing with the most disgraceful assortment of deplorable rubbish imaginable. Mangled up in tangled up knots," I sang along with the radio. "You nauseate me, Mr. Grinch. With a nauseous super-naus. You're a crooked jockey, And you drive a crooked horse. Mr. Grinch."

"You're a three-decker sauerkraut and toadstool sandwich. With arsenic sauce," The song finished. I quickly switched to my Jonas Brothers CDs that I have in my car at all times. Just then, my phone started ringing.

"What? I'm driving," I said as I answered.

I heard his laugh, "Is that how you always answer your phone?"

"Depends on who it is," I answered. This boy seriously has the worst timing. I know I have said that before but still. I hate talking on the phone while driving. Not only am I driving, but I'm also driving on the interstate while it is dark. "What's up? Why did you call?"

"Because I haven't talked to you all day and wanted to know how your finals went."

"This could have waited until I was home."

"But I wanted to talk to you now," Ethan whined.

"Clingy much?"

"Very."

"Well, my first final today went well, but the second one not so much," I started saying. I told Ethan all about my finals, and he listened to everything I said. Although I hate talking on the phone while driving, the drive was bearable. It was like he was in the car with me. I didn't have to drive those dreadful hours by myself. He knew it too.

The second I was home, I unloaded my car. I put everything in the entryway. Once I unloaded everything and was in my house, I texted Ethan to tell him I had made it home. He just sent me a smiley face emoji in response. Idiot.