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The time was excruciatingly slow, her eyes bouncing from her laptop to the clock above the door every few seconds.

"So as we wrap up the class, who can tell me what x equals?"

Bouncing her leg up and down, her knee tapping the bottom of the desk, Jada avoided eye contact to the best of her ability.

Two minutes.

She had her debate next class and the anxiety plus the Monster she had chugged during second period wasn't helping.

Derek Bernard. Thirty something year old algebra two teacher. Taught middle school math for three years and thought he would try high school for a change. Drives a beat up dark blue 2007 Chevy Impala and reads yahoo news during his lunch period.

"Come on guys," Bernard sighed, "I know it's close to the end of the day, you're all tired but it's not hard."

Rolling her eyes, Jada tossed her head back out of boredom.

"Ms. McPhearson."

You're fucking kidding me.

Rolling her head forward, Jada's eyes narrowed towards the man. "Do you have the answer?"

As Jada opened her mouth to respond, the bell interrupted, dismissing the students. Jada shoves her things into her bag and headed towards the door.

"Uh, Ms. McPearson!" Bernard waved, "Can you come see me?"

"Fuck." Jada sighed as she trudged to Bernard's desk.

"Yes?" She asked, shifting on her feet.

"Jada.." Bernard sighed as he stared at her, "How have you been doing."

"Fine why do you ask." Jada snapped. She didn't have time for this shit, she had a class to get to.

"I've just been watching over your grades cause, I mean, I am one of your teachers and I care about your success."

"And what do my grades say about me." Jada asked tilting her head.

She watched him pause as he physically retracted. "Well.. your grades are concerning. Math and science, I assume, aren't your strong suits-"

"Bold of you to assume that school in general isn't my strong suit."

She watched as concern spread across his face quickly, "What do you have to be so angry about."

"I have a lot to be angry about, I'd just rather not air my dirty laundry out to my goddamn algebra teacher. Maybe instead of assuming that school is the only thing that I have going on in my life you could consider not looking over my other course grades."

Pausing again, Bernard leaned back into his chair, embarrassment present across his face. "I hear you Jada, but I'm concerned about your future-"

"I've got that figured out- maybe worry about the other fifty students you have."

"Jada, your grades say other wise-"

"So I'm gonna end up sleeping under bridge because I failed Chemistry? To be honest with you Derek, I really couldn't give a shit about my grades. I suggest you don't either."

He was lost for words. Never had he listened to a student berate him because of his concerns.

"May I be excused now."

——

Pacing down the hall, Masterson listened as his shoes clicked against the floor, making his way into the history hall.

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