Little Situation

Chapter 15

"Hey, Rogers," someone called in the morning Statistics class— the concept of a rotating schedule was weird but Sarah was adjusting to classes not being at the same time each day.

She looked up in surprise that someone had called her name. She was positive after the mess that happened over the weekend everyone would stay far away from 001. The teacher didn't seem to care that students' talked during the problem-solving time at the end of class as long as they weren't talking during the actual lesson.

"Is it true?"

"Is what true?"

"That freaky UN shit, that was a joke right?"

Sarah ducked her head back into the textbook to write down another problem into her notebook. Some of the other students laughed as she looked away. It amazed her, one week she was the school's coolest celebrity but right now, well, she wasn't sure what she was but it certainly wasn't America's Darling.

"So all you'd have to say is longing—"

Sarah ripped out the hearing aids as quickly as possible. She was breathing rapidly and pressing her hands to her ears as hard as possible. The teacher's attention was suddenly on the class.

"Mister Adams! Principal's office, now! Are you okay Miss Rogers?"

She bent down in front of the desk. Tears were threatening to spill out and Sarah was shaking her head back and forth. Anyone who at first thought the joke was funny suddenly felt bad. She jumped when the teacher placed a hand on her shoulder. She spoke a little slower and more deliberate and— despite it being unnecessary since she was so close the girl could hear her and the fact that Sarah was used to reading quick lips— Sarah appreciated the gesture.

"Class is almost over anyway, why don't you catch your breath before going to the next one. Or maybe the counselor's office? I'll write you a pass."

Sarah thanked her and haphazardly shoved all her stuff into her backpack. The bell rang as she got a few steps away from her classroom. She accidentally bumped into someone and when Sarah looked up it was Ned, right next to Peter. Both of them eyed her with concern.

"I'm fine," she tried to reassure them until Principal Morita's voice came in through the intercom.

"Students. I understand we've all seen the events that transpired this past weekend. Any jokes about the UN meeting will be met with punishment and so much as a whisper of certain words will be greeted with a prompt suspension. We take care of our fellow students at Midtown and I, as well as the rest of the faculty, expect more from you all. That is all. Have a pleasant day and learn something new."

"I don't want to talk about it."

Sarah pushed past the boys when Peter grabbed her arm. She turned back and gave him a watery smile.

"I'll catch you at lunch, Peter Parker."

He nodded and let go of her arm with some reluctance. Her chemistry teacher understood when Sarah handed him her homework and then booked it to the counselor's office. She let the girl stay in her office until lunch, asking if Sarah wanted her to call anyone.

"It might be better if you call someone, maybe they can come get you."

"I'm supposed to go to a friend's house after school," Sarah mumbled.

"Oh, that's good! I'm very glad you've made friends, Sarah."

She nodded and sighed before taking the office phone and dialing in the ten digit phone number.