Fourth period moved so slowly that it was almost agonizing. I must have looked at the black and white clock on the wall 4 times already! This class didn't hold my interest at all, but it was mandatory. 'At least civics and careers switches halfway in the semester!" I thought. 'Get the civics politics torture out of the way, so we can get to the good stuff- careers.' I snuck a glance at the clock again. These last 5 minutes of class were the longest 5 minutes of my life! I sighed.
The ringing of the bell made me jump up from my chair like a jack-in-the-box. I shoved my stuff into my backpack messily this time (instead of carefully), and rushed to the door, seeking freedom from this class. Out in the hallway, I fast walked (I would get in trouble for running), but my speed and enthusiasm slowly wound down as I remembered the subject of my last class- math.
When I arrived at my class, I had a shock. I had a moment where anxiety hit me like a ton of bricks. There, in the back row was Kyle. I suppressed my first instinct, which was to run out of the room. At this point I was still looking at him, but he hadn't noticed me yet; he was talking to two other guys. 'Maybe if I sit in the front row, and don't turn around all class, then he won't know I am me?' I thought. But, right at that moment, Kyle decided to look up as someone near me called and waved to him.
"Dang!" I whispered under my breath as I turned my head away from him and slipped into the seat in the corner of the room. At least now, I was strategically placed; in a desk in the front row, closest to the door.
A few more students straggled in the door, and then the teacher started the class. I didn't like math in the first place, and now he had to be in another one of my classes! Today the teacher was assigning math textbooks. After we were called up row by row and had all returned to our seats, book in hand, he passed around a paper where you wrote your full name out, and then the serial number on your book. Being sat where I was, the teacher handed it to me. I quickly filled it out and passed it to the kid in the desk behind me.
As the teacher explained a math concept with examples on the white board, I did my best to pay attention and take notes. The main reason I disliked math was that I was not skilled at it. My whole school career, I had only gotten math grades that were just high enough to pass. I just finished copying down what was written on the board, when the teacher asked for someone to calculate the next step (which was the final answer). No one volunteered, and the room was silent for a few moments. The teacher picked up the class list.
"Sam?" He inquired, " What is the correct answer?"
'No, no, no!' I thought. My brain started to panic; I didn't know the answer. I peeked up at the teacher and tried to clear my suddenly dry throat.
"Sam?" He repeated.
"I...I don't know." I said in a small voice. I heard a few snickers and giggles from my classmates. I could feel my face flush.
"Just give it a try." He suggested.
But I couldn't do the calculation, I didn't understand how, or even where to begin! I felt so embarrassed.
After two long minutes of silence, the teacher sighed. "Could we get a little help here?" he asked the class.
A few hands shot up, and he picked the first one that had been raised.
"Yes, Kyle. What is the answer?" he asked.
I heard Kyle's voice. " The remaining two vertices of the triangle are..."
I knew that he answered the question correctly, as I saw the teacher smile and nod appreciatively. But I didn't recall what the answer was, as I was in my own head, puzzling over why Kyle, who clearly knew the right answer, had rushed to be the one chosen to answer. Maybe it was just coincidence, or maybe it was psychological warfare. 'Please, don't turn out to be a stalker!' I silently prayed to whatever Gods were listening.
I was very grateful that for the rest of the class, the teacher didn't call on me. At five minutes until the final bell, he wrote the page and question numbers on the board that he wished for us to complete for homework. I copied it down and then started packing my things up. The moment I heard the bell ring, I did the 100-meter dash to the door and was half- way down the hallway when a realization struck me. I had accidentally left my math text in the classroom.
I mentally chided myself and turned around to walk back to the class.
I only took two steps when, much to my surprise, Kyle walked out of the room with his backpack slung over one shoulder and two copies of the math text in one arm. He made eye contact with me and smiled. That was enough to confirm to me that the extra book he carried was indeed mine.
'What the heck are this guy's motives?' I wondered, as he walked calmly down the hall towards me. I stayed where I was warily; I needed my book back.
"Hey," he said, "I think you forgot this in class." He held my copy so I could clearly see it.
"Yes, I did." I replied, not meeting his eye.
"Here." He held out the book for me. "My name is Kyle, by the way." he added.
"I know." I said simply, as I took the book from him. "Even wallflowers have ears." I muttered under my breath.
"Oh." he said looking impressed, "Well, it is nice to finally be introduced to you Sam."
I sucked my breath in, in surprise. I looked him in the eyes to see if I could get a read off him, but no luck.
With a mischievous grin he said, "I have eyes that work don't I?"
And then I remembered the textbook record sheet. My name was the first one on the list, and I knew from the way that he answered the math question, he had some brains to him. He had put those pieces together.
" Thank you." I said suddenly, holding the book to my chest. " I have to go. I'm late, I'm supposed to...meet someone."
Then without another word, I ran all the way to my locker.