My gaze remained fixed on Mr. Mark as he droned on and on about ancient civilizations. It should have been an interesting topic, but his monotone voice and complicated way of explaining had me struggling to stay awake.
Resting my chin on my hand, I could feel myself slowly dozing off. The classroom's dim lighting and the gentle hum of the air conditioner made it all the more tempting to slip into slumber.
Just as my eyes began to droop, a gentle tap on my shoulder startled me. I turned to see Matilda, seated beside me, her expression a mix of amusement and concern. She whispered urgently, "Piper, wake up. You don't want to get in trouble." She was right about that. Being a student on a scholarship means always avoiding trouble at all costs. That's one of the reasons I never missed a day in school or failed any exam. I had no choice.
