You know when you're sitting in class, distracted by something else? Not really wanting to be there? So you let your mind wander, imaging yourself someplace else? Creating another, parallel world similar to your own only more.. entertaining? Yeah. This is that:


With every word, I feel the teacher degrading me, judging me. She's eying me, glaring at me. She knows I didn't do my work and whatever flimsy excuse I conjured in the hallway, she's ready to shoot down. Even her hand gestures are intimidating She's pointing, accusing. Why didn't you do your work? What's with you? Shape up!

Her eyes are ablaze with accusation, boring into my very core; reducing me to a pathetic mass, huddled in a dark corner of unworthiness. That's what she wants, to throw me out of her class, casting me off as a sorry excuse for a student. She can't bear to look at me and I'm too ashamed to raise my head to face her.

Her words keep coming. The class is participating. They know as well. They hate me for showing up. They hate me for the hours they spent slaving over their desks and notes while I did God knows what all evening. They won't look at me. They're too good, too studious, to waste their time sending me a chastising word or even a glare. Dear God, I wish they would glare! Just one, sinister, cold-hearted glare. But, no, they're too focused on the work before them, too engaged with the teacher. They're saying, "See this is how it is done. This is how a student behaves." Their chants grow louder and louder in my head until it's one deafening ringing noise.

Damnit, where is that bell? Where is the shining beacon of hope that will save me from this torture? 2:57. Three more minutes. 180 agonizing seconds before I'm freed.

Outside, people are in the hall. They're talking, laughing, communicating with one another. How I yearn to join them! To be free...

I'm staring at the door now, longing apparent on my face. I'm wondering if I can master the art of astral projection in less than 3 minutes. I think I can, I think I can. There's no place like... anywhere but here.

BRRRINGG!

Hallelujah! I leap to my feet, bag in hand, bounding for the door.

"Uh... Miss Johnson?"

Shit.

"Would you mind coming here for a moment?"

Yes, actually, I mind very much. "Yes ma'am?"

"Were you absent yesterday? I don't have you marked... but I'm missing your assignment."

Relief washed over my being. I smiled inwardly. "Why, yes, yes ma'am, I was."

"Can you turn in your assignment tomorrow, then?"

I could have kissed her! "I'll have it on your desk by 8am, if you like."

She smiled. "That won't be necessary. Just turn it in when you can."

.:~o*'Kaylyn'*o~:.