“See mom, this just proves how irresponsible Daniel is and how responsible I am,” I said getting into the car.
“Ok, so I forgot to do one project. It’s only the second week of school, I doubt that my teacher is even going to care.” Daniel said, his tone annoyed.
“You guys please stop your bickering. Daniel I already told you , if you want to slack off and not work hard then it’s going to be your grades that are going to fall. Colleges these days want students that are willing to work hard not students that want to slack off. Abigail, thank you for doing your project and you are the one that’s going to be rewarded by your teacher.” My mom added to our conversation.
“I know,” I whispered under my breath. Without words to say we drove the rest of the way to school in silence. Once we arrived in parking lot, my brother jumped out of the car as quick as he could, trying to get away from my mom’s disappointed gaze. I on the other hand got out of the car slowly making sure that my mom was reminded of my hard work. As I walked to my class, which was on the way other side the campus, I kept thinking about how the other kids would react to my project. “Wow this is amazing” the other kids would say, with their eyes never leaving my project. “I knew you were smart, but this is extraordinary. I would have thought that an eighth grader did it!” my teacher would tell me.
My day dreaming was cut short, because before I knew it I was in front of my classroom. Opening the cold, silver door handle I could see people holding their projects in their hands acting as if it were an ordinary piece of paper. My project was safely tucked inside a report folder in my backpack. “They have no respect for their work,” I mumbled taking a seat. The bell rang, and everyone returned to their desks turning their eyes and attention towards the front of the room. “Ok, class as you know your big report on satire was due today. I expect that everyone has it since it was given last Tuesday. If anyone would like to stand and deliver their report they can do so now for 2 extra credit points.”
My hand shot up the second the second I heard the words extra credit. “Ok, Abigail, you’re first. Would anyone else like to share?” My teacher asked as most kids in the class slumped down in their seats. “Nerd,” I heard Sarah say as a large majority of the class broke out into a giggle. Without bothering to care I zipped open my backpack to get my report. I looked through the notebooks, and folders neatly organized in my bag, but I couldn’t find it. I unzipped the other compartment of my bag, sure that I wouldn’t find it there, but to my dismay it wasn’t there either. Worried, I frantically tossed all the things out of my bag hoping that I missed it by accident. Once again I couldn’t find it.
Ok think. This morning I had it in my hand and I was going to put it in my bag when, when, mom asked me to get a jacket. So I got my jacket and did I pick it up again. Shoot I forgot to pick it up and put it in my bag. My thinking stopped when from the front of the room I hear Ms. Gaster say “Abigail, please speed it up. We have a lot of things to cover today and only 52 minutes to do it in.” By now the teachers gaze as well as all of the other students’ gazes were on me. My face turned a deep tomato red, and with a lack courage I said,
“I think I left it at home,”
“Well how are you going to read it when it’s at home?” Ms. Gaster said, obviously mad, because I had taken up class time. I shrugged my shoulders and I was sure that my face was a blood red now. “Well, that’s a zero for you. The rest of the class pass your papers up.” Ms. Gaster said without any sympathy. Shocked by what Ms. Gaster said, I didn’t know whether to cry, or be mad. It was only the second week of school and I already had a zero, just like my brother. I wasn’t myself the rest of the school day, and throughout my classes and stared at the clock waiting for each bell to ring. I desperately wanted to go home and let out all of my emotion, where no one could hear or see me.
