Total pages in book: 29
Estimated words: 26739 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 134(@200wpm)___ 107(@250wpm)___ 89(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 26739 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 134(@200wpm)___ 107(@250wpm)___ 89(@300wpm)
A honk startled me from my thoughts and I send a sheepish wave to the person behind us. I step off the brake and rolled through the now green light.
There was no use dwelling on it. I would do my best to follow the rules and get good grades. This was the last year I had to deal with Mrs. Rogers, so all I had to do was stay out of trouble for a bit longer and I would never have to see her again.
The school parking lot was packed, as always, and I noticed Kurt’s anxiety climbing as I picked through the lot for an open space. Once we were settled, I reached over to grasp his hand. The action caused him to jump, his gaze swinging to me with an almost wild panic that made dread curl in my chest.
I gave him an uneasy smile.
“Are you sure you’re alright? You look as pale as death, and you’re about to vibrate out of your seat. We studied hard for this exam, remember? It’s going to be fine. I know you’ll pull an ace out of the hat.”
None of what I had said was actually wrong, but it was like Kurt was a robot. He acknowledged my statement with a jerky nod and then snatched his hand from mine before practically vaulting out of the car. My nerves only grew as we walked toward the exam room. I just knew that something bad was going to happen, and it would be up to me to save my brother from a disaster.
Maybe I could talk to the principal of the school and explain the pressure being put on him? Mr. Henge was nice the few opportunities I’ve had to talk to him. But then my thoughts were cut off by the loud ring of a bell. Students everywhere scurried into their classrooms, and Kurt and I did the same.
We put our bags down and took our seats. I smiled at my friend Marilee who smiled encouragingly back at me. She knows what a hard time my brother has been having, and was sympathetic. Plus, Marilee was under pressure from her parents to do well in school too, so she understood.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Rogers stood in front of the class, with a hard twist to her lips that only vaguely resembled a smile.
“So good of you two to join us,” she hissed sibilantly. “What with the no makeup policy I have, you would have failed the test completely had you missed this test.”
Bitch. Usually I don’t care for vulgarity but this was the one woman who earned it more than anyone else. She just loved reminding us about her ‘power’ over us, however temporary it was. How such a horrible woman became a teacher I will never know.
Plus, everything in her appearance screamed witch: from the tangled, ropy hair to her lean and whip-like body. Even her complexion was a pale, sickly green. She made me want to look around for flying monkeys and brooms, but I forced myself to look straight ahead.
Meanwhile, my brother let out a small whimper that only I could hear. He was in the seat behind me, and then, a low, rapid thumping movement began and it only took me a moment to understand where it was coming from. Kurt’s foot was knocking against the back of my chair at light speed. While I understood his nerves, the feel was driving me crazy.
Through my teeth I hissed, “Would you stop that? I can’t focus if you’re kicking my chair.”
The movement immediately stopped, and an apologetic, “I’m sorry,” came from behind me. Immediately I felt guilty because it wasn’t his fault that he was nervous. But before I could apologize Mrs. Rogers slapped the exam down in front of me. Was it just me or did she have a particularly vicious glint to her eyes today?
“You all know the rules. No looking around the room, no drinks or food, pencils down when I say to and,” she stopped to stare right at Kurt and I before continuing. “Absolutely no cheating. Those caught will be instantly failed from this class.”
I had half a mind to scream at her right then and there. I’ve never cheated on an exam, and neither has my brother. So where was this coming from?
But Mrs. Rogers merely strolled away with a nasty look on her face. I could practically hear Kurt swallow from behind me and again I felt bad for him. When our teacher wasn’t looking I gave him a thumbs up over my shoulder and took a deep breath. It was time to ace this thing, and I picked up my pencil to begin.
3
Kim
The bell rang, and I put down my pencil. My nerves were frayed, but overall, I felt okay about the exam. Sure, there was some hard questions, but I knew the answers more or less.