First Bell

I ran into school just as I heard the first period bell.

“Shit!” I mumbled.

I slipped into my first period history class hoping to be unnoticed. But this was Mr. Quinn’s class and he was a dick.

“Fletcher! You’re tardy.”

“What? You didn’t even do attendance yet!”

“Go down to the Dean for a detention slip.” He said.

The kids in class laughed as I got up to get a detention slip. As I passed by one of the jocks, I heard the usual…

“Feltcher!”

“It’s Fletcher!” I said.

I walked into the Dean’s office and told him I was late to first period. He was an overweight man with a balding head that was put into an even worse comb over. He looked like he wore the same blue blazer with gold buttons everyday. In fact, the gray one he also wore looked so similar, I swore the jacket was reversible!

“Fletcher? You’re tardy? I’m very disappointed. I expected that from some of my other delinquents. After school in room 333.” He said handing me the slip.

So, fucking fantastic! I’ve never been tardy. My Mom is going to have a coronary. On top of that, report cards were being issued for the first quarter. I’d been struggling in Algebra where all my other classes I knew I maintained a B average. Of course I had a lot going on. Jenny and I were fighting a lot, and I was spending a lot of time down by Belmont and Clark. I was still waiting to see if I could get that job at Dark Wave, but Darren said I probably had to wait until the holiday season began.

So around lunch time, I was walking toward the cafeteria to sit with Jason when I saw Anna and James. I grabbed my photo binder and walked over.

“Hey there guys, I have something for you” I said handing them an manilla envelope.

“Oh cool, the pics for the zine. You are fucking awesome!” she said hugging me.

“I also have these. I hope you like them. I made copies for each of you.” I said.

“David, I don’t know what to say? These are…” Anna started.

“Beautiful.” James finished.

“I’m glad you liked them.” I said.

I heard Jason’s voice calling me so I told Anna and James I’d catch up with them later.

“David, do you wanna hang out after school?” James asked.

“Can’t, I got detention. That dick Mr. Quinn sent me down. I was like not even a minute late.”

“That’s too bad.” James said.

“Don’t worry, you’ll have company.” Anna laughed as they walked away.

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