Today was normal. Pretty bland in fact. Ms. Laning was lecturing us on something I'm not even sure of right now. Dividing fractions, blah blah blah, something. I was in my own world anyway. I stared out the nearest window daydreaming about going home, maybe. Anywhere but here. A shiver when up my spine when Ms. Laning slammed her ruler down on my desk.
"Mr. McCartney! Is this boring you? Do I have to send you down to the office?" I cringed at the sound of her voice. Ms. Laning was the only teacher who could really bring out the worst in me.
"No, of course not, Ms. Laning! This class is just absolutely enthralling!" Some kids braved a few chuckles.
"Mr. McCartney, don't be cheeky with me, I will not tolerate that kind of behaviour in this classroom!"
"Well, ma'am, maybe I should just leave then." I smiled happily.
Her face was getting red. "Young man, I have every right to phone your-!" A low knock came from the door, stopping her mid-sentence. She turned and paced toward the door.
She sighed. "Okay everyone, silent study, I'll be right back." She glared at me and I only grinned and smally waved back. The door slammed loudly and everyone became absolutely wordless. The entire class wanted to hear what was going on out there. I stared intently out the small door window. Within what only seemed like a few seconds of being out there, her entire expression fell flat and all colour left her face. Like a zombie, she nodded slowly at whomever she was speaking to and turned back to the door. She opened it slowly and her line of vision fell directly onto me. Why is she looking at me like that? Her face is all twisted and ugly. I didn't like it. She cleared her throat. "Paul?", her voice was softer than before. "Would you come out here please?" My heart sank as did my smile. Oh god, I'm in trouble now. The police are probably out there ready with handcuffs and the squad car. Everyone else seemed to think that too because they all simultaniously gave me a look of, "Ooooh, you've done it now McCartney...".
I slowly and cautiously approached the door only trying to imagine my fate on the other side. I walked out of the room and into the hallway. Standing there was the principal and Michael. He was crying. Not even crying, he was sobbing. He must've hurt himself again. They always bring him to me when he get's hurt because apparently I'm the only person here who knows how to calm him down.
"What's wrong, Mikey? Where'd ya hurt yourself?" I looked him up and down looking for any cuts or bruises. He couldn't even respond to me from crying so hard. Even his face was beginning to look a little purple. "Michael? Michael what's wrong? Answer me!" I started to panic. I'd never in my life, or his for that matter, seen him ever this upset. I looked at the principal angrily. "What've you done to him? You bastard, what have you done to my brother?" It genuinely was starting to upset me seeing my little brother like this. Ms. Laning looked down at me with that stupid look still plastered on her face. Stop looking at me like that! She kneeled before me and placed both of her veiny hands onto my shoulders. "There's nothing wrong with him, Paul." She bent her head down and then looked back up at me. My heart was racing with anxiety. I wasn't even sure if I wanted to know anymore. If there's nothing wrong with him, then what in God's name is making him act like this, I wanted to ask. She inhaled deeply. "Paul," her eyes were glistening. "You're mother passed away this morning."