The Secret Never Told
Chapter 1
It's finally here, Junior-Senior Prom. After 5 and a half years of meetings and dating, you would think the butterflies would be gone. Tonight they are back in full force. Luckily some of us have the day off from school, so I can lay in bed most of the day. One more year left and we will be off to college, where it doesn't matter what people think. "Relax dude" , I tell myself, "upcoming football captain, star quarterback for the last 2 years, and home coming King this year, wow that was a big shock". People will never know how close I came to being another Dumb Jock at a Lonely little High School. I can still remember how all this happened, like it was yesterday.
"Okay class, I will be returning your pretest to you for you to review. Remember you actual test is 100 questions and not 25, you have a 3 day weekend to study up on the material you got wrong before your actual test on Tuesday." Ms. Jackson starts handing out papers to the students, always offering words of praise or encouragement as she goes along. I notice that as she passes a student their paper seems to always be on top, she never has to go looking for it. I will be one of the last ones handed out, always am, sitting in the back corner of the classroom. As usual I am the last to receive my paper, but she only lays it upside down on my desk with her hand over it. Ms Jackson whispers quietly, "See me after class Mr Murphy". While she makes her way back to her desk I look at the test and see the ZERO I have received as a grade. I slump back in my chair knowing this will not be good.
The bell sounds to end the class and I know everyone will rush out to get outside as soon as possible. Everyone but one that is, Double Dweeb. Always has to suck up to the teachers. 'sighs' "Thank you for a wonderful educational experience, Ms Jackson." "You are quite welcome Mr Vance, uhm Edward, could you please wait just outside the door for a couple of minutes?" "Why I would be happy too" and off he skips. As I approach Ms Jackson's desk, her eyes turn toward me, with a look of steel and sorrow. "Kevin, you are on the verge of failing this class. After speaking with some of your other teachers, you are not doing much better in those classes either. If you can not bring your grades up soon, you will not pass the 7th grade." I look down at the floor crestfallen, knowing that if I fail I will not be able to play any sports in the coming years. "Your pretest was a disaster, and all of your teachers know you can do the work. Would you be willing to have one of your peers tutor you to bring your grades up?" I look up in shock knowing where this is going. The smartest kid in school just happens to live across the street from me, and is a real DORK.
"But...But...I..I, But I..." "It is either that or repeat the Seventh Grade and not play sports next year." My shoulders slump in acceptance, knowing I was not going to win this one. Reaching up to scratch the back of my head, like I do whenever I'm nervous, "I guess so." "I am sure you made the right choice Kevin, you are smart enough to know this, you just need a few pointers." Ms Jackson gets up and heads to the door and opening it sticks her head out and says "You may come in now Edward." She turns and walks back to her desk, as I look towards the door to see the Double Dweeb freeze in the doorway, upon seeing me. Eyes like saucers, and knees starting to shake, I can tell he no more enjoys the close proximity to each other than I do.
Approaching her desk, clutching that bag of his like someone is going to snatch it and set fire to it. Hmmm, note for a prank later. Double D finds his voice while avoiding having to look in my direction. "Y-Y-Yes Ms Jackson, What can do for you?" AARRGGG! What a dweeb.
"Kevin needs help brings his grades up so he can pass this year. Being as how the two of you live in the same neighborhood, and grew up together, you might be able to help him out some." "O-O-Of course Ms Jackson." "Good, now the two of you go enjoy your weekend, and Kevin, I expect you to at least pass your History on Tuesday." "Yes Ms Jackson" we say in unison. As we turn to leave I thinks the Dork broke some speed records getting out of school that day. I wasn't going to pound him today, I needed him to help me pass. Maybe in that smart brain of his that information will click and he will calm down.
Thinking back on all this, I should see if Ms Jackson is still teaching, and thank her for doing what she did. If it wasn't for that little push, I wouldn't be here now, with butterflies in my stomach, and drenched in a cold sweat. Yep really need to thank Ms Jackson.
