Classes for Marie were nothing but dull and laborious. Time spent studying was time wasted. On weekdays, lunch was her Nirvana.
School didn't interest her. Instead, her interests were with the name written in blue on her notebook. She would replace the first name with her own and dream of a future.
Her and Edd were on top a hill with a singular tree with pink flowers. Petals fluttered around as Edd held his guitar with his toes and struck the chords.
"Wow," Marie leaned nearer to his socked head, "you're really good at playing guitar." You could practically see the hearts in her eyes.
Edd looked away, staring low to the ground. He had a cryptic aurora around him. "I know. It's pedal steel."
Whatever it was, it stole Marie and kept her in a high. If only the same could be said about her grades.
A previous exam covered her scripture and snapped her back to reality.
"Miss. Kanker," said the teacher who had handed the report. "Another 'F', just the same. Stop doodling," she looked at the notebook, "and your grades will improve."
Marie rolled her eyes and crumbled the exam. She was certain that school taught nothing except anger management. She would have thrown the paper ball at the teacher if only Edd had not been two seats to her left. That kind of behavior, she knew, was not attractive.
Instead, she aimed for the trashcan and hollered when it hit its mark. The teacher sighed but did not speak; the bell had rung.
The students sprinted out the door. Marie would have been there, too, with the other fortunate souls, if it weren't for the teacher.
"Marie Kanker, can we talk?"
Marie groaned. "Can I go?"
The teacher's hands were clasped, and Marie saw that refusal wasn't an option. She slugged over like a slimy slug.
"Your grades are bad, similar to your attitude." Marie thought nothing of this. "I do hate to see my students fail."
Marie had heard enough. "Look," she said and posed an akimbo, "if you're suggesting after school lessons, I'm not interested."
"Heavens no! I won't torture myself with that. I was merely offering a peer tutor."
Marie's eyes popped out and her jaw dropped. She'd rather not have other kids involved. Quite frankly, Marie was embarrassed of her grades.
The teacher laughed. "I haven't said who yet!"
"Who would it be?" Marie's face was impossible to differentiate if she was more embarrassed or more enraged.
"Edd. He's a very intelligent boy, I'm sure you know. In fact, he's probably preparing for your first lesson, which is tomorrow, right now."
"You mean he already knows?"
"Yes. Since yesterday." The teacher went on. "I assume he'll call you soon. Goodbye, Miss. Kanker, and have a wonderful evening."
Marie walked out the door in a fit of rage. What a dumb teacher to poke fun at her like that, she thought. Marie felt that this was just a sick, cruel joke.