I felt really groggy today. I didn't even feel like going to school, which by the way, rarely happens. But, as fate would have it…excuse me, let me rephrase that. But, as Chilton would have it, we must submit extra credit reports/projects to 2 subjects before the end of each session. And, it so happens that today is the second to the last day of session 1 and I haven't submitted any extra credit reports.
Oh, in case you're wondering, every session has 4 weeks and every term has 2 sessions. And by the end of each session, we have to submit the extra credit, which has now become a requirement and is 30% of 50% of my final grade. Which, if you think about it is still pretty big.
I came in early today to see if I could talk to Sir Jess about submitting extra credit for his subject because it's probably the easiest one to do. But as I was sitting outside the faculty room waiting for him, I started to fall asleep.
I don't know how long I was out but the next thing I knew, someone was shaking me telling me to wake up. As I opened my eyes, I saw Sir Jess shaking my right shoulder.
"Miss Gilmore? Class starts in 5 minutes. Are you okay?"
"Oh! Oh my god how long have I been like this?"
"I don't know. You were already here when I got in. So, is there something I can help you with?"
"Oh yeah. I wanted to ask you if I could submit a paper about an ancient civilization. For extra credit?"
"Oh okay. Sure. But miss Gilmore, I will be expecting a lot because papers are very easy to do. It will be harder to get a high grade. So if I were you, I'd create something more…visual. Or, write one hell of a paper."
"Hmm. Okay, thank you Sir. I should be getting to class now."
"No, problem."
Crap! There goes my shot at getting an easy A. God. Does it really have to be something visual? Why can't I just write a good paper? Ugh, so much for ruining my mood! Thanks a lot Sir.
I got to my English class a minute before the bell rang and I took my seat. All I kept thinking about was how much it annoyed me that I couldn't just write a damn essay about the Babylonians or something. I don't know why but it really bothered me. I missed almost the whole class because I was worried and angry about the extra credit. The whole day was practically like that, I was racking my brain for a really great idea. But then, I'd realize how hard it would be to execute, leaving me frustrated.
Lunch wasn't any better. I had Paris following me asking question after question about school work and the paper and why I was so upset. I was tempted to just leave her and go to a corner where she couldn't spot me.
After lunch I had World History and I wasn't very excited to get to class so I just lazily walked to class, taking my time. I finally got to the classroom but class had already started.
"Good afternoon Ms. Gilmore."
"Oh, afternoon Sir."
"Please take your seat, we were just about to get started."
I rolled my eyes a bit and sat down right next to Paris. I tried to concentrate on the board because if I had concentrated on him and what he was saying, I'd just end up worrying again about that damn extra credit. And what's the big deal anyway? It's not like I have to submit it for his subject right? I have other subjects, but then again, if I don't, he'll just think that I'm hustling him. Damnit.
"So today we'll discuss the ancient civilization of Egypt. Now, like other civilizations, they had their own belief system. For starters, they believed in many gods and goddesses like Amon-Re, Osiris, Isis, Horus etc. They also believed in the afterlife…"
Half an hour had passed and I was focused on the lesson completely until…
"…these priests studied the skies and recorded the movement of the 'havenly' [heavenly] bodies."
I turned my head to the right slightly towards Paris, who had already been looking at me, and I let out a soft chuckle.
"Did I hear that right?" Paris asked
"I think he meant heavenly." I said.
We looked down at our books and started to quietly laugh. I tried so hard to contain my laughter but it's so much harder to laugh when you're not supposed to. I tried but suddenly I let out a loud laugh.
And suddenly, everyone in the room started looking at me.
"Ms. Gilmore. Is there something you'd like to share with the class?"
"N-nnn-othing s-ssir" I giggled.
"Okay good. Let's continue."
I managed to stop thinking about it and concentrate on the class again.
When the bell rang, Paris and I stood up and smiled widely at each other.
"Come on, let's go!" Paris said on the brink of laughing again.
"Alright, alright." I said.
As we walked towards the door, Sir Jess stopped us and asked, "Paris, Rory may I speak to you for a moment?"
Oh my god. I thought. I really couldn't imagine what he had to say.
"Yes sir, what is it?" Paris politely asked.
"Well, and don't take this the wrong way, but I noticed that you and Rory always seem to be laughing or giggling or smiling about something. And it's not just today."
It's true. For the past 3 weeks, Paris and I have been laughing at him because he has a thick accent on some words and other words he mispronounces. For instance, France he pronounces as Fr-uh-nce. Babylon he pronounces as Bay-bee-lon. He also says Summer-eeon instead of Sumerian. Well, you get the point.
"I'm sorry Sir." Paris said.
"It's okay. It's just that I'm wondering what it is that I'm doing wrong. Am I giving wrong information or am I saying something wrong? Because I know that I have some speech impediments because I was raised in a different part of town."
As he was rambling about being raised somewhere else, I was getting irritated because he was holding us up and Paris and I were already late for the Franklin newspaper meeting.
"No sir, it's not you, okay? Paris and I laugh all the time it's just natural. You can ask any other teacher." I said
Lie. It was just him.
"No, I mean I always see you smiling and giggling and I never understand why,"
"Really, this isn't about you." I said
"I just want to know what's up."
"Nothing! We're just really like that." I said half smiling, half irritated.
"Okay. Okay It's just that I'm a new teacher, you know? I'm just trying to warm up to you guys."
"Yeah, okay we get that."
"Okay."
"Again, we're so sorry Sir. It won't happen again." Paris said.
"It's okay Paris."
"Are you done?" I asked.
When I said that, Sir gave me a confused and hurt look.
"Yeah. I'm done."
"Thank you for your time" Paris said
"Bye. Paris, let's go we're gonna be late."
And with that, I walked out of there. I was in complete rage.
I'm so mad at him about everything! I can't bare to think about it because never in my life has a teacher taken me aside to talk to me about my 'behavior in class'. I'm usually the good one! And who does that guy think he is anyway?UUUGGHH!
