Oh. My. Word.
I failed my latest history test.
Failed.
And of course, this does not upset my life balance whatsoever because my father just so happens to have about TEN BILLION DEGREES IN THE BLOODY SUBJECT!
My teacher, who is 'alarmed' at my grades lately, has been kind enough to notify Abner on the latest grade.
Needless to say, I'm screwed.
I can't help that I failed that stupid test. I took it on the very day after the suds incident. I was half asleep, having stayed up all night cleaning up the kitchens with Jones so I could remain living instead of dead. But then, if I tell Abner that's the reason I failed the test, then I will be grounded double time. Which sucks because I was rather liking not having to hide in my room anymore.
I am summoned to Abner's office shortly after dinner, which he wasn't at. Jones and I sat silently, not really knowing what to say. I couldn't help but notice that we both smelt of soap as we sat down.
Anyway, I lumber into the office, looking bummed and bored, just to tick Abner off.
"You rang?" I ask, opening the door and closing it a little too loudly.
"Sit." He commands, not even looking up from his papers with God-knows-what written on them.
I sit and stare blankly at the floor.
"You're gradually failing History." He points out, still not looking at me.
"Yes." I confirm, you know, just in case he doesn't know. I'm nice that way.
"I expect that to change." He says.
"How?" I ask, tapping my foot impatiently on the desk.
"Either study harder or get a tutor."
"I'll pick the studying, if you don't mind." I say, wincing at the memories of the previous tutors I've had. One guy was so desperate for a girl that he asked me to sleep with him on the second lesson. Mind you, I was fourteen and he was thirty something. Disgusting. But damn good practice for my upper left hook punches.
"Marion," He begins, taking off his glasses and finally turning his attention to me, "History runs in your blood. Your mother loved it, I love it and soon you must follow. You know that, don't you?"
I choose not to answer, and pick at the corner of the desk quietly.
"Someday, you will understand how important it is." He says, going back to his affairs.
"Will I Abner?" I ask. "I don't think I could ever understand why someone would waste their life looking for one thing while completely ignoring what they already had."
He is silent for a moment. But with a clear of the throat, he says, "Marion, those grades better come up or you WILL be going to summer school."
I walk out of the office and run for my tree.
But oddly enough, someone is already up there.