gets the best of me. With a sigh, I turn around and face my teacher, plastering on a small fake smile.
Mrs. Applegate is sitting at her old wooden desk. Her graying hair pulled back into a tight bun at the base of her neck. With her reading glasses on, she squints down at the paper she has in front of her. Slowly, I walk up to the front of her desk and stop a foot away, waiting for her to finish. After putting the paper down, she takes off her glasses and looks at me.
“Do you know what your grade in this class is?” She pauses, waiting for me to reply. When I remain silent, she continues, “You are failing my class, Ryanne. I understand that you are going through a tough time. I’ve been lenient. However, this class is necessary to graduate. If you want to walk on Friday with everyone in your class, you must pass the test on Monday and the Final on Wednesday. I know you have not started reading this book yet, so I would suggest you go out and buy it tonight. Your grade depends on it.”
I nod, but remain quiet. I understand what she is saying. I don’t think I can take another year at this school. “Is that all, Mrs. Applegate?”
She looks up and stares at me for a couple of seconds. I recognize the look in her eyes. All adults who know what happened give me that look. With a disappointed sigh, she replies, “Yes, you may go.”
Turning around, I walk out of the classroom and towards the entrance of the school. I don’t even bother to go to my locker. I won’t do any of my other homework anyways. Throwing the door open, I’m prepared to be blinded by light, but it’s not sunny anymore. The sky is a light shade of grey with gloomy clouds completely blocking the sun.
Walking down the few stairs in front of the school, I walk past everyone making plans for the weekend and saying goodbye to their friends. I exit the parking lot and turn right to head towards Jane’s home. Jane is my legal guardian. She took me in when I had nowhere to go. She’s in her mid-thirties, but looks years younger than that. She’s gorgeous. Standing tall, she’s just short of six feet. With short pixie-like hair, she almost looks ethereal. However, she’s a workaholic—working six out of the seven days in a week. When she comes home from work, she continues to do work. Because of that, she’s seeing someone from her job. I’m often home alone during the days. Even when she’s here, it’s like I’m alone. I don’t mind though. I prefer the solitude.
As I turn the corner towards the house, I notice her new blue Ford Focus in the driveway. That’s odd. Jane’s never home at this time. The wind begins to pick up as I walk up the driveway. With anticipation building, I unlock the front door and walk inside. Jane is standing in the kitchen, making dinner, which is something that she also never does. I usually have to fend for myself after school, which means a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for dinner. I can’t cook to save my life. I burn toast all the time. I don’t trust myself with any other kitchen appliance that could, in some way, cause damage to a home or inflict harm on those around me.
“Hey Jane, what’s up?” I ask while taking off my green converse shoes. Jane doesn’t allow anyone to walk on the carpet with shoes on. The white carpet has to remain in pristine condition.
She stops cooking and turns around. Ignoring my question, she replies, “Go put your books in your room. We need to talk.” Turning her back to me, she continues with dinner.
What could that be about? I walk up the stairs and into my boring bedroom, sighing as I look around. I hadn’t bothered to decorate much since I’ve been here. I knew that I wouldn’t be able to stay too long. My eighteenth birthday was a couple days ago and I am no longer in need of a legal guardian. When school is over, I’ll probably be kicked out and sent off on my own.
Brushing away the negative thoughts, I turn towards the computer in the corner of the room and turn it on.
As the computer slowly wakes up, I move to the other side of the room and look