First time
9:00 AM
“wake up, Wake up, Wake Up, WAKE UP”
“Huh? What time is it?” Jack said as he slowly got up from his pullout couch. He rubbed his dry swollen eyes as he reached for his glasses.
“It’s 9, you’re late for school. Honey, what’s wrong with your eyes? They’re swollen.” She put his hands on his face and leaned in to examine his eyes.
He pushed her hands away and started to get up. “It’s nothing mom, I just didn’t sleep very well last night, I had a lot of work to do.” Jack reached into his messy drawers and grabbed any two socks he could find. He grabbed 2 righty nike elite socks and proceeded to put them both on as his mom stared at him. “Do you mind? I’m about to get dressed”
She didn’t move and continued to examine his face. “Honey, your face is red… are you sick? Do you have a fever?”
“LEAVE” he pointed at the door, his breathing was heavy.
“Ok, I’m sorry. Breakfast is on the table. I gotta go to work now. Have a good day honey. I love you” the floorboards creak became softer as she moved away from his door. He froze. The heat was rising into his cheeks. Did I really just do that? I’m so stupid. No time to think about it I have to go to school now.
9:05AM
He got dressed and went to the bathroom to brush his teeth. Just as his mom had done, he stood there and stared. What a mess. He touched his eyes trying to fix his triple eyelids. They were red, puffy and itchy.
9:12AM
After using the bathroom, he grabbed his bags and sluggishly walked to the kitchen to eat breakfast. In the kitchen was a picture on the refrigerator that no longer had any meaning to him. He stared at the pic for 5 seconds. His nose flared and the heat he was feeling early came back, only this time it was a different feeling. His fist clenched and his nose flared. He aggressively grabbed the picture and ripped in into a million pieces before disposing it. He was going to have to face her today.
9:16AM
Jack started eating his omelet. 2 bites in he realized he wasn’t hungry. He put the leftovers in the fridge, grabbed his bags and made his way to school.
1:10PM
“Ok class we are done with today’s lesson, you can talk for the next few minutes until the bell rings, but no one can leave early.” Jack took out his phone and started at the time. This shit is a dub. I hate everyone here. Why am I here? I should’ve just told mom I have a fever and stayed home. I don’t want to see her today. I don’t want to see her ever again. Jack looked at the clock. 1:10PM. He felt a sharp pain in his stomach. His stomach felt like it was in knots all twisted up like a pretzel. He started chewing his nails while awaiting the inevitable dreaded moment of truth.
1:18PM
RINGGGGGGGG RINGGGGGGGGGGGG RINGGGGGGGGGGGG
Staring at his phone he could feel himself getting weaker. His legs felt like jelly and his arms felt like they were being held down. He was stuck. HELP. I’M STUCK. I CAN’T MOVE. WHY IS NOONE HERE FOR ME?
“Are you alright Jack?” It was his english teacher Mr. Rabot coming to his rescue. He snapped back to reality.
“Yea” he whispered as he started packing up. “See you tomorrow Mr.Rabot”
“Alright, see ya Jack”
Jack ran down the stairs and outside the school so quickly he almost knocked over a freshman. He ran to the tree in Fort Greene park where they agreed to meet. When he was close enough to see the tree he stopped running and slowed down. His heartbeat increased exponentially, he was sweating a river and couldn’t stop breathing heavily. She was up there alone. Moment of truth.
“Hey”
hey? Hey? HEY? That’s all I get? After all we’ve been through? “Hey”
“Listen Jack, I don’t want to do any small talk so I’m just gonna say what I have to”
WOW. “No. I already know what you’re going to say”
She stared at him petrified. Her jaw slightly dropped and she turned ghost white. “Oh. How long have you known?”
“Long enough you cheating bitch. We’re done.”