Snippets From School : Time for Grades!

“Oh my God! Not again!” Hazel shouts, as she rushes out of the bed to get ready. “That’s why I keep telling you, Use the alarm Hazel” her mom replies from the kitchen while she cooks. “Yeah, Yeah...” she says and goes in to freshen up, not wasting any more time. She gets ready, packs her backpack and goes downstairs to eat. “Not even 10 minutes since you woke up and all done!” her mom says , and gives Hazel her lunch. Hazel stuffs the bread in her mouth, gulps down the milk as fast as she can and starts rushing out the door. “Bye mom! See ya!” she says and bangs the door shut behind her.

‘Two more minutes’ she thinks to herself as she turns into the school’s lane. Running through the corridors, Hazel finally manages to reach her class on time. ‘Just like everyday’ she says, with pride, to herself, while she goes to her friends. They chat for a while and then the teacher comes in.  “Good mooorninngg teaacher!!” the class says, in perfect unison, more out of habit than respect. The students sit down to take their notebooks and the teacher turns to the board and starts writing. 

Unusual silences surround the room. Everyone knows why. It is just a science class but what follows is nothing less than dreadful to them. Hazel’s heart races as she completely zones out for a while. She looks around to see how everyone else is doing. ‘Pale faces everywhere… Oh wait.. What?’ she thinks as she finds Alan laughing and playing with the pen in his hand. ‘How does he even not care?’ she thinks, and keeps looking his way, unaware that she is staring. “What do you want?” he mouths. Hazel just nods a no and turns back to face the board. Time just goes creepily slow at times like these! 

The exhaustingly long hour is over and the class comes to an end. It’s time for the results! The teacher starts calling out names one after another to collect their reports. After a long list of names, “Hazel and Alan, come here.” the teacher says and both come out of their places to go up to the front. Hazel, as tense as ever, takes slow steps while Alan walks beside her, laughing and silently making fun of her pace. They reach the front and take their cards. “Open them and tell the class your results!” the teacher says and smiles at them, as if to congratulate. ‘But who?’ Hazel thinks as she hears Alan saying “100%.” Hazel begins to lose it, but stands shocked when she opens her result. ”!00%” she says, and looks at him, while Alan congratulates her. The class claps for them and they go back to their places.

Hazel’s face looks happy and frustrated at the same time. “What’s the matter? You got first too right?!” Pearl asks. “Ugh! Why do I find new reasons everyday to be jealous of him?” she says, thinking if she can ever bring herself to be a happy soul like Alan. "He doesn't hate you, don't worry" Pearl whispers to Hazel, while Hazel rolls her eyes at her and gives a shy smile. 

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