He took me to my math class, Geometry, and went to his class, Algebra I. I scowled, not really understanding why I had to be placed in an advanced math class. I had tried to lower my scores a bit so I could be with Charlie. Just a little below the required qualification for Geometry. I must have missed the margin by a little bit. That sucks… I really wish I were a bit stupider when we’re talking about math… just like science. I was careful not to make the teachers expect too much of me. I forgot to care for math because it came with such ease. I got excited… for once. Now I’m by myself. I sat down at my desk and stared ahead blankly.

Just when I’d gotten comfortable, Aspen stepped into class. The room fell into a suspenseful silence. Suddenly, all eyes were on me and her. Aspen’s face looked red and blotchy, like she’d cried for a good while during lunch. This feels kind of stupid. It’s just a high school crush. Aspen decided to sit diagonally in front of my seat, constantly in my field of vision. I scowled. The room whispered about the two of us and I could feel their intense gazes on my back. As if they didn’t pay enough attention to me already. As the teacher stepped in, the gossip ceased. The teacher asked me a question, to which I scowled and answered lazily. The lesson quickly flew by. At the end, the teacher called me to stay for a second.

“Sir?”

“Kennith. Are you trying to participate in class?” he asked.

“In class? Yes, sir,” I replied respectfully.

“Are you sure?” Mr. Gonner inquired.

“Sir, with all due respect, I think I’d know if I were trying in class, right?” I commented.

“Yes… of course. It’s just that you seem extremely bored by the content,” he pointed out.

“That’s because I already know what we’re doing. It’s quite simple, to be honest,” I admitted.

“Oh… if that is all, you may leave.”

I nodded and headed out. I looked around for Charlie, but it seemed that he’d already left. Because of that, I decided to just go home.

“Why are you late?” my mother asked immediately after I’d come in.

“I was held up by my teacher,” I answered.

“And why is that?” she inquired.

“He wanted to know if I could participate in class a bit more,” I lied smoothly with a shrug.

“Hmm. Do you not pay attention?” she asked.

“Why are you suddenly curious?” I said, my tone slightly sharp.

“Don’t talk to me like that, Kennith” she snapped back.

“It’s not like you cared before, I have a right to wonder what your intentions are, don’t I?” I retorted.

“You’re moving,” my mother told me. “Yes. You’re leaving. I’ll finally be alone. All alone.”

There was a slight deranged lilt to her voice that made me shiver.

“You’re awful,” I muttered.

“Saelonia. The school. That’s where you're staying.”

“Where?” I asked.

“Haven’t you always wondered where you’re father went? He works there,” my mother stated.

“My dad?” I wondered aloud. “As if he’d have time for me. Fine. When?” I asked with a glare.

“The day after tomorrow,” she replied.

“I’ll start packing now,” I said.