Spanish isn’t usually this boring. I mean, it is usually boring, but today I feel like I could fall asleep, die, and walk out all at the same time. I did consider leaving about ten minutes ago. I thought it through to try and pass the tie. I ran through what I would say, what the teacher, Profesor Daniels, would yell after me, running through the corridors, tripping on the last step, and running all the way to my secret spot at the very back of the field. No one ever goes there. Not even the dinner ladies, who are supposed to patrol the field to make sure no-one’s vaping or getting into trouble. The place I sit is surrounded by a sea of stinging nettles, which is probably why no-one even goes near it. The first time I found it was when I was being chased by some of the popular kids who thought it was funny to tease me and steal my books from me and call me a nerd. At the end of that day, I had to have a bath in anti-sting and bite cream. I knew it was there though. The next day I snuck back with some secateurs and cut the nettles back a bit, so that there was an easier way to get in. I’ve sat there very lunch since, and no-one’s ever found me. Hiding there now seems so tempting. I might.

“Asha, you’ve muy quiet today! What’s the answer, por favor?”

Shit. I’ve been zoned out for the past quarter of an hour and haven’t heard a word he’s said. Shit.

“Umm, puedes repetir, por favor?” The teachers always seem to prefer it when you ask the questions in the language they’re teaching.

“¿Vas a vacaciones este ano?” He repeats with a kind smile. I knew speaking in Spanish would mean he would excuse me not answering straight away. I try to think of the answer, but my mind goes blank. I know what the question means: are you going on holiday this year? And I know I know how to reply. But I can’t make my mouth form the words.

“Lo siento, no pienso.” I mumble, embarrassed. I hate being picked on without the answer.

“No worries! Please could you see me after class though? Don’t worry, you’re not in trouble or anything.” Great. I agree, just to save time, and then he goes onto pick on Bailey, who is obviously on their phone. They’re not even trying to hide it.

The last fifteen minutes pass quicker than I would have expected, and when the bell goes, I walk over to the teacher’s desk. He looks up, startled. Maybe he forgot he asked to talk to me at the end of the lesson.

“Oh, Asha. Yes, I did ask to speak to you, didn’t I? Sorry, my brain is trying to go into shutdown.” He shakes his head as if he’s trying to wake himself up. He does look exhausted after trying to tell Bailey that they couldn’t use their phone in class. “Anyway, how are you? I just wanted to check in on you after today. You didn’t seem yourself. It’s not like you to zone out during the middle of a lesson.”

I assure him that I’m fine and say that my younger cousins are staying over, and my house is chaos at the moment. I’m not lying, but they’re not the reason I’m tired and can’t seem to focus. He chuckles and explains that his family is large as well and whenever they stay over, it’s always hectic, so he knows what it’s like.

“Well, if everything’s alright, I’ll let you get to your next lesson. Have a good rest of your day.”

“Thank you, sir, you too.”

I fast walk towards my last lesson of the day: English. Thank God it’s in the same building as Spanish; my talk with Profesor Daniels would have made me late to any other lesson otherwise. As I hurry through the door, I knock into someone also trying to get through the door. I look up from the floor to see who it was and to apologise. It’s Jenna.

“I’m so sorry, I wasn’t looking where I was going.” I can feel my face turning slightly red, and I hope it isn’t too noticeable.

“No worries! Neither was I!” She grins, and I notice how pretty her smile is. I have to force myself to look away before it seems creepy, so I look at her whole face again. Is it just my imagination, or has she gone slightly pink too? I meet her eyes and she hold my gaze for longer than I would have expected, but I don’t mind. Her quiet voice breaks into my faint light-headedness but doesn’t bring me crashing down.

“Hi.”