Roland's POV
Classes were hard, teachers were mean, and the main in front of me wouldn’t stop talking.
The day had started with Andrew coming to wake me up only a few minutes before class started so I didn’t eat breakfast and with that the grumpiness appeared.
The grumpiness made math class unbearable and with science coming right after it, life was hell.
The English teacher was some 70 year old women who had trouble hearing but for some reason loved having us take turns reading sample questions out loud.
When it was my turn to read I only stared at my desk. I could feel her eyes baring into the side of my head and as the seconds ticked on, one by one everyone turned their head to get a look at the weird kid who refused to speak during English. Eventually the woman gave up and called on someone else instead but that didn’t stop the wandering eyes and gossip spread behind hands or even the heat that pooled in my cheeks.
As much as I hoped to be the first one out of class, my feet refused to move until I was the last person in the room.
“Most teachers would like a quiet student,” the woman had said when I was finally able to stand. “But a quiet participator is even better. Try and keep that in mind for tomorrow.” I didn’t care if it was bad manners, I didn’t bother acknowledging her words as I stumbled out of the room.
Lunch had went quickly. I managed to find a table away from everyone else and ate as fast as I could in order to escape the hellish sounds and god awful lights. Campers turned a blind eye at me as I sat in my corner alone which I had liked.
I coasted through gym class with only a few comments to pick up my pace and the last few subjects for the day passed fast enough until I was forced to sit through mandator therapy.
Andre had been going on this whole time, asking how my day had been, which class was my favorite, if I had made a friend yet. When he didn’t get an answer after a few minutes he moved right along as if I answered all along.
“Are you mute,” he asked after a while of silence between us. His voice sounded light but the frown made it hard to tell if was making fun of me or not. Just in case he was, I only stared at him, refusing to give him the satisfaction he was looking for.
He frowned at me again but this time the familiar heat in my cheeks grew.
The rest of the session was filled with silence while I stared down at my knees, my hands pinching themselves in lap. When he allowed me to leave I went back to my cabin without hesitation.
The homework in my new bag remained undone as I sat in the middle of my bed and stared at the wall in front of me until dinner was served.
This was how the rest of my week went until Friday came.
Mary sat in my usual seat when it was time for therapy. Her usual smile was exchanged for a light scowl which had my heart pounding in my chest before the door even had a chance to shut behind me.
“Come have a seat,” she said, her voice remained gentle but her face didn’t change. I wasn’t going to be tricked by her. She was mad at me, her gentle tone wasn’t going to try and lie to me.
When I don’t move an inch she continues as if I did what she asked.
“You’ve been here less than a week and you’re already failing two classes,” she pointed out.
Asphyxiation.
“If you need help or don’t understand something there are programs that can help. We can get you a student tutor or we can even get you extra classes but simply not doing your homework is a separate problem.”
Water boarding.
She looked at me as if she were waiting for me to say something but I didn’t know what she wanted from me so I only stared down at the floor.
“I’ve talked to your teachers and they are willing to wave your grades for now but things have to change. This is your chance, if you want help ask but if you just don’t want to do the work then I need you to know that three failing grades will result in you having to leave camp and with your theft charge that means jail time.”
Posion. Blunt force trauma. Heart attack. Gun violence. Brain leakage.
“Would you like a tutor,” she asked again, her voice softened again as her smile returned but I knew she was still lying. You can’t go from mad to happy that fast.
Her shoulders drop when I don’t answer but her smile stayed while Andrew frowned for some reason.
“We found a cabin mate for you,” he announced after a while. Mary seemed to be excited but I only scowled at his words.
The only good thing about this camp so far was my cabin. The fact that the second I closed the door it was quiet and I didn’t have to deal with people was the only reason I hadn’t gone crazy yet.
“He’ll be here pretty early tomorrow morning. Since you still haven’t been here long Andrew and I will take care of everything for you. All you have to do is make sure the cabin is clean and prepare yourself,” Mary said, practically glowing in her seat.
“How do you feel about getting a roommate,” Andrew asked almost immediately after she was finished. I only shrugged as I stared down at my feet.
Manners Roland. They’ve helped you so much. The least you can do is not complain.
The room was silent as Andrew and Mary had a mind conversation before Mary sighed and stood up.
“I’m going to go call Patrick,” she said as he walked to the door with a forced smile.
“We still have a few more minutes,” Andrew said with another fake smile. “Come sit down for a bit.”
Despite his words I did not sit down. I stood there quietly as Andrew as a million never ending questions that I didn’t care about.
Last updated September 20, 2022
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