Stranded

TSG: Chapter 3: The Hamburger

"Ignis," a stern voice shook me out of my thoughts. I sighed.

"Yes Ms.?" I replied, emphasizing Ms. It's 3rd period right now and I have Ms. Hamburg, the strictest teacher in the world. Her parents were probably super strict with rules so the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. She lived in Germany for most of her life and for as long as I've noticed, her accent only comes out when she's about to 'murder' someone. She got divorced a few years ago and she's still pretty touchy about the Ms. thing. I like to get on her nerves. Since it's the last day of school, I'm going extreme today.

I looked back up at her and saw a flicker of anger in her eyes. She sighed and adjusted her tie.

"As I was saying to the people who were listening, there's going to be a school camping trip in three days for the seniors that are leaving today for college." Halfhearted whoops and yays were carried out around class. She continued. "Food will be provided but you have to bring your own tents and supplies," she said, her gaze on me. "You guys are seniors. I expect maturity." I raised my hand. "Yes Ignis?" she asked.

"Why were you looking at me when you said that?" I asked, knowing well that she would probably dismiss class early just to ridicule me, like she always does when I ask dumb questions.

"Because Ignis," she started, her eyes cutting into mine, "you have a habit of, how should I say this," she looked down. "Horsing around with your friends." I looked up at her angrily.

"Amanda and Jack are good friends," I said, keeping my tone down, "maybe you're the one that needs friends like them."

"That's not even close to what I said," she replied. I saw the anger in her eyes. I smiled.

"Well maybe, if you were a better person, then you wouldn't be a Ms.," I commented. She stopped. There was silence in the room. Then the whispers started.

"Class dismissed," Ms. Hamburg said, "everyone except Ignis." I heard people whispering as they left class, exchanging glances at me with a hint of admiration in their eyes. I looked back at Ms. Hamburg who had a scowl on. She kept her voice down, her German accent coming out. I saw a half smile flicker and a glimpse of amusement fall into her eyes. She started making a sound in her throat, like she was enjoying my uncomfortableness. I felt like I was probably intruding on something that I shouldn't have...

"Miss Ignis, I do apologize for my behavior this class period," Ms. Hamburg started out, her amused exterior falling into a perfect political form. Her figure was still as her cold calculating eyes scanned my face.

"So, do I," I said, feeling flustered as she stared at me with no emotion at all. She blinked, the tips of her mouth twitching as she was forced to hold back a smile. She motioned to the door, getting all, she needed from the one phrase. I stood up, the unsettling feeling of her eyes on my back as I grabbed the doorknob. I carefully turned it and walked out, leaving my 3rd period class for the last time. A small feeling of sadness started creeping in but I pushed it away. Somehow, I would miss the hamburger but I decided to not think about how much I've learned from her.