Reflection | MM

One

"An A+, as always! Congratulations Matt!" Mrs.Smith says—almost yells, as she hands me the test paper. A beaming grin plastered on her face, her glasses reflecting the light coming from the florescent lights in the dull classroom.

A small smile tugs at my lips as I mutter a quiet 'thank you' and take the paper from her pale, chubby hands. I lean my back on the wall and watch as she hands the remaining test papers to everybody else.

Noise. There was noise everywhere.

Nothing I couldn't handle, though.

People were either talking about their test score or the latest gossip about whatever from whomever they heard.

I was sat at the back of the class, obviously. I didn't have anyone to talk to. So I just watched—observed.

"Almost another F, Jason. Meet me after class." Mrs.Smith's face held disappointment, quite the contrast from the joy on her face when she spoke to me.

Jason. Jason Miller. The star athlete of Arunside secondary, guess he didn't shine as brightly in Algebra.

Jason's face turns away from his friend as he holds his hand out to take the paper, his grin drops—just for a moment before coming back on his face again. Like slipping on a mask.

He turns again to continue chatting with his friend, as if he hadn't had pure despair displayed on his face mere seconds ago.

'Ah, so he cares.'

Nobody seemed to notice, of course.
They're all too busy in their own business to mind someone else's.

Including me.

A loud clap echoed in the before buzzing classroom, pin-dropping silence now filling the room.

"Okay, class. Get your papers signed by your parents and bring them in tomorrow. Don't forget. Now, open page num....

The bell rung only minutes after Mrs.Smith started her lesson, every student in the room breathing a sigh of relief before getting the hell out of the class.

I was also meant to be part of said students, however, my backpack decided to get stuck in between the legs of the chair today. I let out a throaty grunt as I try to pull it out of the position, and failing at the attempt.

Before this minor inconvenience leads my mind to suicidal thoughts, the bag finally gets out of the chair and bounces into my hands.

With a sigh of relief, I haul the bag on and as I do, I realised that the class was entirely empty except the high and mighty Jason Miller and none other than Mrs. Smith having what looks like to be a very serious conversation by their expressions, which I deduced was probably about his grades.

I shrugged the sight off and as I made my way towards the door to exit the class,

"Matt!"

I heard my name being called and came to a sudden halt before turning around to face the voice.

And lo and behold, Mrs. Smith staring at me with a pleasant smile and the blond not even lifting his head up to see me. Which surprised me, I always thought Jason was a confident guy.

'Oh well, the more you know I guess.'

"Yes, Mrs.Smith?" I respond with a slight raise of my eyebrow, my hand clutching the bag's strap on my shoulder so hard it might've snapped. I just wanted to get out of this shit-hole.

"I just wanted to ask you a question." She shifts her body from facing Jason's direction to mine, her expression waiting for my response.

I beckoned my head to the side so as to hint for her to go on and ask me whatever she wanted to quickly so I can get out of this class quickly and go sleep. My hand's grip on my bag growing tighter due to the urgency.