Black Diamonds

Lost Girls

Chapter 1

"I hope you all have your rough draft drafted by now because if you don't.." My Honor's English teacher Mr. James paused as he took one last step in the center of the classroom. "Well, you automatically get 15 points taken of you entire grade."

A few slackers groaned and others were snickering at the groaners because they, like myself, had already finished their rough draft.

"Get over it." Mr. James said. "I gave you guys long enough to get it done and I also had it on the board everyday since giving the assignment." He finished matteroffactly.

A girl sitting to the left of me raised her hand.

Mr. James nodded his head at her. "Yes, Cheyenne?"

"What if we started it but were not done with it though? Because I just have one last paragraph and I was stuck and I was hoping you could give me some insight on it today so I can finish it."

Mr. James paused and looked around the classroom in thought for a few seconds before speaking again. "Raise you're hand if you already finished your rough draft and is ready to type it?"

About 22 people raised their hand, including myself leaving about 6 people who either started it but hadn't finished or hasn't started it at all.

Mr. James sighed and clicked his tongue disapprovingly. "Alright. I'll give you guys till the end of class to finish your rough draft. Should you need help I'll spend about 13 minutes with each of you." The whole class visibly released a sigh. "However," He said over the loud murmurs of students, "It has to be done before the end of class in order for me not to take 15 points of you're grade. Sound good?"

"Hell yea." This guy named Dejon yelled out. Followed by "That's why we fucks with you Mr. James," His homeboy Cody cosigned. They were obviously the class clowns.. Literally.

Laughs sounded off in the room as Mr. James gave Cody a disapproving look. "Okay everyone relax and quiet down." Mr. James waved his hands in the air and within seconds the class was quiet and patiently waiting Mr. James. Unlike some teachers who got no respect and talked over, Mr. James was the most respected teacher on campus.

I sighed and laid my head on my desk. I was exhausted and I couldn't wait to get out of school and go right to sleep for the rest of the afternoon. I knew that wasn't going to happen unless Carter was in a good mood. But if I'm being honest I didn't care if he was in a good mood or not , I was still going to sleep. I sighed again but I didn't realize how loud it came out.

I froze as Mr. James cleared his throat and this time I sighed again silently. "Cory, is there something you would like to say?" He asked me and I could feel everyone in the classroom turn and stare at me.

Fuck.

I rolled my eyes and licked my lips as I dragged my head up. I ignored everyone else staring at me, even my best friend Akio, who sat directly next to me just 4 seats up. I met Mr. James eyes and gave him an apologetic look. "No, I just really don't feel good." I said in my most softest, weakest voice. The school day just started and I was damn near sleep walking, no I was sleep walking. I just wanted to go home, home meaning Carter's house since I was no longer welcomed back at my moms place. Mr. James mashed his lips together and regarded me. I could tell he wasn't falling for my act but that was okay cause if I had to ditch the rest of the day I would.

   Anybody who knows me know all I wanna do is get good grades, earn all my credits the first time around graduate & move far, far away. One thing I didn't do was ditch or miss school on purpose but in this case if I didn't leave now I'd for sure just sleep through the rest of my classes. Even dealing with Carter he knows how important school is to me, shit my school attendance speaks for its self and he said he respected that and never asked me to miss a day. Now, I can't speak for Akio but I know me, myself  ain't missing school for no one. Yea, we might not learn shit every single day but I promised myself if I didn't do anything in this world I'd make sure I got my diploma, fuck that.