After lunch, the next two classes went by like a blur. Technology class with Mr. Jones was a free day as he went over our final 3-D printed project for the millionth time. His words were literally blocked out by the hum of all the machines, computers, and the lights. I looked at his Newton's cradle setup. It felt so much louder for some reason, like static on the television. Each bump seemed to echo and the tempo seemed to pick up.
"Still with us, Veyron?" Mr. Jones said, snapping me back to reality.
I blinked. "Yessir, sorry, this is all a recap to me."
He chuckled. "I like your confidence, Veyron; however, overconfidence is an enemy to us all."
Stanlee leaned over. "Yeah, just ask Wade."
We laughed our asses off. Mr. Jones opened his mouth to rebuke us, but he was cut off as the bell rang. We dipped before he could stop us.
Finally I was in my last class of the day, Science with Mr Graves. His room was one of the older rooms with a chalk board and not a white board. Mr Graves clearly lived and breathed science. He always had a smile on his face in class especially during lab experiments (everybody's favorite part). Unfortunately today he had us look over the review packets for the circuitry lab were doing tomorrow.
"No worries, my endeavoring scientists," he said while passing out our terminology study guides. "We'll save the enlightenment for tomorrow."
The class groaned, half the room packing up ten minutes early. For the first time in a hot minute, I didn't care. It was so peaceful right now. Outside the window, the sun glowed across the clouds, birds chirped, and squirrels bounded across the lawn.
For the first time in a long time, I was in the now, the moment. The sound of a clock ticking filled the classroom. Loud banter combined with laughter filled the hallways.
"See, Mr. Graves, why can't we get out early?" Keisha said while tapping her foot impatiently. "Other teachers do it all the time."
He glanced at the class clock.
"Only a minute left till the bell rings anyway, Keisha, you'll live."
"Can we at least get out early on the last day?" Stanlee chimed in.
Mr. Graves rolled his eyes. "Possibly."
The class roared. "Possibly" from Mr. Graves might as well be a ticket to Disneyland, especially after a whole school year of "the bell dismissing everyone." They'd take a "possibly" from him even if it meant the world was ending.
The bell rang and reverberated across the hallways. Keisha practically broke the door down on her way out (as usual). The rest of us said our goodbyes to Mr. Graves before following suit.
I went over to my locker in the crowded hallway. Took my bag out, stuffed my binder in, and zipped up the bag and slung it over my shoulder and headed for the exit.
As I stepped out, I saw a familiar face waiting for me on the bench next to the city bus stop. It was none other than my homie, Jason.
He was wearing his white, blue, and red Adidas shoes with black and white striped pants to match the brand. He had on a white tank top and a green windbreaker.
He was sitting on the bench with his eyes closed, headphones on. However, as I approached the bench, he took them off, eyes still closed. He always seemed to know when I was nearby.
"What's the word, Bro?" I say as I extend my arm out and make a fist.
Jason opens his bright brown eyes and fist-bumps me. "Word around the street is you cooked Wade's team in dodgeball."
My eyes widened. "That was fast-who snitched first? Stanlee? Keisha?"
"All of 'em, bro," Jason said, standing up and stretching. "Connor, Barry, Keisha... word got bounced around after lunch."
I groaned. "Majestic. Now Wade's gonna be as salty as a saltine cracker tomorrow."
Jason laughed. "He already been salty. After the L's you've been handing him lately, bro, I wouldn't be surprised if he crashes out if you beat him two more times."
"Two more times?"
"Gotta go for a sweep to show off your dominance, lil bro."
I couldn't help but smile; I love a good NBA reference.
Jason just finished doing his side lunge stretch.
"You good, though?" he asked. "Heard you almost got smoked before the big catch."
"Yeah, I slipped on Marcus's sweat from earlier when he got laid out by Wade's cannon straight to his kids."
Jason's facial expression went from shocked to cringed to laughter.
"Is Marcus all right?" he said after catching his breath.
"He got sent home. Barry said he couldn't even sit down," I replied.
Jason shook his head, "Man, being suspended sucks."
"Mhm, I still don't get why Jackal gets to return before you, though."
Jason glances at me, "So you've heard..."
I nod. "Yeah, he announced it to our table at lunch after destroying my cookie he owed me as part of the bet."
Jason stared at the sidewalk. "Principal Crawford and Officer Black say that's his second major strike. One more and they say he'll be expelled."
I shake my head. "Too little, too late. Its the final week of school. Even if he does do something, Wade will get the principal to cover his ass."
Jason nods slowly," I know..."
Silence. The winds were all that filled the air.
Jason chuckles, "But ya know what. It felt good serving righteous justice to Jackal's ass. Jackal thinks hes king but if were being honest he's a Tyrant."
I smirked, "Yeah, only people that think he's the king of the school is his gang of hyenas!'"
Jason snickers, " Jackal would make a good Scar."
We both break out laughing.
"Alrighty, where are we heading, gang?" Jason asks.
My smile fades"To the hospital... My mom should be getting discharged today."
Jason's smile faded, despite us only being bros for five months, he knew me and my mom like family. He came and visited on Saturday and brightened the shady grim mood in the room.
The city bus pulls up and screeches to a stop.
Jason slaps my back. "Hey, your mom's stronger than you think, Kev. Turn that frown upside down, nephew; we've got smiles and laughs in our future."
The bus door swings open as we hop on for free, perks of being high schoolers.