Two Steps Behind

CHAPTER 4

Dressed with my usual black formal upper coat and a pencil skirt while carrying two books on my hand and a gray mini backpack hang on my shoulder. Running through the hallways with the tik-tak sound coming from my black three-inches heel. Everyone would think that I am joining the marathon of late students. But… Yeah, that's kinda sort of. 

Three minutes. I have to rush to my room for three minutes before Mrs. Khant, my math professor, starts her class. She was the most horrifying and intimidating teacher that I have met in my entire life. 

There are times that I choose to skip and ditch from her class schedule. Since I am no good at her subject, I better stay at home or go shopping. She recognised me being a stupid student who can't solve a simple mathematical expression. Who wouldn't be? She teaches and talks so fast. We can't even get the chance to inquire and clear things out about the certain topic. That's why most of my classmates ask for help for the engineering students who are injecting math formulas and equations in their system. 

I held my hand on the wall in front of our room while chasing my breath when I arrived there. What a day to start. Mrs. Khat is already there throwing me her monster look. If only I am like those badass students here, I am sure of poking her eyes now. 

"Miss Blythe Adrie Martinez, my favorite student!" she cheered, clapping her hands. 

She walked near me so I hurriedly fixed myself then stood upwards. She has no idea what I suffered just to come here in time and she would just embarrass me in front of the class? So ungrateful. 

"Good morning, Mrs. Khant," I greeted. 

She scanned me up and down before turning her heel back. I thought that was it. I was about to walk on my chair when she yelled. I jolted upon hearing her words. 

"HOW MANY TIMES I HAVE TOLD YOU THAT I DON'T WANT TO SEE A LATE COMER?!" Yeah. I know that. That's why I ran as fast as I could to be here on time. 

 "I-I'm sorry, Ma'am," I replied, looking down in apology. My classmates knew how this teacher treated us and all they could do is to feel sorry for me. 

Mrs. Khant turned around, facing me once again. I silently prayed that she would not kick me out because I made my assignment today. It was a lot of effort to be wasted. 

She motioned her index finger on the board, still her eyes on me. "Write your assignment on the board. Give me two mistakes and your report card would taste the red ink." Oh, shoot! I understand how to solve the problem since it was well explained in the paper but I don't know if the answer is correct. 

I nodded at her then placed my bag on my chair. I fished my notebook in my bag before facing the class. They are all shooting a worried look at me. Others were biting their nails, thinking if I could do it while others were throwing me a smile and a thumbs up. 

My grades depend on these equations. I actually don't have to worry about not being able to graduate or have a bad record since I am rich but my parents would surely be disappointed if I got a failing grade. They never demand a high mark nor pressure me. All they wanted is me to study hard and not to have red ink. 

I kissed my notebook with close eyes before taking the whiteboard marker on the table. My hands were shaking upon writing my answers. I can feel the sweat running all over my body as I stroke the marker. Gosh! I would surely throw a celebration if I would finish writing without fainting. I can feel how my knees tremble and I am just hoping that I would not fall down. 

I heaved a loud sigh when I finally finished answering the assignment. Mrs. Khant eyebrows were raised then suddenly made a smile which I could not fathom the real meaning behind. She might be confused why I got it right or happy that she could finally fail me. 

"Explain." My heart skipped its beat when she ordered me to do it. I am no good at explaining math formulas and equations, she knew it. 

Well, as if I could do something to stop her.

When I spoke the last word of my not-so-good explanation, my classmates clapped their hands. I was a bit proud of myself from doing and conquering the hardest part of my life. Thanks to the one who answered my assignment. 

"Number 1, wrong." 

The world seems to stop moving as I heard Mrs. Khant comment. My classmates stopped from clapping and here I am, rooted in my stand. How come? 

"What should I expect from my very own student?" She mocked. I want to cry in embarrassment. I wish the soil would open up and eat the whole of me. 

I exhaled heavily while looking at my notebook. I rely and assume too much on these answers. 

"Two… Three and Four…" Whatever. I could transfer to another school if I failed here. 

"Is right…" Yeah. She's right. 

Wait. What? 

I gaped as my eyes grew in circles. It was right? The answer was right? Really, right? 

My inquiries were confirmed when the class cheered. That was a relief. 

"Congrats, Martinez. It seems like you studied very well about this." She started. "You can now take your seat." It took me a few seconds before I could process her words. 

Oh, I did it! 

I mean, I finally did it! I was spacing out the whole session. Still can't believe that I learned something from a rush studying. I see some hope for my studies now. 

At the end of the class, Mrs. Khant approached me. No tension and worries anymore. 

"I think you got the right answer on the first number. You just wrote it incorrectly. I checked your paper and you got it all right. Sometimes, you have to be careful to avoid mistakes," she said with a half-smile before walking out. 

O-okay? That was strange of hers to talk to me like that. 

After my class, I headed my way to the cafeteria. I hadn't eaten breakfast so I have to eat a lot more. Maybe a sort of self-celebration also. 

"Peachie!" I screeched when I saw a girl from afar. She didn't look back so I ran closer to her and immediately hugged her back. 

"Peach, thank you so much! You saved my day!" I exclaimed. 

She shifted her sight on me, amused and confused. My eyes widened in shock before I pulled myself away from her. I forced a smile before uttering an apology. 

"Oh– sorry. I-I thought that you're my friend. I'm sorry." I said before looking a vacant seat inside. 

That was so embarrassing! 

Mistaken identity is very embarrassing, I swear! 

I really thought she was Peachie because they have the same posture and hair. How fool, Blythe. I cupped my face then shut my eyes. I tried to normalize my breathing as I can feel the extreme awkward fire me up. 

"What a shame," I mumbled beneath my breath then slapped my forehead once. 

I jolted when someone asked on my side. "What shame are you talking about?" 

Slowly, I turned my gaze at her. The real Peachie with furrowed eyebrows welcomed me. I scrunched before releasing a sigh. 

I told her my foolish act earlier making her confused look turned into a guffaw. Yeah, I know. I already knew and expected her reaction. 

"I guess I should change my hair color into black or blonde or… Ash gray. What do you think?" She wiggled her eyebrows then burst out into laughter again. 

"Peach, shut up. That was a mistaken identity. And my excitement drives me to see her more like you," I said, grabbing a fries on the plate. 

"Alright. Alright." She heaved a loud sigh to relax herself. "What do you mean by excitement, Hmm?" she continued, crossing her arms over her chest, looking at me intently. 

"The assignment. I was just excited to thank you for that. You know how much it saves my grade. That four items changed Mrs. Khant's mood towards me earlier." I hugged her so tight before she pulled herself away from me. 

Her forehead was creased, confused as she is. I mirrored her actual expression before she caught up. 

"I did not answer your assignment. Remember… We were together for the whole day and I rested when I got back home." 

I gaped as I heard her response. I see no trace of a joke in her. She's not good at one though. 

If she's not the one who answered that equation… Then who? I would suspect Lexie but… She knows nothing about my assignment either. This is strange.