Careless Memories

I ran to school as fast as my legs could, almost got hit by a car twice and had to focus on not dying, while balancing the medicine box on my head. I made a turn, clutching the box to my chest. I walked with steady steps as I rounded the all too familiar street. I knocked on the door at the end of the road and waited for what felt like eternity for the door to be opened. 'Ugh, I'm gonna be late again!' I mentally groaned. The mean-looking, tall, skinny man finally opened the door and looked at me, irritated. I was used to this already. He looked me up and down and snatched the box out of my hand. "Took you long enough" he all but spat at me as he slammed the door shut in my face, missing my nose by a whisper. With that, I turned around, and sprinted to the main road, praying that I wasn’t too late. ... As I stepped into the classroom, all eyes snapped in my direction. I walked into the room and clicked the door shut behind me. I kept my head down avoiding eye contact with the pairs of eyes fixated on me. The teacher cleared her throat as she turned her body from the whiteboard to face me. I slowly lifted my eyes to look at her, adjusting the strap of my backpack on my left shoulder. “Missed the bus, sorry I’m late,” I said, barely over a whisper that I was almost sure no one else could hear, but her. “This is the third time this week Ms. Cooper, I’m afraid I might have to put you in detention“. I already saw it coming. Mrs Loren, the English teacher, was one of the strictest in the entire school. I wasn’t one to be late to class, or anything else, even. I was always at the top of my class every year, being a straight-A student. I was part of three after-school activities: being the head of the Calculus Team and being the Class Representative four years in a row, representing in both math, history and spelling competitions nationally. I had perfect attendance and a clean record. Not until, IT happened. “An hour detention after school for you, Missy.” I nodded my head slightly and, keeping my face down, marched straight to the only empty seat at the back. I zoned out throughout the rest of the class. At least I know she was blabbering on and on about phrases and clauses. Big deal! As soon as the bell went, I packed up the books and pencils I had taken out; not like I used any of them anyway, since I was zoned out the entire time. I waited for everyone to leave the classroom, but this one girl got her skirt caught on a nail on her way out, and three girls gathered round herto help her out without ripping her skirt in the process. Good luck with that. The scene would have been hilarious to me but not right now. The teacher stopped me on my way out and asked to see me privately for a little ‘talk’. “Yes, Miss Cooper, A word with you?” It wasn't a question but an order, and I had no choice but to turn around and walk to her desk. At this rate, I’d be late for my next class. “Why did you actuallycome late, Bridget? And don’t even think about lying to me” I didn’t say anything, looking down at the chewing gum someone stuck on her table. It’s been there ever since I can remember, so I'm just studying it now for the first time, and I must say it's really fascinating. This should be in a museum. “Speak!”, she ordered, snapping me out of my daydream. “Why were you really late?” “I uhm, I”, I end up stuttering. “Its personal, ma’am” “I said speak” I opened my mouth, and told her everything…