“Eluma come see me after school,” said Mrs. D, my math teacher.
Eh. What is this about? I have always tried to not make a lasting impression on anyone. Whether that meant not having friends, joining clubs, or even purposely lowering my grades to be seen as an average student. So, clearly, Mrs. D asking to see me after school is abnormal.
I rose from my chair nodding in her direction to show my understanding. My next class was a study hall so I could spend that time trying to figure out what I did to catch Mrs. D's attention. I walked out Mrs.D's classroom and started heading to my study hall location. As I'm walking, I hear someone yelling “Hey” to try to get someone’s attention. I lightly twist my head to see whom they were talking to, but somewhere deep deep down I knew instinctively they were talking to me. I just didn’t want to believe it. The girl, who was trying to get my attention, was as some boys would say 'pretty'. She had long blond hair, cherry rose lips, and a flawless smile most people would be jealous of. Anomaly #2 sighted. The girl walking toward me, I think her name is Rachel, would be the queen bee if our school was a beehive. She has been prom queen for 4 years and she is the center of all social life at our school. Just like Mrs. D’s summoning, anomaly #2 filled me with a sense of unease. It wasn’t only that but something is telling me that that sickly sweet smile she’s giving me can’t be trusted. There was a reason I had to remain in the shadows; it wasn't by choice.
“Well if it isn’t Mrs. Outcast herself. I heard something interesting lately”
“Anddddd what does that have to do with me?” I asked
“Were you or were you not talking to my ex yesterday”
Of course, I knew who she was talking about, but I wanted her to feel a hint of how annoyed I was. I put on a fake contemplating expression and said,
“Which one tweedle dee, dumb or dumber?”
“Brad” she screeched, her face turning red like a tomato
“Oh yea I did actually, he wanted a ride home”
“Ugh. No wonder you have no friends. Just keep your outcast hands away from my boyfriend”
Wasn’t he your ex just two seconds ago? Whatever. One thing for sure is that Rachel as my Spanish teacher would say is muy psicótica aka psychotic. After she walked away, I continued on to my Study Hall. Students could choose any place to have their study hall and to me, the most natural decision was the library. In this technology-driven world, people rarely go to the library so it was the perfect place to be if you wanted to be alone.
Once I arrived at the library, I took the backmost seat and quietly did my work until the bell rang. I quickly gathered up my work and pushed it into my bag: not worrying whether or not my work got damaged and headed to Mrs. D’s classroom. Thankfully her room was right around the corner from the library; so I was able to get there fairly quickly. I waltzed right into her classroom not caring to knock and sat in the open seat right in front of her desk. Mrs. D’s accusatory eyes pierced right into me right as I sat and I couldn't help but flinch.
“Tell me, do you think school is a joke?,” asked Mrs. D
“ I’m not sure what you mean. I’m passing the class aren’t I?”
"Yes but look at your quizzes,” she said while pointing at the papers on her desk
“I’m sorry. I’m still confused I passed almost all of these quizzes"
“That’s precisely my point. Whenever your grade reaches a certain point it suddenly drops. You pass all of your quizzes and turn in your work on time, then you don't bring in your work and fail your exams. As your teacher, I am concerned about your behavior. Care to explain why you decided to take school for granted. And don’t say you simply misunderstood the material."
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“Looks like she figured us out. I told you to just be a straight F student” said a voice within me
“I may have to stay hidden but I don’t want to look dumb in the process."
Looks like I underestimated you, Mrs.D. However, there’s no way I’m telling you about my unnatural affliction. Ever since I was 7 years old, I’ve not been alone in my body. It wasn’t like a split personality but more like a single body holding 2 people. I call the girl living inside me Mika. I can switch places with her and talk to her telepathically; however, we can't simply separate and go our separate ways. I used to bemoan my situation that was so unlike other kids but now I wouldn’t have it any other way.
“ What should we do,” said Mika
“Of course use my OTC acting skills” I replied telepathically
"You know your so-called off-the-chart ability almost never works right" Mika said with exasperation
" What are you talking about? It always works."
I must have been too quiet for too long because Mrs.D repeated her question.
“Well, what have you got to say for yourself?”
Oh you're about to see.
Having spent the last 10 years concealing my affliction, I became well-versed in getting out of sticky situations. I put my head down and burst into tears.
“Why is everyone picking on me” I cried pathetically
“This week is my aunt’s and GPA’s 3rd death anniversary. I just . . . just. It’s been soooooo hard. I’ve been too depressed to stay focused on my work and my heart is too broken to study for quizzes and I even keep forgetting to bring my work. So, Mrs. D please grow a heart and stop picking on me.
When her eyes softened a little, I knew she fell for my little act. If being an outcast has taught me anything it’s that the human heart is fragile. It’s filled with cracks and weaknesses that can be easily exploited. It makes it easy for people to fall under pressure and sympathize with one in tears. I’ve seen it time and time again on those game shows. When someone realizes the prize is on the line, they tell their life story and cry in front of the audience. It’s quite funny to see the crowd cry for them and feel bad for them simply because they said a couple of sad lines. It is because of this, that I know Mrs. D has no chance. It’s simply human nature. However; Mrs. D then surprised me with her next words.
“ You know I looked up your file,” she said while opening a drawer and pulling out a purple folder. She then opened it and started reading its contents.
“Eluma is an intellectual and studious; however she is very quiet and a pathological liar."
“ Hahahahaha. I told you that it never works” laughed Mika
“Oh shut up. This woman is clearly defying human nature she’s not normal”
Putting all that aside, I wasn’t sure what I should say next. Should I say I wasn’t lying about the whole thing? I clearly couldn’t tell her the truth for obvious reasons. Maybe I could try another lie. No. I couldn’t do that either without knowing how much she knows.
“Switch with me. I’ll get us out of this situation” said Mika
I agreed closing my eyes so Mrs. D wouldn't see our eye color changing as we switched.
“Mrs. D I am not lying I really am suffering from a loss. My aunt, dad, and gpa were all killed at once in a car crash 3 years ago. They were all super supportive of the education system and loved learning above all else. So, to be here in class learning it brings back bad memories. I promise to try my hardest from now on. I will not let my grades stay as they are right now. Please give me another chance” said Mika while bowing her head.
“ Fine. I will give you one more chance. Next week we have a math test. If you can pass that test and turn in all your homework, I will look over this matter. However; if you don't, then we will have to bring in your mom for a parent conference”
“ Thank you so much”
“ There is no need to thank me. I am simply growing a heart as you requested”
Oops. I’m sorry about that.
Mika thanked her again and walked out of the classroom. We already had our own car so Mika was walking towards the side entrance that led to the parking lot instead of the main entrance. She had made it to a flight of stairs and started to descend them when we felt someone push her. Mika was always clumsy so that small push sent her flying down the steps. We rolled down the entire flight of steps until we hit our head against a step and blacked out.