The Death Clock: chapter 9

 

Chapter 9

So we hurried to the school. We arrived just as the warning bell struck and got in as the automatic doors closed and locked. We hurried to the auditorium and took our seats, in the way back. The principle and vice principle, two lean and mean-looking men, greeted the school and introduced the entire staff, even the cooks and janitors. They explained rules and regulations for the school. My interest peaked when I heard them say something important.

"- rules will be followed by everyone, including staff. There shall be absolutely no rule breaking this year. Even if it is a staff member committing the crime, they will be taken off the premises. I myself am affected with this rule. There will be exceptions to peoples with special allocation. Furthermore, an old member of staff has-" That’s when I stopped listening. Special allocation. That meant we could get permission to break rules, under the right circumstances. I was going to find out what those were. "Before we conclude, are there any questions?"

I raised my hand. Isaac and Valerie looked at me.
The vice-principle called on me. "Thank you. What would give a person those ‘special allocations’ you were talking about?"
"Naturally, you would want to learn of this, I’m glad someone chose to ask now. Only if you get permission by me or someone with higher authority can those be given. You would need a doctor’s, an officer’s or a member of the school board’s say so to even get that. As in a need for wearing something for health. Such as a bandanna, that gives you peace of mind, for example. Are there anymore questions?"
Nobody asked any, so they told everyone whose classes to go to. As Valerie went off with a large group, Isaac and I went to the principles.

"I need permission to stay by his side. A doctor told me to stay with him at all times, because his left and right arms are still frail."

"Ah, Ms. Cody Turner. Yes, you’re the late acceptance. You asked for two spots, correct? So this must be Isaac Turner. Am I right so far?"

Isaac looked up and spoke, "It’s just Isaac. I’m from no family. I’m just staying with Cat." I hated how he did that. As soon as a connection between us was made, he shot it down. When a girl asked it was ‘yes we’re together,’ but if a guy asked its ‘no.’ Personally, I thought he sounded better with my last name. Not that I thought about it too much.

"I’m sorry, my mistake," surprised at how Isaac reacted, the assistant principle was taken aback. He recovered, "Well, the doctor had called this morning and got permission for the two of you. Take these cards." He handed us two black plastic cards with a purple X on them. "These give you full permission to break certain rules, such as the dress code and the distance rule. Nothing permits fighting, other than those on the Disciplinary Committee breaking up a fight that is already going on. Now you should be off to Isaac’s classes. Ms. Turner, you are still considered one of his classmates, though you will not be graded, I hope you do participate. Isaac, until your arm heals, you cannot participate in gym. Now go."

We went to room 601, on floor two, hallway 142. It was a class for different pace learners; each student was able to learn at his own pace. The actual teacher’s name was Mr. Gull, and his assistant teachers were Mrs. Brocwell and Ms. Vaa. They all had smiling faces and were happy to meet everyone.
Their joy of the new class was infectious. I could have sworn that I saw Isaac smile. The classroom was full of different kinds of people.

I saw jock type boys, cool and pretty girls, quiet and shy nerds. I also saw some who had medical reasons for being here. I saw a kid in the back corner that looked a few sandwiches short of a picnic. The kid’s arm constantly twitched and I saw him talking to himself while staring at a blank spot on the wall, his eyes moving as if following something. Everyone here needed the class for one reason or another, so Isaac fit right in. I, on the other hand, felt weird. Isaac and me went to sit near the middle, between the cool kids and the quite ones.

The teachers split the room into three parts. There was a part for those who learned those who learned quickly, and were past their current grade level. There was a part for slow learners and a third for those who needed one on one teaching. Isaac and me went to the third part. The teacher was Brocwell.

"I think I met your husband. Did he work with the movers?" Isaac asked.

"Actually, yes. I think he told me about some kids who ordered quite a bit of things. That must have been you. Well, Cody- do you mind if I call you by your first name?" She asked.

"Cat’s fine. Everyone else calls me it."

"Okay, Cat. Do you think you can teach him one on one? Just find out what he doesn’t know and build up on that. I have my hands full with these guys." Brocwell said, apologetically.

"Sure thing." So I found out that he knew little to nothing. We started basic, simple math, English, science, and history. I spent the next few hours teaching Isaac the basics. He learned quickly, moving on to middle school stuff, including biology and health. For the remainder of the class, we played a game where we threw a ball and whoever caught it had to answer a question about themselves. The game went on until the lunch bell rang, and everyone left to the cafeteria. One of the pretty girls led us there and talked about all these things that didn’t really interest me. The only thing I heard was when she was talking to Isaac.

"Gosh, that girl you’re with she’s so pretty. I love her hair." And she went on and on complimenting us and being complimented by Isaac. I tried to shut them both out for the whole walk.