18th April 2012: Two Days Later

A Chapter by Aehr

18^th April, 2012

Dear Iris,

The last two days have been hard on me, and only today did I find the time left (after crying most of the time) and strength to write to you.

I mailed Dad one of my short stories day before yesterday, titled ‘Ocean Spirit’, but he didn’t read it. Dad was a writer himself when he was young, but it was just a little hobby of his. So, I was hoping for some feedback. Yesterday, I checked my E-mail. There was a mail from Dad, but sadly, it was about something entirely different. Something NOT related to my writing at all.

It turned out that Mr. Kyle Watson (my Math teacher) mailed Dad about my ‘extremely poor’ progress in Mathematics. Honestly, I know I’m not doing well. Iris, I just can’t. I’ve tried taking tuition, I joined the ‘After-School Math Club’ last year, but that didn’t work out too. My result has never been better than a C+ since… well, since I was born!

And guess what? It was old wretched Mr. Watson who talked Mom into persuading me to take Math up for 9^th Grade. I tried to protest, but the ‘Watson-Spell’ was too much for me. So, I had to take up Math. Ha-ha. And Dad completely supported Mom’s decision because he himself was great at Math (that trait has been taken by Hope. *Sob* Why not me???) and he thought that it’ll be good for my future. I always knew that there’s no point in studying Math when I don’t even get it. But there were three people against me. In the math-language, the ratio was 3:1 (is that even right?).

Dad called Mom, they spoke to each other, and now, Mom says that I’ll; have to join the Math club AGAIN, and if that doesn’t work out, I’ll drop Math! So, I can’t join the after-school book club, or the creative writing program. No questions, no ‘if’s’ and no ‘buts’. Mom’s dialogue. What’s the point of even trying again? I can’t even sign up for the writing program! There’s no way I can change my parents’ decision, and well… Tomorrow’s Thursday. *Sigh* I guess my name won’t be on the list, unless a miracle happens. And I don’t think hat the miracle store will be able to lend me one on such short notice. I don’t want to be a pessimist, but I’m just telling you the facts here.

Anyway, so let’s get back to the school gossip. Enough of my drama.

So, Kristy has showed no signs of ‘making-me-pay’ at all. Plus, I can always threaten her. I know her secret. And Troy’s too. Well… at least half of it. But that really doesn’t matter. Or maybe it does. Whatever! I didn’t even ask Jacob about it. I think I will tomorrow.

I just finished reading the book ‘Sam’s Letters to Jennifer’ by James Patterson. It’s the most touching book I’ve read until now. I’m totally in love with it! Oh Iris, I don’t even know what I’m writing to you today. I’m just so disoriented today. After what Mom and Dad said about the Math club thing, it feels like my spirit’s died down. Even Kristy’s dead body won’t please me right now. I can’t go through that ‘seeming-endless’ torture again. I’m feeling frustrated. I want to suicide. Uhh!!!

But I can’t blame my parents too. They’re right. Math is important. They just want the best for me, but they’re kind-of missing the big picture here. I’m a writer. I might be exceptionally good at it. I might make writing my profession. But that’s not what they’re seeing here. There’s hardly any time for me to talk to Mom all day, because she’s having extra classes. There’s a boy called Max in her school, and he’s actually recovering from his challenged state. And they’ve asked Mom in particular to study his case, and see how he recovers. She’s actually so excited, and busy, and exhausted by the end of the day, that I barely get to talk to her. Especially since the last three days. I’ve been crying so much, I’ve practically fallen into depression, but not the ‘I’ll-cut-my-arm’ kind of way.

I wish I ‘recover’ like Max from my state by Saturday. It’s the party, right? If I feel better, I’ll go, or I’ll have to disappoint Jacob, which I really don’t want to. I’m just so annoyed!

Like I told you, I’m not quite in the flow today, but I need to let my feelings out to a friend. And that’s you. So, I have no idea why I’m telling you this, but I think that I should give you a summary of the stuff that’s going on.

Kristy’s pretending that she’s for Ryan, but she actually is after Troy. Troy likes a mystery girl, whom we don’t know, and maybe Jacob does (Math language: let the mystery girl be x). Sophie likes Ryan, and maybe Ryan likes Sophie back. I like Jacob, and he likes me back, so we’re happy! Umm… yes, Rachel hates Kevin, so does Claire (I think) and he hates them too. Jake Lambert’s the new guy, who is friends with Kevin now (Surprise-Surprise. I know I forgot to tell you. Don’t hate me, please). Edeline, Sophie and Claire still don’t have dates for the party.

Nothing much really happened in school today. I’m not very good at acting, but none of my friends found out about my gloomy mood. But I’m still no good at acting. Nah, I’m being too modest. I am a good actress (Thank you, thank you! I’ll give you my autograph later).

I had one of my Hindi classes with my teacher, Mrs. Raani Sharma. I call her Ran. She brought a book for me today. A Hindi one of course, but we’ll be doing the translations and stuff of that book. It’s one the most epic tales of Indian mythology. It’s called the ‘Ramayana’. I’m quite excited to start with it. That’s about the only good thing that happened today…

…And that Eddy got her ears pierced. She’s a fun-loving girl, quite a tomboy. I know that it’s weird that she hadn’t got her ears pierced until now, but that’s our Eddy! Her name is so girly, so... unlike her, isn’t it? Edeline Greene. But who knew she’d turn out to be like that? Rachel said that she actually pierced her ears only and only to wear the cutest pair of…

Football tops. What did you expect? Eddy will be Eddy. LOL.

The stars are out tonight. And the moon’s full. The sky looks amazing, and well… that gives me hope to start tomorrow with a smile, even though my name won’t be on the creative writing list, even though I might not be able to go to the party, even though I’ll have to endure the Math club. Again. Even though the kids in the math club hate me so much, because I’m an anti-climax to the enthusiasm they have for the subject. Even though… oh, stop it, who am I kidding?

You know what? I write. Maybe that’s the only sin I’ve committed.

Forever and Always

Destiny

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© 2012 Aehr

Author's Note

here's the next one. i think i'll be off again for a while. please keep reviewing and trust me, i'm missing you guys like hell. i want to take this opportunity to say that as soon as my desktop's fixed, i'll get to your RR's. in the meantime, please keep reviewing!