by B R Coelho
This time I’m ten minutes early to class. I take a look around and I’m happy that Octavia isn’t in there. I take a seat at the front this time. I’ve always been a front seat, teacher’s pet type person. Students are milling into the class. Everyone is chatting and socializing. I sit there glued to my phone pretending to text. A blonde-haired girl comes and sits next to me.
“Hi, you new?”
“Uh-huh! I just moved into town last week.”
“How do you like it so far?”
“It’s…nice.” I try to be polite.
“Really? I hate it here. It’s a crappy little boring town.”
Finally, someone I can relate to. Before I can respond, the PA system comes online with a loud whine and a crackle making everyone groan. It says:
“SELENA GONZALES, PLEASE REPORT TO THE PRINCIPAL’S OFFICE. SELENA GONZALES, PLEASE REPORT TO THE PRINCIPAL’S OFFICE.”
“Which way is the principal’s office?” I ask the blonde.
“Uh-oh! Someone’s in trouble.” She jokes smiling. I chuckle.
“Umm…go down the hall, take a left and walk until you see a door with the name ‘Principal’ on it.”
“Thanks, you’re a life saver. Will you watch my stuff for me till I get back?”
“Sure, see you in a bit…hopefully.”
I power-walk down the hall wondering what it could be about. Could he be welcoming me to the school officially? I already met him a week earlier with my parents. He was a chubby balding old man with thick 70s style glasses. They magnified his eyes so much they looked like they were popping out of their sockets. I knock on the door, and the it swings wide open. Ms. Stanger’s stern face meets mine.
“Here’s the cheater.”, Ms. Stanger begins.
“Ms. Stanger please…calm down.”, The principal says. He adjusts his tie and pushes his navy-blue name plate with his name imprinted in white to the side. It reads: Mr. Toole. I couldn’t have made it up if I wanted. I chuckle inwardly. He interlocks his fingers and blinks rapidly at me through the thick glasses. The room is large, but now, for some reason I feel increasingly claustrophobic. Especially with Ms. Stanger looming over me, as she throws bitter sneers at me.
“Selena, it has come to my attention that you cheated on a pop quiz this morning. Ms. Stanger says that you somehow cheated off of Octavia Summers, a student in your class.”
“What? Mr. Toole, we weren’t even sitting close to each other.”
“Yes, Ms. Stanger has told me that, but I am curious about this…”, Mr. Toole points at two papers infront of him. 100% percent scrawled in ruby red on both of them, they were our pop quizzes. I got 100%? Woah!
“Your method of solving these equations are quite similar. It’s almost as if you were copying down what she wrote word for word.”
I look at the papers as he turns them toward me. I squint. The only thing different about both papers were the handwriting, other than that the answers were eerily similar. Almost as if I *gasp* read her mind. Rookie mistake, I’ve done it before. I should have tweaked my answers a little bit but I had no time. Damn Ms. Stanger and her ultimatums, I roll my eyes inwardly.
“Now, I believe that there is a very good explanation for this, don’t you?”
“Mr. Toole, there is no way I could have cheated off her, honest. Maybe we have the same tutor?”
Mr. Toole raises his eyebrows. Ms. Stanger flinches but regains her composure quickly.
“Octavia Summers is one of our top students, I seriously doubt she would need a tutor. She’s the president of the Mathematics club, and has won countless Math tournament prizes across the country.”
Oh, she has a tutor alright, and she’s standing right freaking next to me.
“W…well then I’m not sure, Mr. Toole, I study hard for my exams all the time.”
“We will be calling your parents in here tomorrow to discuss this issue, we take cheating very seriously here Selena.”
“B-but I didn’t cheat Mr. Toole, this is unfair.”, I say putting on the saddest pitiful voice I could muster, and now I’d like to thank the Academy. Ms. Stanger has an evil grin plastered on her face. I ignore her and continue to defend myself. The last thing I wanted was for my parents to get called in on the first week of school, especially for this. My parents would be devastated if they thought I was cheating.
“I’m afraid that this is the course of action we have to take. Unless you’re frank with us and tell us how you did it.”
“I honestly don’t know what you’d like me to say, because I did not cheat.”
“But the evidence is here Selena, there is no way two students can write the same answers word for word without some sort of communication. And knowing where you come from and the fact that you are here based on academic achievement this is disheartening for me.”
“I know…I just…I didn’t cheat Mr. Toole, honest.”, I lie again. What did he want me to say? Spill the beans and tell him that I can read minds. And that I forgot to tweak my answers after said mind reading so that they didn’t look like I peeked on her paper during the quiz?
“Maybe we should take away her scholarship, this is a disgrace to our school, we shouldn’t reward cheaters with free money. How do we know she hasn’t cheated her way into the school?”
Ms. Stanger speaks finally, her voice tinged with conviction and a hint of malice. My eyes become misty and my vision blurry, the tears slowly start to drip down my cheeks. The thought of losing my scholarship would be devastating not only to me but to my Dad. He really did believe in me and praised me for my smarts. This would be a huge let down. I couldn’t allow it to happen.
And it was no fault of my own that I used my powers to cheat. It was just a reflex action. How do you fault someone for using what comes naturally to them? Furthermore, precious Octavia and Ms. Stanger weren’t that innocent either. She got the test earlier than I did. She cheated just as much as I did. This is the only card I have left in my deck to defend myself. So, I pull it knowing it is going to create more questions and problems for me in the future. I have to do it. I have to reveal what I knew about Octavia and Ms. Stanger.
“Ms. Stanger, you of all people should be the last person to talk about cheating. Isn’t Octavia Summers your niece?”, I’m saying the words, but my voice seems oddly unnatural like it isn’t mine. I can’t believe I actually said that.
“W-we-well y-yes…”
“And you showed her the quiz questions a week ago before school started, didn’t you?”, I’m now brimming with confidence, I can see the look of shock and confusion growing. Mr. Toole is now equally as interested in knowing more about this big little tidbit. I’m sure Ms. Stanger had “forgotten” to mention that she and Octavia were related.
Chapter Four
“Is this true Gloria? Are you related to Octavia Summers?”, Mr. Toole asks, his face sullen and even more cartoonish with his magnified eyes growing wider.
“Yes, we are related, but I assure you…”, Ms. Stanger starts. I interrupt her.
“You tutored her on the test, you’ve probably been doing this for a long time haven’t you?”, I still can’t believe the voice is mine.
Ms. Stanger looks equally irritated and shocked at the same time. That expression alone on her face is beginning to make my day. I didn’t have to read her mind to know that she was wondering how I had figured out about her relation to her precious niece Octavia.
“This is a very serious accusation, Selena, can you prove it?” Mr. Toole asks, looking at me over his glasses now.
“I can’t prove it right now, but I overheard her tell one of her friends about it, just as we were walking to class, and the possibility of her Aunt giving us a pop quiz.” I know, I know it’s a lie but I’ve got nothing else in me.
Ms. Stanger presses her lips together, running a shaky hand through her dark hair, she looks even more guilty now.
“Gloria, this is serious, please tell the truth, have you been giving your niece hints about your Math assessme
nts?”, Mr. Toole’s voice grows surprisingly stern.
Ms. Stanger gives him a pitiful look and finally concedes, nodding her head in shame.
“Selena, this still doesn’t explain how both your answers and Octavia’s are identical to each other.”, Mr. Toole says, twiddling his large thumbs in response. All eyes are glued on me as I try to come up with something.
“After I’d overheard Octavia, I decided to study that chapter in the textbook before the quiz, that’s why I came late to Ms. Stanger’s class. I memorized the example solutions in the textbook.”, I honestly don’t know how I came up with that lie, but it fit perfectly into my story. I thought it was an air-tight sealed alibi.
“Is this true Gloria, was Selena late for class?”, Mr. Toole asks, his thumbs freezing mid-twiddle.
“Yes, she was late for class today.”, Ms. Stanger nods, eyeing me suspiciously.
“Well then, that settles it. Ms. Stanger, I’m afraid I will have to take this matter up to the board, and as for you Selena, let this be a stern warning of the potential consequences of cheating.”, Mr. Toole says, stroking his chin.
“I will be speaking to Octavia soon about this matter and whoever else may be involved. You’re free to go Selena. As for you Gloria, I’d like to have a few words.”
Phew! Squeezed out of that one. I exit the office with a smile plastered on my face. Students are now milling about in the hall. Must be the end of sixth period now. Everyone is going in for the last period of the day. I hope I can catch up with my new friend from History class. I didn’t even know her name.
Almost as if she had read my mind, I bump into her as I walk down the hallway. She’s also carrying my bag.
“Hey! There you are! I thought you’d never come back So? Are you in trouble or what?”, she asks giving me my backpack.
“Thank you! No, not anymore I think. I’ll tell you later, lots of people around.”, I sling the backpack across my shoulder.
“What do you have for last period?”, I ask my new friend.
“Umm…I got, let me check…art.”, She says thumbing through a tiny pink leaflet.
“Neat, I’ve got art too. With Ms. Semmer?”, I ask enthusiastically.
“Yeah with Ms. Semmer, Room 1A, that’s in the basement, right?”, she asks still thumbing through her leaflet.
“Yeah I think so, by the way I’m Selena.”, I extend my hand.
“Yeah I guessed that from the announcement. Mines Catherine, friends call me Cathy, nice to meet you Selena.”, we shake each other’s hands.
We head down a flight of steps. The hallways are jam-packed with kids and some teachers zooming and zipping in different directions. The school is much bigger than I anticipated. I’m still struck by the size of the school.
“So, what’s she like?” I ask Cathy.
“Who? Oh, um you mean Ms. Semmer? I have no idea, she’s supposed to be the new substitute teacher. Substitute teachers are always the worst.” Cathy says, putting away her leaflet.
“They sure are.”, I nod in agreement.
“But sometimes we get really good ones, like our last gym teacher. He was the best. Freaking hilarious guy.” Cathy says injecting her voice with optimism.
“Yeah, I guess it’s just a gamble, you never know who you’re going to end up with. I have a feeling she’s going to be alright though. She can’t be worse than Ms. Stanger.”
“Oh, you’ve met Stanger Danger huh? Are you in math with her?”, Cathy’s eyes widen.
“Yeah, she’s a real peach. She’s the reason I got called into the principal’s office.”
“Oh, you’ve got to tell me what happened.”, Cathy’s eyes light up at the thought of me telling her all the juicy details.
“Not till after class, Cathy, and you’ve got to promise not to tell.”
“Cross my heart and hope to die.” Cathy says.
“We’re here. Wanna sit at the front?” Cathy asks me. I nod.
Even if Ms. Semmer turns out to be horrible, I need to do my best in her class. Most of the class is seated and we wait for her patiently. She’s already five minutes late. The class is all a murmur now, students talking about their summer escapades and getaways. Cathy and I chat about my past, and what city I’m originally from.
“Los Angeles, I miss it already.”
“Gosh, so you must have visited Hollywood lots of times eh?” Cathy asks, getting more and more enamored with my past.
As I’m about to speak, the door flies open. A young lady with straight blonde hair and green eyes walks into the class in a huff. She’s carrying something that looks like a projector. She sets it down on the desk with a groan. Everyone silently chuckles. She looks young enough to be my big sister. Definitely way younger, and prettier than Stanger Danger. I have to admit that’s a good nickname for her.
“Good Morn- I mean Afternoon class. My name is Ms. Semmer and I will be filling in as a substitute for Mrs. Penelope this year.”, The blonde-haired lady says, all smiles.
“So, before I start, I’m going to hand out the syllabus here.”, she starts handing out paper to the students.
“Please note that we have no formal examinations or homework…”
“YESSS!”, students in the class whisper-shout with glee.
“Yes, yes, but you each have to create an art project of your own based on the art techniques that I will be teaching you this year. I believe in teaching by doing rather than telling, it’s more effective that way.”
I receive the papers that are being passed around. The syllabus lists all the topics that will be taught. No mid-terms, no finals, no quizzes. Yeah, she’s definitely better than Stanger Danger. Although, now I’m left to figure out what my art project is going to be, and I’m not really that good at painting or drawing.
“So, today we’re going to watch a little movie on art history. So please excuse me as I dim the lights.”, the lights dimmed and the movie from the projector came on.
Cathy Bennet invited me over to her house for a slumber party with some of her friends. I told her I’d think about it. I was feeling elated and walking on air after Ms. Semmer’s class, it was awesome. No notes taken and we got to watch a cool art history film. After saying my goodbyes to Cathy and walking down to the school parking lot, I spotted Octavia.
She sat at the edge of the parking lot, cross-armed, and face scrunched up. Her eyes glowered red, and I swear they brightened when she saw me. As I neared, she almost leapt at me.
“So, how was your first day at Arlington High, Selena?”, Octavia asked her harsh nasal voice feinting friendliness. She’s being sarcastic, and I can feel her plastic charm harboring something monstrous underneath.
“It was great, I loved it. Especially all of the teachers here”, I took it in stride offering up some of my home-grown sass. I was impressed she was standing here all by herself. I half-expected a throng of her minions hooting and howling at every word she was about to say to me. But she was alone, with that, she earned a modicum of my respect.
“I’m glad you did. I don’t know how you found out about my aunt, Selena, but I’m going to get down to the bottom of it. Arlington, New Mexico is my town.”
Woah, my arrogance meter was going off the chart. The popular perfect princess was bringing out her claws and I wasn’t one to back down from a threat.
“Maybe next time you two can try being honest for once.”, I say, standing my ground. I didn’t care if she had the teachers in her back pocket, or even the whole administration for that matter. She had no clue what she was up against anyway. My belief in my powers made me a little reckless and overconfident sometimes, which I admit could easily lead to my downfall.
“If I were you, I’d watch out Selena.”, Octavia says reaching for her backpack. She walked over to a sleek large black SUV that was waiting in the parking lot.
I wondered who that could be, her Dad? Stanger Danger?
Mom’s in the kitchen cooking supper and it smells delicious. I’m in my room doing my usual r
outine. Transferring notes into my color-coded binders. I got the history notes from Cathy. She’s slowly turning into the best thing that happened to me today. I can’t wait to go and meet her friends this weekend for the slumber party.
I’m still irked by Octavia’s threat. It’s times like these that I wished I wasn’t cursed with this power. A power that comes online only on instinct. My mind goes through analysing all the events of the day trying to figure out a way in which I could have defused the situation. There was no other way, I decide for myself. Exposing Octavia and Ms. Stanger’s action saved me from having to lose my scholarship. I’m getting obsessive over the little details of today’s action and try to do something that will help to get it off my mind. I decide to go and help my mom make dinner.
Mom’s cooking rice and chilli. As soon as she sees me her face beams.
“Selena! How was your day, honey?”
“It was great mom, and yours? How was work?”, I ask hugging my mom as she kisses me on the cheek.
“It’s work hun. How was your first day of school? Make any friends?”
Yeah, one. But I made tons of enemies though, you’d be so proud. Oh, and I cheated on my math quiz today with my telepathy. And nearly lost my scholarship as a result of it. All in all, it went horrible, Mom.
“It went great, I made a friend today, she showed me around school it was awesome.” I reply holding my tongue, hoping I hadn’t said what I thought.
Oh, oh, oh and another thing, this popular girl at school threatened me. I feel like we bonded quite well in that moment. You would be so proud of me Mom.
Dad comes through the door to our house. It’s much larger than the small apartment we had in Los Angeles. I particularly like the large backyard which I’d never been able to have in L.A.
“Hey guys, I’m home. Something smells good.”, Dad comes in, his tie loosely dangling from his neck. He looks dead tired but happy to see us. I run and hug him. He still manages to lift me up, even at this age.