Monday, Just Monday!

I hurriedly awoke Monday morning and went downstairs to cook our breakfast and lunch. My older brother, Atticus, came downstairs holding his Science project while I was making our breakfast and lunch.

As I was ready to lay the third plate on the table, he added, "Papa's not home, he texted me yesterday; he'll be gone for around 3 weeks on his business trip."

"What? Did he text you? He might have texted me as well, not only you!" I murmured, cautiously embracing the third plate.

"Hey, listen, because I'm the oldest, it's only natural that papa texted me first. You're too busy focusing on fairytales than focusing on your studies, Ally. You're 16 and you still believe in the stories mama told you?" he said, bending and adjusting his Science project and making it clean and presentable.

I let out a sigh as I gave him a dismissive look. "Those stories mama told me, I know they're true you know! Just admit it, Atty, you believe in them too!" I try to reason with my older brother, who believes in Science.

"I'm not 7 years old anymore, Ally, and you're not 5 years old either; shouldn't you have grown out of that phase by the time you're 12?"

I shouldn't have tried to reason with him in the first place. He always knows how to use his words to attack in any way possible. Stupid older brother who is a Science buff!

In any case, I usually lose in this type of debate. What's the purpose of dining together if it's just me and Atty? I went to the kitchen and started packing our breakfast and lunch in a container. I aggressively hand him his food packet after putting mine in my backpack (For breakfast and lunch). Before leaving the house, I walked to Mama's photo frame by the couch and said my goodbyes to her before heading to school.

-

Fantastic, simply fantastic! Mathematics is the subject in which I have the least interest. While Ms. Worcester is debating the merits of this or that formula or solution. I was just pretending to be paying attention by getting a pen and paper and doodling on it. When Ms. Worcester noticed it, she took the paper away from me and asked why I wasn't paying attention.

"Alexia, you're supposed to be listening to what I'm saying, not drawing such nonsense."

It's not necessary to display it in front of the entire class. I chuckle cynically and hide my face in my math book. I'll confess that my art isn't particularly good, but art is art. Isn't that what makes art, art? do you get it?

"Why, Alexia Ilagaria, are you different from your older brother Atticus Ilagaria, who is an exceptional student."

That's enough to make my blood boil. Why would you compare me to my brother when we have nothing in common? Ugh! I'd love to respond to Ms. Worcester right now, but I'm trying to keep my sanity in order to prevent such disputes.

"I'm sorry, Ms. Worcester," I said as I rose up. "It won't happen again."

When she handed me the paperback, She then goes on to teach the rest of the class. I sat down and crumbled the paper before asking a classmate who was sitting near the bin to toss it away.

-

The bell rang, signaling the end of our Math class and the start of our Physical Education class. Before I could even take a step, I stood up and grabbed my belongings. Ms. Worcester sent me to Ms. Heisse. I was ready to make an excuse when she said, "Don't make me an excuse, young lady!" and I realized I had no choice but to visit Ms. Heisse.

I was going to leave the room after Ms. Worcester had departed when my name was called. Please, please, please, As a result, I answer with an annoyed tone. When I turned around, I was surprised to see Nicholas Reuben, the drama club's president, calling me.

"Please accept my heartfelt apologies."

"The theater club would love to welcome new members if you are interested, you can drop by," he quietly chuckles as he announces his reason for calling me.

I suddenly realized that I haven't joined any clubs since that time. After all, drama club isn't all horrible. Given Nicholas's request, I suppose I should give it a shot...?

"Thanks," I responded, gazing at the flyer he had given me. "I'll drop by after class is over."

"Also, I believe this is yours; you have such fantastic artistic abilities, Alexia; such a lovely abstract of a fairy."

He handed me the shredded paper with my sketch on it, which I begged to be thrown away because I was flushing from humiliation. When he rested his hand on my shoulder and smiled at me, I was about to burst.

"Alexia, I'll see you after school," he said as he walked out of the room.

Was he taunting me or was that a compliment? AAAH! I was unable to think clearly! This is a once-in-a-lifetime occurrence that hasn't happened in my 16 years of existence!

I need to take a deep breath and remind myself that I still need to visit Ms. Heisse before moving on to the next subject. I folded the flyer and stuffed it into my pocket before exiting the classroom and heading to Ms. Heisse's office.

-

I'd arrived at Ms. Heisse's office door and was debating whether or not I should see her today. The door opened on its own before I even had a chance to knock. Maybe it's only the wind, but it's creepy. Before entering her office, I had a look around and noticed Ms. Heisse was busy with some paperwork.

As soon as I entered her office, I walked over to her desk and sat in the chair in front of her. I put my backpack down and began looking about as if I hadn't been here before.

"Ms. Worcester informed me you weren't listening or engaging in her subject, but instead you started scribbling sketches," she said, laying her pen down, gently removing her spectacles, and locking her gaze on mine.

"I Ummm..." I'm out of excuses.

To avoid making eye contact with Ms. Heisse, I look in another direction. I started shifting the subject so I wouldn't have to answer her.

"I had no idea you had a chest, Ms. Heisse," I said as I stood up and walked over to the chessboard, picking up a pawn and twirling it between my fingers.

Ms. Heisse sighed heavily, and I heard her. She got out of her chair and walked over to me, tapping my shoulder. I continue to twist the pawn while lowering my head.

"I know it's been difficult since your mother died, especially for your father, who is raising such exceptional children."

Outstanding? That's correct, I'm nothing more than...Alexia Ilagaria. I even felt like I was a letdown in our family.

"There's no need to sugarcoat the words, Ms. Heisse. I can accept the fact that I'm different from everyone, that I'm a freak, that I still believe in fairytales, but... it's the last memory I have of my mama," I said, clutching the pawn and fighting back tears.

"Fairytales are more than true," Ms. Heisse rubbed my head, "not because they tell us that such magical creatures exist, but because they tell us that they ended up preserving the world of people and mystical creatures."

I turned to face Ms. Heisse and smiled at her. She gives me a sincere grin before softly brushing my hair.

"Now that we've finished here, you can go; don't worry about Ms. Worcester; I'll take care of her. You don't want to miss your next subject with Coach Naruaez," she said softly.

As I was about to leave the room, Ms. Heisse remarked, "You may see me anytime, Alexia. You can tell me everything." I just nodded and walked out.

-

I walked past Atty's classroom as I walked down the hall. I came to a halt to observe him being so focused on his studies and academics. I kept my grasp on the sling of my bag and continued walking down the corridor.

I'm almost to the locker room when I run into someone. Penny, my best friend, had called. She was prepared to fling her hands at me because she had brought my exercise gear with her.

"It took you long enough! Coach Naruaez was looking for you, and he asked me where on earth you were, and I was going to give an excuse until Nicholas, Nicholas Reuben covered you," she said angrily as she handled my exercise gear.

Before entering the locker area, I shrug and give her an uneasy smile.

"Since when did you and Nicholas, should we say, become acquainted?"

"After the math subject, he spoke with me and handed me a flyer for their drama club, telling me that if I was interested, I may come by their club." I put on my white shirt and adjusted my jogging pants.

"You should join the drama club, they only have a few members there," she said, pinching her chin and leaning against the wall.

"I'm still debating whether or not to join the drama club—stupid shoe!" muttered as I furiously removed and replaced my shoe.

Penny sighed and said, "I'll see you at the gym, Alex. You better be there or else we'll be in trouble and Coach Naruaez will get upset at us." before exiting the locker area.

-

Her full name is Penelope Yara Esa. I know, I know. It's stunning. Penny and I met in middle school and have been friends ever since. Her parents left her when she was five years old, leaving her in the care of her grandmother. Penny's parents were both too preoccupied to care for her.

When I asked her to be my buddy, our friendship began. She gladly accepted it because no one else wanted me to be a member of their social circle. I introduced her to papa and Atty after school that day. Penny invited me to her house the next day to enjoy cookies that her grandmother had baked and introduced me to Grandma Alice.

-

I'm prepared and have gone to the gym. I apologize for being late to Coach Naruaez.

"Alexia Ilagaria, give me 10 running laps," he wrote on his clipboard while blowing his whistle forcefully.

Before I could perform my 10 running laps, I sighed and walked to the side to stretch. From afar, I could hear Coach Naruaez yelling at someone for being lousy.

This day couldn't possibly get much worse...as soon as I finished stretching, I started running laps. Penny was climbing the rope and waving at me, so I raised my brows in response.

I didn't realize my shoelace was untied until I slid, dropped on the gym floor, and landed on my chin while jogging laps (for about 3 already). Internally, I scream, biting the inside of my lower lip and fighting back tears. Penny rushes up to me and asks Coach to drive me to the clinic.

Sometimes I praise these kinds of mishaps for allowing me to make excuses, such as avoiding punishment.

-

-

Sir Smith was our teacher for the last subject of the day, history. All of the lights were turned off, and the only source of light was the projector.

In my notebook, I scribbled everything for today's lessons, and when some gum landed on my notebook, I scribbled softly. Gross! It even had saliva on it, as well as small bubbles.

I swivel my head towards the direction of the terrible gum's owner, but I can't see very well because it's dark. I returned to my notebook, shook my head, and ripped the paper from my notebook, crumpling it and tossing it aside. I revised everything after dropping my pen by accident. When I bent down to pick it up, I noticed that the underside of my desk was covered in gums.

Before picking up my pen, my eye twitched. I bit my lower lip and inhaled deeply before returning to my task of rewriting everything.

I swear I'm praying and trying to maintain my sanity.

When something landed on my hair, I flinched and hesitated to touch it. Finally, I touched it, and it turned out to be another gum! How revolting!!! I'm about to go insane.

Even though the room is dark, I can hear a distant giggle. I slammed my history book shut and tossed it in the direction of the chuckle.

BULLSEYE!

It was none other than Jaxon who smacked him in the face. Mr. Smith became enraged when he sighed and I interrupted our class. He then instructed me to meet him after class with Jaxon.

What's the matter with me today? I mean, I always make mistakes on a daily basis, but this is not one of those days.

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