Time: Chapters 1-2 (Revised)

“Honestly, it felt as though the entirety of my world had come crashing down around me. I could feel the splinters of glass raining over my skin and leaving lines of red flaring pain. How did I do this again? How COULD I do this again? I’m so dead.” The light from the overly large classroom suddenly becomes blinding as I try to focus my wavering eyes on my latest History examination. F triple minus. With this I know I’m doomed for the rest of the semester. I glance around the room and look at the faces of my peers. Some have the same expression as I do; Others are more morose. Grace Linking catches my eye and offers a soft smile. I tenderly smile back before lowering my head against the surface of my failure covered desk. The paper eases some of the coolness of the wood and I sigh.


“MR. OLVERA! If you are unsatisfied with your test score you have an option to make it up. Please try not to bash your brain in before school tomorrow. That being said, I’ll be notifying the parents of everyone with a C or lower. You are all dismissed.”

A collective groan arises from the class. Along with the rest of the zombies I gather up my possesions and I trudge out of the too bright room before the bell rings. At this school, it’s always best to be early for your next class. The teachers understand that and always release us ahead of schedule. I bump into Grace in the hallway and she offers me another smile. This time I manage to paint my face with a shit-eating grin. Her smile widens and she begins to talk.

“Hey, Oz. How’d you do on the test? I got an 85.” Her face is almost as bright as the classroom. It hurts my eyes a little and I look down before pulling my test out of my backpack and showing her.

“Ouch, that sucks. Maybe I should tutor you some time huh? Don’t worry I’ll take it easy on you Ozzy.” She smirks.
“Hey, I don’t need tutoring, Grace. You don’t need to save me from EVERY class. Besides, I’ll probably never see you again. After I get home my grandfather is going to erase ME from history. Thanks though, I’ll keep you in mind when I’m floating through limbo.”

“You’re so dramatic, Olvera. I’m sure it won’t be that bad.”

“Linking, if you only knew.”


“Well, Ozzy. If you need me, you know where to find me. Buh bye now.” She winks before spinning on her heel and walking off to her next class. Grace Linking. I’ve always had a crush on her. Since middle school. I don’t know what it is, but there’s something about her that I’m just drawn to. Maybe one day when I’m not a complete idiot, she’d actually consider dating me. Until then however, I’m Mr. Lonely forever. I shuffle my feet to my last class of the day. I have 2 less classes than everyone else; A reward for past performance. I wonder what happened? Oh yeah puberty, girls, and drugs. Yes, drugs. I smoke pot. Lots and lots of pot. I know people call it the gateway drug but I don’t consider it a drug at all. It came from the earth and I like the earth. You know, because I live on it. I’m not stupid enough to bring any of it to school though; I only smoke at home or out with the few friends I have.


Spanish, my last class of the day. Muy mal. I hate it. I live in America. Why do I have to learn Mexico? Alright I admit that might have been a bit racist. I’m sorry. I can’t help it though, it behooves me. I walk in with 3 of my classmates and take my seat at the back of the dingy classroom. Seriously, this has to be the least maintained and oldest classroom in the building. The walls are yellowed and half the desks are broken. Well, not broken but they sure as hell creak something awful. There’s only one window and the view isn’t even that great. I don’t get it. All of the other classrooms in the school are up to date and modern. Why not this one?


“Gooooodmorning class of mine!”


Mr Gonzales shouts at what has to be the top of his 68 year old lungs. The class and myself mutter a half hearted buenos dias, senor Gonzales. He starts with the usual Spanish vocabulary words before launching into chapter 12 of the text book. I try to pay attention but I can only think of the shit storm I’ve got waiting on me at home. My seat is in the back but I swear Mr. G has it out for me. He calls on me three times throughout the class. I muddle through the answers to his questions and throw my hand down on the old desk and start to daydream.


I’m walking through old London at night. Fog is engulfing the city and it is strangely beautiful. I hear a scream followed by an erratic, “No please!” I run towards the scream while tugging my trench coat closer to my body. I turn into an alley and the fog clears quickly. Before me is a sight I’ll never forget.