Times

The rain was pouring hard on the streets of New Reed City. It was the first day of class and it seemed that he would be late again. He had a record for being late on the first day of school since the 6th Grade. It was even more humiliating since he was finally in his senior year. He was sure to receive the red carpet if he was late again.

“This can’t be happening! Not again!” he thought to himself. “Please, to all the gods out there! Help me out here.” He was almost there. He dashed through the crowds almost bumped into a girl but had no time to waste and continued to run. It didn’t matter someone was shouting at him to stop.

He arrived at the school gate. But to his despair, he was late again. The school’s public gate was closed. Completely disheartened, he dragged himself through the lonely corridors which seemed to ridicule him. He could hear the echoes of each drop that fell from his drenched coat. The prefect of attendance approached him with a clipboard listing his name on the list of late students which was clean spare his name.

“Late again, Mr. Kaine?” the prefect asked with disappointment. While waving her pen at him she added, “I just don’t know what to do with you. You’ve been testing my patience for years now. I may be your aunt but I can’t bend time for you.”

Aunt Tabitha was an elderly woman in her mid-forties and she was already used to seeing him late. Sometimes she would let him pass and still count him as ‘on time’. He knew that she had been scolded for this, so he tried to be on time as much as he could. A half-eaten ‘sorry’ was all that fell out of his mouth.

“You should at least try not to be as tardy as you were last year. You could get dropped from the student list because of this, you know.”
“I know, I know… but It just happens!”
“Nonsense! You just need a little motivation. I know you’re a good kid. I could tell since you were just a baby. But even your mom is getting tired of your bad study habits.”
“I guess studying isn’t my strong point.”
“Then what is? You’re athletic ability isn’t exactly proud of.”

He smirked. “Guess not.” Tabitha finally got tired of scolding him, “You ought to head to class. Here’s you’re pass.” She pulled out a small notepad for the late passes and signed one. He placed it inside his right pocket and made his way to the door. “Thanks Aunt Tabby; for everything.”

He stepped out of the office with a downtrodden face since he knew that the hard part was still to come. Now, he had to face his classmates who were expecting no less from him. “They might’ve even prepared a banner. Bastards.” he thought as he walked towards his classroom. Images of his classmates ‘proudly’ welcoming him for being late again this year filled his head. It wasn’t a very pretty sight but he had almost gotten used to it. But they’re seniors now. They might have matured and don’t even care.

“Fat chance.” he said to himself.