A High-Schooler's Experience

| by Kyle Futaba

A half track broke through the tree line out onto the open streets of the war torn city. Between the Allies and the Axis powers was a cheeseburger. Cheeseburgers were both opponents’ favorite foods and they were willing to go to war for it. Death did not deter Charlie from joining the armed forces when he heard about the perfect burger making machine. Every nation decided to join the legendary war for the prophesized meal. Fast food had taken the world by storm and…

“Get out of the car, Charlie, or you’re going to be late for school!” yelled Charlie’s mother.

Half awake, Charlie listened to his mother’s demands and promptly got out of the car. It was hard for Charlie to stay awake as the car seat was nicely cushioned and the oscillation of the car made him feel like a baby getting rocked to sleep in a padded cradle. Just as he was opening the door into his first period class, the bell suddenly rang out loudly, which startled Charlie to full attention. Keeping to himself, Charlie strolled into the classroom and sat down into his seat without a peep. Like every other day, the teacher came around the room to collect the homework from all the students. Momentarily, Charlie was certain that he had brought his study guide to turn in, but then realized that he had forgotten about it when he was studying for his test in the car and had to quickly get to class. Now he was internally panicking because the study guide was twenty percent of what the semester final would give. Only Charlie forgot his study guide and now all the other classmates and the teacher were mocking and laughing at him. Placing his face into his hands, he felt like a failure and a joke.

“Quickly Charlie, we need to get to school!”

Rising slowly from his chair, Charlie noticed that he had dozed off while getting ready for school and studying for his history test in his rolling chair. Charlotte, Charlie’s sister, had tried to awaken him multiple times by smacking him with a cheeseburger since Charlie had to drive both of them to school. Talking about the material on the study guide with Sydney on the way to school made Charlie feel less anxious about his upcoming final and calmed his nerves. Unlike his dream, Charlie remembered to put his study guide into his backpack before he left the car. Vacant parking spots were plentiful too, so he was able to get to class on time. When it was time to take the test, it wasn’t difficult and Charlie finished it with confidence. Xylography was in the next unit, which Charlie looked forward to since he enjoyed carving. Yet, he hoped that he would have better dreams before the next test. Zoology would be the subject of the next test for his second period, which Charlie had completely forgotten about.